Spot LLC has issued a product recall on the SPOT Satellite Communicator which is bundled and sold exclusively with the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w. This comes just over a year after Spot had to recall its then recently introduced second generation SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, or what is now known as SPOT 2. And, as was the case then, it appears the contract manufacturer in China installed a part that was not up to spec.

This does not affect the standalone SPOT GPS Satellite Communicator

Details here: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=324

Green Hornet wrote:

Pundy wrote:As far as I know, you don't need the GPS unit anymore to send the messages at least. Looks like you can just use your smartphone.
http://m.gizmodo.com/5724894/spot-connect-turns-your-smartphone-into-a-satellite-communicator

This is the way to go and if you have a smart phone it is cheaper.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/p ... onnect.php
That said the IPAD2, 3G WIFI has a GPS & SOS app, + tracking weather and other goodies with WIng PRO.
7. The IPAD cost a lot more but will also do a lot more.
http://www.hiltonsoftware.com/
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sos-gps/id314890907?mt=8

I've got the "original spot" and it works well. I'm thinking that with my "new smartphone" I might as well get one of these -pocket capsule communicator -gizzmo's where were they when I needed them in the jungles of southeast Asia ?

I'll say it again, I don't care if its a locator, telephone, or toothbrush. If it uses the Globalstar network it eventually WILL fail you. Hopefully this won't be at a time when it really is an emergency. The maps they show with their "coverage" areas might as well be drawn by a 2 year old. And just because you're getting coverage 2000 feet up in a plane does not mean when you're down low on the ground in those same areas that you will get a signal. And most likely you'll be on the ground in a real emergency. Go on the north side of a small hill here in northern MN and try for yourself. I've tested with two different SPOT's and a globalstar phone. They just don't work well without a clear view of the southern sky. Russ

Rhyppa wrote:I'll say it again, I don't care if its a locator, telephone, or toothbrush. If it uses the Globalstar network it eventually WILL fail you. Hopefully this won't be at a time when it really is an emergency. The maps they show with their "coverage" areas might as well be drawn by a 2 year old. And just because you're getting coverage 2000 feet up in a plane does not mean when you're down low on the ground in those same areas that you will get a signal. And most likely you'll be on the ground in a real emergency. Go on the north side of a small hill here in northern MN and try for yourself. I've tested with two different SPOT's and a globalstar phone. They just don't work well without a clear view of the southern sky. Russ

While I don't question the difficulties you experience in MN, my experiences across a large part of the Western US are quite good; even when in deep Idaho river canyons, etc. with limited views of the southern sky. One big difference too may be tree cover. I'm in the open when transmitting.

I have read about problems with the Globalstar phone. If I remember correctly it was with satelite transmitter when transmitting to a satelite phone. The transmissions from GS satelite to ground stations are not affected. So SPOT transmits to the satelite (this receiver works fine) and the satelite then transmits to the ground station (again, this link works fine). Those, I think, are the only GS connections SPOT uses and from my experience that works well. I agree for emergency only use, a PLB would be a better choice. For what I use SPOT for, it functions quite well and I use it on every outing. That includes, plane, auto, and foot.

found this http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/201 ... martphones looks like another SPOT --- just wish it was ORANGE --- I wonder if it has the "Track" feathure like I have on my Mark 1 spot ? something like .50 cents a message ??? If you have tracking should be FREE unlimited messages .

Here are the prices.
http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=110

182 STOL driver wrote:

Green Hornet wrote:

Pundy wrote:As far as I know, you don't need the GPS unit anymore to send the messages at least. Looks like you can just use your smartphone.
http://m.gizmodo.com/5724894/spot-connect-turns-your-smartphone-into-a-satellite-communicator

This is the way to go and if you have a smart phone it is cheaper.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/p ... onnect.php
That said the IPAD2, 3G WIFI has a GPS & SOS app, + tracking weather and other goodies with WIng PRO.
7. The IPAD cost a lot more but will also do a lot more.
http://www.hiltonsoftware.com/
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sos-gps/id314890907?mt=8

I've got the "original spot" and it works well. I'm thinking that with my "new smartphone" I might as well get one of these -pocket capsule communicator -gizzmo's where were they when I needed them in the jungles of southeast Asia ?

I sure would have liked having one of the new mini gatlin guns, doorgunners have today! :=) Clear Right!
I pulled the trigger on the IPAD2 but I won't get it until 4/27. I'll write an evaluation once Iv'e played with it sometime in May.

For something (anything) the size of a hockey puck that sends personalized messages from nearly anywhere in the world, it's worth getting to me.

Out of all the ultra-portable GPS's, the Delorme still seems to have the best and most mapping features (including satellite photo overlays), so I'll probably still get the the Delorme GPS. And I could use a new phone....Might as well get an Iphone 4 or Android phone right?....and I could use the new phone with a SPOT Connect gadget....yeah...the wife would appreciate my concern for safety and letting her know my location.....yeap....all good reasons to get one

Ridge Runner wrote:For something (anything) the size of a hockey puck that sends personalized messages from nearly anywhere in the world, it's worth getting to me.

Out of all the ultra-portable GPS's, the Delorme still seems to have the best and most mapping features (including satellite photo overlays), so I'll probably still get the the Delorme GPS. And I could use a new phone....Might as well get an Iphone 4 or Android phone right?....and I could use the new phone with a SPOT Connect gadget....yeah...the wife would appreciate my concern for safety and letting her know my location.....yeap....all good reasons to get one

Ridge - I've got the DeLorme PN40 gps (bought last year), which was their main unit until the PN60 with Spot Connect came out a bit ago. I really like the PN40, especially considering that it is sold along with DeLorme's Topo North America mapping software. Topo North America ($60 with maps of all of North America, and a $30/year subscription allows you unlimited downloads of high res - 1 m - aerial photos and USGS quad maps) is way more capable than online maps like GoogleEarth. Not only does it come with the highly-capable search and information-display features, and many layers of map data, but it is designed to work great with the DeLorme gps to take your map data out into the field, and then to import your gps field data into your custom maps. It's just a terrific package for anybody who recreates in the backcountry - flying or otherwise.

Sounds like the PN-60 is even better than the PN40.

Duane

nmflyguy wrote:Ridge - I've got the DeLorme PN40 gps (bought last year), which was their main unit until the PN60 with Spot Connect came out a bit ago. I really like the PN40, especially considering that it is sold along with DeLorme's Topo North America mapping software. Topo North America ($60 with maps of all of North America, and a $30/year subscription allows you unlimited downloads of high res - 1 m - aerial photos and USGS quad maps) is way more capable than online maps like GoogleEarth. Not only does it come with the highly-capable search and information-display features, and many layers of map data, but it is designed to work great with the DeLorme gps to take your map data out into the field, and then to import your gps field data into your custom maps. It's just a terrific package for anybody who recreates in the backcountry - flying or otherwise.

Sounds like the PN-60 is even better than the PN40.

Duane

Hi nmflyguy

Thanks for the positive report on the PN40. I agree, the PN60 should be even better. By the looks of it, the PN60 has mapping capabilities and features that other ultra-portable GPS's dont. Where I fly, I don't need a modular, dash-mount, large display GPS...Just something to plug in a waypoint, or do a quick search and route re-direct to a nearest known landing strip and then switch back to another screen to see speed, distance to go to end of route or to waypoint, and cross-track error to the waypoint. The 1m aerial imaging will be useful for route planning as will the detailed base map (with elevations yay!). I'm pretty sure I'll end up getting the PN60, with or without the SPOT Communicator.

Just got an Iphone 4, with a SPOT Connect. It works great!