SPOT II Recall

[cruiseroutfit]

Update:

Had a great talk with the gents from 406Link, at this point their unit does not have a 'middle ground' message, OK or emergency only. They are working on other units but right now the technology doesn't exist using the current satellite system they are on.

Then, we swung by Spot and had a nice chat with the Spot reps. First and foremost they say the fixed Spot II will be available in "2-3 weeks" and at that point they will start calling for swaps, upgrades, etc.

Even cooler is the new Delorme PN60w (I think that was the model I'll have to look). It uses a smaller SPOT device tied to your standard GPS unit. Here is the kicker, you can customize a 48 letter/number message to send out. So its no longer 'need help non-emergency', its 'you have my location and I need an axle shaft'. Very cool, expected on the market mid-summer. Delorme is handling all the marketing and distribution of that product but it will be tied to Spot.

 

[Abel Villesca]

Update:

Had a great talk with the gents from 406Link, at this point their unit does not have a 'middle ground' message, OK or emergency only. They are working on other units but right now the technology doesn't exist using the current satellite system they are on.

Then, we swung by Spot and had a nice chat with the Spot reps. First and foremost they say the fixed Spot II will be available in "2-3 weeks" and at that point they will start calling for swaps, upgrades, etc.

Even cooler is the new Delorme PN60w (I think that was the model I'll have to look). It uses a smaller SPOT device tied to your standard GPS unit. Here is the kicker, you can customize a 48 letter/number message to send out. So its no longer 'need help non-emergency', its 'you have my location and I need an axle shaft'. Very cool, expected on the market mid-summer. Delorme is handling all the marketing and distribution of that product but it will be tied to Spot.

I've been watching the Delorme PN60w announcements. I'm really liking the ability to send variable messages. I'll probably wait for it to come out and give it a try.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've been watching the Delorme PN60w announcements. I'm really liking the ability to send variable messages. I'll probably wait for it to come out and give it a try.

We played around with it today, it is neat. He said they are working on some gps 'unit to unit' features too, sorta like some of the other market offerings but bundled into one. Not sure if the PN-60w will allow this but a future version may?

I've got the full sales/tech spec brochure on the new PN-60w, might be the same stuff as their site? I'll check.

 

[Abel Villesca]

Any chance it will be available before May?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Any chance it will be available before May?

Doubt it, the Spot rep said "mid-summer", I may head back to the show tomorrow if not I think Moody said he was going to swing back up. One of us could press him for a bit more information. That said they really emphasized that its a Delorme product using their technology, ie Delorme retailers will be selling it.

Also, I didn't realize the Spot II had been sold in gray, I know some pictures of it appeared here on ExPo in gray but all the units I had seen at retailers and of users were the standard orange. The unit for the Delorme (smaller than the Spot II) was all black. Not a huge deal but I'd prefer to have a gray unit velcroed to my gray dash than an orange unit if nothing else to prevent it from becoming a 'target' of theives. Maybe I'm thinking into it too much?

I too think I'll hang onto my Spot I until the Delorme unit hits the playing field, honestly it has the most appeal.

 

[Willman]

Get infor. Kurt!

That Delorme unit sounds very cool!

Price tag?

:sombrero:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Get infor. Kurt!

That Delorme unit sounds very cool!

Price tag?

:sombrero:

I think he said retail was ~$399 though a quick google search and I'm seeing it online (with a May 2010 release) for less.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Well now I'm confused. This is the email I got from Spot immediately after filling out the return info online.

Thank you for submitting your product exchange claim. Your order is currently being processed.

You should receive your return shipping materials within 5-7 business days.

Enjoy your adventures,

The SPOT Team

Then, I got this email immediately after:

Dear Canadian SPOT 2 Subscriber

Thank you very much for completing the Voluntary Product Return information. To help serve our Canadian customers better the process for Canadians will be slightly different that noted in the email you recently received after submitting your SPOT 2 information.

In Canada, upon unit availability in early 2010, customers will be emailed instructions outlining how to exchange your existing SPOT 2 unit for a NEW SPOT 2 unit. Please keep your SPOT 2 unit until this time.

You will not be receiving return shipping materials within 5-7 business days as noted in the previous email.

We appreciate your patience in this matter and look forward to continuing to meet your satellite messaging needs.



Regards



The SPOT Team

I haven't recieved any more emails, but now I recieved my shipping stuff.

So, are the new units ready now? I'll have to call them. I'm really surprised they are a sponsor here, but don't have any representation.

 

[JamesDowning]

This was the response I received from their e-mail support as of Jan 25:

Good Day,

The exchange program has been finalized by our head office and the makers (Axxon) Spot LLC. We unfortunately, like any other company cannot replace a product within days or even provide a "temporary replacement" until your Spot 2 device is ready to be returned.

You have 2 options: 1- Return the product to the retail store where it is purchase for a refund, if it was purchased online then you will have to go through the website. or 2- Sign-up for the Exchange program and you will receive your Spot 2 device early 2010.


Unfortunately, Spot has encountered a minor problem with Spot 2 models and has made the exchange program vonluntary for previous Spot 2 customers. Customer who have already registered their devices have the options of applying for the program or not.

We advised all retailers and stores to remove their Spot 2 devices from the shelves and stop selling them, as we STOPPED ALL ACTIVATIONS on Spot 2 devices.

Just like any other product or company, for a refund you must go through the store or website where you made your purchase, as the seller is the one who is to provide the refund for the product.

All products are tested and over, we advised customer as soon as we got information regarding the battery indicator problems were advised them. The malfunction in the product was not affecting the message delivery, it was only indicating to users that their batteries have 30% or less life span left.

Best Regards,


Spot Customer Service
1-866-651-7768
www.findmespot.com

So their official response still seems to be "early 2010".

Needless to say, I went through with the 'voluntary' exchange program... so I'm just awaiting my new SPOT 2 now. >twiddle thumbs<

 

[FishPOET]

I am happy with my SPOT 1. I guess I'll be skipping SPOT 2.

Unfortunately, Spot has encountered a minor problem with Spot 2 models

A minor problem? The units do not work, cannot be activated, and the fix may still be a few months away? I think minor is the understatement of the year.

I can't believe how badly SPOT screwed up this whole recall mess. It is a public relations nightmare.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

If one of you Spot II owners would like to follow up with the SPOT representative that told me "2-3 weeks" at the OR Show last week I would be happy to forward you his contact information. I'd just ask that you send him a note addressing the recall and give us all an update here on the forum. That way he is not bombarded with calls or emails from a million different sources.

I've got no dog in the fight, I'm a Spot I'er

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Send me the info please.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Send me the info please.

Done. Good luck!

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Done. Good luck!

I've tried calling a few times, but never got an answer, and didn't feel like leaving a message "Hi, you don't know me but, some guy on the internet gave me your number, can you call me back?"

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and send my unit in the SASE envelope provided. I'll let y'all know what happens.

 

[JamesDowning]

I just received this email from SPOT:

Thank you for returning your SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT 2) as instructed under the SPOT Product Return Program. Your replacement SPOT 2 has shipped and you should receive it within 7 to 10 business days.

Once you receive your SPOT unit, simply visit www.findmespot.com to register your SPOT and activate service. Reference your new ESN number found in the battery compartment during the registration process. Please install new AAA Energizer® Lithium Ultimate 8X batteries. Your SPOT 2 is all set to go!

Again, thank you for your patience. For your inconvenience, we will be adding 1 month free to your SPOT service plan once you activate your service. Your account will update automatically within 30 days of activating your service reflecting your new renewal date.

Enjoy your adventures!

Sincerely,

The SPOT Team