Advice on SPOT

[beemererik]

I am considering buying a SPOT. I know a few club members have them. Any comments on the particular model that would best fit motorcycling?

Happy New Years!

[Vance]

Hey Peanut...Norwood is your source here...he has had one from the beginning....and I am betting he will be here shortly! lol.....

[Norwood]

Erik,

It is one of those things I don't leave home (on my bike) without it. Sure you have looked at the home page: http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Deals: on several forums you can find new in box units, that buyers have purchased in special deals.... My last one I paid $40 New in box ...then I got replacement insurance on the unit for a few dollars.

You will need the basic service.. the service is where they earn the revenue...
Tracking service is nice...automatic (set OK when you start..marks location....track your movements and set OK at end of day or end of ride...
The global rescue service is cheap for what it covers: http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=104

Many features and neat tricks with the unit once you get setup...

I have a friend on MTF have has written a free (donations accepted) tracking programs that works really good and you can archive your trip by hour, day, week, month and years..., share your trips via google maps...

My plans are to be a January meeting with some BaseCamp and Microsoft Streets and Trips stuff...but will glad to talk with you and show....

In the mean time I will look for some good deals on the units... New Generation 2 is the latest one...

[beemererik]

Thanks for the feedback Don.

I do have some concerns though. On the Best Buy and REI websites, the ratings for these products is pretty low. From comments I have ready it appears customer service is pretty bad and there might be some automatic billing issues for the service. I don't know if these are from a few disgruntled owners or if this is typical. What are your thoughts.

[Norwood]

Thanks for the feedback Don.

I do have some concerns though. On the Best Buy and REI websites, the ratings for these products is pretty low. From comments I have ready it appears customer service is pretty bad and there might be some automatic billing issues for the service. I don't know if these are from a few disgruntled owners or if this is typical. What are your thoughts.

Customer Service from Spot...I do not have an issue with, since 2007 only two issues with mine... One of the problem I created when I dropped it down the road, the second issue was signal....both units where replaced....one under warranty...one under my extended warranty replacement plan. Customer Service from Best Buy or REI... I can't speak.

Automatic billings: Service is billed yearly, mine is at the same time each year...new service or added features are pro rated to be billed all at the same time... Service billed to your credit card on file...it billed to that card each year automatic, unless you discontinue service, which you can do at any time. Personally I like the auto billing idea... I get a email when my account is be charged.

One of the most important issues that is overlooked and mis-used by many SPOT users: BATTERIES, you must use Ultimate Lithium AAA, they are not cheap....but they work.. it is sending a signal from the unit to a satellite, not a cell tower. Generation II Spot battery life is usually on average 8 months to a year.... the old Version SPOT battery life was 16 to 24 months.... (less automated features)

Spot II can put out a better signal....many off roaders and hikers put in backpacks, turn on tracking... that all they do...
I have used Spot II near a thick window at airport to send out my start point or waypoint.

Now with today's smart phones, many have tracking and location features... most depend on cell towers. I can't speak about smart phones use... I use Spot.

Spot will work world wide, except the Southern most tip of Africa I understand... but it will work in all other parts of the world.
Most of the endurance type rallies such as IronButt 11 day rally strongly suggest the use of a SPOT tracker.

The Rescue Plan...the 911 button is something you don't play with or test (without approval) the $500 per hour search rate applies to false signals... the 911 tab is cover with a pop off tab now on newer models. as tab for HELP button.
Your personal medical history and ICE information can be stored with the rescue service.

IBR AL.JPG
In Last IBR...at one point many riders where in Alabama finding bonus locations....Spot Location IDs

Romania Snapshot.jpg

You can review your trip years later... here is about a 30 minute section of road in the mountains of Romania.

Australia Spot.jpg

From Location page.. showing some riders out this morning in land of OZ.

Now, want to secure your location? no problem, you can hide your location, hide your route and make it private.

Hope this helps!

[BMWWANDRR]

I bought one this year for my Alaska trip. I will be getting all the available extras including the rescue service, its fairly cheap insurance if needed. Spot walla is a great tracking page, donations accepted, for letting people know where you are. I used it with my cell phone and GPS tracking over the past year. Many guys I know over on the MTF forums use it.