SPOT Satellite Locator

Wondering if anyone has experience with the SPOT (SPOT I especially) devices and service?

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

and the SPOT I

http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101


Of note, until the end of the year, the SPOT 1 can be had for $49 after rebate (subscription is required to use the device).

spot

I bought mine 2 years to bring my boat down the Washington coast, it worked very well. My kids tracked the entire trip and it was very cool to look at when we were done. I bought it instead of a epirb thinking I would use it on other skiing /hiking trips around Mt hood. Reality is I haven’t backcountry skied or hiked that much but still pay the yearly fee. If I was to do it again I would simply buy an epirb for offshore sailing not sure I do enough other activities to support the yearly fee.

We have had one for 18 (?) months. My main gripe is that the user interface was designed by a tree-stump. You don't get any feedback telling you that you are in the tracking mode so you just hope that you remembered the correct button pushes. I think this is why you see so many reports of tracking "not working" ... if you didn't push correctly for 5 seconds it won't turn on but you can't tell by looking at it.

I also worry that the 911 and help buttons aren't recessed enough to keep from inadvertently activating them in a gear bag, but that is probably not too likely to happen.



-Sven