Grassstrippilot wrote:

Bonanza Man wrote:BM, this is one question that I had. So just to verify, if your phone goes dead because you haven't been able to charge it, you can still activate the SOS from the unit itself (no phone required), right? I was thinking that is the only way it makes sense.

That is a question I had cuz it would suck to have the phone die and not be able to SOS. I didn't see that mentioned on the website.

Another question, does it cost more to use the Connect?

Yes, you can SOS from the unit itself as well as from a smartphone. All other functions require the smartphone, but to be clear once you set the mode you want to be in you can power your phone off. The phone does not have to be continuously bluetooth connected to the SPOT, actually there's no reason to be connected to it at all once you've set the SPOT other than the SPOT positions show up on your phone as they are sent so you get to see the same thing anybody watching you at home sees. Assuming your phone is getting a data connection to download the Google Maps. Any smartphone with the app will work. I have the app on both my Droid and my wifes Thunderbolt just in case. I used the device for the first time today on a 7.5 hour out and back to SW Minnesota. Never turned the SPOT off, worked great. Nonstop on the way out and then a stop in Spearfish for lunch on the way back.

http://tinyurl.com/6y2o52p

Thanks. The site says smartphones, but I assume it would work with an iPad as well.

There's no reason it wouldn't work with a tablet. I don't have the iPad(wouldn't buy an Apple) but I do have the Motorola Xoom running Android. All the apps that I run on my phone also run on the Xoom so it should work just fine, I just haven't tried it.

Just heard from a friend of mine that had a billing issue identical to what 66Skylane and I experienced. Again, I've been generally pleased with the functionality of my 1st Gen Spot - just be cautious if you call them for any account suspension/cancellation issues. Lesson learned is that if they tell you they'll make a change to your account get some documentation that reflects the change.

They've already screwed up in my favor, last fall I called to change my weather package from Aviator to Aviator Lite. I'm paying for the Aviator Lite but getting the Aviator. So I'm already several hundred dollars ahead.

The SPOT is a really tough little bugger, Greg Swingle and myself landed up on Pertnear (10,540') last January in his Rans, I set my SPOT down to do something, and forgot it. It sat there all winter for six months, through snow, wind, whatever the weather could throw at it, then, when I landed there a couple of days ago, it was not only there in perfect condition, but was still on, flashing green, no apparent damage whatsoever...

Wow! You should write and tell them that story. There's a commercial there I think!

BobK wrote:I picked up the new Connect at the AK Airman's Show this spring, and like it so far. Its a little buggy in the connection between the unit and my iPhone, but just a quick re-pairing solves it. One thing that I haven't been able to do yet is send the custom type messages out. I can send my predefined messages, but cant type out the custom ones, the button is greyed out. I'm hopeful that they will continually update their app/firmware and fix some of their issues. I sent in an email to Spot, and haven't heard back in a couple weeks. I'll fire off another one soon and see what they say...

I finally called and talked to Tech Support, who were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the product. Turns out that since I activated one of the earlier Connect units, when I "upgraded" from my original Spot to the new Connect, the online system wasn't setup to handle the switch allowing Type & Send messaging with the new unit yet. They have since resolved that issue, and said that my account should be fixed within a few days. I haven't logged in to see if the change happened, but am hopeful... After hearing all the bad press about their support I was pleasantly surprised talking with their Customer Service people!

Bob K.
Anchorage, AK

O.K.

I give up. I have become a wimp. The Maule will be with me in southern Utah during Sept. and Oct. Plan to to some backcountry flying while I am out there. My kids and wife finally convinced me to buy a Spot 2. I am definately low tech and intend to stay that way. So I just bought the basic package. Not interested in everone watching my flight path. The wife already does that on flightracker when I am IFR.

The device could be a real life saver even when backpacking and hiking. A Ranger friend of mine shattered his left foot last fall while hiking in the canyons at Natural Bridges National Monument. He was well off the grid and might not have been found for days. But he had a short wave radio and was able to call the Park for help. He had to be carried out while in great pain. Hopefully the SPOT will send an SOS if I am ever really down or hurt.

I tried out the SPOT here from home. The messages came within about 10 minutes, including a call to my wife's cell phone. When I looked up the location sent....it showed me on Google Earth right in the back yard of our home. The arrow was about 30 feet from where I had the Spot sitting on our deck. Pretty impressive.

Thanks to you guys. I've been reading and heeding what you say here for a few years. Finally decided that I might not be immortal any more.

Thanks to all.

Bob

Coyote Ugly wrote:The SPOT is a really tough little bugger, Greg Swingle and myself landed up on Pertnear (10,540') last January in his Rans, I set my SPOT down to do something, and forgot it. It sat there all winter for six months, through snow, wind, whatever the weather could throw at it, then, when I landed there a couple of days ago, it was not only there in perfect condition, but was still on, flashing green, no apparent damage whatsoever...

Man, if the trees don't get me and 50 yrs from now I'm sitting there slurpin applesauce and can't remember my own name, i will remember that day...Just like when i was baby sitting my grandpappy and he was on repeat with some story about the ability to set your clock to a coal miner who walked across his front lawn every morning on the way to work with his carbide lamp on...

It's fun to know you are out there landing on top of those buck-wild-ass mountains. -Very impressed with the spot. I was starting to feel guilty again for not reminding you to pick it up after our jig-dancin' adreanalin rushin' airplane jockeying good time! I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to ride bitch in my two seater to go back for it?

Ha.. I'd ride backseat with you anywhere, anytime.... Bar none...