Submit Your Story

Susan Bell

|2010-08-15 00:43:44

I lost my SPOT (ESN 0-7473093) while I was riding my motorcycle in Los Angeles.
Someone has picked it up; the last known coordinates are
34.06888,-117.84633

I am hopeful that someone will contact you to return it
to me.

Curtis Fortner

|2010-08-11 23:26:59

In early July, my son and a friend took a motorcycle trip from Texas to Alaska
and back. Just after crossing into Canada and traveling 70mph,the Spot he was
carrying fell from the motorcycle hitting the highway.He stopped and retrieved
the Spot(which was in tracking mode).The Spot continued to function with no
problem. A small chip out of one corner was the only damage. I like your product
and service.

Meg Stockwell

|2010-07-29 06:14:28

I went for a stroll on a gentle path and fell! I was medivaced to Fresno, CA
from Edison Lake with a perforated bowel. I was rescued by using my Help
feature which asked my son to send in the packer, I did not know I was bleeding
internallly, so did not use 911. He was able to give ckear directions from the
google map. Without my Spot I would be dead. I am very grateful!
PS I learned
from a friend to tape a penny over my help and 911 buttons so I would not
inadvertantly trip them.

James McNeely

|2010-06-09 10:18:27

I volumteer with Rescue Task Force, San Diego based Disaster Response
Organization with projects all over the world. Last trip on a clean water
project to the roadless rainforest area of Honduras near the Nicaragua border I
used my Spot to alert the office and families of our progress and in case of an
emergency like a boat accident or sickness. Now I carry Spot with me every
where especially disasters. Our next planned project is Thailand/Cambodia, but
definately will carry Spot on disasters to track progress, location and health.
This would have great in Haiti for our team to complement the satilite phone

William Hodges

|2010-06-05 23:00:28

AVIATION CONSUMER
My aircraft is equipped with a 121.5 ELT which are now
obsolete. So I have a SPOT satellite messenger and have been using it in my
aircraft since September 2008. My family and I are very pleased with it.
Your description of the SPOT fails to describe how versatile the device really
is. All of the outgoing messages can be custom configured to relay specific
information in a manner of your choosing, and these settings are saved online in
a profile. Each SPOT device may have more than one profile ready for use, each
with custom messages and recipients, and these profiles may be selected as
active via internet connection before your trip. My standard profile is as
follows:
OK Message:
Pete Hodges N5586F OK. Departing Airport, or Returned
to Airport, or 30 minutes from Destination.
HELP Message:
Pete Hodges N5586F
Delayed or Diverted & must alter plans to complete trip. NOT on time.
911/SOS
Message:
N5586F Piper PA-28-140 airplane based at EZF Fredericksburg VA flies
local to CJR 7W4 RMN flies XC to HXD(SC), AFJ(PA), 2E8(MI) also to CHO FVX RIC
ROA LYH(VA) and nearby areas.
The OK and HELP messages are sent out to a list
of up to ten e-mail or cell phone recipients. It is interesting to note that
the OK and HELP messages can be mapped to recipients independently, so that
different recipients can be assigned to different messages. My standard message
goes to my wife’s cell & her office computer, our son’s cell, my designated
emergency friend, and my cell phone. If we are flying to visit a relative we
add their cell phone to the list, and send out an OK message ½ hour before
getting to the airport, so they know when to pick us up.
The 911/SOS message
does not map to recipients in the same way. A primary and a secondary emergency
contact are designated on the profile along with their contact information.

Here is how we use the SPOT for a local fly:
During preflight once the
airplane is out of the hangar I turn the SPOT on and send an OK message after it
stabilizes for about 30 seconds. I clip my cell to my shirt pocket and continue
preparing for the flight. The cell usually pings the text message on taxi to
the run-up area, if not, I reset the SPOT and send again. I want to be sure the
message got out. Once the cell pings the message I reset the SPOT and put it in
TRACK mode. I put the SPOT on the dash, and try to keep it in the shade of the
windscreen center post.
During the flight my wife will often open the SPOT
Shared Page and follow my progress from her office computer, sometimes her
sister from out of state does too. I recently flew 250 mi to NC and flew home
later that day. My wife and her sister watched my progress as they talked on
the phone. If I have to divert or have a non-emergency delay, I can send a HELP
message, letting everyone know that I have been delayed.
When I land I reset
the SPOT and send another OK message, letting everyone know I am on the ground
and the trip was completed safely.
If I were to have an emergency in flight
I would simply press the 911/SOS button. It takes less time to do that than to
reset my transponder to 7700 (a feature of the new transponder I don’t like).
If I couldn’t do that the SPOT would still have my track to within 10 minutes
of my current position. The 911 feature on the new SPOT2 sends a message every
5 minutes, but I think it is more often than that on the SPOT1.
I have had
the SPOT for nearly two years and I like it a lot. While the SPOT system is not
perfect, it does work and has some very handy features. The shared page feature
is very informative and entertaining for my family and adds a level of
usefulness not possible with an enhanced ELT. I can tell y...

Robert Loken

|2010-03-29 15:08:58

I have been walking the Great Wall of China the last year. Every evening on the
trail I fire off a Spot message so that my family and girlfriend will know that
I'm ok, and the Google Map is automatically updated.

See here for my
route:
http://www.thegreatwallker.com/great-wall-r oute/
Zoom out to see the
whole walk!

And see here for a dramatic episode where I was close to pressing
the 911 button:
http://www.thegreatwallker.com/2010/03/alm
ost-lost-consciousness/

I have a picture of myself in the tent with the gps and
Spot device behind me. I always keep it right next to my head when I'm sleeping
in the tent.

All the best,
Robert - 0-7482973

Dan Young

|2010-03-29 09:13:16

I live in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. A remote island in the Aleutians of Alaska. In
September of 2009 I spent 14 days trekking the length of Unalaska Island. 4
days shy of finishing I had fallen neraly 30 feet all vertical and smashing my
knee. I continued to hike another two days until the swelling and infection
made it impossible to continue. Three hours after pressing the call for help a
USCG helicopter made their way in 45 mile an hour winds to pick me up. It's a
great success story and I'm happy to have spot on all my adventures.
www.danslife.net

Jean Strouf

|2010-03-28 06:32:42

I ride a large horse on trail weekends in Southern California State, National
and County parks. Cell service doesn't work, but since the fires in 03 and 07,
there's always a clear sky to South. This is a dream come true, hopefully, to my
friends, neighbors & family who are always worried about me. I just activated &
will let you know. Why isn't this advertised to Horse People?

Dan N.

|2010-03-11 12:20:29

I criss cross the world as a Ferry Pilot, mostly in small aircraft. I use the
spot so that family at home and clients can see where I am at all times. Some
times crossing the oceans for endless hours on end, I feel secure, with the 911
feature and insurance, that I can be rescued anywhere in the world. Thanks SPOT

John L Kastien

|2010-03-09 08:33:27

I love the unit.

In fact have probably sold a dozen or more for you

You should
offer old original customers a discount on your new model.

JLK

Justin Hamel

|2010-03-02 05:08:43

I have been using my Spot to help me track scientific payloads that I send to
the very edge of the earth's atmosphere above Oregon, USA.

We have taken some
pretty amazing photos of the earth that can be seen at
http://www.justinhamel.com

Thank you Spot!

