SPOT
SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

this unit is purely for people to feel better about safety, not as a useful piece of safety gear. There are much better units out there for the price, once you've spent the money registering it and paying the fees, you could have had a much better unit that won't leave you dead for lack of or misprocessed payment.

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

Very difficult rebate process to navigate. I sent all information but was turned down for rebate as they said I did not include bar code from box which was included. I should just return to West for a refund and buy a new Garmin unit or another brand. The unit works perfectly and is a great tool to let others know where you are and that you are safe.

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

A must have device – use it sailing (especially solo), cross country biking – driving, at times it's slow to respond but I would have to say I feel confident having it with me all the time. Took the 2 year plan and love the real time tracking capabilities.
My only disappointment was when in Hawaii – the device indicated a satellite in sight – message sent but – the messages are never received! No idea why! When I asked SPOT representative – he simply said its one area that the unit does not work in! Wish the unit would simply indicate no transmission!
Used it in Haiti 2010 during a week long health mission - worked every time - even in remote areas!

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

I purchased this prior to a long sailing trip. While offshore, it started sending multiple Help messages to my wife, alarming her unnecessarily. A couple of days later, it ceased to turn on and is now inoperable.

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

Worked great for one year so far thruout Caribbean, Western Europe, Turkey, Gerogia, kazakstan, Armenia, Mediteranean and Black Sea both in aircraft and on motorcycle.

I have asked customer support repeatedly to give users initial setup choice of icons (as you would in GPS display) car, boat, airplane, motorcycle - and make the icon smaller rather than the current stupid foot print............talk to the wall.

Also, Spot knows how many messages are sent out so they should be able to alert you to an upcoming low battery condition.......talk to the wall.

Also hear rumours and read posted messages of screwed up billing that is hard to fix.

If it was not for the above, I would score it 10 out of 10. Otherwise - 8 out of 10.

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

report progress thru float plan to home and the least expesive form of lifesaving gear if needed in emergecy well worth the price if it works once, I report all ok to home at designated waypoints for family`s comfort some getting used to the buttons/lights but resonse proven thru ssb contact from family in Fl adds fun and peace of mind for the cost

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

I received this for Father's Day and am still unable to successfully send messages. [...]This is my last try before I return the device and go with a competitor's product.

Service and delivery comments:

Customer service is rudimentory and covers the basics (is it turned on, what color are the buttons flashing).

Do not try the email customer service route. It takes several days to receive a response, and it doesn't appear that they use any of the information that you email them (i.e. they still walk you through all the basic questions and have nothing new to offer).

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

SPOT II is represented to have a ~ 5 minute response delay time between receiving an uploaded message (example: HELP) and posting it via chart coordinates, text, email etc.. In dozens of recorded tests, 40% of the delays were about 60 minutes, 20% were over 1.5 hours!
BAD FOR EMERGENCIES! Also, service is nil - but advertised - for E-Europe and the E-Medit.

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

[...] Setup in minutes. Liked the feature to send e mails to family about being safe.

Comments about SPOT II GPS Satellite Messenger:

A reliable way to let your friends and family know if you are okay or in trouble w/o the use of a cell tower!