"Depends how you want to use it." - Review of SPOT Satellite Messenger

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.
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