SPOT X
Satellite Messenger
Product Review
We were recently sent a SPOT X 2-Way satellite messenger by SPOT to have a play with. We have previously reviewed the SPOT Gen 3, which we currently have or should I say had! Youll see what I mean by that a little later! The SPOT X adds a whole new level of possibilities in terms of its functionality. Let me start by saying that this review is purely based on our personal experience with the device. It is not a comparison with similar devices that are on the market.
After using the SPOT Gen3 on a number of adventures throughout Scotland, it was great to be able to check in at home. However, to have the option to send a message and also receive a message back, well that has been a game changer! The piece of mind you get from having one of these devices is priceless, it’s actually made the whole experience of finding adventure even more enjoyable. We’ll talk about the psychology of it a little later….
We had recently attended a talk where a mountain rescue team was presenting to like minded outdoor lovers such as ourselves. One of the key takeaways from the talk was how highly the speaker, one of Scotland’s most experienced Mountain Rescue Team Leaders, recommended such devices. He went on to say that you aren't only taking responsibility for your own safety but that of those who will come to your assistance. These kind of devices give MRT’s an exact fix on your position. This means they can come directly to you using the safest routes and minimising the time both you and they spend in that crisis situation, thus reducing the risk to the MRT’s. With the SPOT X you can now actually have a message conversation with MRT’s should you find yourself in a situation where you need help.
As we said on the SPOT Gen3 review, it’s always a little daunting to be given a new item of technology/kit, particularly for those that find this kind of technology a little intimidating. What we aim to demonstrate in this review is that the SPOT X isn't a complicated tool to set up and use, and don’t worry, you aren’t going to crash out the worlds rescue services by accident.
Once again, we only review products that we genuinely feel are going to be beneficial to the OTATScotland community. The SPOT X is without doubt one of those products.
Okay, before we get started take a look at this, the SPOT X …
What does the Spot X actually do
Well you’ve just seen it in that little clip… But heres our thoughts! Now, we aren’t going to get all technical here, that only confuses people, well it would me! We will however give you a basic overview of what a SPOT X does. Its important you know what’s actually behind that fee you are about to put aside.
The latest generation of the popular SPOT family of products, SPOT X offers full two-way SMS and email as well as GPS tracking and a one-touch SOS button that instantly sends the user’s GPS location to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Centre (IERCC) over Globalstar’s reliable satellite network. The IERCC then transmits details to local first responders to dispatch help to user’s precise location.
The SPOT X
SPOT X is the only satellite messenger on the market to give users a permanent phone number, easy check-in function and a full, backlit QWERTY keypad for intuitive typing. SPOT X also offers the industry’s longest battery life in both tracking and SOS modes and is priced competitively.
SPOT X enables users to stay connected with emergency services, colleagues, friends and family even when beyond the mobile network.
SPOT Gen3 Features:
TEXT AND EMAIL – Send and receive 140-character text messages and short emails with any mobile phone number or email address. The message can also contain a link with your exact location
LONG-LASTING BATTERY LIFE – rechargeable Lithium battery averages a battery life of 10 days when tracking at 10-minute intervals
COMPACT – lightweight at 198g, 166mm length x 74mm width x 44mm depth
KEYBOARD AND DISPLAY – Easy to use illuminated QWERTY keyboard that is usable in any light setting plus 69mm backlit display
RUGGED – Impact, dustproof and water resistant (IP67)
SOS – Direct two-way text communication with search and rescue services
TRACK – Tracks progress at intervals of 2 ½, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes and shares location on Google Maps
CHECK IN – Sends contacts an OK message with a single push of a button
POST TO SOCIAL – Link your accounts to keep your friends and family in the know wherever you go
COMPASS – Built-in compass and waypoints aid navigation
ELEVATION – Includes altitude in messages.
The SPOT App
The SPOT App allows users to view their SPOT messages and shows track points. We used this once just to test it out but wasn't something we normally see us using. However, there’s also a social media sharing option which can post to our Facebook page so the community can follow our current adventure. Pretty cool, don't you think? Yeah, BUT we have a little warning about that a little later though!
Setting up the SPOT X
The set up process is actually very straight forward, even for those who are perhaps not so tech savvy, like myself at times! Essentially you login into the SPOT Portal on their website and activate your account, register the device and then customise it to your preferences. From here you can enter the message you want to send when using the Check In function List the names and numbers of those you want to send your Check In message to. You can add around 70 email addresses and mobile telephone numbers to your contacts. As a little confidence booster, we’d also suggest including your own contact details. When you do get a signal on your phone you will receive your own check ins and messages. This just confirms to you that the device is working but don't forget, the SPOT X is a two way communications device and you can receive massages from your contacts, great eh!
