SPOT Personal Tracker gets reviewed

Although SPOT's personal GPS tracker was announced last August, it's just now managed to navigate its way into reviewers hands. Essentially, this unit is supposed to enable the carrier to upload real-time tracking data to friends and family back home, but according to GPS Magazine, that was easier said than done. The unit was hailed as extraordinarily rugged, long-lasting (battery life) and able to work in areas without cellular coverage. Sadly, its internal GPS receiver was so insensitive that even "moderate tree cover prevented the unit from getting reliable signals." Additionally, there's no way to tell whether or not a message has been sent successfully (or received), and the lack of geofencing support was also a letdown. All in all, SPOT seemed to be a good bet for hikers, boaters, etc. traveling to remote areas simply due to its ability to ring for help if necessary, but for the average joe (or youngster) hoping to transmit step-by-step data back home, it seems the built-in GPS receiver just ain't cut out for all that.

[Technex @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:18PM]

Seems like a great idea to me. Like the 911 feature. Although if you get stuck somewhere on rocks with half a leg, let's just hope there's enough GPS coverage...

[Jared @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:31PM]

So instead of making a GPS unit that could help you find your way out, this one relies on the support of people, who may or may not receive signal, to find you. I'll take my chances with a traditional GPS unit where I can find out where I am. Integrate this feature into a normal GPS device and it would be great, especially in a snow storm or other bad weather.

[Ari @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:34PM]

i have to say i an upset that Les Stroud pitched a gadget that has so many shortcomings. I felt if it was good enough for him, it would help me (if i ever got away from a computer screen and in the wild). sad day.

[Herbie555 @ Jan 24th 2008 5:04PM]

Thing thing borders on dangerous if people trust their lives to it. Get a 406MHz PLB instead. No subscription fees, and the strength of the international COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system to actually find your ass when you need it.

[Russell @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:53PM]

Poor GPS signal and the undeniably shitty globalsat network (compared to iridium) and you have a nice paperweight you can use to sling at small animals, starving with hunger...

[LarryG @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:33PM]

I'm pretty shocked to be honest.

High-sensitivity handheld units have been on the market for a while and they work pretty good in tree cover but they can still lose a signal in a canyon.

For a unit to be dependable enough to stake your life on - it's got to be able to "get out" in challenging conditions.

Otherwise.. I agree with a previous commenter.. this thing could get you killed... if you were badly hurt and decided to stay put because you thought that this thing successfully notified help.

I think the concept is good but it's not ready for prime time and needs a 2.0 version.. start with the better chip... and perhaps have a light that says "we've received your signal and help is coming" or some such.

[computer.dude.28 @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:58PM]

My dad has been demoing one of these for about a week (he sells them). A couple weeks ago one of these saved a guy's life in the mountains when he broke his leg. That 911 button comes in handy.

[Nooneworthadamn @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:59PM]

This device isn't supposed to be a "find your way home" device. This device is built for snowmobilers, skiers in avalanche areas, atv'ers backwoods hikers and anyone else in a remote area who become stranded. It is a personal locator beacon.

Jared, this is a 150 dollar version of a 600 dollar personal locator beacon that happens to send GPS coords to search and rescue in the event of a emergency. Say you were hiking, you slipped off a hill rolled down and broke both legs. You hit your button, and whether or not you a have a GPS signal, it will start transmiting a packet to a satelite system. It doesn't have to wait for a link with the satelite, it will continue to send for up to 14 days or until it is canceled.

It seems clear to me that the person writing the review didn't really understand what this device is used for.

Since the service went live a few months ago, there have been 3 instances where the system has enabled the search and rescue teams to find the folks in no time. Personal Locator Beacons just send a signal out. They can help search and rescue narrow your location to a location of miles. This unit will also send out gps coords to help reduce those miles to meters.

[Nooneworthadamn @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:01PM]

The globalstar system is only shitty for voice calls which require a very strong signal to use. This is a packet transmission, so the strength of the signal isn't as important as it is for cell service. This device is far from a paper weight.

GPS signal has no bearing on the functionality of this device. It is a added feature to help search and rescue locate you.

[Razvan Dragomirescu @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:09PM]

BTW, there's a mistake in the review:

"SPOT Satellite Messenger uses its internal antenna to receive GPS signals and transmit L-band over the Globalstar Simplex data network. This provides 2-way communication with the device, even in areas with no cellular coverage."

As the name implies, the "Globalstar Simplex data network" is just that ... simplex... meaning it only goes one way, it only sends, it doesn't receive anything. So it's not "2-way communication with the device" and it's also the reason why the unit is unable to show if the message has been received or not... it simply doesn't have a return path to receive the confirmation.

[Nooneworthadamn @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:08PM]

@Herbie555

This device is a personal locator beacon. Instead of paying 600+ to ACR electronics who had the marketshare since PLB's really came into existance, we have a cheaper option that performs just as well, just as reliable, and has more features. Lets say you have a flat tire on the road. Using a PLB to come help is a waste of Search and Rescue time, with this device, you can send a message that is forwarded to a group of contacts automatically who can arrange for help. No need to tie up time from the national parks service, or local sherrifs office like what would happen with other PLB's.

[Jason @ Jan 31st 2008 7:28PM]

"This device is a personal locator beacon. Instead of paying 600+ to ACR electronics who had the marketshare since PLB's really came into existance, we have a cheaper option that performs just as well, just as reliable, and has more features."

This remark sounds like you have a slightly different motive than saving people (my guess would be cash)!. The reality is that the SPOT is no where near as reliable as an ACR PLB. It should be made very clear, for those who are truly interested in saving oneself, that they look long and hard into the differences between the two.

