Spot Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger

I dont know exactly how long I’ve been a SPOT user, but its been 10 years at least. My trusty GEN 3 model unit is starting to degrade, the rubber is drying out and cracking, the little doors have broken off, and it’s generally just “beat” from lots of hard use. That GEN 3 doesn’t owe me anything, as its spent countless miles on my motorcycle, in my JEEP off-road, and other vehicles for road-trip safety, and as a fun reminder of where we’ve travelled when using the mapping feature. I’ve also taken it internationally for the sake of recording our travels and landmarks, and it has worked EVERYWHERE we’ve taken except in S. Korea, (through no fault of the SPOT service as I think the S Korean gov’t blocks GPS there). This is by today’s standards a very basic one-way emergency locator beacon device, and if you understand that and gear your expectations accordingly it does what SPOT states it does perfectly. It doesnt involve any other devices (potential add’l failure points) like a cell phone, but it doesnt allow for 2-way…anything either. So…I AM a fan of the service, and moreso since the SPOT Flex plan was initiated which is how I subscribe. That being said, when the SPOT GEN 4 was on-sale I decided it was time to update and retire my old GEN 3 for a GEN 4 and here’s some things I discovered which I’d like to share: 1) the unit can longer operate on USB power from a car or motorcycle, like the old one was able to. Not a deal-wrecker since in my extensive experience, the recommended Lith Ion batteries last a surprisingly long time (at least at a ten min ping setting that I use) However, for lengthy road-trips I have run the old of vehicle power which was a nice option. That option is gone. 2) the USB connection for firmware updates now requires unscrewing 4 screws and removing the back cover, vs. previous a small rubber cap allowing quick, easy firmware updates (and power connection as mentioned above) 3) the previous unit had 2 “thumbscrews” to get into the rear cover to replace batteries or view the ESN number, the new one has 4 tiny screws requiring a screwdriver, small coin (maybe), a super-STRONG fingernail, or some other method to open and replace the batteries or view the ESN. An extra inconvenience needlessly added. 4) when the rear cover IS removed, the weather seal that makes the unit water resistant can fall out if not careful or get inadvertently damaged if not VERY observant and careful to have it delicately and correctly positioned in it’s groove when replacing that clumsy rear cover. A swing and a miss by the product designers on this…. 5) this is a BIGGIE….the included firmware data cable has an old-school USB-A end for your computer, and a Micro USB end for the device. I don’t own a single computer anymore that accepts a USB-A, just USB-C. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING??? Most people will need to, as will I, buy an adapter cable to accomplish firmware updates should they own a newer, USB-C equipped computer. Or, better yet, why not provide the ability for over the air updates? 6) I DO appreciate the new form factor and less conspicuous color-scheme as well as the magnetic SOS and “HELPing hands” buttons. This IS an improvement… I prefer the smaller, older unit’s carbiner, and will use that vs. the included newer one. Personal preference. Swapping old device for new, on Spots webpage was easy. All in all I am a fan and regular longtime, SPOT user, but I think the previous unit, the GEN 3, has a better “spec sheet” for the reasons above. I do think SPOT’s Flex plan pricing is the friendliest and most cost-effective program for casual (ie: not year-round) users in the entire locator space, and for that very reason, I’ll keep using SPOT and my new SPOT GEN 4. But I liked my old one…a little better.

I've had several models of Spot devices over the years, and this is the best one yet. Message transmission is incredibly fast and reliable - almost instant in many cases. The batteries last a very long time, too. I use it several times a week as I travel to remote, mountaintop locations for work, and can easily let my family know I've arrived safely and, using the custom message feature, let them know heading home. If I had one complaint, it is that the unit turns off after maybe an hour. It would be nice if it stayed "armed" to send a message for longer, so you don't have to hold the power button for 3 seconds and allow it to re-acquire GPS before sending another message. The first gen model stayed on for days and I loved that feature. But seriously, this is an awesome PLB and half the price of other brands. Go for it.

Received safely. Thank you.

Very good product, I had a little difficulty understanding how it worked, but it was super easy. I went trekking in Venezuela and used it; it worked great, thank God I didn't need to use the SOS function, and the product tracked everything perfectly.

The interface is confusing, the instructions are incomplete, and the firmware process was so poorly managed that I had to borrow a Windows computer because the Mac download site wasn't working before my trip. Tracking was unreliable and often nonexistent. Despite paying for continuous tracking, it only seemed to update when I manually checked in. Connectivity was inconsistent throughout my climb of Mount Rainier—a heavily traveled mountain, not the middle of Antarctica. The device also ignored my custom check-in settings and continued sending generic SPOT messages. To make matters worse, the required activation and subscription fees are nowhere near as obvious as they should be when purchasing the device. The most telling feedback came from my emergency contacts: every single one said they trusted my iPhone's location sharing more than the SPOT. If your goal is to reassure family and friends while you're in the backcountry, this device does the opposite. Save yourself the frustration and buy a Garmin.

Great device and worked during a long hiking trip perfectly. Written instructions are a bit confusing so I suggest watching the videos on how to operate it.

