For anybody who cares - the spot is on sale at many locations ( including AIH ) for Nov./Dec. 100.00 minus 50.00 rebate for total price of 50.00. Can't beat that and a sign of the economy I guess.

Have you used it ? I have often wondered about that product.

Good topic Niner.

Last year I purchased a SPOT, chiefly to keep it on me when flying, and I really like it as an emergency locator, as it sends the exact Lat/Long to the rescue center, that can be looked up on google maps right down to the very exact location.

The tracking feature works very reliably and comes handy for extended cross country flights or snogo trips.

Yearly subscription is 150 dollars.

Caution! There is a new model coming out soon, which is quite smaller.

Don't own one but from what I have read/heard, they have had numerous saves and have been 100% reliable. So, if anyone has heard otherwise - they ought to offer their comments. Others on the market are larger and more expensive. For a yearly subscription price, you also get message/tracking ability. Cheaper than a sat phone but obviously not as versatile.

YM : I suspected something was up with the give away price. The new one will probably be three times the price though. Typical of gps units ie: buy this year and next year a better model comes out.

I've done some research on the SPOT product for my offshore boat and wilderness trips.....Be aware that the SPOT product does not consistently work 100% of the time here in AK. If you want total reliability when you really need it, go with the Iridium Sat Phone, or one of the Personal Locater Beacons. (PLB) Spend a little more money for the confidence that you and your family can be located and rescued if needed.

Here's one of many threads on this subject:

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?t=33508&highlight=spot

my wife just bought me the "spot" my son used it recently when he was trapping beaver, it worked flawlessly. He had to walk out about 25 miles and the "spot" was real helpful to me as i could track where he was and know when to drive down to the pickup point. I will be selling our satphone the spot works so well.

Good comments and imput. However, we want to make sure we compare apples to apples. By 100% reliable, I was referring to the 911 emergency response center notification. Thats the only function I care about and would like to know if there has ever been a failure. I have always preferred a PLB with no service fee. But this is an alternative with more functions, for those who want them.
Sat phones are good, but even they are not 100% reliable. Iridium beats Global star for sure, but I have had dropped calls and have had to re-dial several times.

I want one of those spots badly, but I really don't want to be the idiot you guys read about in the newspaper that accidentally activated it while taking a dump.lol

Im not sure about the 911 as have never used it and dont want to! However I would assume if the check ok works then the 911 would as well. unless im mistaken i think the 911 works just like an elt in an airplane so it should be very reliable??

I was given one as a gift this year for my birthday. I still have not signed up for a plan though, so it has not been tested out yet. With the sat phone I don't think I have a good use for the spot. At least with the sat phone I can call and say something rather than sending a 911 message or an "I'm ok" message. I

AKbeaverslayer has one and used it with success every time we made it to the tent last year.

Cabela's is offering a sale also. 150.00 with 150.00 rebate, so free. There is also free shipping until app. Nov.17. However, you have to sign up for the two year plan plus tracking service. The brochure says the two year plan is 200.00 and tracking is 50.00 ( one year is 100.00 ).

I guess I should add this to one of the previous posts. For those who don't want/need features or subscriptions - as SS mentioned, the PLB's are an alternative and all we had to choose from in the years past. They run from app. 275.00 to app. 600.00. McMurdo and other brands can be found by entering Personal locator beacons.

I was thinking of getting the new model. this is something that has so much potental and could make someone millions if they can get it to work right. One thing I wish that it would tell with LED or some type of little screen that the message was sent. They seems to get having a hard time getting the Spot II here in Anchor town. I'm not sure if that is, because it is a POS or they can't make them fast enough. But once I see one I will have to be the ginny pig and get one since i don't have a sat phone and then option is a lot cheaper.

The $150 per year is what would convince me to go with the PLB or stick with the sat phone. Especially for you younger guys. Heck I don't even buy green bananas. But if you kept this SPOT for ten years it would be the same cost as a sat phone. The good thing about the PLB, SPOT and the sat phone (under certain circumstances) is that no one can call you. As long as it has an off switch, that's what matters.

White 17 you saying you don't let the Ol' Blister call you when you are at the cabin

To add one more comment here, I have been absolutely happy and satisfied with my SPOT. Mine works as advertised.

As mentioned previously, SPOT (Generation 2) is just around the corner.

Thanks YM. That info was interesting and it also made my head hurt. Very enlightening - especially the distinct differences between Spot and the PLB's ie: Cospas/Sarsat - 121.5 Doppler back up , etc. Those who were interested in purchasing one , now have a variety of things to consider. More than they first thought I suspect.

I've only had mine since august, but it's worked everywhere I've gone and makes the wife a little more comfortable if I'm out hunting solo or on the trapline...and like white said, its only one way communication, which is essential