Under the SOS tab you can enter as much detail about yourself and your nominated emergency contact as you are able. This gives the emergency services detail about you, your trip and your emergency contacts. Taking the time to complete this section properly really could make a difference if you do need to press the S.O.S button.
With the Gen3 the only slightly awkward part the process was that you needed to download the Spot Device Updater software to update the device if you make any changes to your contacts or messages. You then need to connect the device to your laptop to transfer the changes. Its not actually that much of a problem and only takes a few minutes. However, with the SPOT X you can add new contacts straight onto the device very easily as well as doing it from your laptop for larger volumes of information.
A real bonus is that if you are using the SPOT X as a group or in a club structure the details of the primary user and their contacts at home can be changed, and very easily updated. It’s another option for making the device more versatile for group and clubs users who will share the usage and cost.
Here’s a couple of “How To” films from SPOT
Using the SPOT X
Firstly, three top OTATScotland tips:
SPOT needs a clear view of the sky to obtain a GPS signal and provide the most accurate location information. It is not reliable indoors, in a cave, in an abyss, or in very dense woods.
Orienting SPOT X so that the antenna is pointing up toward the sky will improve performance.
Keep your SPOT at least 12 inches away from other GPS devices.
Once you have configured the device you are now ready to go. However, we would suggest giving the device a test before you do go. It may take slightly longer to send massages on the first test while it finds its location and works its wizardry. What we found was after the first test the transmission time was a lot shorter. Also don’t forget, the device needs to see the sky so get out in the garden. You can test all the buttons, and send messages, EXCEPT ONE !! Yes, you guessed it. Don't test the S.O.S. button! If you do, its likely that you may receive a strange phone call or a knock at the door, or worse, find a Coastguard helicopter hovering above your house stripping the roof tiles from it!
With the push of a button, SPOT X users can:
MESSAGE: Exchange messages with any cell phone number or email address from virtually anywhere in the world. This is where we normally let people know we are at out campsite or Hamish.
S.O.S: Send an S.O.S. to the 24/7 Search & Rescue centre, message back and forth about the nature of your emergency, and receive confirmation when help is on the way.
TRACKING: Select from 2½, 5, 10, 30, or 60 minute tracking intervals, and let family, friends and other adventurers follow your progress with SPOT’s easy-to-use Google Map interface.
CHECK IN: Quickly and easily let everyone know you're OK.
POST TO SOCIAL MEDIA: Link your social media accounts to keep your friends and family in the know wherever you go.
Import OTATScotland Tip 1 - Security
A word or social media posting. As you know we, OTATScotland love to show you all what adventures we are doing and hopefully help you find your next adventure. One thing we will not do though, is link this device to our social media accounts. The way we see it, there’s a little bit of a security issue with being so open with real-time updating. The last thing we want after a great trip is to come back home to find its been emptied. The cat wont be able to fight them off! Just something to consider.
Import OTATScotland Tip 2 - Save a Penny (most of us are Scottish!)
Remember, its not a mobile phone and shouldn't be used in the same way for messaging. Avoid trying to have conversations using the SPOT X. You will only eat away at your message allowance, unless you have unlimited messages of course! To be clear though, the user is only charged for outgoing text messages, not incoming. And, of course, users are not charged for incoming or outgoing emails.
Import OTATScotland Tip 3 - Your Emergency Contacts
Now, it’s all well and good sending your family and friends notifications that you are okay, all is good, etc. But what if they get a message from you saying you need help! What do they do next !?!
Its really important that you write out a plan of action for those on the receiving end of your messages. Show them how to open the link that SPOT will send so they can see where you are. It may be that the message receiver will need to come to your assistance, or you may want to have them call the local police on the non emergency number 101, or a friend that lives nearer to where you are stranded. What you don't want is them declaring an emergency, you can do that if for any reason the situation deteriorates by pressing the S.O.S button.
So what’s the cost
The SPOT X device retails at €299 (excl. VAT) with flexible monthly payment service plans starting from just €14.95 per month for seasonal users or just €11.95 per month for annual service plans. More pricing and coverage details are available at FindMeSPOT.eu. These service plans are a little more user friendly than just a fixed annual fee that previously put many potential SPOT customers off.
SPOT X offers two different service subscription options. Choose either a monthly Flex Plan or annual contract plan. Flex Plans are best for seasonal use and only require a one-month subscription. Annual plans are perfect for get-up-and-go year 'round use with an added benefit of monthly payment. Annual contract plans also have the option for you to pay upfront and get all allotted messages in advance.
Not for everyone, we do understand that, but for us this represents good value, an insignificant amount given that it’s a potential life saver. It also gives that psychological confidence boost for both you and your family knowing that if the worst were to happen you have a reliable means of summoning help. If you have to use it, lets hope not, even once to get help to you, we’d suggest that it’s now suddenly become worth every penny!
