SPOT Satellite Messenger

[BigDave]

I spend plenty of time out of the country south of the boarder in the middle of nowhere. 3rd world country, no cell phone reception, no repeaters, and lawlessness running rampant. Yes I have HF capabilties. However my wife does not have her ticket but does have a cell phone and email abilities. I have been followed on the internet by my wife and other family members via my SPOT and there has not been any lapse in coverage. I feel confident that if I needed to let someone know I needed assistace that SPOT would be one of the first things I would use there.
Yes it is a leash to my wife and family, but like "Unwiredadventures" wrote...

"I would have bought a SPOT if the "OK" feature was all it had."

"It's a comfort to my wife to know that we are all okay. She also likes to know where we are located on a trip."

These statements are how I can convince my wife that I will be back from my outback excursions. That and it lets other family members live vicariously through me. Someday I'll get them to come along for the adventure. I could use the company.

[cruiserlarry]

Heads up on a great deal for anyone interested in a Spot Satellite messenger -

BIG 5 Sporting Goods has a 54th Anniversary Super Sale now through Sept 20, 2009 -

they are selling the SPOT messenger for $79. (reg $149.95, not including the yearly service charge).

The unadvertised reason, IMO, is that GlobalStar is releasing a new model of the Spot messenger in Oct / Nov - 30% smaller, with a satellite lock indicator light, and a few additional features not found on the current model (including a silver color in addition to orange). Overall, the current unt works great, and it's a good deal to add an additional level of protection when out in the field...

[Chazz Layne]

I want one in matte tan. Orange and silver give away my position...

[cruiserlarry]

I want one in matte tan. Orange and silver give away my position...

(The sale model is only available in orange, in case anyone is now confused.... )

[traveltoad]

FYI Spot-2 has a recall:
http://www.google.com/search?q=spot+recall&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[traveltoad]

This could be cool...



http://www.delorme.com//about/pressreleases/SPOTcommunicator.htm

[cruiserlarry]

It looks like a great idea...too bad the companies couldn't get together to integrate the units into one package...I see that coming eventually if the Spot systems get more popular.