WTB SPOT and asking for info

[XJINTX]

I want to buy a SPOT before next trip. I passed on the free buy as I passed the deal onto family and thought I was getting as a gift

Anyway, what services do I really want / need? I travel only in USA for now and usually with another SPOT user but not always.

Money is not the real issue just don't want to get a service that I may never use.

Any thoughts appreciated...

Mods please move if posted in wrong forum as I was not sure where to ask.

 

[Schattenjager]

Well the basic messaging with the 911 emergency response insurance is all I need. SPOT offers a tracking feature too - so you can see on a map where you have been. I have a Garmin for that purpose.

SPOT is very cool peace of mind. Affordable too!

 

[ChadHahn]

I think if you are going to be where there is no cover and you have a clear view of the sky then the Spot is worthwhile. The reviews talk too much about the units not getting a signal and there being no way of telling whether or not your SOS went through. I would hate to be waiting for help to come when it wasn't.

One review I read (of course I can't find it now) said that the reviewers were offered to keep the units after the field trial and nobody took them up on the offer.

After reading all the negative reviews of the unit I decided not to get one over Christmas when they were having good deals on them. I figured that a false sense of security is worse than no security.

If they could have a way to let you know if the signal went through (apparently, the green blinking LED doesn't mean that a GPS signal is present) without affecting the battery life very much then I might get one. Until then I'll make do with my 2M HT.

Here is one review on the unit. Spot Review

 

[EricGagne]

I ordered one friday from gpscity.ca, they have a nice sale. The unit is 139$ CAD instead instead of 169$ and they also have a coupon code with which you can get free tracking service for 1 year which is a 50$ USD value.

One thing that isn't clear to me though is the 7.95$ insurance. Is it 7.95$ per year if I renew it with the service every year or do we get that price only the first year and then have to pay 150$/year ?

 

[Schattenjager]

I renewed everything for the same price I paid 12 months ago.

As far as false sense of security - man, I have to think that anything is better than nothing. All of my "OK" messages have been sent with no problem, so I have to believe that an SOS would too. I am not going to sit around (if I can help it) and wait for anyone - but it is nice knowing that SPOT has the ability to speed aid. I have no doubt that if there was ever a real emergency and SPOT failed the test - it would be front page news in our ExPo type communities.

 

[HMR]

I like my SPOT.

I like the Globalstar stock I bought last month even better. :sombrero:

 

[tdesanto]

I want to buy a SPOT before next trip. I passed on the free buy as I passed the deal onto family and thought I was getting as a gift

Anyway, what services do I really want / need? I travel only in USA for now and usually with another SPOT user but not always.

Money is not the real issue just don't want to get a service that I may never use.

Any thoughts appreciated...

Mods please move if posted in wrong forum as I was not sure where to ask.

Funny Avatar Roger...didn't notice that you'd changed it.

Get the Spot with the basic service + the reimbursement insurance.