Rick Brown

|2010-02-14 06:40:36

This November two friends and I delivered a 47' catamaran from Marsh Harbor
Abaco Bahamas to Tortola BVI. We had a satellite phone and a spot as well as
radio equipment. We tried to use the satellite phone which was rented by one of
my friends to touch base with family...It had expired minutes and could only
make 911 call maybe.? We checked in with our spot and family and friends every 8
hrs and they tracked our travel. We felt pretty comfortable knowing that we had
a backup that would work if things went south with our trip. Family and friends
still talk about this..NICE!

Wilson Gilliam

|2010-01-26 20:40:42

I am the Co-Owner of Chesapeake Bay Helicopters, Inc. We are an aviation
company performing a variety of aviation related services. Several weeks ago,
one of our helicopters crashed in rugged terrain in the mountains ofwestern
Maryland. The pilot was disoriented and didn't know where he was. Our Office
Manager and Operations Manager used our master Spot tracking map to locate the
pilot and aircraft. They actually talked the emergency personnel into the
location over the phone. The pilot spent about a week in the hospital before
returning home to recooperate. We would have found the pilot much later without
the SPOT and I am convinced that this product saved his life.

Many thanks!

Christian Mackin

|2010-01-23 13:05:24

I value my Spot and use it everytime I go on long distance cross country gliding
flights. I continue to hope that Spot will upgrade to provide altitude sending.

Seth Andersen

|2010-01-19 18:51:19

Hey Spot-

Just wanted to say thanks for a great product. My wife and I are
travelling through the Middle East right now and her mom is happy to get the OK
message each day for piece of mind. Travel is actually a great application for
SPOT products and you should market it as such. Feel free to use our spots to
market if you like.

Cheerio!

Seth

Adam Biel

|2009-12-31 02:43:32

Hey SPOT team!

I'm a solo adventure cyclist touring North and South America
raising money and awareness for autism.

I have been on the road for over 6
months, using my SPOT regularly, and it is only now starting to run out of
batteries, which is impressive. Anyways, I am 7,300 miles into a 25,000 mile
journey. I am travelling through 17 more countries by bike over the next 2
years (ending at the southernmost tip of Argentina, and pushing the envelope of
the SPOT coverage map).

I just wanted to thank you for your services, and
putting my parents at ease with my travels, as travelling alone through some of
the places I’m going to isn’t the safest.

Also, I would like permission
to use your logo on my website (www.adventureforautism.com).
As well, if you
would like any photos, or to partner with my journey, please let me
know.

-Adam Biel
Founder of Adventure for Autism

Debra McGhan

|2009-12-28 04:47:15

The North America Outdoor Institute carries SPOT during ourdoor training
adventures. Last spring my son Allen McGhan took SPOT on an adventure in a
remote area of Washington state. He and his wife got caught in a surprise storm
and were stranded by high water. They activated SPOT and park rangers were able
to locate and rescue them. Another couple had no means of communication and were
not so fortunate. They died from exposure. SPOT really proved a lifesaver for
Allen. We recommend everyone carry SPOT when traveling in the backcountry.

Captain Stanley "BullDog" Thal

|2009-12-10 22:45:29

Dear Spot: I deliver yachts up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Sometimes the
weather is not our friend. It gives enormous comfort to the boat owners as well
as my family and the families of our crews to know where we are and that we are
safe. Spot allows us to check in each day even though we may be 100 miles off
shore and with a precoded message for each delivery notify customers, family and
friends that we are AOK. The locations are "Spot On". Usually within 10
feet. Everyone on my list loves getting the next great adventure of "Captain
Bull Dog". Messages now are received usually within 10 minutes of being
sent. I love it.

Michael Wick

|2009-12-15 10:29:29

I shipped aboard QUINTESSENCE, a thirty foot schooner, on the Great Chesapeake
Bay Schooner Race. I didn't think I needed a satellite tracker in my small-boat
sailing, but sailing back up the Atlantic Coast from Norfolk, Virginia, we were
6 miles from the Barnegat Bay Inlet when a sudden strong North Easter sprung up
suddenly and very strong. We decided it wasn't safe to run our own inlet, so we
turned South and sailed to Absecon Inlet near Atlantic City. Absecon has a wider
channel, and, although it was still quite rough, we made it safely. THe real
point is that our wives had been following our progress on QUINTESSENCE's
website and immediately knew that we had taken the discrete decision to change
our course and go back. THe real reason for needing SPOT is that our wives knew
that we had made the right chioce. It was my wife who decided that I needed my
own SPOT. I look forward to a small package under the Christmas tree in a couple
of weeks. Mike Wick

Terry Hairston Sr.

|2009-12-01 22:18:56

I'm 74 years old and really enjoy bushwhacking in wilderness areas with Boy
Scouts, friends and solo. With SPOT I can follow the Elk & Sheep and and
explore freely without worry about being restricted to the area of my original
plan left at home. Am really impressed with it. Two friends have said that's
what they are asking for for Christmas.

GARY	\|2009-11-28 06:26:24

I WAS A MEMBER OF "TEAM SOUTH DAKOTA" FOR THIS YEAR'S PRIMAL QUEST
ADVENTURE RACE HERE IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA IN AUGUST.
OUR TEAM HAS
GIVEN SOME TALKS ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES TO VARIOUS GROUPS AND THEY ALL RAVE ABOUT
YOUR "SPOT" GPS SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE PROGRAM ALLOWING THEM TO TRACK ALL
THE TEAMS SIMULTANEOUSLY.
IT HELPED CREATE A GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT FOR US
AND ALL THE TEAMS--THE MOST SUPPORT PRIMAL QUEST HAS EVER HAD. THANKS,

GARY HAVEN

Dale Petersen

|2009-11-27 20:34:05

Recently while cross country skiing I set my back pack on the ground to put my
coat on. Four days later at home I could not find my pack. I wondered, "Did
I leave it on the trail?" That same day a phone call came from a person who
found it. He called SPOT customer service and was told how to find the serial
number from which he was given my phone number. I was glad to give him a
reward. So if you are not lost but your SPOT is, it just might say come and get
me!

Ken Scott

|2009-11-24 08:06:36

On Nov. 22, I took my kids on a hunting trip.Prior to leaving, my wife suggested
I take my SPOT GPS out of the helicopter and take it with us. I am glad I did,
we ended up on a mountain side stuck in 8" of snow, i tried to get help via
cell phone but no one really understood where we were at. I called the local
sheriffs office who in turn called out the Search and rescue, I gave them the
coordinates via SPOT, they located us on the map, and sent help, we were very
grateful for this little unit. I orginally bought this to put in place of my ELT
in my hughes 500 helicopter, this is the neatest thing sence the discovery of
sliced cheese. Thanks spot. Ken Scott

Craig Dahl

|2009-11-24 07:44:05

Just a few minutes ago a charter plane extracted my stepson and his father from
a cold snowy bay in Southetast Alaska on a deer hunting trip. The extraction
was one day ahead of schedule based upon the prearranged "Help" message
SPOT. We carry our SPOTS on the boat in the summer months but this is the first
time for putting it to use. They will more than likely write their own story,
but as a user of SPOT and the recipient of their help message, I just wanted to
say "it works" and "thank you"

Shawne Camp

|2009-11-06 11:58:44

Used SPOT 1 on a solo bike trip from SF to DC this year. Besides allowing
everyone to be a part of my trip by following my route online daily it helped me
out of some jams. In the mid west some street signs were gone due to storms. I
was off route a few times in the middle of what felt like nowhere. I used my
cell to call a friend who pulled up my site, saw where I was and got me back on
route. Outside of Telluride, Co I had a black bear outside my tent. Telluride
Sheriffs Department got my lat and long and came to my campsite bringing me
pepper spray. SPOT really gave me peace of mind and created a fun trip for
others to be a part of.

