I know the SPOT II had a host of problems when it was first released. I would like to know how the device has been working for those who have been using it in the past 6 months or so. Have the check-in and tracking features been working as advertised. Lastly, have they gotten their act together in the customer service department?

Thanks in advance for any reviews or comments.

I use the SPOT Messenger (SPOT II) all the time and have found it to be very reliable. The battery life is good and the features, yet simple and basic, are good. Even in tight canyons, the tracking option works well (hiking/flying). I'm not sure the about the costumer service, but a few years ago it wasn't great (perhaps they've changed).

Highly recommended.

I also have been using the SPOT II for a while and have had no problems at all with it. I have used it in canyons, hill tops and flat lands with no problems whatsoever. The messages as well as the tracking have bee great.

Hawk

I use the spot II on my trips back and forth to the bahamas, it works great.

Hello,
I used the SPOT all the way from Washington State to Coldfoot, AK last sumer and it worked great. Every time I landed I hit the OK button. This showed up online and my family and freinds knew where I was. The Montana Fish & Game Aviation Division uses the SPOT tracking system because it is less expensive than Flight or Spydertracks systems. It isn't the best but a good system for the $$$.

James

I have been using one for over 1 yr. I'm completely satisfied and it works as advertised.

You won't believe the peace it provides to you when you get home and don't hear the 'I've been worried about you.' It is usually a question about one of the places I went to and a great excuse to talk about the trip.

R

twflyer wrote:I know the SPOT II had a host of problems when it was first released. I would like to know how the device has been working for those who have been using it in the past 6 months or so. Have the check-in and tracking features been working as advertised. Lastly, have they gotten their act together in the customer service department?

Thanks in advance for any reviews or comments.

I've got mark 1 unit in airplane -needs to be updated ---Tomorrow . Overall I'm pretty happy with performance. From Alaska to south America -tried it out in Thailand -works but not that well .

I upgraded from the Spot one to SPOT connect it is bluetooth connected to my android phone and so far the tracking & OK work as far as the map & message. It does appear the the android powers down before the flight ends at some point. However when I check tracking it is all there? I am going to check the android phone before TO from point of destination return flight in the future to make sure it is on or connect it to the IPAD2. The SPOT service works. The advantage of the SPOT connect is that the android app has buttons that work on instant push but I had to power down the SPOT one after tracking in order to send an OK. The SPOT Connect eliminates that step. Like I said the Android phone is my only query at this time?

Green Hornet wrote:I upgraded from the Spot one to SPOT connect it is bluetooth connected to my android phone and so far the tracking & OK work as far as the map & message. It does appear the the android powers down before the flight ends at some point. However when I check tracking it is all there? I am going to check the android phone before TO from point of destination return flight in the future to make sure it is on or connect it to the IPAD2. The SPOT service works. The advantage of the SPOT connect is that the android app has buttons that work on instant push but I had to power down the SPOT one after tracking in order to send an OK. The SPOT Connect eliminates that step. Like I said the Android phone is my only query at this time?

I have had the SPOT Connect for about a year and I'm not sure what your question is. When I start the Connect into tracking mode I then shut down bluetooth on my phone, it's not needed until you want to change what the Connect is doing. When you do want to make a change you simply restart bluetooth on the phone and the two reconnect with each other. The other option is to just hit the power button on the Connect and power it down when you don't want/need to send a different kind of message, no need to use the phone for that.

Bonanza Man wrote:

Green Hornet wrote:I upgraded from the Spot one to SPOT connect it is bluetooth connected to my android phone and so far the tracking & OK work as far as the map & message. It does appear the the android powers down before the flight ends at some point. However when I check tracking it is all there? I am going to check the android phone before TO from point of destination return flight in the future to make sure it is on or connect it to the IPAD2. The SPOT service works. The advantage of the SPOT connect is that the android app has buttons that work on instant push but I had to power down the SPOT one after tracking in order to send an OK. The SPOT Connect eliminates that step. Like I said the Android phone is my only query at this time?

I have had the SPOT Connect for about a year and I'm not sure what your question is. When I start the Connect into tracking mode I then shut down bluetooth on my phone, it's not needed until you want to change what the Connect is doing. When you do want to make a change you simply restart bluetooth on the phone and the two reconnect with each other. The other option is to just hit the power button on the Connect and power it down when you don't want/need to send a different kind of message, no need to use the phone for that.

BM, Since I asked the question I realized you are 100% correct that the Aps is only a trigger to get the spot working and the phone is mute after it starts tracking. I got hung up on the word Connect thinking they both had to be running in order for it to work. Now that you have confirmed my suspicions that my thinking was flawed I am really liking the Spot Connect because it works easily with no question an upgrade to Spot One.
Thanks