This is the best safety gear I own.



Gary has these over at ATVUtah.com
ATVUtah Forum - SPOT Satellite Messenger Available NOW!
He throws in a free carrying case if you buy the spot from him.
Saves you $15
ATVUtah Shopping

I REALLY like this. In fact I think EVERY Skier, hunter, hiker and offroader should own this device.

Its better than a PLB. (personal locater beacon)

It is basically a GPS, with the ability to send messages via satellite and call for 911 type help anywhere in the world.

I particularly like the fact that you can send a non-emergency help message.
"I need gas or a ride home" type message via SMS to your friends cell phone.

It means you can get help without calling the cavalry.

You can also send a second message "Everything is good, wish you were here" type message.

AND if that is not enough you can allow people to track you on the web, it will send its location every 10 minutes and post it on your website.

Best of all its CHEAP at $149 compared to a PLB at about $600. Yes you have service charges on top of that for the spot but it will take 4+ years to equal the cost of a PLB.

I love the marketing "Its your story, live to tell about it."

I seen Les Stroud from the show survivorman advertising it on tv the other day and was wounding about it it sure seems cool how much is the monthly service on it?

A friend told me he has seen them on Ebay already for well under the $149 price. Keep in ind, you still need the yearly service fee.

You pay for the service yearly. $99
That gives you the 911 and messaging.

They have a feature called "Tracking" that allows you to constantly send your location every 10 minutes. This is displayed on Goggle maps so you can be followed live, or later look at your trip. Thats $49 more.
I have it but won't renew Tracking next year. Its cool but not really necessary. Maybe if I was racing BITD.

I've been told that $149 is what they call MAP, minimum advertised price.
Anyone advertising them for less is probably not an authorized dealer. If they are they are risking losing their dealership in violation of the MAP agreement.
I don't think I would risk buying something like this under dicey terms.
If SPOT decided your device was grey market or hot, they might not honor your service agreement and you would be stuck with lump of plastic.

XXX can we all track your next trip? lol

Not yet but I hear that feature is coming.
There are a group of quad riders in Canada that have figured out how to post their tracks on their website. I aint that smart.

Having one of these is a good thing but what is really important is having a trip plan and making sure your loved ones know where you are going and when you plan to be back. If you put it in a backpack it can be accidentally, unknowingly activated and a search effort could be started. Having delt with the SPOT staff before, they are totally professional but there is a lot of concern and speculation that goes on between any potential searchers and rescuers with (your) family when a SPOT distress signal is activated. Deffinately better than nothing though

When I don't have cell service....Letting the wife know I'm OK priceless.

Eli

I'll have one this fall. Some of our backcountry trips are 10-14 miles in on foot...no RZR's.

Nice insurance if something goes wrong. We have rented satellite phones in the past, but they are pricey.

tHERE giving them away free here http://www.findmespot.com/eaa.aspx I'm getting mine next week!!!!

__________________


2009 Yamaha FX Nytro XTX
2008 RZR Friday the 13th Edition
Sudbury, ON. CANADA

If you get yuor SPOT at ATVUtah.com he will give you a free carrying case that is very rugged and has a REAL clip on it. This thing will not fall off of your belt.

The case will also prevent any accidental button pushing.

If you buy a SPOT...go here and sign up for the new Yahoo FireEagle...its FREE and you'll get a discount code for a years worth of SPOT services FREE!

http://fireeagle.yahoo.net/gallery/spot_promo

If anyone is interested in a spot at a great price...let me know...

I wonder if this works in Glennallen Ak? ... it's not really a city so we dont have " 911 adresses"?

I've had one for a month or so. I sent the pre prepared " trip fine this is my current location" message with some success. Some on my share list have found it. Message to my wife's cell surprised her. The location showing on google maps is neat. No experience with the non emergency need help, but it might be nice to get a message by email to riding friends if you wanted non emergency assistance short of a 911 call.

The tracking that is in testing mode goes to google maps and after I found out that it needs to be mounted horizontally one trip resulted in 14 way points during the day showing a straight line course that could be related to the trail fairly well(zoomed in) when I was home and by a friend on my email share list. It's supposed to send a track every 10 min. so 14 tracks in 7 hours indicates that in tree coverage only about 2 an hour were getting out. I think the system is going to get better.

If you go to the spot site you can see what is covered in Alaska, an address is certainly not necc. you would be located on a Google map. 50 miles from the nearest paved road has not been a problem for me.

__________________
Rick

RED Build date 7/20/07 front & rear bars,rock sliders Goodyear 26x14 9"front 11" rear on 4 spoke alum wheel, Winch, DFR intake & Donaldson filter factory UTV doors, dip stick and skid pan Crow 4 Pt.,Tan hard top with shade cover and carpet for 2 Aussies in bed...Haul with 01 Cummins H.O.6 speed, behind 31' Automate fifth in 8x5 steel dump trailer. Ride F.S.roads & trails N Cal