Dr Fred Buettner

|2009-11-02 05:03:04

In mid July my friends and I stsrted our backpacking trip out of Toulomne
Meadows in YosemiteNP. We were at the end of our fourth day-about mile 13. The
weather was extremely hot for our 9000 ft elevation 80's. All of us are very
experienced backpackers and we were keeping well hydrated but one in our group
went down. He collapsed from apparent extreme exhaustion and dehydration. We
assesed the situation and determined he was not getting any better.We decided to
activate the Spot 911. This was at7pm. For 2 hours we were not sure he was going
to make it. By 8am the np helo was over us and dropped two sars to us. our
friend was helocoptered out a few hours later. Im sure possibly saving his
life.Thank You Spot! The NPS sar team said this was the first Spot rescue they
did in Yosemite NP. They were impressed with the accuracy of locating us.

John Robison

|2009-10-27 14:51:19

Here's a great tip if you have a first-generation SPOT and don't want to
inadvertently call for help.

I purchased a clear Pelican water-resistant case
(model 1010) which protects all the buttons from accidental activation. In
addition the clear casing still allows the SPOT to transmit a signal and track
my progress.

The case is only slightly larger than the original SPOT and it
has three additional attachment points so you don't have to rely on the SPOT's
belt clip. I folded the instructions under the belt clip on the SPOT where they
will stay dry. The fit is snug but there is no need to trim or modify the soft
casing.

All in all, a great way to retrofit your old SPOT!

Susie Drougas

|2009-10-27 05:11:35

The third week of July, 2009 a group of us packed our horses into the Seven
Devils Hells Canyon Wilderness. It's a very rugged area. On the last night of
our trip, my friend Jacque was taking the hobbles off her horse and it spun and
kicked her in the head. She was kicked in the head at 7:30 p.m., the lifeflite
arrived in the 7800 foot high alpine meadow and we watched her fly out at 10:45
p.m. She had been kicked in a cranial artery and had she stayed the night, she
would have bled to death. Her husband was alerted by text and he was at the
trauma center shortly after she arrived. She had originally bought the spot for
her Type 1 diabetic daugher, it turned out it saved her life instead. We will
not travel into the backcountry again without our SPOT. Thank you!

todd brown

|2009-10-27 03:48:32

Last Thanksgiving we came across a man with a broken led in a very remote
canyon. he was bleeding from the break and going into shock. i hit my spot
button. a rhino came by and we loaded him into it. they had cell phones and
had already called for help. so,i kept my spot. i forgot to turn it off though.
a few miles later a sheriff heli was circling us, we thought we'd poached a
trail... but he asked through his loud speaker if we were hurt. we responded
no. he flew off... then in minutes he landed in an impossible spot and said he
was looking for todd brown! i panicked thinking my parking ticket had gone
unpaid... nope, he had rec'd the signal and wanted to make sure i was personally
okay. they were cool about the false alarm and flew on to find the man with the
broken leg.

TrailBlazeNow

|2009-10-23 01:54:24

I spent 4 weeks on Mt Ararat in northeastern Turkey this summer. I used the SPOT
tracker throughout the trip. Mt Ararat is remote and dangerous and much of the
trip was above 13,500 feet. Since I was out of cell phone range, I connected the
tracker updates right into my website www.trailblazenow.com so friends and
family could watch my progress using Google maps. It worked great!

Paul Sibley

|2009-10-22 11:11:54

OK, I don't have a SPOT - yet! But, this 75 year old hiker named Siegfried
Krauss from Cali does. On the John Muir Trail this summer, I had to exit after
110 miles. Stranded on the new exit point, I found Siegfried coming out after
10 days with a SPOT around his neck. Turns out, his wife will only let him go
solo if he takes his SPOT, and I can see why. He's an avid hiker, amazing shape
and stubborn. First words when I bummed a ride were, "Beer first".
Well, if there ever was a cover story for aging people that don't age and use
technology to augment their safety, this is the story. I got a photo of
Siegfried as he dropped me off 50 miles out of his way!

Now, SPOT is on my
Chistmas list.

NeophyteCruiser

|2009-10-22 07:36:21

Mid-July, we completed an 8-month sail from San Diego to Mexico. To help
alleviate concerns our friends and family had about this coastal cruise, we
purchased a SPOT transponder. Each day under sail we would send an "OK"
message to the people on our contact list so they would know where we were and
that all was well. Our cruise extended down Baja California, up into the Sea of
Cortez and across to west coast of mainland Mexico as far south as Puerto
Vallarta. Everyone received our transmissions and were able to follow our
progress. We were rarely more than 100nm offshore during any part of the voyage.
The SPOT worked flawlessly.

James Birkenberger

|2009-10-22 06:50:59

I frequently fish the waters of Long Island Sound, often alone. My wife and
family find comfort in knowing that I am safe. I check in when I leave the dock
and when I am on my way back to the marina. I send and OK message via e-mail and
text message. My SPOT gives me peace of mind knowing my family knows that I am
OK when I am out on the water. I don't have to worry if my cell phone won't work
or if I an unable to make a call. Thanks SPOT, I'll be renewing my service for
the next season.

gary snyder

|2009-10-07 05:21:44

my friend and I were hiking in the adirondack mountains when my friend got
lost.At 7:05pm on 10/5/09 I pushed the 911 button on my spot locator.The first
ranger arrived on the scene at 9:15pm.At approximately 10:15pm my friend was
found safe and sound.The spot locator worked flawlessly.

Thank you spot

Lee Adsitt

|2009-09-20 12:48:31

For the second year in a row I took my SPOT with me on a Montana elk hunt in the
back country of Scapegoat Wilderness area just north of Lincoln, MT. On the
evening before the opening day of the hunting season I showed my hunting
partners and our guides my SPOT and explained how it worked. At the time I had
no idea how important that conversation would become.

On the second day of
the hunt, 9/16, one of my hunting partners and I achieved a rare accomplishment.
We bagged two bull elk in the same location within less than one hour. It
happened at dusk at the end of the day. By the time the elk were field dressed
it was pitch black on a moonless night. We briefly attempted the 5 mile hike
back to camp in the dark but quickly realized it wasn’t possible and we were
spending the night in the woods. Fortunately, we were prepared for that
possibility and comfortably settled in for the night.

Here is where the
earlier SPOT conversation at camp was important. When we did not arrive back in
camp as scheduled the other guides and hunting partners became concerned. But
they remembered I had the SPOT and knew if we were in serious trouble I would be
able to activate the 911 feature and get help. They were not compelled to try
and find us in the dark that night or even the next morning.

When we arrived
in camp the next morning safe all were relieved and told us that the SPOT gave
them peace of mind during the night. This really drove home the value of the
SPOT to me. It isn’t just a way to get help in an emergency but gives peace
of mind to others that you can get help if you need it.

