Has anyone tried this device in the BWCA or Quetico?  I used it on a solo trip last fall with mixed results.  Apparently, there was a satellite outage, so my spouse became concerned when the email messages suddenly stopped mid-trip.

I have never used any other communication devices on previous trips (nor will I be likely to in the future), but the SPOT appealed to me because it let my family know I was OK while out there by myself.

Some folks here have used them, you can hear what they had to say here:

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ProRecreator
I wore the SPOT on top of my shoulder facing up.  I put a couple of pins in my life jacket that it clipped to. The instructions say to use it with it facing up but if you clip it to your belt it would not be facing up.  Where did you ware the one you had?
Magicpaddler

Thanks to Akula for pointing out the Spot Messenger reviews posted last fall.

Magic Paddler:  I never wore the device, but only turned it on to send a signal once a day.

Here are a couple of photos of Magic Paddler with the Spot Messenger on his shoulder. I must say the info we gathered after the fact from this device was outstanding and overall was well worth the money spent.

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Every trip I wore one I caught fish like in KF’S second picture.
Magicpaddler

...and it was frustrating as hell to sit on the receiving side of those SPOT Messenger signals & watch those bast__ds sit on my favorite fishing holes, day after day after day!

Jimbo   8-) 8-)

Cheaper to not buy one. I don't want anyone to know where I'm fishin...

Actually, Jimbo conned 'em into using one so he could learn where to fish.

ProRecreator wrote on Feb 13^th, 2009 at 4:30pm:

Apparently, there was a satellite outage, so my spouse became concerned when the email messages suddenly stopped mid-trip.

Hi ProRecreator. Yeah that would be a problem way worse than not knowing!

Just to fill you in a bit. Three of us, KF Magic and myself shared the ride to Canada. KF and MP took a bizarre-o overland route into the park. I entered on my own separate, normal permit. Jimbo and the outfitter who dropped MP & KF off on some logging road were their main SPOT go to guys I think.

A few days into our trips, I half expected to meet up with KF and Magic at a tentatively and very loosely agreed upon lake. I expected them to be early if they showed at all. They were late and I got tired of waiting but was eventually relieved to hear them coming later that day. I worried a little, off and on but only a little because they had that SPOT thingy.

As I recall I worried less than at least one of those who were getting the e-mails. One had not all that unusual e-mail difficulties, another had location problems but I believe he got the e-mails, etc., and the other, oh wait, she just got bored and didn't check it daily.

That's my recollection. Feel free to correct as necessary. Point is, there are always weak links with something new and IMO Magic had it right renting it for the month or whatever so at least he was comfortable using it. Personally, I'd be afraid I'd accidentally hit the wrong button at some point.

Old Salt wrote on Feb 14^th, 2009 at 3:55am:

Actually, Jimbo conned 'em into using one so he could learn where to fish.

OS,

Now you've done it... you've spoiled my slickest fishing secret of recent years!

Personally, I think those guys PURPOSEFULLY sat on some of my favorite fishing holes JUST to drive me nuts sitting here, hundreds of miles away!

Just a word from the "receiving end" here.  Watching those guys fall short of reaching water on their Day One bushwhack would have had me real worried IF it wasn't plain they were reasonably close to McKenzie Lake on the morning of Day Two.  I was definitely thinking about the amount of drinking water they were carrying with them & how rough the terrain was in that general area.  I had found myself in a very similar predicament years before over on Cache River, north of Cache Lake... with no SPOT Messenger, either.  If WE had screwed up, we'd have been in there for a couple weeks.  Trust me, if Magic had hit the "HELP" button, the cavalry would have appeared a lot sooner than that.

The tough choice would have been: a) do I call the Park & have them send in helicopters, etc., OR b) does Jimbo use this episode as an excuse with his boss & wife to "rush to the rescue" of his buddies... & enjoy some more vacation time in the park?

Wow, what an ethical dilemma!

Hmmm... Magic & KF, you guys might have gotten a little thirsty but I'd have found you sooner or later!

Jimbo   8-)

Jim
There was more than once on that trip that I mentioned something to KF about you watching where we were and knowing how jealous you must be.  Maybe it is a flaw in my character but I took joy in knowing you were in pain. I was also glad that there was some one who new the park, the outfitters, and able to get our emails (our outfitter had trouble getting the emails) watching our progress
MagicPaddler

wrote on Feb 14^th, 2009 at 2:06pm:

Jim  Maybe it is a flaw in my character but I took joy in knowing you were in pain. MagicPaddler

Magic,

Suffering joyfully for you is NEVER a problem... old buddy, old pal, old friend.  However, just don't be too terribly surprised when those six maps I am drawing up for you (ie. fishing holes, campsites, rapids, portages) regarding THIS year's big trip don't quite look like the maps that I am drawing up for everyone ELSE in our group.  YOU are getting my really SPECIAL maps... you know, the ones with all my "shortcuts".

If I were you, I'd keep the canoe that Matunik & I are paddling in sight....

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo
I will know if all the marked camp sights are in swamps I have been had.

Last year was a exceptional year.  If I do a solo this year I plan on renting a Spot for it.  If so I will be asking for your services again.  
Magicpaddler

They were late and I got tired of waiting but was eventually relieved to hear them coming later that day.  Point is, there are always weak links with something new and IMO Magic had it right renting it for the month or whatever so at least he was comfortable using it. Personally, I'd be afraid I'd accidentally hit the wrong button at some point.[/quote]

I agree that these new devices take some getting used to, and can create some unintended consequences.  Your story points to the need to have a real understanding about what the person who gets your emails is supposed to do if you hit the "Help" button, for example.  The only way I see that button being useful is if your lucky enough to have someone like Jimbo standing by to jump in his canoe and paddle to the rescue.  The "911" button is another story, and requires a payment beyond the basic subscription.

In any case, thanks for sharing your experiences.  I do intend to take the Spot with me on future trips, whether solo or group.

I bought a SPOT last year and used it on a September trip.  Once or twice a day I would set it out to send a signal.  It worked every time.  It is a lightweight way to let those at home have a little peace of mind.  

I usually trip with 2-4 people but in the event that I could only arrange to go with my 11 year old grandson, I would not hesitate.  The SPOT is just a little insurance.  

I didn't go back and check the fine print but I think the 911 button works on any subscription.  The TRACKING feature is an upgrade.

terp

I read some reviews by hikers in the Boundary Waters using Spot and none of their messages got out (they were using it from the trees).  For safety purposes I just ordered the McMurdo Fast Find 210 (it even has built-in GPS).  It is a plb that just came out.  It is half the size and half the price of the ACR Microfix.  It retails for $299 and I bought it for $279.  This is guaranteed to work vs. the Spot which may or may not work depending on your location.  If you pay $150 for the Spot and add $99 for the first year of service you are almost at the same price as the McMurdo.  If you are buying the Spot to send okay messages that is another story but for safety purposes the Spot is going to have to lower prices and subscription costs because nobody will be buying them.