Am considering getting one of the spot satellite trackers for my wife (no, not to keep track of her ) but rather for her peace of mind. I took for granted they worked well but was not impressed with reviews at one website.

Maybe I looked at an older generation model and they were old reviews or perhaps with unobstructed signal reception that one would get in a canoe the thing would work as advertised. It's either that or a satellite phone. Pros/cons :question

We have been happy with the SPOT device.  It was my fault that ST didn't get the messages, apparently when I added another recipient on my account it cancelled his link.  A double check while still at home would have solved that ahead of time.
The SPOT has been reliable in sending its signals for us.  Sometimes it takes a while for it to locate a satellite.  I set it out in the open at the shoreline of our campsite or on top of my packs while I am paddling.  I have found it works best if lined up to broadcast to the southern sky.  It will signal you when it has been able to send a message.  I generally use the "okay" check-in feature.  Tracking is nice too, but sends a signal every 10 minutes and ends up putting a lot of e-mails on one's account over the course of a few hours.
From looking at the map of where we have been vs the signal locations I can tell it is right on for location information.  The folks at home seem to really enjoy being able to see where we are at any given morning or evening.  The security of being able to send a signal for help if you need it, is nice for the camper.  Account cost for one year is about $100.00.
At times you would like the option of explaining why you need help, etc. and there is no option for that...yet.  A sat phone would allow detailed communication.

intrepid_camper wrote on Sep 24^th, 2010 at 12:00am:


I would say that is "way to cool" but that sounds so juvenile. Perhaps something along the lines of "That will do very nicely" would be more in line with someone who just hit the big 50 this past summer. Can you say "mid life crisis"? (my wife would kill me if I picked up a twenty something and a red sports car so maybe I'll just go trippin  )

I have run both Iridium and Global star phones in the BW, neither of which turned my crank...cost, bulk, battery issues, and plain outright coverage issues. Made the switch over to a spot 2 this year and I am not turning back unless I go further north then well that is another story. Simple to operate and program, that my nine year old can cover it. All messages sent on its maiden voyage this summer, so the verdict is still out so to speak. The google earth links are pretty kool too. Now I we have true solitude and peace of mind for the outsiders at the press of a button, or rather buttons. And  the customizing options in the messages spice it up a bit yah know, and it all fits in the front pocket.

The issue/s that I was speaking to would be any thing that one might run into with PU's/evacs. in the far north, where real time verbal contact would be more utilitarian than a email or text message....not with spot its self that I am aware of....but I have not done that research MT...so for me it is more of a timeline driven rather than a device issue due to the more substantial distances and therefore time of travel in that neck of the woods...I would still use the spot but I would also have a sat phone to accommodate that concern of mine; and I do not have that concern in the BW.