Max Trescott has written a very detailed product review about the SPOT 2 Satellite GPS Messenger that is well worth reading by anyone thinking of buying a GPS device. To give you some backgrounder, the new SPOT 2 was introduced in October 2009 as an improvement over the SPOT Personal Tracker or SPOT 1 which was introduced to the market in early 2008. As Max stated in his review, the SPOT 2:
Is an innovative, satellite-based system popular with hikers, boaters and pilots that lets others track your position via the Internet. A SPOT user can send two or three (depending upon the model) different pre-programmed messages via a commercial satellite that triggers emails or text messages to up to ten friends’ cell phones. For people who travel in remote areas out of cell phone coverage, SPOT provides a low-cost lifeline to reassure loved ones or to get help in an emergency.
Max’s review includes tips on how to use the device, especially during an emergency, and what you need to pay attention to should you decide to purchase one.
As for pricing, the SPOT 2 sells for about US$159 and for US$99.95 per year, you can use the device to send send three customizable text messages as often as you want. An additional US$49.95 per year, a position location can be sent every ten minutes to a Google map where friends can view and track your position over the Internet.
I think it should be mentioned that for safety purposes, one would STILL be better off purchasing PLB's rather than SPOT2 devices. PLB's are cheaper in the long run, and they are proven.
If you check the terms and conditions for SPOT, they clearly state they can change at any time. Furthermore, they don't seem to be an approved device. They seem great for realtime tracking, but consider buying a PLB instead, if you don't trust the onboard beacon. Regardless, by law, in many countries you need an approved locator beacon to be carried onboard anyway!
Thats just my opinion though (I'm only a beginner pilot, so not sure if it means much).
I agree. I have a PLB and an ELT in the plane. I really don't like flying without the PLB and I always strap it to my belt when I'm going over water or across rough terrain. Since I fly from London to Europe on most trips, this is very often! 🙂