If your outdoor adventures take you to remote areas, the Satellite Personal Outdoor Tracker (SPOT) could be a lifesaver.
It's the world's first satellite messenger capable of sending alerts to family, friends or a 911 center. The 911 button
sends your coordinates to North American authorities every five minutes until the alert is canceled. The unit's HELP
button sends a personalized note, current location coordinates and a link to a Google Map™ to up to five cell
phone
numbers and e-mail addresses if you need assistance, but don't require emergency services or
immediate rescue. The TEST/OK button verifies that the unit works or sends an "all is well" message. Built to handle
extreme conditions, SPOT is water-resistant to 3-1/2 ft., buoyant, rated to handle salt, fog, and humidity; it operates
in
temperatures from -40°F to 185°F and at altitudes ranging from -300 ft. to 21,300 ft. An On/Off power
button
prevents accidental activation and transmission. SPOT works in North and South America, Europe, Russia, Australia and
hundreds of miles offshore independently of cell phone systems. Included AA lithium batteries last up to 14 days in
tracking mode, seven days in 911 mode and supply power to send upwards of 1,900 messages. Wt: 7.4 oz. Requires
annual subscription with manufacturer.
SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Item:QZ-518244
$149.99
SOME RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY
9JUNE
Special Offers
Purchase a Spot Satellite Messenger and receive a FREE Spot Messenger (a $149.99 value) or up to $75 by mail-in rebate based on additional purchase of service plan. Offer good from June 1 to August 3, 2009.
Click here for complete details and coupon from Spot.
If your outdoor adventures take you to remote areas, the Satellite Personal Outdoor Tracker (SPOT) could be a lifesaver. It's the world's first satellite messenger capable of sending alerts to family, friends or a 911 center. The 911 button sends your coordinates to North American authorities every five minutes until the alert is canceled. The unit's HELPbutton sends a personalized note, current location coordinates and a link to a Google Map? to up to five cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses if you need assistance, but don't require emergency services or immediate rescue. The TEST/OK button verifies that the unit works or sends an "all is well" message. Built to handle extreme conditions, SPOT is water-resistant to 3-1/2 ft., buoyant, rated to handle salt, fog, and humidity; it operates in temperatures from -40?F to 185?F and at altitudes ranging from -300 ft. to 21,300 ft. An On/Off power button prevents accidental activation and transmission. SPOT works in North and South America, Europe, Russia, Australia and hundreds of miles offshore independently of cell phone systems. Included AA lithium batteries last up to 14 days in tracking mode, seven days in 911 mode and supply power to send upwards of 1,900 messages. Wt: 7.4 oz. Requires annual subscription with manufacturer.
Average Customer Rating:
4.2 out of 5
47 of 53 (89%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
a must in remote areas,
July 1, 2009
By NearDeerfrom O'Neill, NE
"It worked great on a fly in Canada fishing trip. Messages were sent reliably if sent following the instructions of having it set in a clear area for 20 min."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 2 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
2
out of 5
Will Spot save your life?,
July 1, 2009
By chiefheaterfrom New Jersey
"Granted I've had the unit a short time, but unfortunately, I've tested the Spot for "OK" checks in New Jersey and New Hampshire and received no contacts nor has my son or my wife who are my "help" contacts. My property in New Hampshire has little or no cell connection and was relying on Spot for an emergency. I was alone on the property and transmitted two "OK" transmissions of which neither was received by anyone. I have gotten some transmissions go through in New Jersey but I usually hunt and fish alone and Spot may not work, don't bet your life on it!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 3 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
Spot satellite Messenger,
June 23, 2009
By ddnutzyfrom Sturbridge, Ma.
"I have used the Spot on five different hikes for a total of 31 miles.On each of the hikes I tried to use the tracking mode which never gave out a signal. On each one I used to ok button on at least five different locations. Of the twenty five sent,I only got four responses sent to my email at home. I also had my Garmin 60 csx on the whole time and never lost the gps signal which averaged six satellites through the hikes. I called Spot and was told that you had to have a clear view of the sky so that makes it a useless piece of equipment here in New England where most of my hiking is in wooded areas. It probably works fine in New Mexico. It seems to me that the Spot has a real poor antenna on it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 4 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
3
out of 5
it works,
June 16, 2009
By 1Kimberfrom salinas Ca
"I gave it 3 out five there is nothing to compare it to. In testing by putting it in the back of my truck and driving around for a day it worked fine. It tracked ok and when I pushed the ok button again it sent out that I check in. 2 e-mails 4 text messages fine, but not to my Nextel. When I used it to track me on a hike, checking out hunting spots it did not do so will. I had it in the case on my hip it tracked me 4 times in 2 hours. My GPS don’t work will on my hip ether. Next time I will put on the top of my back pack. My GPS likes that. I would be scared to use it in the Grand Canyon or something like that. Like a GPS it needs a clear view of the sky!
