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Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS image
 
(based on 12 ratings)
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Brand: Spot
Located in: Handheld GPS & Chartplotters
The World's First Satellite Messenger.
With the SPOT Satellite Messenger, you and your loved one have peace of mind knowing help is always within reach. SPOT is the only device of its kind, using the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sending its location with a link to Google Maps and a pre-programmed message via a commercial satellite network. And unlike Personal Locator Beacons, SPOT does more than just call for help. Tracking your progress, checking in with loved ones, and non-emergency assistance are also available, all at the push of a button. And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world even where cell phones don't.

Low-Cost satellite service subscription required. See specifications for details.

More information for the Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS
Review Snapshot®
Avg. Customer Rating:
 
3.9 stars
(based on 12 reviews)
83% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

Primary use:
Personal(8)
Pros:
Accurate(5), Compact(6), Easy to set up(7)
Best Uses:
Safety(5)
Describe Yourself:
Avid do-it-yourselfer(4), Outdoor enthusiast(3)
 
Couldn't get activated
By shortyVerified Purchaser from huntsville,Tx. on 1/14/2009
Cons:
Not user frendly
Describe Yourself:
Novice
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

Impossible for a novice to activate.I decided if it was that hard to activate,it was probably difficult to use,

 
A must on every boat!
By Knot StressedVerified Purchaser from Charlotte, NC on 1/2/2009
Pros:
Accurate, Compact, Easy To Set Up, Sensitive
Best Uses:
Safety
Describe Yourself:
Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

Going after game fish sometimes takes you out of your comfort range, to have this type of equipment available at it's reasonable price is great.
I have limited time with it, but have great faith it will be of great value if needed.

 
safety first
By MommaVerified Purchaser from Whidbey Island, WA on 12/29/2008
Pros:
Compact, Easy To Set Up
Best Uses:
Safety
Describe Yourself:
Professional
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

I gave this as a gift to my son-in-law and he is ranting about how great it is...and my daughter doesn't have to worry as much knowing where her husband is when he is fishing.

 
Help I've Fallen and I can't get up
By Bobby ZVerified Purchaser from Tallahassee FL on 12/17/2008
Pros:
Easy To Set Up
Best Uses:
Safety
Describe Yourself:
Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

Now all I need is the "Clapper"

 
"Out in the Blue or UP in the Canyons"
By Fishntales sportfishingVerified Purchaser from Eastern, NC on 12/9/2008
Pros:
Accurate, Compact, Discreet, Easy To Set Up
Best Uses:
Early Warning, Recording, Safety
Describe Yourself:
Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

Rather I am offshore in the Gulfstream or on the Mexican border up in the Canyons; my family knows I am ok. I fish offshore out of phone range a lot. Knowing that I can push one button as often as I would like to let my family know I am safe means a lot to me. I was just on a Mule deer hunt in southwest Texas on the Mexican border with limited cell phone coverage. While there, my wife always knew that I was OK and she could see the rough terrain that I was climbing in from Google maps.

 
SPOT
By Capt. BobVerified Purchaser from Clearwater, FL on 12/8/2008
Pros:
Accurate, Compact, Custimize message, Easy To Set Up, Price, Send Help to family, Send Help to friends
Cons:
None
Best Uses:
Peace of Mind, Safety
Describe Yourself:
Casual Do-It-Yourselfer
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

For the price with [$] rebate, SPOT is a great value. I boat offshore where sometimes my cell or VHF will not work. SPOT is another safety tool to protect all aboard. I set up family out of state and tested the product. After about 18 min the message was received in MO from FL. I love this product. One more thing; SPOT is very rugged. I'm still saving up for a EBIRB, but even when I purchase one, SPOT will be another backup...

