SPOT Satellite Messenger

I've used the Spot for 5 months. I'm still on the same set of batteries. It works pretty good. I'm surprised that it gets reception in the woods sometimes and other times doesn't in the wide open. Always let it "warm up" and lock on before using heading out. That really increases your coverage. I would like to see an optional signal booster. I use the tracking a lot and thier website is great.

The device consistently transmitted successful signals inside my S. California (stucco and plaster ceilings) home with grey overcast skies. It has also worked in my truck when placed against a partially opened glass sunroof.

As of this writing Im not experiencing problems with the GPS signal not getting through. The device is built solid. The instructions are weak. A plastic reference card is needed to carry with the device. The Google interface is ok. Backcountry needs to stock the carrying case. Service is way cheaper than a GPS sat phone or a regular cell phone for that matter.

3 stars only because of the poor documentation. People visually scan instructions and then try to apply logic and intuition to learn.

The instruction must be read more than once and sections noted to reverence back to. If youre in a stressful situation you will forget. If someone else is trying to use the device for you, they wont know. Again, a plastic reference card is needed. Otherwise I would give 4-1/2 maybe 5 stars.

Also in CO. Travel all over the state for outdoor stuff. As soon as you leave I-70 you get no cell service, as Cowboy states. I oftentimes hike alone and Spot's OK feature is brilliant for me. I send an "ok" every hour or so to let my husband know I'm good. It's really cool that the coordinates map on Google, and your friends/family can see exactly where you're at on the map. I feel good that I could call 911 if I really got in trouble. The optional $100k of rescue cost insurance through Lloyds of London for $8/year is a steal and comforting. The unit is sturdy, and seems like it is waterproof. I've already dropped it several times on the rocks with no problems (wish cameras came that bomber).

HOWEVER, the tracking feature, where it automatically sends info on your position every 10 minutes (which you have to pay $50/yr extra for), doesn't work well at all. Don't waste your money on it. Like any GPS device, it doesn't pick up signals in the woods, and it seems to not be able to triangulate fast enough to get you located if you are moving all the time.

So, if you want to use it to periodically let your loved ones know you're good and let them see where you are once in a while on the map, want the security of being able to call in the cavalry in a dire situation - great, A++, get it.

If you are super geek, like some of my friends and think you are going to get a nice real-time track laid out with the tracking feature while your running or hiking, forget it. Probably not for you. The technology might get there someday, but it's not in this 1st gen version.

My wife worries when I disappear into the wilderness for a multi-day backpack. This reassures her that I am OK...or not. I also like to go solo so if I do get into trouble...at least I have some way of calling for help if I should ever need it. Works like a charm.

I work for the U.S. Coast Guard and local search and rescue team in Alaska. The SPOT seems to have a huge blackout area up here and we get sent out to look for people who aren't lost all the time. Their family doesnt hear from them for a while because the SPOT can't find a satellite in this vast wilderness. It might work in the lower 48 but up here I'd get a ACR 406.

I just got home from a 2 week trip in Alaska. My SPOT worked like a swiss watch all over the state, including Barrow and Prudhoe Bay! I looked at the coverage map on SPOTs website and looks like they do have statewide coverage up there. I would recommend SPOT for anyone.

I have used this while camping, hiking, also during a 15 day trip to Peru. It worked from Machu Picchu, all along the middle range of the Andes (in hail & rain), from the middle of Lake Titicaca in Peru and all over California.

It keeps my family from worrying and lets friends check in on where i am!

I'll be taking it to Chirripo in Costa Rica and Rainier in 2009!

Plus, i like knowing that i have that just in case :)

Up here in Northern Colorado we have terrible cell phone service. And most of the time when you go into the mountains here you get no cell phone service at all. Never, ever. Even if you climb to a peak. That is where this device shines. It is a link to the outside world. Whatever that need be. At the very least you get to communicate to others that you are "A" ok. And when you get back home the tracking feature can be quite fun. I just wish this thing was a bit lighter in weight. It does not rank among one of the items you want your buddy to carry instead.

So far, so good. Do not pay extra for the "Tracker" service as it eats up the battery, and you can send/save the same data by occasionally pressing the "OK-Check" button.
I bought this for my hunting/backcountry skiing husband. He is happy to carry it, and I sleep better knowing where he is and that he is OK. The various mapping features are very cool.

I tried using this item for the first weekend during So Cal fire storms and the ash in the air must have affected the GPS. Every 5th message seemed to transmit and with no location available. Also during a heavy rain storm no transmission. Even on clear days some messages took 30 mins or more to reach recipient. The Spot Tracker has worked where my cell phone did not and that's why I bought it. Somewhat spotty mountain coverage, no pun intended. The added tracking service seems overkill, but some may find that useful.

Might work OK in the middle of town, but when you really need it in the back country it is spotty at best. I wouldn't bet my life on it.