GPS / Navigation » SPOT Personal Locator Beacon
Whether you’re just checking in, allowing others to track your progress, or calling for help – SPOT gives you a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. And since it utilizes 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don’t.
Size: 4.38 X 2.75 X 1.5” (approx. 111 mm x 69 mm x 44 mm) Approximate Weight: 7.37 ounces (209 grams)
169.99 USD (SRP)
Low-Cost satellite service subscription required.
SPOT features four key functions that enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based upon varying levels of need:
Alert 9-1-1 – Alert emergency responders to your exact location
o SPOT sends one message every 5 minutes until power is depleted or 911 is cancelled.
Ask for Help – Request help from friends and family in your exact location
o SPOT sends one message every 5 minutes for one hour or until Help is cancelled
Check In – Let contacts know where you are and that you’re okay
o SPOT sends three identical messages to the SPOT service for redundancy. The first of those three messages is delivered.
Track Progress – Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps™
o SPOT sends one message every 10 minutes for 24 hours or until SPOT is powered off.
Battery Life
Includes 2 AA 1.5V lithium batteries; under normal usage a full battery charge should meet or exceed the following
* Power on, unused: Approx. 1 year
* SPOTcasting tracking mode: Approx. 14 days
* 9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
* SPOTcheck OK/√: 1900 messages
$99.99 USD/yr basic satellite service subscription includes:
ALERT 9-1-1:
Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location. Unlimited usage included.
CHECK IN:
Let contacts know where you are and that you’re okay. Unlimited usage included.
ASK FOR HELP:
Request help from friends and family at your exact location. Unlimited usage included.
Terms and conditions apply >>>
Upgrade Services:
TRACK PROGRESS:
$49.99/yr USD Tracking Upgrade Option
Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps™.
GEOS Search & Rescue Benefit
$7.95/yr USD (if purchased at initial activation. $150.00 USD afterwards)
Provides up to $100,000 USD of additional search and rescue resources, including helicopter extraction around the world and reimbursement benefits – underwritten by Lloyd’s of London – for any emergency service expenses incurred. For more information, including terms and conditions, visit http://www.geosalliance.com/sar
Product Website: findmespot.com
Please rate this product: (no login required)
(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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I have one and like it. It’s not perfect but it generally does what is advertised. My wife likes it when I’m out of contact and I like it because I hate cell phones and this works far more often. Too bad you don’t know 100% for sure your message got through and it could be smaller and lighter but I’ll continue to use it and carry it. I have the normal service and the “tracking” feature.
I have one that worked perfectly in the Grand Canyon when a hiking partner broke both bones in his lower legs 600 vertical feet below the rim on a very remote route. NPS received our distress signal 2 min. after setting it off, they got 47 position updates in the 6 hours it was on……that being said it took 6 hours before we got any help. My conclusion – great product but after you set if off you better be busting your ass to change your situation and not sit around waiting for help.
Anyone have one that I can borrow for the first week in April? I don’t see myself using it for the entire year, so I don’t really want to buy one. I’d be interested in working out a monetary exchange for using it also.
I’ve been using this for 6 or so weeks and it generally works as advertised. At this point, I’m still keeping it in a mesh pocket on the back of my camelback while riding. This positions the unit at roughly 45 degrees when I’m riding along. Realizing this is not the optimal “vertical” position that SPOT mandates for use, it still transmits fairly regularly while in tracking mode. I’ve noticed that while in this position (45 degree angle), it transmits just fine except when my back is facing SW or NW….I imagine this is a function of the satellite locations at any given time. When in a vertical position, it works perfectly most of the time while in tracking mode. When it does not, I just reset it back into tracking mode.