 
Unreliable and Expensive
By Dave the PowerBoater from Florida on 10/10/2008
Cons:
Faulty, Low Quality, Unreliable
Describe Yourself:
Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Primary use:
Personal
Bottom Line:
No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

I thought this was great until I actually got one. It so unreliable, especially if the weather is cloudy. Wish I had done my research before purchasing or else I would have gotten a better EPIRB or PLB, they are actually cheaper if you do all the math.[$] to buy, plus [$] to activate, plus [$] each and every year.This video is pretty helpful at breaking down what survival gear you should have[@]

 
I Finally Found Him
By TrishVerified Purchaser from Connecticut on 8/29/2008
Pros:
Accurate, Compact, Easy To Set Up, Reliable Performance, Simple Controls, Very detailed picture, Waterproof
Best Uses:
Ocean fishing, Survival
Describe Yourself:
Outdoor Enthusiast
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

It gives me great peace of mind to be able to track my husband on his long fishing trips- I'm able to get his location, and also let the other "fishing widows" know that their spouses are ok!!

 
Perfect, Reliable, Peace of Mind
By Dave the fishermenVerified Purchaser from Galveston, TX on 8/23/2008
Pros:
Accurate, Compact, Ease of use, Long Battery Life, Reliable Performance, Simple Controls, Strong Construction, Waterproof
Cons:
Give 24hrs to activate
Best Uses:
Backcountry Camping, Offshore, On the water, River Trips, Survival
Describe Yourself:
On a budget, Outdoor Enthusiast, Professional
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

Spot is a compact product that is rugged and waterproof. It is simple to use and gives you the ability to test the Spot signal before you venture out. Once you setup your account, with one touch you can send yourself a text message and peace of mind that the Spot unit is working. Wether offshore or kayaking in the bay, Spot is there to send help if I need it. Thank you for giving the everyday outdoorsman an affordable and reliable means get help when a things go bad.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
Good, but could be better
By DiverderfVerified Purchaser from Wisconsin on 8/14/2008
Primary use:
Personal
Pros:
Easy To Set Up, Long Battery Life, Strong Construction
Cons:
Bulky, Difficult To Read
Best Uses:
Adventure, Boating, Geocaching, Hiking
Describe Yourself:
Outdoor Enthusiast, Technically Savvy
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

I'm a solo hiker who spends a lot of time in areas with little or no cellular service. The SPOT device gives me and my family a certain amount of piece of mind while I'm out exploring.
The SPOT unit has a lot of pros including being solidly built to handle the wilderness. I also like the tracking option and the ability to send 3 different types of messages.
The cons would be that it does not have a very sensitive GPS antenna. It seems to take forever to locate and lock on to satellites and needs an absolutely clear view of the sky. Even a single tree seems to prevent a signal. In my testing, my OK messages get through only about 65% of the time.
I would also like to see the confusing blinking lights replaced with a small LCD screen that would show signal strength and a better confirmation that your message was successfully sent. One final gripe is the website. It would not allow me to list my own email address or phone number as an emergency contact because that was part of my registration information. That was annoying to not be able to list my home phone.
Despite some of the problems, I still think that this was a good first effort. I've wished for a device like the SPOT for years. Other PLBs were way too expensive and only offered an emergency signal option. I do hope that the company takes to heart the reviews and introduces a newer model that at least has a better antenna. I carry my SPOT with me at all times and still highly recommend it to all who venture into the wilderness or out on the water.

[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

 
awsome product [...]
By rodVerified Reviewer from enumclaw, wa on 3/9/2008
Pros:
Durable, Good Value, High Quality
Best Uses:
Backpacking, Boating, Outdoor activies, Travel
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

inexpensive one way personal tracking.
antenna has to point up
requires a service level agreement with findmespot dot com.
sends a hyperlink of your position via e-mail on the internet and google maps or you can have them sent to cell phones and/or e-mail.
don't leave home without one.

[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

 
Spot is the best thimg going for all typ
By popeyespipe from stratford conn. on 2/26/2008
Pros:
Durable, Good Value, High Quality
Cons:
service charge
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about Spot Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS:

the spot has been the best idea I,ve found in a long time the tracking option though a little exspensive is the best . it keeps thouse at home a little less apprehensive and can save a lot oftension I reccament it to any one going out on the water from kyacker to sailor to sportfisherman

Customer Reviews about the Spot Satellite Personal Messenger and GPS at BoatersWorld.com
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