SPOT Satellite Messenger

[Yak-NDN]

Has there been a thread on the Spot Satellite Messenger I was just wandering how they work?

[fishcrazy]

Has there been a thread on the Spot Satellite Messenger I was just wandering how they work?

Yes!!
and I love mine!!! It was one of the best birthday gifts I have ever revieved.

Kris

[whacker1]

I commented awhile back that my snow-mobiling friends use them a lot, and I thought they would be a good addition to my stuff to keep the Mrs. happy.  However, I haven't been able to find the special that I saw last winter for the snow-mobilers.  So I haven't purchased one yet.

[Houndhunter]

there free after rebate at cabelas right now, not sure how much lnger the sale goes on for

[whacker1]

I will be checking that out.

That was the special last year.  Free after rebate and 2 year contract.

Neil

[Fishhunt223]

I just looked on the cabelas website and it doesnt look like they are on sale anymore.   
Am I looking at the right place?

[ICEMAN]

Here is an old thread I started on it a while back....

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,11775.0.html

[Todd_ID]

The damn thing failed miserably last week!  I had it with me on an elk scouting trip.  On the way home we saw a guy we had met hunting was at his cabin, so we stopped.  I got home at about 3:30 am when I told the misses it would be just after dark.  She says, "Why didn't you just hit the OK button on your SPOT?"  ....... DAMN IT!

Sometimes you just can't fix stupid!

The thing works great, but you've got to push the button to keep people in the know.

[whacker1]

Sale was on the back of the Fall Master Catalog good through Dec 31st.

[Little John]

I used mine for the first time on a pack trip to Mont last week. It worked great, my wife was happy to see I was ok and liked to see were I was on Google-earth. We were 33 miles in on mules so she was a little concerned.

[whacker1]

Sounds like I should probably not be in a bar if she is using Google Earth to see where I am at.  Hadn't thought about that until now.   

[HoofsandWings]

They work great. You need to have sky above you.
Since I got mine, my wife has not asked search and rescue to find me. I have not been written up in
the local paper as a lost hunter. I have not had a sheriff stop me with his lights flashing and have me identify myself
as the lost hunter everyone was looking for.

[Bob33]

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/01/spot_satellite_messenger_perso.php
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=11633

If your life depends on it, take a satellite phone.  You can communicate two-way, and you will KNOW if your message gets through.

If your life doesn't depend on it, save your money and buy something else.

[SnakeEyes]

I like the idea. My dad purchased one this year. They are slow to log in and send the signal. They are also not as dependable as I would like. Heard many stories of wives not getting the ok signal. I have heard deep canyons and tents can be a problem. The other thing I do not like is the emergency button is too exposed. I would worry it would accidentally get turned on and send an emergency signal. The owner of the spot is responsible for any emergency response. My dad covered his emergency button with some metal tape.

They are supposed to be coming out with an updated version. The signal is supposed to be better and I think the emergency button will have a cover so accidental signals should not happen.

Great for scouting. When you get home you can zoom in to where you were on google earth really fast.

[MichaelD]

I came across the spot 2 on eBay the other day.  Looks like they are taking pre-orders for a possible October 22nd release date.  Smaller/lighter and a couple of improvements.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-SPOT-2-Satellite-GPS-Messenger-Orange-FEATURES_W0QQitemZ320407948504QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item4a99cd4cd8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[ICEMAN]

...
If your life depends on it, take a satellite phone.  You can communicate two-way, and you will KNOW if your message gets through.

If your life doesn't depend on it, save your money and buy something else.

So Bob, since my cell phone drops out occasionally even in the city, should I get a satelite phone too? What if I have a stroke and cannot speak....how will the satelite phone help me? What if I am lost and cannot explain where I am?

The Spot messenger is a great way to help insure your safety, without breaking the bank. It is not perfect, and does not work in every single situation, but I am not sure I would claim that only bringing it, versus a satelite phone constitutes a lack of regard for safety. 

[follow maggie]

If you have a stroke out there, you're hosed.  It can be a good tool to get help if you need it.  Hopefully, people don't get false confidence and go past their abilities.