Spot is offer a rebate upgrade for existing customers. If you re-up for 2 years and buy the new SPOT 2 for $149.00 you get a $75.00 rebate.
Do you think it is worth $74.00 and the hassle? anyone use it yet since the fix?

I have had one on back order with Spruce for a month. Several other suppliers are out of stock also but I found one yesterday to get ready for the long trip to the spring fly in. What the heck is the fix?

FWIW
Rumors that I have heard are that the first generation are better than the second, and I recently bought a first generation one for a friend for $60 off ebay

Spot Recalled the Spot #2 Feb. 17th for tech issues. I'm not quite sure what the issues are but they seem to be alluding that it is fixed and they have replaced or repaired the problem? I know they had a hermetic problem when placed in water. It has been less than a good introduction to the market. Somebody was in a hurry. No wine before it's time!
I've had the Spot#1 for years and the only issue I have had is getting the OK to send if it was in tracking mode. I have had to reboot the system to get it to send OK after being in tracking mode. Not a big deal but I kind of like the separate button. I think I will wait a while to see how things progress.

Ye, Sofar I'll stick with the first genertation spot. Just bought another one for a friend off of ebay. $79/FREE SHIPPING. i'M COOL W/THAT/

I'm like GH and wanting the OK feature while in the track mode without shutting down. I'm just hoping to hear a little more about the DeLorme PN-60w before the upgrade expires. The battery life on it may be a concern, with a color screen, but the ability to send a message might be worth it in my situation. Initial price is pretty steep also.

Jack

I'm ready to buy a spot myself... still trying to decide on a 1 or 2. What do you guys think? The 1 does everything I need one for but is it going to be totally outdated in a year?

Ya know, one of the best guys to talk to about these is Rob/prepared pilot, I think Zane probably has a pretty good working knowledge also.

I got a spot 1 two years ago and just renewed my subscription.

Two things are keeping me from switching over to a spot 1 even though I would really like to easily have both tracking and the OK messages sent.

Since I just renewed, unless I sweet talk SPOT into considering that, I only get $25 off the $150 list price. Not too attractive since the company occasionally gave away spot 1s if you would do a signup.

Second, I put lithium AAs into spot 1 and they are lasting and lasting and lasting. Spot now recommends lithium batteries for spot 2 and I am nervous that they might have increased the battery drain.

Actually, my Spot 1 called for lithium batteries as well, I don't think that's anything new.

MTV

Green Hornet wrote:Spot is offer a rebate upgrade for existing customers. If you re-up for 2 years and buy the new SPOT 2 for $149.00 you get a $75.00 rebate.
Do you think it is worth $74.00 and the hassle? anyone use it yet since the fix?

I like my original version spot. It's worked well and I just renewed my service in Jan. I'd like to see in say version 3 with a remote switch (like to push to talk ) for OK,Help and 911 . A remote antenna on the roof like a gps antenna would also be good> all plug-able into unit for better stuff. I really like the piece of mind of having folks being able to find me where ever when I'm flying out in the back country. Wish I had a SPOT 40+ years ago in southeast Asia .Aim High !

Hey Bill
I second the remote antenna idea. I've called them about that, and they say they can't. I say BS, they just don't want to.

I have also heard that they are working on one where you could change your message from the field, and maybe who it would be sent to, which would be nice.

As I said, I have been satified with my series 1, and am OK waiting for a better one, with some improved features, and well tested.

shortfielder wrote:Hey Bill
I second the remote antenna idea. I've called them about that, and they say they can't. I say BS, they just don't want to.

I have also heard that they are working on one where you could change your message from the field, and maybe who it would be sent to, which would be nice.

As I said, I have been satified with my series 1, and am OK waiting for a better one, with some improved features, and well tested.

Maybe a plug to your phone to send a text message hmmmm

I've used the Spot #1 for several years now and have found it to be excellent. While it would be nice to have the extra capacity of the new buttons on Spot 2, I have wondered if the cap over the 911 button might be issue in an emergency. I typically run in tracking mode, with the unit velcroed on the glare shield, with the plan that if I had an issue that required an emergency landing, I would press the 911 button and then if all worked out ok, I would immediately send an "OK" signal to cancel them from calling out the troops. I've looked at the Spot #2 and feel that it's highly likely that I wouldn't be able to grab the Spot, open the flap over the 911 button, hit it and then place the unit back in it's open position place on the shield in a timely fashion. With the older #1, I just need to reach up and hit and then take care of my emergency. Do any of you know if the permanent removal of the flap over the 911 button creates any issues? I've always felt, if it's not broken, don't fix it.
Phil

Wait till Oshkosh--they were giving the Spot 1s away there when I got mine, if you signed up for a subscription. I'd bet they'll have a better deal there this year as well. In the meantime, my first generation unit does okay.

MTV

you can read about the SPOT 2 recall here http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=241

TrevDog wrote:you can read about the SPOT 2 recall here http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=241

Thanks Trev, That report only solidifies my decision to stay with SPOT # 1. The water thing does not have any effect with airplane usage but the pressure changes due to altitude changes and the impact concerns from the occasional drop could be a problem. Like I said powering down the unit to send an OK after being in tracking mode is not that big a deal! When the reports conclusively assure fixes are proven then I will consider a change.

I bought a Spot 2 last week and it works good. Took 2 trips with it and it sent its track every 10 min. Sent text messgae with in 2 min of pushing the button. I had the dealer verify that it wasnt one effected by the recall. Has lights on it so you know its tracking and sending messgages.

I bought a spot 2 from Hodges Marine for $127 a couple of weeks ago. It is working flawlessly and doing what they say it will do.

I have carried a ResQfix for a few years, and I think the Spot terrific. The wife really likes the idea of getting a text msg on her cell phone when I'm departing and safely on the ground during the 'backcountry' trips.

Anyone want to buy the ResQfix?

Rich