SPOT Connect by Spot

by Spot

• Send messages from virtually ANYWHERE via satellite
• Send short emails, text messages, update Twitter & Facebook
• On device SOS button for standalone emergency operation
• Altitude: -328 ft to 21,325 ft
• IPX7 Waterproof: Up to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes

Product Description

115447 Features: Get connected to communication satellites regardless of where you are by pairing your smartphone with SPOT Connect via a Bluetooth and the SPOT app Once connected you can update on Twitter and Facebook, send text messages and short emails, contact professional service providers, and send SOS messages during emergency situations Messages can be up to 41 characters if typed or you can send 120-character, predefined messages Communicates with social networks including Facebook, Twitter, and SPOTadventurescom; plus, you can track progress on Google Maps or on the SPOT Adventures page SOS and Help features allow you to request assistance; SOS signals the GEOS International Emergency Response Center which alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide; Help feature requests assistance from friends and family ever 5 minutes for up to an hour Let everyone know you're safe and sound with the check-in-Ok feature that sends out a predefined email, complete with your GPS location Friends, family and associates can keep track of your position with the Track Progress option that allows you to send and save your location in real time with Google Maps Requires a yearly service fee to keep your SPOT functioning Specifications:

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B004J96SB8
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Spot Connect a winner! May 4, 2011

By Cramper

Color Name:Black| Size Name:One Size|Amazon Verified Purchase

I felt inclined to write a review since there is very little real info on the spot connect right now. It works!! after receiving it, downloading the app on my htc evo. I fired it up synced it to the phone, briefed the owners manual, and the thing is ready to rock. As it advertises sends 41 charter text and email messages to a easy to set up group of people. From the time you hit send on your device to the time your text and email messages are received is under 5 minutes. The facebook updating also worked without a hitch. I had no problem syncing it and it appears to work within the standard range of all bluetooth devices. This is a must have for anyone going out of cell phone range. I was out of cell service for an extra two days in San Felipe Mexico due to vehicle trouble in the mountains, that I was suppose to be back in the US. While we were drinking Tecates soakin up the sun my family was planning my funeral in San Diego, wish I had it then. I cant wait to use the live tracking on my next adventure.

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars decent, but don't expect wonders August 6, 2011

By Tom

Color Name:Black|Size Name:One Size

The device basically works as advertised: you can send short messages to friends, social networks, and a tracking web page. You can probably also get help in an emergency, although I couldn't test that. The biggest limitation of the device is that it is strictly one way, so there is no way of getting responses (combining it with a satellite pager might be a good idea).

It's far from perfect, though. The device needs to be paired, via Bluetooth, and that's a process that doesn't work well with every phone (likely due to software problems on the phones, though). And instead of a straightforward messaging application, you have to go through several steps on a web page and the application. In part, that's probably to accommodate the "dumb" versions of this device.

If you're traveling away from cell phone connectivity, but don't want to spend too much money, this may be a good option. It still isn't cheap: in addition to the device itself, you're going to spend $100-$200/year on service charges.

[8/24/2011] After completing a cross-country trip, I have a couple more observations. The tracking function worked very well, and friends could follow my progress on a web page. The batteries lasted more than a week of continuous daytime operation (but only Lithium batteries). The phone I ended up using with the device worked fairly reliably; about once a day, I had to pair the phone and the device again, but usually, they'd just connect.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Device July 29, 2011

By Kirk Bartholomew

Color Name:Black| Size Name:One Size|Amazon Verified Purchase

After reading the less than positive reviews posted here and elsewhere, I was a bit concerned when placing my order for this item. After an initial testing phase, I am very satisfied with my purchase. My reasons for purchasing were largely to have a backup emergency system while sailing offshore, or traveling in areas of shall we say less than complete satellite phone coverage. For a quite modest cost (device plus subscription = $230) you have the ability to send brief messages over a satellite phone network with excellent coverage (at least in the areas where I plan to travel in the near future and the coverage should improve soon). With that said, I did run into a couple of glitches while setting up and testing the device--(I am using the original Motorola Droid as a smartphone): 1)I could not get the bluetooth wireless to turn on after initially powering up the spot--holding the power button down until the bluetooth led flashed when turning on the device seemed to work, and I quickly selected and paired the device using the phones system settings. 2)I shut off the bluetooth radio on my phone to conserve battery and when activating the Spot App on my Droid, it requested that I turn on Bluetooth--allowed this action, but then the app was not able to see and connect to the Spot even though the bluetooth radio was on--killing the app, and turning the bluetooth radio on my phone off and on before restarting eliminated any problems. Lesson, turn on phone bluetooth before starting the Spot App. Sending messages has been flawless and actually quite quick considering. If you are interested in this device, I suggest reading this excellent review on the GPS Tracklog by Rich Owings before purchasing.... I would also recommend the article in last month's Outside Magazine on the dramatic increase in emergency response team activations since this and other personal location/emergency notification devices have come on the market--a toe cramp is not an emergency. Read more ›

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Seems to be more trouble than its worth July 11, 2011

By Bike Rider

Color Name:Black| Size Name:One Size|Amazon Verified Purchase

I spent the entire afternoon and evening trying to get this unit to work as advertised. I'll be sending it back tomorrow.
Pros:
1. It's small and lightweight

Cons:
1. It won't reliably pair with my iPhone 4. It did a couple of times, but then lost the pairing; taking more time than I wanted to spend trying to get it to pair again. Had to turn the iPhone OFF/ON several times before getting it to repair. Then it lost pairing again. I give up.

2. I was able to get it to send one "I'm OK" message, but that was it before the pairing was lost. Was never able to send another.

3. I expected the unit to send location information every 10 minutes to the google map, but it only sent the one I'm OK message and never any more. Without iPHone connection, it won't really do anything. It only had an ON/OFF button and an SOS button that I never want to accidentally touch.

4. There is no forum on on-line help except for their FAQs, which are mainly geared towards selling units, not helping with problems. I searched for forums or blogs, none found. If I can't get them with phone support tomorrow morning, I'll be sending the unit back and getting one of the other self-contained units. All I really want is for people to be able to track my while I'm traveling on my motorcycle or hiking in the mountains.

5. The little rubber door for the two buttons won't stay closed. It opens, exposing the SOS button to inadvertent pushing (which could be extremely costly)

Summary: This unit is complicated overkill that requires everything to operate and link perfectly. I've only had mine for 12 hours, but frustration has set in. (can you tell by my review?).