SPOT GPS messenger

[Brothersmith]

Any one use one? Been thinking of getting one for bikepacking as i usually go away on my own and it would give the wife piece of mind. I have heard real mixed reviews on the forums about them though and some real horror stories about the service plan, like you have to commit to auto renew your subscription and it's very hard to cancel, and customer service is supposed to be terrible.

What has people's experience been and does anyone use any other type of locating device when out of phone cover?

[Taylor]

Got a Spot 1 and have recently upgraded to a Spot 2.
I've only had the Spot 2 about 3 weeks but it does seem better than the Spot 1, more accurate.

Not had to deal with the customer service as yet but I've had the Spot 1 for the last 3 years and nothing's gone wrong,(the difference between the two is up 10 metres if the signal gets through, which is accurate enough for MRT but the Spot 1 does suffer a bit from tree cover).

I've not been in the position of cancelling my contract but it seems fairly straight forward to cancel.

I'll probably be selling my Spot 1 if your interested?

[Brothersmith]

Thanks flatfishy. Do you have the tracker sub and is it worth the extra cash? Also im strugling to see the need for custom message key on the SPOT 2, doesnt it essentialy do what the OK key does?

Could be interested in the SPOT 1 for the right price My email is brothersmith101 AT gmail DOT com if you could send me some pics

[Taylor]

I didn't have the custom message on the SPot 1 so I didn't bother with the Spot 2.

I do have the tracking mode enabled. I didn't for the first year but the boss put her foot down on the WRT a couple of years ago.
I don't use it, although I do carry it at trail centres. I use it if I'm riding by myself on unmarked/unknown trails.

[zigrat]

Just bought two via ebay - managed to get them for £90 each which didn't seem too bad. Will let you know how I get on but am planning on forking out for the track feature, think it will be really useful if you need finding by a friend or someone othen that mountain rescue !

[Ian]

I use the spot 2 and find it more user friendly than the spot 1. I have set up the custom message on mine to say that I'm OK, but have deviated from my planned route, for situations where I might not be able to relay any more info by mobile etc. not used that feature yet, but it's there so I thought I'd set it up to use

[numplumz]

Spot2 and no problems so far
You can set up the ok and custom message buttons to do different things.
I have the ok button set up to mail friends and twitter with a location message and the custom message set to send a more personal preset SMS message to my wife that I can also use for trips off the bike too.

[royAB]

Spot 2 and all good to date - Mrs B likes the tracking v.much

[Brothersmith]

Cheers folks. Taken the plunge. New SPOT 2 in the post courtesy of ebay