Spot Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger | Handheld Portable GPS Messenger for Hiki...

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.

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.

I got this for my husband for his birthday. He goes "off grid" solo camping, and now that he has this I can finally relax knowing he has something with him he can use if there was ever an emergency. Having a dedicated satellite tracker is a must when you are hiking/camping in an area without cell service. The Spot Gen 4 is built solid, lightweight, and my husband says it's very easy to operate even with gloves on. Setup through the portal was straightforward, and tracking updates are consistent. ​Pros: Rugged housing, clear status LED indicators, long battery life on lithium AA batteries. ​Cons: Requires a clear view of the sky (dense canopy/canyons can delay signals slightly, as expected with satellite tech). ​ Bottom Line: Reliable tracking and check-in capabilities without taking up space or weight in your pack. Definitely recommend!

Buen equipo para ubicacion satelital y rastreo, con mensajeria!

I am currently hiking and backpacking in the Cascade Mountains of WA State. I have used this tracker several times, and have found it to be somewhat temperamental. I practiced with it at home, and have no issues. However here, I find I don’t always get the spot. I find wide open spaces, leave the device on for 5 minutes, but still not always successful. This makes me nervous if I absolutely need to send out a spot. I had Gen 1 for many years ( still own one ) and had no issues. I hope this is just me learning a new system

Received safely. Thank you.

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.

Prodotto eccezionale. La configurazione non è immediata, ma online si trovano videotutorial esplicativi. Una volta impostato correttamente è di utilizzo semplice, immediato e fa tutto quello che promette: messaggistica unilaterale, condivisione della posizione e allerta dei soccorsi. A parte i soccorsi, che fortunatamente non ho testato, tutto il resto funziona alla perfezione. La copertura satellitare è sempre ottima, anche in condizioni critiche. Costo dell'abbonamento adeguato alle mie esigenze.

Tres bien et moins cher que Garmin. Je l utilise depuis 1an.