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.