REI has the SPOT ll on sale Nov. 18 - 28th for $119.99 with a additional $50 mail-in-rebate.

Total price $70

REI spends tens of thousands of dollars every year in support of environmental extremist groups like the sierra clup and green peace. They are in effect trying to shut down all backcountry motorized activities like flying, atv/dirtbikes, snowmobiling...etc. The support the lawsuits to ban 100LL gas. Every dollar you spend there helps them and hurts you.
The spotII is a great addition to any backcountry activity. IMO you shoud buy it somewhere other than REI

From their website

REI's Stewardship Priorities

Encourage the active conservation of nature
Inspire the responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors
Enhance the natural world and our communities through responsible business practices
Foster opportunities to increase participation in human-powered outdoor recreation
Maintain REI as an employer of choice, where employees are highly engaged in the vision of the company and are representative of our communities

If you don't like REI you probably should buy several.
It sounds like a 'loss leader' where the store takes a loss to gain customers. (common practice at groc. stores)

I don't know either way on REI. Anybody else have solid info?

lc

Human powered:kinda leaves our ass on the ground and away from their America.

I've spent....

....many thousands of dollars buying camping/hiking/backpacking equipment and clothing from REI. The are one fine, quality, supplier of gear. Their stores are like Santa's toyshop to me. My family and I are big fans. Never had a problem enjoying the outdoors backpacking or backcounty flying. Never met a Super Cub yet on a mountain hiking trail. It is natural to support one's prerogatives. We all do it. But they don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Now I have to say that I hate hiking in all that stinkin horse shit left by those trailriders. But then again........

bob

Looks like SPOT supports Sierra Club. Here is a list of supporters.

http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/advertisers/

Lots of companies support the sierra club. REI spends more than most. They also support MANY other eco-nazi clubs. If you hunt or use any type of motorized off-road vehicle, they are trying to shut you down. That most certainly includes closing back country airstrips. Their big push right now is 100LL gas. I have a rotax 912 so that is not a big deal to me but I would hate to see all the ramp mummies if there was no 100LL. There is almost nothing that REI sells that you can't buy from more motorized friendly companies like Cabellas.

My favorite thing to ask the staff at REI is "where are the meat bags". They are always confused and then disgusted when I describe what they are for.

180driver wrote:

My favorite thing to ask the staff at REI is "where are the meat bags". They are always confused and then disgusted when I describe what they are

That's funny stuff right there! I will have to remember that!

I am guilty of buying way too much outdoor gear and discount lift tickets from REI, the official trustifarian outfitter of Occupy (Insert Town Here). Their stuff is good quality and usually of decent price when on sale; it does trouble me that some of my funds might be going to support eco nazis. While I don't need 100LL with an O470 and would welcome the return of mogas to airports far and wide, I support those who do and it is the only E0 alternative we have in California currently.

You sure they aren't just giving it back to me in my annual dividend?

Flynengr

Read the REI member reviews for this product. It is rated slightly higher than Giardia. Compact, easy to use and unreliable. Sounds like my X wife.

S-12 That is an interesting point. I use to be a big spender there, but haven't been for the last ten years, but not because of this. Now I will continue to not buy from them.

Is there anyone here old enough to remember "Frost-Line Kits?" I can't remember if I got them direct or through REI, but back in those days, I was buying all kinds of outdoor equipment.

patrol guy wrote:S-12 That is an interesting point. I use to be a big spender there, but haven't been for the last ten years, but not because of this. Now I will continue to not buy from them.

Is there anyone here old enough to remember "Frost-Line Kits?" I can't remember if I got them direct or through REI, but back in those days, I was buying all kinds of outdoor equipment.

I just heard "Frost Line" a couple of days ago. That was during the Jurassic Period I think. I had one of the original MSR stoves that I think came from REI. Pretty exciting stove. I used mine first on a winter trip. It was really windy and yes I had it inside the tent. Pumps on these early ones leaked. Think Molotov Coctail in your hand with the tent zipper closed.
I know exactly where I threw it. Every now and then I think I should go back and see if it's still there.