Nate Johnson

|2009-09-17 08:21:10

My 'SPOT' story is a little different than most. This story is a testament to
double checking your gear, and making sure it is always secure. I embarked on an
8 day, 60 mile hike across the Uintah mountains of Utah with only my dog, my
pack, and my SPOT as my second person. 5 miles into the trip I stopped to
replenish my water supply from a small stream. I Checked to ensure my SPOT was
in place, and continued on my hike. Again, about 5 miles later I again stopped
to replenish my water supply before crossing an area I knew to have little
water. My SPOT was gone! It was not on my pack! I retraced the 5 mile section of
trail I knew I'd lost it on 4 times to no avail. I made a quick judgment call
and decided not to continue with my original plans and stayed in the general
area throughout the duration of my time in the wilderness. I did not think it
prudent to continue my 60 mile trek through the wilderness alone without my
"lifeline" as I like to call my SPOT. After leaving the wilderness I got
on-line, retrieved the last tracking GPS coordinates of my SPOT, and re-entered
the mountains with my SPOT last coordinates plugged into my GPS device. Believe
it or not, my GPS took me to within 4 feet of where my SPOT was - still laying
on the ground, under a tree, less than 5 feet off the trail! Power light still
happily blinking away! I was fortunate my SPOT landed on the ground face up or I
probably never would have found it! Just to reiterate - My SPOT was on the
ground under a tree and was still capable of sending out tracking messages! I am
very pleased with the capabilities of this device and will always lash it to my
pack with a safety lanyard in the future.

Dr. Michael Dowdy

|2009-09-05 20:30:36

While I understand the the Spot was designed for use in the wilderness, our
practice have found a use for it in a much different setting. We use the Spot as
an emergency backup device for our case managers working in the community. Such
work requires our staff to move about the community and often times be in
settings that can be unpredictable and even potentially dangerous. Having the
Spot with them allows our case managers to feel more secure that help is just a
press of a button away. We were recently commended by our national accreditation
organization for this innovative use of the device.

Just thought you would
like to know and want to share this idea with others.

Richard Dickison

|2009-09-05 06:12:14

Fathers Day weekend I was traveling north on Hwy 101 just north of Yureka, CA.
A rear flat @ 85 mph brought an abrupt end to an otherwise great day. I had
just bought my "Spot"....my first outting.

Pushed the "Help"
button and within 15 minutes CHP was on site helping me..with tow truck not far
behind. Not bad!

Nicolle Goldman

|2009-09-02 07:09:13

SPOT came with me on a 600 mile pilgrimage on foot across Spain on El Camino de
Santiago de Compostela. Friends and family followed my adventure. My husband
created a wonderful memento of the entire trip by importing the SPOT data files
into Google Earth and putting them into a Photoshop picture.

lisa ramirez

|2009-09-02 06:54:06

Thank You SPOT!!!
My husband, son and nephew were on the Rubicon
trail above Tahoe. I was so concerned about their safety. It made me cry happy
tears when I got a text on my cell phone that night saying that "All is
well". I couldn't have gotten that message if they didn't have the spot
device. Thank You!

Laura Luna

|2009-09-02 05:44:16

A theo-artistic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. During the 450
mile journey, Laura will sketch, video, photograph and journal.
Through GPS
Spot technology, supporters will have the opportunity to witness and share every
step of this pilgrimage-expedition.
Upon her return, Laura Luna will create a
journey-inspired body of work.

Joel Stratte-McClure

|2009-09-01 17:16:02

I'll be using SPOT during the upcoming stage of my pan-Mediterranean trek
(www.idiotandodyssey.com) in Sicily/Greece in September/October. Will probably
wonder how I hiked 5,509-kilometers to date without it.

Bethany Cox

|2009-08-16 00:27:05

My husband and I are on a kayak trip, paddling from Lubec Maine to Key West
Florida and we have been using the spot all the way. When we first started this
trip, we only had about 10 people following the trip via our spots. Now, 4
months of paddling later, we have over 100 people who receive our SPOT updates.
It's fun for our family and friends to follow along with us, and also a great
way for us to be able to track our route after we finish.

Of course it's also
comforting to know that we have the "help" and "911" options
right at our fingertips, if we ever need them. Since our "OK" messages
had never failed to go out, I have no doubt that the other messages will be just
as successful if needed.

Thank you for creating such a innovative and reliable
product. We have really enjoyed it and will continue to as we finish our east
coast paddle.

www.dbkayak.com

Jonathan Dunn

|2009-08-14 12:30:11

My girlfriend and I just completed the entire length of the John Muir Trail in
the High Sierra, backpacking from Yosemite Valley to Mt Whitney in 19 days. We
sent an "OK" spot message at the end of each day to let our loved ones
know that we were doing well. Every one of the messages was received and it
provided our familieswith an extra level of comfort and reassurance which, in
turn, made our own trip more relaxed and enjoyable. Thanks for providing us with
a great product!

Ken Reynoldson

|2009-08-09 09:57:12

SPOT. Don't leave home without it!
I use SPOT in so many different ways it will
be hard to list them all.
Since I am involved in many different activities, I
have set up 3 different profiles to cover most of the situations. I just go to
the SPOT page and activate the particular profile I will be using at that time
I
have one profile set up for just run of the mill traveling around. As I am out
and about I just push the OK button every hour or so. People can watch my
progress, and if I am heading to one of those friends places, they will have an
idea of my arrival time based on my location. That way they do not have to stay
at home wondering when I am going to show up. Remember, you can't be calling on
the cell phone while driving. When I have arrived at my destination I send the
HELP message which I have made to say I am at my destination.
I also volunteer
for the American Red Cross so I have set up a different profile for that
situation. When a disaster strikes, if I am asked to travel, I pack up all my
stuff as well as SPOT. I send reports several times a day so friends and the
home Chapter of the Red Cross know where I am. Travel plans and assignments
change all the time in a disaster, so where you were supposed to be going in the
morning can change before lunch. Remember, these are disaster areas and many
times there is no telephone, power or internet available for days. SPOT fills
the gap. Once again, I have changed the HELP message, and when I am settled in
for the night, I send a message stating that fact.
My third profile is set up
for use on my 26 foot boat. I use SPOT to supplement my FLOAT PLAN. You do file
a FLOAT PLAN every time you go out on your boat don't you?
I let people know
that I will be going out and who is on the boat with me. I do that by email. All
those people also have a rather complete description of my boat and all the
safety equipment on board as well as pictures of the vessel. The emergency
contact information which will be viewed if you push 9-1-1 on SPOT also lists
contacts to be notified in case of an alert. This includes the number of the
local US Coast Guard Station.
I send OK SPOT reports every 30 minutes. I have a
timer which I set to alert me to send a report. My friends know, if they do not
get a report in 60 minutes, to contact the authorities.They can look at the most
recent SPOT position report, and there is the point to begin the search. I fish
out of a harbor in Northern California where the water is always cold and the
conditions can turn sour in a short time. With the most recent position, the
Coast Guard knows where to start. Think about those people that get into trouble
and no one has any idea of which way they went when they left the harbor. That
makes for a HUGE search area. Once again, I have changed my HELP message to say
that I am safely back at the dock. I push that button after I have tied up and
am cleaning the boat up.
SPOT. Don't leave home without it!

Ray Brown

|2009-08-01 11:33:54

Heres on for you: I live and hunt in Colorado. This doesn't sound like much but
for years when I've hunted in the back country my wife rightly wanted me to
check in daily. As you know cell phone service is not alway available or
dependable in the remote mountainous areas. I've driven as much as forty miles
in search of a good signal. This disrupts the hunt and is time consuming. SPOT
has changed all that. Now all I need to do is find some open ground and activate
my SPOT. Hit I'm OK and check in. Everyone WINS, I get to hunt and she deosent
have to worry about me. Thankyou SPOT

Capt Wayne Espinoza

|2009-07-30 11:32:07

As an avid offshore angler I not only rely on my SPOT for peace of mind for
unforseen emergencies but it has become a valuable tool for charting and ploting
movements of palagic fish such as Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo and Mahi! On average I run
between 70 and 100 miles of shore and sometimes log over 200 miles a day. I can
now go home and log into my account input the positions of fish caught sea
surface temperature breaks and this information has increased my success
greatly! I highly recommend SPOT for novice as well as proffesional anglers like
myself!
Capt Wayne Espinoza
"TUFF ENUFF"
Tuff Enuff Charters, Va.
Beach Va

Russell Kofoed

|2009-07-30 08:06:09

I was camping and fly-fishing alone in the mountains in Idaho. Late one night I
began to have chest pains. I used the spot "help" feature and my
fiancee called the local sheriff. The sheriff arrived a couple of hours later
and then an ambulance. It was a 2 1/2 hour ambulance ride to the hospital. I
was treated and released and am fine.

