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.

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

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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...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   

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

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.

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

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

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