SPOT Satellite Messenger
August 28, 2007
Don’t want to alert a search-and-rescue force every time you’re in minor trouble? Or maybe you’re just going to be late getting back home after a long trek. The SPOT Satellite Messenger, a new emergency beacon, uses GPS signals and a private satellite network to bleep out descriptive communiqués of four iterations.
Indeed, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is a new type of personal locator beacon, one that gives you options as to which kind of emergency (or non-emergency) message you want to transmit from the wilderness to the world at large.
Messages the device can transmit include:
1) “I’m Okay”
2) “Summon emergency responder”
3) “Request help” for friends and family only
4) Track Location
That last feature, Track Location, remotely follows your path, stores GPS waypoints, then transmits the data for live display on the Web via Google Maps. Kind of creepy, but cool, too.
It will cost $149 when available next month, plus an annual $99 service fee.
More details to come. . .
Contact: www.findmespot.com
I’ve had a SPOT for two years, and it’s been terrific. It stays on my life jacket so it’s always with me when I go out in my kayak. I like being able to tell my friends I’m OK, and know I can send a HELP message without calling 911. My friends and I talk about our SPOT devices on our website kayakyak.blogspot.com
I do a lot of solo backpacking and canyoneering these days. I picked up one of the spots at 7summitsgear
I am really impressed with the spot 2
My husband got one of this for me cause i tend to wander. It works great, he tracks me down with his foretrex 401 review and all is well. I would definanlty recommend it for a family hike.
Related Content
Camping
Friday, September 02nd, 2011
Long Hike Ahead: GearJunkie Crew Heading to 65-Mile Border Route Trail
Camping
Friday, September 30th, 2011
Nationwide 'Checkpoint: SPOT' Treasure Hunt Re-Stocked with Prizes
- Follow Gear Junkie on Twitter
- Gear Junkie on Facebook
- Daily Dose RSS Feed
Latest Tweet: Feb 8, 2012 @ 02:05 PM
On topic of Heroes. . . "10 Things You Didn't Know about YOSAR" @Climbing) Used to wanna be this when I grew up! http://t.co/7IVDNQPV
- Weekly E-Newsletter
Sign up for our e-news for a weekly update on new gear, adventure travel, and prize giveaways.
- Latest Articles
- GearJunkie to Cover, Compete in Winter Teva Mountain Games
- GearJunkie Buffs Are Here. (And you can win one!)
- Video: 'Stupor Bowl' Bike Race
- Gear Test with Dog: 'Omnijore' Harness System
- Recap: 'Stupor Bowl' Alleycat Bike Race
- Photo Contest Winners: 'Weekday Warrior' Channel
- Performance Art: Handmade Abstract Wooden Snowboards
- Bike, Run, Hike: New Do-All Shoe
- Stove Burns Wood, Charges USB-Powered Gadgets on Side
- Primo Bike Tool has Lock-in-Place Components
- Popular Articles
- GearJunkie Buffs Are Here. (And you can win one!)
- 'Best in Show' Awards: Part II of Greatest Gear in 2012
- Stove Burns Wood, Charges USB-Powered Gadgets on Side
- Video: 'Stupor Bowl' Bike Race
- Survival Gear: 10 Items To Survive
- Technology | Gear Reviews
- Hiking | Gear Reviews
- Biking | Gear Reviews
- Winter | Gear Reviews
- Gear Test with Dog: 'Omnijore' Harness System
- Bike, Run, Hike: New Do-All Shoe
- Fold-in-Half, Zip-up Backpacking Shoe
- 'Best in Show' Awards: Latest, Greatest Gear for 2012!
- Lange Girls 2010
- North America's Toughest Ski Runs
- World's 10 Most Dangerous Mountains
- Chimney Stove: Boil Water with Sticks and Grass
- Bear Grylls Knife
- Gear for 2012: Outdoor Retailer Trade Show
- Vibram gets 'Naked'
- Interview with a Bear: Grylls on Survivalism, Knives, and Rabbit Snares
- Running | Gear Reviews
- Photo Contest Winners: 'Weekday Warrior' Channel
- Climbing | Gear Reviews
- Extreme! 4-Wheel Pedal Bike
- SIA Trade Show: 'Snow Gear' for 2012/13
Hi Gear Junkie;
I recently received a demo SPOT unit from Globalstar and am writing a four-part series about the unit on my blog.
I’ll be testing the unit live from a barrier beach here in Massachusetts, using both the email and sms Ok and HELP notifications.
If you want to swing by to see the test results as they come in during February, 2008, the posts are at my blog paddlingtravelers.blogspot.com