Mike Bancroft

|2009-07-30 07:57:17

I do extensive work offshore on ships and deliver boats. My SPOT messages to my
family and delivery customers have been sent from the Bering Sea, Europe, USA,
offshore Atlantic and the Pacific. My family loves the messages, tracks me and
goes to bed at night comfortably knowing all is OK.

That was until one night, I
was working on the aft deck and had my SPOT messenger in my pocket and somehow
managed to activate 911. I only had to do some equipment checks and I know it
was only out there for a couple of minutes and had checked my Messenger just
minutes before.

I was done on the deck, went to the galley to get a coffee and
got a page to report to the bridge. Apparently the USCG called checking if I
was okay, they received a distress message, and I checked my messenger and yes -
911 was activated.

When I got ashore, I found that SPOT contacted my contact
person, who had my trip plan and vessel ID, they then contacted USCG who radioed
the ship.

I was embarrassed, I have since put duct tape over the 911 and HELP
buttons, but we were all amazed and relieved at the quick response and followup
from SPOT.

Maybe one day new messengers will have a cover or something over the
911 and HELP functions to make accidental activation less of a possibility.

Jason Nabors

|2009-07-30 07:13:18

I would like to thank you for your wonderful tool.My wife could sleep easy
knowing that I was Ok for a week sailing the intercoastal water way in my 8'
boat.I belong to a group know as Puddle Duck Racers.We build small 8' long x4'
wide sailboats and sail them 200 miles from Port Mansfield Texas to Magnolia
Beach Texas.
It is a week long journey that requires sailing 40 miles a day in
some of the most inhospitable,unpopulated and unforgivable territory in Texas
anyway.Lets just say that cell phone service is sketchy at best.I did the trip
last year with only a cell phone.That was a nightmare for my wife not knowing if
I was Ok or not.This year for fathers day I got the spot unit.My wife said it
was just as much a gift for her as it was for me.
And just let me say it was a
wonderful addition to my sailing gear.I don't see myself ever taking the trip
again without it.
Thanks
Jason Nabors
Oh by the way if you would like to know
more about the trip you can find it at...
TX200.com
or
DUCKWORKSMAGAZINE.COM

susan sutherland

|2009-09-13 03:02:46

Hi There,

I just have a comment to make. I did not know about the spot unit
until I heard a contest on trucker radio that was broadcast on our local radio
station CJKC in Kamloops BC Canada. I work alone in a rural area outside of
Kamloops and I have no cell service where I go and I have had a couple of
incidents where I was off the road and could not contact anyone and you would
not believe the number of people who just drove by me walking down the road with
my little dog and injured. I won one of the spot devices on the trucker radio
show. I have such peace of mind now and so does my family knowing that I am not
alone anymore. They track me every night and know exactly where I am and when
should anything go wrong while I am at work and knowing I can summon the police
is fantastic as I have been stalked by some pretty strange people where I go and
harrassed by people that actually live up in the areas I go to. So you see I
think that your device is absolutely fantastic and I am very grateful to you and
to the trucker radio show.

Sue Sutherland

Mark Lettieri

|2009-09-11 05:08:19

I would like to Thank SPOT for doing the right thing by honoring the rebate that
was not being honored by the company that was handling SPOTS rebate program. By
stepping up and doing the right thing SPOT has a loyal customer. Thank you
again.
Mark Lettieri

Tom Zumbo

|2009-09-10 13:00:15

SPOT now sells cars!

I have worked for Mercedes Benz for 14 years and
recently sold a 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK350 in which the emergency response system
tele-aid was an option. After contracting for the vehilce the pervious Mercedes
Benz owner did not want to take delivery after learning the vehilce did not have
the system. I logged into the SPOT website and showed the customer he could save
money and be better well equipped. He jumped into his new car and drove to the
nearest SPOT dealer. Spot closed the deal!

John	\|2009-06-18 11:18:13

I purchased a SPOT last year to be used while on a motorcycle trip to Alaska.
Two reasons, one so I could stay in touch with my wife daily letting her know I
was ok and two, having the 911/GPS service was a level of security that had me
concerned when planning the trip. This years trip is to B.C. for 9 days and I
now have a following of people wanting to get the e-mail updates and access to
my personal page for tracking us.

Great device, only trouble I had was when I
was at the Artic circle. Your web site indicated that being this far north
would likly not work well. It didnt but worked great from Seattle all the way
to Fairbanks and back.

Thanks for a great product at a price that is
reasonable.

Steve Szymanski

|2009-05-04 09:30:38

My buddy Dave and I were bear hunting in the Alaska back country rivers when our
boat became capsized, And we made it out of the water minus a boat and gear.
Luckily I had my spot in my life vest pocket and being 15 miles in the mountains
with few ways out we used the emergency option. It saved our lives for sure,
and I will never go anywhere without it in the back country... Thanks to SPOT
and the Alaska State Troopers who rescued us...

Jack Konner

|2009-05-01 01:50:49

My cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest was broken into, along with a few
others. A lot was taken, including a day pack with Spot inside. The thiefs,
probably not knowing what it was, were playing with it and hit the 911 button,
leading toe police to their door in Vancouver WA. They were caught red-handed
with all the goods. I got all my stuff back.

greg	\|2009-04-26 11:57:11

my buddy and I are taking a boat from little rock AR down the Arkansas river to
the Mississippi river and down to the gulf of Louisiana this may.I have ordered
my SPOT from bass pro shops and we plan to use it to track our trip . we cant
what to shoot out our first coordinates as we put the boat in the river!

Linton

|2009-04-20 07:51:22

Found this in the paper

http://www.calgaryherald.com/device+helps+r
escue+climber/1495117/story.html

Evan	\|2009-04-21 03:26:40

A few things contributed to having to use SPOT yesterday for a 911 call...
Search and Rescue found me right where SPOT said... in a deep ravine in the
middle of the desert... and for dual sport riders, my BMW riding gear with next
generation NP protectors was the difference between a helicopter and a 4x4 quad
and being able to recover at home and not the hospital.

Marc Boucher

|2009-04-12 11:07:20

The Mars Institute is using a SPOT live right now for the 2009 Northwest Passage
Drive Expedition from Kugluktuk, Nunavut to our research station on Devon Island
at the Haughton Crater in the high Canadian arctic.
http://www.marsonearth.org

Steve Labowskie

|2009-04-09 02:48:44

I used my SPOT on an 18-day Grand Canyon river trip. It worked great, I was a
little concerned that our amount of sky overhead was limited due to the
narrowness of the canyon and the fact that many camps are very close to tall
cliffs. I would let my SPOT transmitt for an hour or so at each camp, my friends
and family recieved at least one message every time. It's very cool to now go
back and review our progress as we traveled through 226 miles of remote
wilderness!!!