For one, an ACR PLB uses 2 satellite systems, the GPS and the most important the Cospas Sarsat (owned by 4 countries; USA, Russia, France, and Canada) using a dedicated radio frequency of 406MHz. This frequency has been set aside world-wide for emergency transmissions. If the ACR beacon can't acquire a GPS signal, it will still be transmitting a 5W signal (other than the 0.4W the SPOT puts out) as well as a 121.5MHz homing signal for the searchers to find. You can be assured 99.9999999998% that you will be found. I can say this because every beacon that has been activated has been manually turned off (every beacon has a 16 digit identification number so ACR catalogs every beacon that leaves the factory). The PLB has been FCC approved to withstand incredible torture. An example of this was a EPIRB (the PLB equivalent used on ocean going vessels) was found floating for 2 years (based on records obtained from the sunk vessel) and was recently discovered after activating itself in the last month. It was completely covered in barnacles and the antenna had been broken yet still transmitted a signal and was found floating alone in the ocean! These regulations require that the PLB beable to withstand multiple drops on concrete from 20 ft, be completely waterproof, work in sub 0 temps for 24 hours, and have zero failure rates. That is why there is only one manufacturer of this product in the US and only a handful world wide.

The unit is also manufactured with a zero rate of failures. What this means is that every PLB that leaves the factory HAS to be perfect without any defects. As of today, there have been ZERO failures. An amazing track record if you know anything about manufacturing.

There have been over 83 people saved due to the ACR PLB in 2007. Another amazing statistic.

The military relies on this technology to save their personal. Therefore they will never let it fall into disrepair. That is not that case with the commercially owned SPOT satellites. In fact, Globalstar has been under some financial difficulty and there is no guarantee that they will get out of it. It is incredibly expensive to launch and maintain satellites.

I think the SPOT is cute and may come in handy in certain applications. However, if you are really concerned about ensuring you return home no matter the circumstances, a real PLB is the only thing I would trust.

[Itchy Pajamas @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:27PM]

Interesting device. A good companion to the avalanche beacon. ("Suspenders AND a belt.")

[William Kessler @ Jan 23rd 2008 7:10PM]

I wouldn't put much stock in what GPS magazine has to say. Take it from nooneworthadamn #1... There's also a lot of bias coming from that blog. All you have to do is read the tomtom 720 review to see how rediculously Garmin loving they are.

Please don't give em any credibility...

[Gridlink @ Jan 23rd 2008 7:40PM]

We've got a review and podcast review up at Gridlink Labs (http://www.gridlinklabs.com)

[Thomas Sullivan @ Jan 23rd 2008 7:28PM]

I bought one and it is not worth a Damn!

It is impossible to know what it is or has done and takes forever to send the Im OK signal so Ill assume if I had a problem, I may be dead before anyone even got the signal.

Keep your money for funeral expenses.

[Ben Ellison @ Jan 23rd 2008 9:40PM]

I've been reviewing SPOT too, mostly in terms of boat use, over at www.panbo.com. I think it's useful once you understand its limitations.

[Ben Ellison @ Jan 24th 2008 8:02AM]

"This device is a personal locator beacon. Instead of paying 600+ to ACR electronics who had the marketshare since PLB's really came into existance, we have a cheaper option that performs just as well, just as reliable, and has more features." --- Nooneworthadamn

No it's not a PLB, different technology, and it's not as reliable. Plus over 5 years it costs about the same. But it does have features a PLB doesn't. Some people will even have both. Lots more information at my blog, Panbo (http://www.panbo.com).

[Ben Ellison @ Jan 23rd 2008 9:59PM]

"The globalstar system is only shitty for voice calls...GPS signal has no bearing on the functionality of this device. It is a added feature to help search and rescue locate you." --- Nooneworthadamn

True about the voice calls; Globalstar has an amplifier problem that has nothing to do with simplex service.

But totally wrong about the GPS. If it's not working, Spot can not locate you at all. I know that for sure from testing. (http://www.panbo.com)

[LarryG @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:26PM]

"totally wrong about the GPS. If it's not working, Spot can not locate you at all."

anyone who has owned one of the earlier handheld GPS units knows that they were crap under summer foliage and natural/urban "canyons".

the newer units use a much better chip technology that allows them to maintain connectivity with the GPS satellites.

The SPOT.. in several reviews apparently uses an older chip similar to the ones used in the older handheld GPS units and the problem is that even if the SPOT can "talk" to a Globalstar satellite... if it does not have a GPS "fix", i.e. it cannot generate a lat/long then what gets sent to the Globalstar Satellite is going to lack the lat/long info and so.. back at their help desk they get a "911" but no lat/long... so they don't know where to send help.

and that is why the SPOT needs to have a modern chip in it so that if you are under tree cover or in a canyon and need help.. you need your SPOT to be able to:

1. - get a lat/long fix from the GPS satellites
2. - send that lat/long to the Globalstar satellites

If it cannot do BOTH 1 and 2 - then you're in trouble.

and you're in worse trouble if when you push the "911" you don't know if the transmission was successful.

the SPOT needs to have a light on it that is entitled "message received" that lights up to indicate that your 911 INCLUDING your lat/long position WAS RECEIVED by rescue folks.

[Jason @ Feb 1st 2008 6:03PM]

Here is the most recent rescue with an ACR PLB. It happened on January 22, 2008. This guy made a mistake by turning off his beacon to conserve battery power (not really an issue since in -4°F temps, the beacon will go for 40 hours and once it's turned on it should not be turned off) which inpeded the rescue somewhat, but in the end he was rescued. Check it out here: http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/tow_release.php?ID=125963

[shawn @ Mar 5th 2008 2:36PM]

Unit works great for myself and our customers needs which is desert racing, prerunning, recreation and travel.

As a hemophiliac I don't leave home w/o it!