For best performance, always have the SPOT logo facing the open sky, unobstructed by your body or any other medium.
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Comments
Bruce Morgan
|2008-10-28 14:43:25
So far, my attempts to use SPOT, have been erratic at best. I would like to have separate buttons for check and tracking. I'm never certain that it's working correctly. Will it work from the dash of an auto, or must it be in open air?
Nate
|2008-10-31 09:43:01
I have been reading a lot of problems that people are having as their unit keeps falling off the belt clip. I have a DIY fix.
I first slid it through the belt clip. I use a 1/8 cord or elastic cord and run it through the first two loops. I then run it over the webbing strap that I'm using to attach my unit to. I then go through the third clip and tie it off in a knot.
I used it like this on my 2 week backpacking trip through Asia. I even forgot about it when I was in Bangkok airport and had to check my pack into Asian Air to Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was still there when I got my lougage.
Nate
Mike Iem
|2008-10-28 03:20:30
I took the SPOT on a 3 Week trip to South America, i.e. Patagonia with 2 friends. The SPOT was great as we checked in daily so our wifes, family and friends knew where we where. I was a bit concerned that it wouldnt work way down south but I was wrong. It also performed perfectly in frigid temperatures as we when in July/Aug here which is Winter in Patagonia. Great product, glad I bought it at REI and glad I have it.
Rick Klingshirn
|2008-10-25 17:55:28
During my early experiments with SPOT, I also briefly lost it when the clip failed to secure it. When I take trips, whether on my backpack or motorcycle tank, SPOT is secured via sticky-backed velcro. Additionally, I removed the clip by unscrewing it from the unit, thereby increasing the surface area for the velcro. No problems since then.
Gerry
|2008-10-25 16:44:03
Just a quick note to say that the Spot has given my wife and family peace of mind when I am traipsing through the woods of northern Minnesota looking for sheds or checking my cameras!
I was paranoid about accidentally pushing the help or 911 buttons so I searched for a way to make sure this didn't happen. My solution was to buy a Pelican case 1010. The spot fits perfectly and the case comes with a strap. I put it it inside my pack but on top. I haven't had any problems using this method.
Jeff Pierce (Dr. Fish)
|2008-10-24 03:39:24
Headed to Kenya to chase giant Black Marlin in a couple weeks. Sure wish my Spot ME Finder worked there as this is THE place in which we would need something like this. Any plans for expanded coverage in that huge dead zone in Southern Africa?
Admin
|2008-10-25 02:23:07
The work has started on the gateway in Nigeria. I do not have a date for operation yet but it should be sometime toward the end of the 2nd quarter of 2009.
Jeff Pierce (Dr. Fish)
|2008-10-24 03:37:36
What a GREAT product! I spend a fair amount of time in remote areas and also far offshore. This unit has given my family piece of mind knowing that all is OK when I'm 150 miles offshore chasing fish or hiking into remote fishing locations in BC. I'm so happy with it, I'e sold several others on the Spot Me Finder and they went out and bought one too.
Finally a product that is great as advertised! Thanks
Looking forward to the case for the unit as the clip is useless.
Admin
|2008-10-23 15:35:43
Hi guys, I've been getting many comments about people not receiving the messages that they send. Here is just a reminder on using SPOT properly:
Make sure that you power on your unit in an area with a clear view of the sky. Always have the SPOT logo facing the sky, that is where the antenna is.
Wait a couple seconds and then send an OK message.
The first OK message can take up to 20 minutes for the satellites to acquire a fix and send your message. After that, transmission is almost instant in clear view of the sky situations. Always try to have the least amount of impediments blocking your SPOT unit.
For tracking, press and hold the check ok button for about 10 seconds until both lights start flashing. Then, you are in tracking mode. It is the same procedure to turn off tracking mode. Please note that you have to stop tracking mode to send an OK message and then restart tracking after you send the ok message.
Maria Stehle
|2008-10-23 06:15:27
I wished I had this device before I got lost. I wouldn't have to spend 6 days lost in the woods in a very cold weather.Try to get one of this because It is horrible to be lost.
Admin
|2008-10-22 12:08:16
Hi all, cases will soon be available at retail within the next month. They will have strong secure points.
Alan Ellis
|2008-10-22 11:54:32
The belt clip is useless, and if not secured some other way, you can lose it...like I did. I "clipped" mine on the top of my pack. Later, my hiking partner noticed the SPOT was missing and we spent over an hour backtracking to find it.
I've found the best way to secure it on the top of your pack is to use three large safety pins through the screw eyelets. Use all three...just in case.
Gene
|2008-10-22 11:40:07
Here is a fail safe against losing your Spot should it slip off of the belt clip:
Take an old camera wrist strap (I have a bunch from old devices). My Spot unit has a small recessed attachment point on the back near the top that seems to be designed for attaching a wrist strap. Then simply attach the other end of the wrist strap to the carabiner (and the carabiner to something secure, of course). If your spot falls off of the belt clip, the wrist strap on the carabiner will retain it.
marcos miranda
|2008-10-22 09:25:59
Hi, is there any way that you guys can develop the software to allow "rescuers" to find a spot owner, ONLY in the event that someone reports us missing, say, to do a fall where we unable to personally activate the 911 function of the device? I know you have a tracking service for family/friend use, but i am refering to an "emergency only" tracking capability by 3rd party rescuers when needed. Please respond. Thank you. Marcos
Admin
|2008-10-22 11:53:30
Hi Marcos, here is my recommendation:
Tell your friends and family to do their own monitoring of your share page. Tell them ahead of time that if you stop moving and have not reached out to friends and family in any other way (like an OK message due every night), then it could be an emergency. The friends and family would have to know then to pass on the share page location info to a search and rescue group. Or one could be instructed to try and search for the friend themselves.
George
|2008-10-22 08:39:59
I used a velcro strip about a foot long to wrap around SPOT to attach it to the top of my pack. For additional safety I threaded string through the small opening above the clip. If SPOT did come loose it would dangle from the pack rather than fall on the ground.
Bob Broeking
|2008-10-22 08:17:27
I place it in my top pocket of my pack (behind my head) and usually always get an accurate signal/track. Also, weather should NOT be a factor, I agree. Bob in Colorado Springs, CO
Don Polwarth
|2008-10-22 07:00:50
On a backcountry elk hunt in september, our spot device never sent a single message on 'chek-in' mode over a 3 day period. We were in an intense storm.. could that cause the non-response?
Admin
|2008-10-22 08:10:30
Only if snow was attached to trees creating an intense tree cover. Otherwise, the frequency that SPOT operates on should be unaffected by adverse weather.
Mark Hollingsworth
|2008-10-22 06:32:30
This is extremely
improtant.
The belt clip is
not useful, since
it points the Spot
the wrong direction.
It HAS to be on it's
'back' with the buttons
& logo toward the sky.
We have had excellent
results using it that way.
Admin
|2008-10-22 06:36:49
Great point Mark. The GPS receiver is behind the logo so it is very important to have that facing up. The body can block the satellites like any other solid objects if not placed in a clear visible area.
kevin mokracek
|2008-10-22 07:04:36
The belt type clip is not secure enough. It would be great if SPOT came up with a carabiner attachment point or some attachment that would make it almost impossible to come off a pack. I dont trust the belt clip.
Admin
|2008-10-22 07:25:14
The next SPOT unit will have some type of attachment point.
Thanks!