Daryl Moistner

|2009-04-08 05:57:17

Sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in a challenge 72 sailboat from the Canary
Islands to St. Lucia in the French West Indies. The Spot kept track of our
position daily and relayed via Google Earth to friends and family.

photos here:
http://www.nevadasurveyor.com/ARC

Jon Crowley

|2009-04-06 22:26:56

We used our SPOT on a sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands. It was a
great way to keep family and friends up to speed with our adventure.

Check
out our SPOT check-ins and pictures
here:
http://www.duneguide.com/TripReport-BVI.htm

Jeffrey Kennedy

|2009-04-06 06:52:54

I will be using spot on a 5,946 miles bicycle ride this summer. I would love to
share this event with everyone that has computer access. This journey will
start in Anchorage, Alaska on May 30th, and end 75 days later in Key West,
Florida. More information on this event can be viewed at
www.internationalcross2009.com

J.J. Nugent

|2009-04-06 06:32:14

I am an expert sailor, open water canoeist, and an enthusiastic Cross Country
Skier. None of these activities cause my wife to worry any more thanks to
Spot.
She now calls herself "Mission Control"! PS I had to put my Spot
in a waterproof box but it still makes the contacts if I put it open to the sky!
Thanks.

Bob Bolles

|2009-04-02 21:27:27

My wife and I had an Alaska adventure last August and covered 2600 miles by air
and land and 760 miles north to south. The Spot was always with us in some very
remote areas. We sent our locations to friends and family. I wouldn't travel
without it. Thanks SPOT.

jim	\|2009-03-29 02:56:35

reguarding four young men (two pro baseball players) were fishing over 50 miles
offshore in 14 foot seas, in a 21 foot boat!!! unfortunately, three DROWNED !! a
spot would have saved them all (one did live). The next day I ordered one for
myself son, an outdoor, offshore fisherman, airboater, hunter, etc. Everone
should have one!

Bret Daniel

|2009-03-27 02:57:59

I fly a Paraglider and often times when flying a distance route I may land in
remote regions. The SPOT makes it easy to alert other pilots about my landing
location when the cellphone does not work. Will use for sailing and Hiking trips
as well.

Chad Ragland

|2009-03-22 06:06:43

Pre ran and raced the entire 2008 SCORE Baja 1000 with my Spot. We finished 3rd
overall! Some of the race course is in extremely remote areas, where nobody is
safe without a Spot device. I race in the Trophy Truck class, and I will never
pre run or race without my Spot!

Nicole Lee

|2009-03-21 09:12:43

My husband does a lot of offroad motorcycle riding in Mexico. With all of the
violence down there, its great to be able to see where he is during the day and
get the "I'm OK" message. I use it to hike every Friday with a
girlfriend. It really could be a lifesaver someday.

howard snyder

|2009-03-20 11:12:13

I used MY SPOT snowmobiling all winter. My girlfriend watched me on the
computer.In case I broke down.

It was good to see SPOT on Robby Gordons
car today at qualifying.

Vince Pitelka

|2009-03-19 11:08:10

I bought a SPOT a year ago. I drive out west every summer and do a lot of
hiking and camping, much of it by myself. My family has always worried about
me, especially since a nasty broken leg incident four years ago. Now, whenever I
arrive at a new location, I do a SPOT "I'm OK" message, so my family
knows where I am and that I am okay. If I do another "I'm OK" message
from the same location, it means I am about to go for a hike. I often do
another OK message when I reach the farthest location on the hike, and another
when I get back to the starting location. My family can tell from the Google
map that I am okay, and they love to look at Google maps and see where I am.
This has become a ritual, and it has immeasurable increased my enjoyment of
remote locations, and my family's peace of mind when I am out there in the
wilderness. I am just as careful as I always was, but it is very gratifying to
have SPOT with me and know that I could use it in an emergency.

I also use it
when I am traveling on business to let my family know I have arrived at my
destination. It is an incredible device, and it has meant so much to me over
the past year. I wouldn't travel without it.
- Vince

Billy Chambers

|2009-03-19 06:58:31

My wife bought me a SPOT for my birthday last year. With me being an avid
Pilot, Hunter, and Offshore Saltwater Fisherman, it is easy to have peace of
mind that if something happens while I'm "Out and About", I can be
located shold something unfortunate happen.

Matt Wilson

|2009-03-15 00:05:15

While out on a recent climb of Calf Robe mtn in Glacier National Park we
encountered 60-70mph winds near the summit. The Spot was whipped off my pack and
took a 300ft tumble down the mountain. I fully expected the unit to explode when
it hit a rock but it only received minor scratches, but more importantly it
STILL WORKS FINE!!!

David Clark

|2009-03-08 06:45:46

I am paralyzed from the chest down and use a power wheelchair.

However, I am
often outdoors: photographing and fishing in the mountains of Colorado and
bayous of Louisiana. I have gotten my chair stuck, fallen completely out of the
chair, etc. etc.

I will not tolerate a babysitter, so my
SPOT (purchased by
my worried wife) could be my lifesaver.

Since my wife (an avid hiker whose job
also entails hiking in the wilderness) was kind enough to get my SPOT, I may let
her use it or get her one of her own.

Mike Lacey

|2009-03-07 00:00:49

I've been using my Spot for 2 months and it has not let me down once. I off road
ride dirt bikes in some far out of the way places and it has been a reassurance
to my family that I am OK at the end of a ride. This is a great device for us
that ride alone and is long overdue.

David V

|2009-03-06 23:17:48

I just purchased a Spot Messenger for an upcoming rim-to-rim hike through the
Grand Canyon with my brother, my second and his first. We are both experienced
hikers.

We plan to send OK messages to the family during rest stops each day,
and when we arrive at camp each night. And hopefully, we won't need to use the
911 button, but it's nice to know it's there if we need it.

Chuck

|2009-03-02 23:53:23

I've loned my SPOT unit to a friend of mine who is currently competing in the
Iditarod by bicycle! One of 50 competetors on bicycles. SPOT Trekking features
has kept his family and friends up-dated as to his progress, not to mentioned
the additional safety SPOT offers during this extreme event.

Dave Ulmer

|2009-02-26 22:30:21

I ride my dirtbike alone in the backcountry. I send an OK message when I leave
my camp for a ride. My OK message to my friends has this text:

1st Message,
leaving camp
Next messages possible good satellite view.
Last message, back at
camp.

So when I am out riding and come upon an area where I want to take a
'satellite picture' of the surroundings I press the OK button. After the ride I
can go to my computer and check the OK messages and use the 'satellite picture'
link to see where I had been riding. I can also use the coordinates to geotag
any photos I take at the OK location.

Using the OK button this way tells my
friends when I leave on a ride, shows them interesting satellite views along the
way, and confirms that I got back to camp safely.

John Petro

|2009-02-26 09:57:45

http://www.potomac.org/site/wp-content/uploads/pdf s/ValleyandCreek.pdf

I am
71 years old and have a Civil War era get-away farm located in a valley in
Massanutten Mountain which is located in the Shennandoah Valley - (Fort Valley
22652- see the above website for a view of the valley.) There is no mobile phone
service in "The Fort" so SPOT provides considerable safety and freedom
for me and comfort for my family while I am out on the tractor, ATV or simply
walking around the surrounding George Washington National Forrest alone with
only the bears, rattlesnakes, copperheads and my honeybees.