As far as I know, there is nothing ells like this out there. It’s a lot cheaper than a satellite phone"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 5 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Must Have Item,
June 15, 2009
By 907Riderfrom Anchorage, AK
"This items is a must have item for anyone that enjoys any type of remote outdoor activities."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 6 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Still learning,
May 18, 2009
By LDuanefrom Longmont, Colorado
"Only had the SPOT a few weeks and still learning. I mostly use the SPOT in a backcountry airplane while flying in the Colorado Rockies and south eastern Utah with initial tests looking like it should work ok. The instructions on how to share trips are almost nonexistent. It would be nice to let my friends and other pilots see where I've been but no such luck yet. Another odd detail about tracking is that it numbers the trip backwards. Your last "track mark" at the end of your trip shows as the #1 instead of the #1 being your first track mark. It's not a big issue but is a little goofy."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 7 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
Very Disappointed-Only works in clear-wide open,
April 26, 2009
By KyHiker
"Just got the unit and took on a backpack trip to the Big South Fork area. Only sent out signals when on the clear bluffs-of course my cell phone would text also. The biggest problem is there is no way of knowing if the signal got out. My wife become quite concerned after not hearing anything for 3 days. I assumed the OK signal went out twice a day when I sent them. I will be sending this back and hope to get a refund on the subscription."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 8 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Spot Satellite Messenger,
April 9, 2009
By oldhunter65from SW US
"After receiving my Spot unit, I have been using and testing it. I have used the OK and Help features. I do like the reassurance that I do have some contact and able to let my contacts know that I am ok and they know specifically where I am. Because often times plans do change. I have found out that the location sent is where the unit is when the satellite comes in contact with the unit. Sometimes that is not the location I had intended to be reported. The instructions say to keep unit on for 20 minutes after you send a message. What I don't like is that the Help message is limited to what you have put in thru editing your profile. So people don't know if I need help to pack out an elk, lost my keys, ran out of food, etc. There is no way to edit your message unless your have computer access. If I had computer access then I wouldn't need the Spot. The upside is that my contacts would know that I needed some help and where to look. I also find that it is hard to tell when the unit has actually broadcast my message. I put my cell phone in as a contact and that works if I have cell coverage. I've been trying to devise a code of ok and help messages to narrow the type of help I need. The googlemap information has been quite useful to me when I return."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 9 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Works As Advertised,
February 15, 2009
By HighDesertBill
"SPOT works as advertised. I have owned my SPOT for 14 months and think it is excellent. You should go to SPOT's home page and review their coverage map. They advertise that under ideal conditions 99%, or more, messages get through. My SPOT works best when I get it out in an open area, get it horizontal and I give it no less than 20 minutes to uplink. Sometimes waiting 20 minutes seems forever, but giving it this amount of time is necessary for SPOTs satellite constellation to optimize over me to (hopefully) receive my signal. I have seen it take 19.9 minutes for my third OK uplink signal attempt to make it to the satellite. Have patience. You will be safer with SPOT and your friends/family will appreciate knowing where you are."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 10 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Fills the void,
January 27, 2009
By Anonymous Reviewerfrom Colorado
"The SPOT is filling a need for me in the mountain west by allowing me to communicate with family when I am out of cell phone range. I am also planning to utilize the technology on a trip to Alaska in September far off of the cell phone grid. The subscription service is real reasonable the first year and we will see after that but peace of mind for loved ones is pretty valuable. The additional benefit of being able to execute a 911 call when in a life threatening situation has already saved several lives. The SPOT is easy to use and is quite compact and will be a constant companion when I am on the go. It is not just for wilderness use but can be valuable when traveling as well!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 11 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger,
January 27, 2009
By Anonymous Reviewerfrom Belgrade, MT
"Actually works as advertised. Have used spot successfully on mountain cross contry ski trails on cloudy and blustery days. Have used spot successfully in canyon areas. Have used spot successfully in Yellowstone National Park where cell service does not have a chance on overcast snowy days.