If cost is an issue you may be able to spread the cost. If you and a group go out regularly why not split the cost between the group, that then makes it even more affordable. If you are a solo adventurer then its really down to how frequent you are out and what you can afford. The cost of a couple of posh nights out these days will pay for it so maybe you want to forgo a couple!
Psychology of having a SPOT X device
We previously said that we will now always carry a SPOT Gen3, especially if one of us is on a solo adventure, which can be often. This has now been upgraded to, we will now always carry a SPOT X! I know that Mrs O has greatly appreciated the ability to massage me back, ooops I mean, MESSAGE ME BACK… when I’m on a solo adventure.
Again, our mindset has slightly changed. Most of us head to the outdoors in order to escape the city, and like nothing better than to see the lights on your mobile phone fade to OFF. A plus point for us was that the Spot Gen3 is a one-way communications device, you can send but not receive. This meant that we could truly escape the world for a while. Now that we have had exposure to the SPOT X and its two way messaging capabilities, we think that its the correct step to make it easier for others to help us if we do get into trouble. As you know, communication is key in an emergency situation. The option to receive messages hasn’t really impacted on our ability to escape the world and immerse ourselves firmly in the wilderness zone, mindset. We haven't been getting pestered with messages etc. Aww, maybe we have no actual friends! We’ll need to look at our contact list again!! Hmmm…
Psychologically, we have began enjoying our adventures even more now that everyone around us knows what’s going on and that we are safe. They aren't worrying and neither are we!
A Scottish Rescue using SPOT - The first documented rescue initiated by SPOT in Europe
Remote Lone-Walker Saved by RAF In Scottish Highlands
May 2008 - Technology triumphed over adversity in the great outdoors when an outdoor adventurer was rescued from remote Scottish Highlands after using SPOT, the World’s first satellite messenger system, to alert emergency services. Read more HERE.
This is the first documented rescue initiated by SPOT in Europe after its release just two months earlier. “I only bought SPOT last month and already it has proven to be an extremely useful purchase,” said Niels. “From now on, I will never go on an adventure without it.”
As you can see from the SPOT map, initiated rescues across Europe are many, Scotland has had its fair share of incidents.
Our Final Thoughts
We haven’t gone into comparing the SPOT X with other satellite messengers on the market, nor have we submerged ourselves in the nuts and bolts of the SPOT X, we haven't felt the need to. For what we want, which is a fuss free option to summon urgent help, reassure friends and family and summon non urgent help if required, the SPOT X is more than adequate and a step up from our current SPOT Gen3. In actual fact it’s a perfect addition to our emergency equipment that takes up no space, and weighs virtually nothing. It’s not an item that needs constant tender lovely care, it just sits and does what SPOT says it does.
The device has a navigation option which we believe is limited. We haven't talked about it because in our opinion we don't see this as a navigation device and as such prefer not to include it in this review. That said, in an emergency or during the failure of an element of your navigation kit, its nice to know you have a possible option to help you out.
We like the fact that its a stand alone device. Once its set up, it doesn't need to be paired with a mobile phone in order to perform or update its functions. The battery seems to be extremely good, even in cold winter conditions. The manufacturer states that you can get 240 HOURS (10 DAYS) OF BATTERY LIFE IN CONTINUOUS 10 MINUTE TRACKING MODE in optimal conditions. We primarily played with the SPOT X during winter and on multi day adventures. Not once did we come close to running out of power. It’s screen and keyboard are very easy to navigate around and use. Okay, you cant type messages with gloves on, no surprize there but you can easily activate the buttons wearing gloves if required.
With the new user friendly SPOT X service plans is doesn’t matter if you are an occasional user or a regular user. The reality is that the month to month flex plans can be paused and re-initiated at any time, and at no additional cost. This allows you to effectively manage the cost of the unit and use it when you’re most likely to be out finding adventures, winter, summer or both! Great for a Scotsman with a tight sporran!
We believe the potential benefits far outweigh the costs. The outcome of that analysis is absolutely obvious!
If what you require is a good, robust, simple to use Satellite messenger at a reasonable price point then we would suggest taking a closer look at the SPOT X.
Technology moves on! Our SPOT Gen3, while still a great device, has now been replaced with the SPOT X and has been added to our kit for all our adventures.
We hope this review has been helpful to you and wish you Safe Adventures in Scotland and elsewhere!
Contact
Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd.
Unit 10, The Hyde Building
The Park
Carrickmines
Dublin 18
Ireland
eusales@findmespot.com
To find out more about the SPOT and its other products you can check out the website here: www.findmespot.eu/en
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