Kevin Knowlton

|2009-02-25 02:24:12

I am a member of the Nome Alaska Volunteer Fire Department and Search and Rescue
unit. On At approximatly 5:30pm on Februaty 24th 2009 we recieved a tone out for
a search and rescue. Upon reporting to the Fire Hall we learned that a hunter
that was out alone on snowmobile hunting Muskox, had activated his SPOT using
the Help feature. The e-mail message had the hunters coordinaltes and we where
able to show on google map the type of terain that the signal was coming from.
Weather was marginal with temps around 20 degrees and the wind blowing around 25
miles per hour, it was fogy and snowing horzontaly. we dispached a quick
reaction team to the coordinates which where approximatly 12 miles west of Nome
and about 2 miles in from the coast.with in approximatly 45 minutes of leaving
the team was in the vacinity of the signal and with in minutes we found the
hunter at almost exactly where the SPOT unit told us we would find him. His
snowmobile had broke through the ice on a small creek and was stuck up to the
middle of the cowling in ice and snow. the hunter was wet and the nearest
shelter was over 2 miles away. With out the SPOT the out come for this hunter
might have been a lot different. We may have not started looking for him until
he was reported over due and we would have been looking for a needle in a hay
stack. since the recovery our local weather has deteriated to blizard conditions
and instead of a hunter and rescuers sitting at home this morning we could still
be looking for him and preparing ourselves for the worst. Thank you SPOT, I own
a unit myself and do not leave home with out it.

Scott Higgins

|2009-02-16 07:11:05

I love my SPOT, when my wife and I are traveling in Costa Rica we can check in
with our family back home to let them know we are OK. Sure beats having to find
a high spot to use a cell phone.

Chris Kelly

|2009-02-07 11:21:19

Just wanted to tell you how SPOT gave us peace of mind and our families a play
by play of our adventure. My best friend, Dutch Burns and I took our 2004 Sea
Doo GTX personal water crafts from Palm Beach / Lake Worth Florida to the
Bahamas. Our trip had a 68 miles of open ocean to our first landfall, West End
Bahamas. Our SPOT gave our families our positions at our waypoints and tracked
our trip there and back. Without a chase boat and no land in sight for 4+ hours,
it was nice to know we had some eyes on us. Without it the adventure would have
been impossible. Thanks

Ed Karnes

|2009-02-02 08:52:26

I am an avid geocacher and enjoy hiking solo in the local mountains. I have
always felt uneasy about doing this alone.
A few months ago The "SPOT"
was brought to my attention through a discussion heard on a geocaching podcast.

The price was right and the services fit my need to a tee.

Last week as I was
returning to my car after, geocaching, down a nice trail. I twisted my ankle and
realized that my cell phone was of little use. It could not hang on to 911 and
constantly dropped out.The operator wanted cross streets and there were none in
the area on the trail.
I hit the "911" button on my SPOT and within 20
minutes the Fire rescue helicopter was picking me up.
As it turned although my
phone was hit and miss, mostly miss. The coordinates were sent by "SPOT"
to those who could really help.
If you hike solo or not, Take my advice get one
of these SPOT devices and be able to write a testimonial.

Ed Karnes

Jim Griscavage

|2009-01-29 21:58:20

My friend and I took a coast-to-coast motorcycle trip to Alaska last year. It
was comforting knowing that SPOT was there when we were in the middle of
nowhere. As a side, once an hour I would send my retired parents an OK message
as we rolled along. They had a GREAT time tracking our progress as we made our
way around the the US and Canada over 10,000 miles.

Mike Langley

|2009-01-26 01:37:44

As an avid outdoorsman, I won't go anywhere with out my Spot. It gives my family
and I peace of mind, and will always be in my person when I am out.

LAEd	\|2009-01-22 00:54:46

While out hiking & Geocaching,solo, as I usually do, I was coming back to my car
down a good trail and twisted my ankle, actually backwards. I knew that my cell
phone was not in a good location and my 911 call were not going through. I
pushed the 911 button on my "SPOT" and between the failed regular 911,
and SPOT 911, a helicopter was there to airvac me out to the nearest hospital.
This all took about 20 minutes. My injuries required two rods to be placed in my
lower leg along with several plates and screws. Although I didn't think it would
"Happen to Me", It did.
Anyone that hikes, Geocaches, Bikes, or goes of
the beaten path needs a Spot ... Trust Me. I am really impressed.

Ed

JodyTanner

|2009-01-21 11:33:42

After my SPOT fell off my backpack and I had to backtrack about a mile to find
it, I took a small length of string to make a lanyard. I attached it to SPOT on
the small metal attachment at a screw, I looped it around my backpack strap.
Now when I clip SPOT to the backpack, I know that if it falls off, I won't be
leaving it behind.

Jan	\|2009-01-21 08:24:16

We purchased a spot this past summer prior to going into Labrador and
Newfoundland. We signed up for the google earth tracking. Explained the various
notes the kids might get. Important was to assure them a 911 message might not
be for us and to always wait for a time. If it wasn't for us, they would
receive an OK note. Same for the help, it may just mean vehicle broke down and
nothing serious. It is the best thing we have ever bought. I was not fearful
of being out of touch with the kids, and they new all was well and where we were
at any time of the day. I have a set of elderly parents and the kids were
afraid something would happen to them and wouldn't be able to find us. The spot
took care of that concern. We now feel comfortable in going out of cellphone
range.

Virginia

|2009-01-18 10:35:28

My son gave me SPOT for my trip to Turkey so he could track me. SPOT was great!
When traveling in US I keep it with me as cell phone coverage is spotty.

He
recommended using TUZULO.com
free image hosting service. I use it to quickly
put up my images, zip load pics, etc.

The Everyday Journeyman

|2009-01-17 17:40:04

SPOT helped friends and family cheer on Team Everyday Journeymen as we travelled
from London England to Banjul Gambia. The 4261 mile drive across two continents
and nine countries in a 14 year old Jeep had many perils, warlords, malaria,
wayward cattle, not to mention potholes the size of sofas.

But with SPOT
updating our location every hour and every single day, everyone back home knew
that our Plymouth-Dakar rally team was safe.

I recommend future
Plymouth-Dakar rally teams invest in SPOT, it was the best purchase we made
(besides the antimalaria medication).

Van Goodwin

|2009-01-12 18:40:47

I bought a SPOT for my 16 year old son Thom who loves hiking, canoeing,
snowshoeing and winter camping. We spent the weekend of New Years 09 on the
Mickelson trail in the Black Hills.
With spot along Thom's mother and my
wife can sleep while were out in what is termed crazy weather!
At 15, Thom
graduated NOLS WFR course. Should he come along a hurt or endangered fellow
hiker, i know his training and SPOT can help turn tragedy into a better day.

What an inteligent product it is and grately appreciated when I can not be
out with my son!
Thanks
Van

jesse simmons

|2009-01-10 11:12:25

I am walking solo across America from LA to Boston raising money for cancer. The
trip will take about 5 months and cover roughly 3,800 miles. Check out my blog,
jesseandbrucewalkamerica.com

Alma Allen

|2009-01-09 09:25:55

The SPOT messenger help get me safely out of a bad situation a week ago
today.

I fractured my leg in a motorcycle crash in a section of the Mojave
Desert in California. Two hours after pushing the 911 button a sheriff's
department helicopter picked me up out of the very rough terrain and darkness
and flew me to a more open location were I was transferred to a medivac
helicopter that flew me to a trauma center.

I bought the SPOT messenger to send
OK or help messages to my wife, that service alone is enough to justify it's
purchase. I also purchased the GEOS rescue insurance when I activated the SPOT
messenger, if that aspect of the service works as well as the GEOS emergency
service did I'll be a life long exponent of this miracle device and service.