First I will say once you overcome the software/ website the product itself is serviceable I have taken it on several hikes and up a mountain. Largest complaint is the app does not have anywhere near the functionality of the website, meaning if you want to share tracking links or edit messages or basically any other function you need internet, which is counterintuitive to a satellite based product where the intention is to be used outdoors far from cell towers or a router. I do understand that the device lacks Bluetooth connectivity and is why I believe it lags behind in this area but still wish there was a way to either plug you device into you phone and edit messages hardwired at the very least. With that gripe out of the way. The tracking function once you figure out the website and map/live mode works phenomenally. It does also send the custom/check in messages all parties that I sent it to received the messages. It’s easily mounted onto a pack or belt with the included carabiner. The lack of a rechargeable battery is disappointing but the battery life with the AAA batteries is impressive and can be hot swapped as long as you have a screwdriver/ multitool It does what it is supposed to once you take the time and effort to struggle through an interface that is not super user friendly. From what I’ve seen the zoleo/ garmin products near this price range are superior in usability and extra functionality due to their app interfaces and Bluetooth. BUT for the sale price of under 90 bucks that I purchased this for it is in fact a satellite one way communicator with an SOS function, and from what I’ve seen it has the lowest price subscription compared to the other communicators on the market. Especially after the Motorola devices recent price hikes. I would recommend this to someone who has a specific device in mind where all they really want is a SOS beacon with the ability to share tracking. The messaging features are okay but not the highlight of this device it’s a solid 3.5/5 star device in my opinion middle of the road. not bad, but not impressive.

Straight forward to use, has always worked well and been reliable for me. Easy to send friends a link so they can keep track of my progress. I like it better than the inreach gps.

Excellent produit, il fonctionne très bien et les frais d’activation sont raisonnables et flexibles.

ロードバイクで携帯電話圏外の峠道を走ることもあり１年前ぐらいに「SPOT GEN4」を購入しました。 用途としてはサイクルジャージの背中ポケットに入れて、カミさんへの位置情報共有が主になります。 あと平日は、もしもの災害時に備えて、家族に状況だけでも通知できるように仕事カバンにいれてます。 ※実際は衛星通信ガジェットのロマンに惹かれた方が強いです(笑) ※技適マークの関係があるので日本の正規代理店で購入しました。 ちなみに、この手のデバイスだと「Garmin Inreach mini」と比較することが多いと思いますが 以下の点においてはこちらが勝っていると考えます。 ・リチウムイオン乾電池がメチャクチャ長持ち。 乾電池式なのでバッテリーの経年劣化を気にする必要もない。 （ほぼ毎週のように、追跡モードで5～7時間程度の運用をしていますが、まだ一度も電池交換していません。） ・位置情報やチェックインメッセージをたくさん送信しても追加課金されることはない。 （毎回、位置情報を10分に1回送信する設定にしていますが一切追加課金なしです。） ・チェックインやSOSなどのオペレーションがすべてボタン長押しだけなので操作がシンプル。 （緊急時を考えるとシンプルな操作性は大事） ・液晶画面などデリケートな部分がなくラフに扱っても壊れにくい。 （長く使うには頑丈さも大事） 逆にデメリットは以下ですかね。 ・メッセージ受信などの双方向通信が出来ない。 ・SOS、定型文送信以外の機能がない。 やっぱり、双方向通信が出来ないことが気になりますが、 自分の場合、携帯電話圏外に数日間滞在するようなこともないため 衛星を使った双方向通信は特に必要性を感じていません。 ※どうしても携帯電話圏外でメッセージ受信したい人は「Garmin Inreach」をどうぞ(笑) あくまで自分の感想ですが、「位置を共有する」「状況を通知する」「命を守る」ということに関して「SPOT GEN4」は良くできたデバイスです。 「Garmin Inreach」と比較した場合ですが、日本での運用を想定した場合、多くの人は「SPOT GEN4」で十分、 携帯電話圏外で数日過ごすような環境で、メッセージ受信したい人は「Garmin Inreach」って感じですかね。 日本で使っている人はそれほど多くないデバイスだと思いますが、ご購入を検討されている方に少しでもお役に立てれば幸いです。

Bought for paragliding in remote locations. Purely used for tracking (subscription required), but allows family and friends to know where I am at all times just in case with an online map. Does need batteries replaced fairly often with heavy use as not a rechargeable item. Easy to use, but limited on what messages to send. I would only really use in an emergency or just a check in message when out solo. Perfect in places like the Lake District where sometimes there is no phone signal.

Io mi trovo molto bene, e non capisco come possa avere una cattiva nomea. Non è una specie di smartphone satellitare: è uno strumento salvavita e, quindi, reputo che lo Spot Gen 4 sia completamente diverso da tutti gli altri prodotti. E' un prodotto Globalstar (proprietari dell'omonima rete satellitare con copertura quasi mondiale) che consente di: non farti disturbare dai parenti a casa (che vogliono sapere come stai, cosa stai vedendo, cosa stai facendo, ecc.) perché non può ricevere messaggi; tenere tranquilli i parenti a casa (possono monitorarti via web con frequenza di tracciamento da 5 a 60 min. senza pagare nulla perché il tracking è incluso nel prezzo dell'abbonamento ed è illimitato); dire ai tuoi parenti che, se hai bisogno, chiami tu (puoi mandare ai tuoi parenti un messaggio di check-in con posizione precisa per dire "tutto apposto"; se hai bisogno che loro si mettano in contatto con un compagno di viaggio, puoi pre-impostare un messaggio ad-hoc; se c'è una situazione di urgenza puoi chiedere a chi sta a casa di intervenire, mandando un apposito messaggio con posizione GPS aggiornata, cosicché possano contattare le autorità del luogo; in caso di pericolo imminente puoi lanciare un SOS gestito da FocusPoint International (centrale operativa americana attiva 24/7) che si occupa di richiedere e sollecitare senza senza ritardi l'invio in emergenza dei soccorsi pubblici locali ed eventualmente (con soli €50/anno in più) se i soccorsi pubblici locali non fossero sono disponibili, di organizzare un intervento SAR privato coprendone tutti i costi); il piano (eccetto servizio SAR privato, denominato Overwatch X Rescue Plan) con tracking incluso costa €14/mese... Ma cosa vuoi di più?

Aparelho eficiente, funcionou perfeitamente, inclusive em mata fechada