SPOT  Gen4

For what it is, I'd say it's just ok. Spot offers 1 way communication, WHEN IT ACTUALLY WORKS. Not sure if it's the Gen4 specifically or an overall issue with SPOT, but I found that many of my check in messages, were not getting sent out. Did a decent job dropping breadcrumbs and tracking, but on my last 3 day trip only 2 of 10 messages sent out were received by my contacts. From what I've gathered in my research the issue is caused by the type of satellite technology that SPOT uses. Depending on the time of year (especially in the PNW) your angle and distance from the satellites can change greatly and this causes connection issues.

I've had this for a while, used it across multiple countries, all over the US, in the desert, PNW forests, everywhere. Only ever had one message not send, and it was because my phone was stil on and close to it. If you airplane mode your phone for a bit and press your button, orient it the way the directions say (I leave mine clipped on my shoulder on my bag and rotate it and still hike), it sends just fine. I've noticed most people just never thoroughly read the manual and that's the cause of most issues for people. Great peace of mind, simple, small. 4 stars only because it can fail a message because you're walking, but tracking does work, so I imagine a higher priority message/ sos would be immediate, which is kind of what the company says as well.

My son used this unit for his 50 miler back packing trip in Sierras thru boy scouts. The product does a decent job n tracking location although if you compare with Garmin Inreach Spot is 100s of yards off! I bounght it so I could track the movement of the group and as a backup for Garmin Inreach. The website is glitchy, I had to log off and on to use maps. I could not activate the unit on my own I had to call customer service, they were not clear about subscription plan I was getting enrolled in to.

I purchased this for my daughter who is hiking the AT. She used the SOS button to seek help for another hiker who had collapsed. The Spot emergency office was great, contacting the local emergency responders. It works!

I have the Gen 3. They used to have relatively simple software and you could easily see, share and download your tracks. They "upgraded" it. Now the software is so cumbersome it is useless, at least to me. The ONLY reason I keep the Spot is because it uses AAA batteries which you can get all over. I use the tracking so rarely now and the software is so non intuitive, I have to call in to get anything.

This is the most unreliable GPS tracking system ive ever tried to use. Spot 4 would not acquire SAT's after over 10 attempts. Test sequence failed every time. Instructions on printed docs unfollowable as well as online. Very unclear and incomplete. If this device and support from spot is inept from the very beginning how can it be trusted with your LIFE in the field. Customer support person was very rude and her feelings hurt by stating this product sucks without a doubt. My prior experience is with MIL DAGR, and several other products that ive used in the past. Wanted to upgrade and thought this system was up to par. IT IS NOT! UNRELIABLE-Jen O'connell - do a better job with this company! GEN4 has more 1 star reviews...

First, the little blurb that comes with the unit is useless except to tell you the web site where to set up an account. That in itself is a ponderous process. There is no info as to what the buttons mean. This is IMPORTANT information for the "button test" before you start out on your trip. It tells you the unit has to be connected to your computer but there is no indication that you have to open the back to find the connection. Second, setting up the account is a PIA. It was telling me my CC on record was going to be used for billing. What? I hadn't even gotten to a screen to input my info. Third, I tried the 800 number for help but waited and waited and waited. Be prepared to be on the phone a long time for assistance. Since the unit was not completely set up I left it at home and went hiking. I might recommend it once I start using it.

This is a follow up of a review I wrote one month ago. I still don't recommend this product. Yesterday I took it on a hike to Oakmont Park in Redlands, California. It's actually a wilderness area with several trails. The only trees are at the trailhead otherwise good trails with clear skies. I took the West Ridge trail that takes you to the top of a hill. I turned on the unit and all the lights flashed green. I took it slow to allow time for the unit to pick up the satellites. It was hooked up to the back of my pack with the included strap and carabiner so that it would remain upright. I got to the top of the ridge after 35 minutes and stayed there 10 minutes. I pushed the "check" button to let my assets know and after a few minutes the message button. It took me another 30 minutes to get to the trailhead. Again the unit was on and in the back of my pack. I checked my profile on the SPOT web site. It showed the time I turned on the unit. My assets never received my messages. In conclusion I don't recommend this unit.

In order to access the messaging services the device needs to be updated through a software interface. This software is not working with my SPOT and thus I cannot get access to those services like messaging my progress to family, sending non-SOS emergency texts to people I want to alert, or anything beyond alerting the GEOS SOS network (I never had to test the SOS button so I can only hope that it would work, but the device does turn on and the buttons all seem to work correctly). Having called customer service on two occasions spending time and money updating the data transfer cord and computer in between the calls, it still doesn't work and they have not been helpful at all. Moral of the story is just buy something different and do not waist time and money on this beacon nor on fixing it.

This device gives me and my wife a peace of mind when I am out on the trail. I have been able to use this on a couple trips now and couldn't be happier. The price of the unit and the price for the subscription was what made me buy this. I do wish it had a rechargeable battery instead of AA's. I found it easy to set up my subscription and really enjoy having it with me on the trail.