Features:

• Satellite messenger with GPS tracking for keeping users safe on adventure trips
• SpotChecking feature alerts friends and family of your precise location
• SpotCasting function lets friends and family follow your progress in real time
• Sends GPS coordinates and distress message to Emergency Response Center
• Satellite technology works around the world; measures 2.75 x 4.38 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D)

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Stay in touch via satellite technology – whether you're just checking in, allowing others to check your progress, or calling for help.

• 100% satellite technology works where cell phones don't
• Vital line of communication with friends and family
• Emergency service when you need it
• 4 key functions for sending messages to friends, family or emergency responders
• Works around the world
• Satellite service subscription required
• Waterproof to a depth of 1 meter
• Floats in water

Amazon.com Product Description:
Give your loved ones full peace of mind when you're on the mountain with the Spot Satellite Messenger. Whether you're just checking in, allowing others to track your progress, or calling for help, Spot gives you a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. Spot employs a GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, then sends its location to the recipient of your choice, complete with a link to Google Maps and a pre-programmed message. Unlike personal locator beacons, however, Spot does more than just call for help. The SpotChecking feature, for example, lets you notify your SpotTeam--the friends and family you've chosen as your contacts--and tell them all is well, notify them of your location, or save waypoints so you can review your route at a later date. You can also activate the SpotCasting feature to let friends and family follow your progress in real time (every 10 minutes). Anyone with access to your account information can log on and view your route, complete with virtual views provided by Google Maps. SpotCasting is a terrific feature for mountain climbers looking to celebrate their accomplishments with their loved ones.

The most important feature, however, is Spot's ability to call 911 in the event of a life-threatening or other critical emergency. Once activated, Spot will acquire your exact coordinates from the GPS network, and then send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center will then notify the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information. Responders may include local police, the highway patrol, the Coast Guard, an embassy or consulate, or other emergency response and search-and-rescue teams. Even if Spot can't acquire its location from the GPS network, it will still attempt to send a distress signal--without your exact location--to the Emergency Response Center, which will still notify your emergency contacts of the signal and continue to monitor the network for further messages.

Spot works around the world, including in virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia, and portions of South America, Northern Africa, and Northeastern Asia. And provided you're in a good coverage area, Spot offers a 99 percent probability of sending a successful message within 20 minutes. As a result, Spot is ideal for anyone with a taste for outdoor adventures, including boaters, kayakers, sailboarders, archaeologists, skiers, climbers, pilots, business travelers, snowshoers, and just about anyone else.

Spot requires two AA lithium batteries, with a battery life of up to one year in standby mode, 14 days in SpotCasting mode, or 7 days in 911 mode. And thanks to the water-resistant housing (safe in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes), you needn't worry about using Spot in adverse conditions. Spot measures a compact 2.75 by 4.38 by 1.5 inches (W x H x D), weighs 7.37 ounces, and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Communication Functions:

Spot employs a GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, then sends its location to the recipient of your choice, complete with a link to Google Maps and a pre-programmed message.

• Alert 9-1-1 dispatches emergency responders to an exact location
• Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family with your location
• Check In lets contacts know where you are and that you are okay
• Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows others to track your progress using Google Maps

Battery Life:

• Power ON, unused: Approximately 1 year
• SPOT casting continuous tracking mode: Approximately 14 days
• 9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
• HELP mode: up to 1900 messages
• SPOT check OK up to 1900 messages

Specifications:

• Weight: 7 ounces
• Waterproof to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes
• Operating Temperature: -40ºF to +185ºF
• Operating Altitude: -300 feet to +21,300 feet
• Humidity and Salt Fog Rated

Rating : - Highly Recommended!
After reading reviews, it seemed that most of the problems with the SPOT are a result of user error. At first, I had some of the same issues, like messages not getting through, tracking not working, etc., but that was a result of operator error and not the SPOT Messenger.

This product works perfectly if you use it correctly. After figuring it out, I have had zero issues with messages getting through and/or the tracking working properly. The main thing is to push the correct buttons for the correct amount of time in the correct order. Also, the unit must be outside your pack/pocket with a clear view of the sky.

I would give the unit 5 stars but it has two flaws. Fortunately, these flaws are not significant enough to keep someone from buying/using the unit. (1) The unit's printed instructions are too vague and not very good. In fact, my unit came with a hand-typed instructions addendum in addition to the manufacture's printed instructions. The hand-typed instructions were very helpful, but you still have to follow them very carefully. Obviously, SPOT realizes that the printed instructions were not good and started including the typed detailed addendum. (2) The unit's "clip" to attach it to your pack, etc, is virtually useless. The unit needs a more secure way of attaching to your pack like a case with a carabiner or more secure locking clip system. In fact, I actually temporarily lost my unit during a hike after it fell off my pack while only using the included clip. Since then, I've been using safety pins run through the little screws in the back of the unit. The screws have little rings so safety pins works well in keeping the unit secure. Supposedly, SPOT is currently developing a case for the unit with a more reliable system of securing it. I'll be happy when that happens because the safety pins are putting holes in the top of my pack.

Otherwise, I am very happy with the SPOT. Since I figured it out, the messaging and tracking work perfectly with zero problems. I highly recommend this product.