Set-up and notification entries are easy."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 12 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Spot satellite personal messenger,
January 20, 2009
By cajunjoefrom Saint Bernard, LA
"Piece of mind. On the water or in the field, where most cell phones don't work."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 13 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
It Will save your Life!,
January 20, 2009
By dondot01from Wasilla, Alaska
"I live in Wasilla, Alaska, about 40 miles North of Anchorage, AK. We were taking an ATV trip through the middle of nowhere, lots of trees, brush, rivers etc. and hard to see from the air while on a 4 wheeling (ATV) day trip. I started my "SPOT" showing our start coordinates where we unloaded the ATV's and at the start I had sent one message going to each person I had on my email/tracking list who was with us that summer day. All riders were to receive the same message as my wife was to receive. I failed to check each message to see if they were all the same, since you have the option of saying whatever you want each recipients to receive, My Wife was the only one that received a message that said "Serious injury, Send Emergency help immediately!"! Everyone else received the correct message which "was that we had reached our destination, were safe and follow our route on Google through email!" My point here is that SPOT did work properly in rainy, cold, overcast and in the heavy woods did mark our route, show each location every Ten minutes for the entire trip, where we stayed for longer times in one location, when we would stop for lunch break or just to rest and since it showed us continually on the move, and after my wife desperately contacted the Alaska State Troopers who sent others out to locate us and determine our conditions did notice that we had continued to travel to our predesignated destination "Knik Glacier" an 80 mile ATV round trip through some of the worst terrain that you could ever hope to travel through, Rivers to cross and occasionally get stuck in and have to be winched out! The Alaska State Troopers did have the sense to notice that we were still traveling toward our destination and at the predesignated point did start our return back to our unload point! My wife was right there in my face with the email that was sent to her, along with other caring wives asking me to explain why she received this email and could see that we were okay! It turned out that the message to her was the only one that had not been changed from the one "SPOT" had entered from the factory! I had failed to check all the messages prior to my planning the trip! The bottom line is that it worked in an area where if it were ever to be tested, that part of Alaska would be the place that would prove its worth! Their were no charges by the State Troopers for their search, only to me from my wife for her being the only one to get the wrong message! Buy one, my opinion is, it is well worth it if your life means anything to you or anyone else! Many of my friends and others here in Alaska have purchased them only from me relating my experience with it!"
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 14 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Wonderful Life Saving Product,
January 11, 2009
By hdtravelfrom Albuquerque, NM
"I love my new Spot Satellite Messenger that I got for Christmas.
It is easy to use, works well ( if you follow the directions and read the manual ), and could save you or a loved ones life. It is so great to give peace of mind to loved ones.
Their Website is also friendly and informative. I love their training videos.
I used it on a recent trip to the Canadian Rockies and it was so cool how I could sent regular update messages to my love ones letting them know I was 'ok' up there. I had no trouble with messages getting out.
You must remember that this is a satellite device so you must have a clear view of the sky for it to work. The signal it sends is very weak and the satellites very far away. It amazing how it can contact the satellites as it is so small and only using 2 AA batteries for power. That is amazing !
It is a must have device for travelers, explorers, hikers, rock-hounders, geocachers, bikers, walkers, motorists, truckers, boaters, hunters, fisherman, pilots, and especially tech enthusiasts.
Highly recommended ! This device can offer your loved ones great peace of mind, is fun to use, and most importantly could save you or a friend's life."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 15 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
1
out of 5
SPOT is very Spottie,
January 6, 2009
By TimGAfrom Georgia
"After seeing all of the advertisements for this product and reading the claims, I decided to purchase one for my son and would have later purchased one for myself. We recieved the unit, then had to invest another $150.00 to use it. This is an annual fee. We took the unit on an 8 mile hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The unit sent signals from the highway only. It was supposed to send a signal every 10 minutes. Not a single signal was recieved from the time we started hiking the trail until we returned. Worked fine along the highway.
This thing might work out in the middle of open terran and the desert, but certainly does not work in forested areas. A cell phone provides better service and contact ability than the SPOT.
I'm returning this for a refund."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 16 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
3
out of 5
Works in open,
January 4, 2009
By MichElkHunter
"It works in the open, but don't expect speed. It often couldn't pick up the satilites for some time. The family did enjoy knowing I was O.K. and seeing the coordinates at which I was at. I left the unit off unless using because of fear I would accidentaly hit the 911 button. Overall, it did what was expected, but improvements could be made."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 17 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
4
out of 5
Good Product,
December 30, 2008
By Oregontrekerfrom Oregon Coast
"My only beef is the cost of service. It seemed a bit misleading. Before purchasing the unit it seemed $99.99 a year would make all features operational. It seems ans additional $49.99 a year for tracking is a bit much on top of it."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 18 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
SPOT,
December 30, 2008
By Fourwheelerfrom colorado
"I have four of the spot locators. They work great."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? Yes
Review 19 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
2
out of 5
Changed My Mind Due to Reliability Questions,
December 15, 2008
By boatNsunfrom North Carolina fisherman
"I returned the SPOT to Cabela's. I should have done more research on the unit before buying it since I am a trout fisherman. If I needed to use SPOT in an emergency, it would be in the high mountains of Western NC, in a heavily wooded stream bed. Based on all the performance reviews, that is probably the location where SPOT is least reliable. I did not take the unit out to test reception, but decided to wait until the next generation of this type unit comes out and see if the reliability improves for my type of terrain."
Would you recommend this product to a friend? No
Review 20 for SPOT™ Satellite Personal Messenger
Overall Rating:
5
out of 5
Spot messenger,
December 15, 2008
By TOPTENNHUNTERfrom Tennessee
"I have used it for a couple of months now. The map feature emailed to my contact list allows them to use the terrain feature and determine just what hillside I am on. My wife can find out I changed my stand location from a few yards to several miles. So far so good. A good peace of mind for myself and family just in case I have fallen and can't get up."