William

|2009-01-08 02:29:44

Watch the belt clip! The spot needs a clear line of sight to the sky so you will
be using the belt clip to attach the unit some where, but beware that it will
fall off with little force. I had problems with mine every time not staying
where it should be and now I'm on my second spot. The first fell off while I was
just hiking up Mt. Hood. There was 4 ft of powder all around us and the unit
could not be found after I noticed it was gone.

WA Snowmobilers

|2009-01-07 15:21:01

Our snowmobile trail groomer has had 3 different mechanical problems and was
stranded in the mountains, in the snow with no heat source each time. Last year
he had a near fatal heart attack, so his family bought him SPOT. He has been
able to go about doing what he loves and still give the family a piece of mind.
One of the 3 times he did need 911 assistance and they were there and very happy
he had SPOT because it took them right to his location when time was of the
essence. Personally, I have a lot of new friends, cause I have my SPOT, they
know that a rescue crew isn't far away.

shawn

|2009-01-06 13:30:20

I am a communications tech and i spend most of my time in remote locations, we
do a lot of work in the high arctic, building and maintenance of NDB and
localizers in extremely remote inuit communities. When we fly in the bush planes
the pilots always ask if anybody has a gps unit for backup in case they have a
malfunction in theirs, or if we make a emergency landing on the tundra or ice.
With the spot unit its the best thing a person could ever have if they gotta
ditch in an area 1000 miles from nowhere and nonexistent cell service.

Patrick Harrington

|2009-01-03 09:47:09

Hi,
Thanks to my spot I feel confident when I go out to fly my falcons and hunt
with my german shorthaired pointers.I have a heart problem and take
medication.It is important to my wife that I keep in touch so I hit the ok
button every couple of hours because where I go there is never any cell phone
coverage.

Pete Pfeifer

|2009-01-01 07:11:33

I've been riding motorcycles off road in Arizona for many years and have always
wanted to share my travels with my wife in real time so she doesn't worry. The
SPOT unit has worked out great for doing this and I've also added my friends’
wives to the list of recipients who receive the updates. It's great for them to
know where we are and when we'll be home.

Robert Brown

|2008-12-25 10:52:26

Found myself pinned underneath my big Polaris 4-wheeler in the mountains behind
Mc Curtain, Ok. last Friday. Am a retired soldier who trys to plan for any
possible emergency. Don't own a cell phone, but am fixin to get a SPOT! Bruised
my ego, knee, and collarbone. Could have been worse! You betcha I'm gonna get a
SPOT!

Edward J Barnak

|2008-12-19 06:48:33

I bought the Spot for my 68 year old father who is an avid hunter/fisherman,
often venturing places w/o cell service. He hunts every day during PA's deer
season, walking/hunting up to 5 miles in a day. I track his progress from my
office computer (I got my buck already;-) Last week he called me to tell me he
thinks he lost the SPot.. I checked the Google Map and found the last
transmitting signal, programmed the Longitude/Latitude into my GPS unit and
printed out the map... My dad never used a GPS and knows the Pocono Mnts only by
1000's of miles of hunting/hiking them thru his life... he was certain that the
Spot unit could not have been in the place I showed him on the map... even
called me as he was being led by the GPS unit that my 'technology' was wrong...
but he had to eat his words when he found the unit 2.5 miles into the state game
lands... 20 feet from where the GPS led him...Morale of the story.. make sure
your Spot is secure.. but if you lose it... you should be able to find it
again... EJB

Jim Reid

|2008-12-18 13:07:50

Well my SPOT paid for itself last weekend. After a solo overnight trip in the
Beartooth Mountains of south-central Montana, where over night temps at 8,600
feet hit -25F, I snowshoed out to my truck to find it just wouldn't start. So I
changed my tune. Having already sent my family three "OK" messages (one
after parking my truck and one after reaching camp the day before, and one that
morning while striking camp) I sent a "Help" message and waited for my
wife to put my pre-arranged assistance plan into action. Hiking nine miles out
of the backcountry to the nearest highway in -20 degrees F wasn't very appealing
so I built a fire and settled in. Remarkably, only an hour and a half later a
Carbon County Sheriff's deputy plowed his way up the road, stopped his 4WD truck
next to mine, and asked if I was the guy that sent a message for help! With his
assistance, a can of starting fluid and a long pair of jumpers, we were finally
able to get my truck started. Without a SPOT, I would have had to hike the nine
miles out, hoped to hitch a ride to town, and then paid at least $300 for a tow
truck to get my rig back to civilization. Instead I had a great adventure! Many
thanks to the Carbon County Sheriff's Office and my thanks to SPOT!

Jerry Hizon

|2008-12-18 11:24:55

During our Boy Scout Troop 148's 53 mile backpack of the Silver Moccasin Trail
in the Angeles Forest in June, 2008, we were able to keep the parents informed
as to our progress. They could then locate us on Google Earth. In fact, the
local newspaper was made aware and they followed us everyday as we used our Spot
to share our adventure with them. They then wrote a nice article about the
scouts and mentioned our "advanced technology". Thanks for keeping us
safe and looking "cool" to the readers.

Thank you,
Jerry
Hizon
ASM BSA Troop 148

Ron Burdett

|2008-12-17 10:47:08

My wife and I are deaf and we love Spot because we could not use cellphone to
let our children know where we are on our trip in U.S. We use our Spot to send
messages to them where we are including cities or place which are interested to
know. Thanks for a wonderful high-tech Spot!!

Thanks Joy and Ron Burdett

Scoutmaster Paul

|2008-12-17 08:15:21

Parents of scouts on adventure treks appreciate keeping tabs on our progress
while backpacking. The automatic tracking feature allows families to virtually
follow us across the country.

I've integrated the SPOT tracking, Google
Earth, and our own photo album to create an interactive trek - more interesting
than a simple photo album.

Take a peek at an example at

http://www.troop479.org/philmont.html - you need Google Earth installed to
view it.

I've also blogged about it at
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/scoutmastermusings.as p

Linda Imle

|2009-02-10 09:19:37

My story is not about being rescued, mine is a story of notification and peace
of mind.

Several friends and I pedaled our bicycles across the country from
Chicago, IL. to Santa Monica, CA. in Aug/Sep of this year. We followed Old
Historic Route 66, which meant that we would be on some smaller roads and in
some places on mostly deserted roads. We were also going to be in the desert.
Although we had a "Sag Wagon" it was nice to have my Spot with me. When
out on the road with no cell phone coverage it was nice to know that if we had
problems of a catestrophic nature we could get help. We also had a website set
up so our family and friends could check on our progress as we travelled across
the country. We were able to let them know where we were at all times and they
could send us emails to keep us encouraged. What a great tool to stay in touch
and to stay safe. Now that I am home in Alaska I use my Spot when I ride my bike
to work, even in the winter time! It allows me to call for assistance if I have
problems with moose or get stuck in snow or get hurt falling off my bike on a
slick street. It has brought a great deal of peace of mind, to me and to my
family and friends.

I have loaned my Spot out to a friend when she had to
drive up the Alcan to Alaska from Utah. It was just a little extra insurance
just in case she had problems on any of the long, lonley stretches of road in
Canada and Alaska.

Thanks for developing this tool, it is great!

Bill Simmons

|2008-12-17 04:27:07

Last summer in the Sierra I was climbing steeply, off trail when my high leg
action forced my Spot off my belt. It fell about 8 feet, hit a rock, and bounced
20 feet in the air! I figured that was the end of Spot, but I managed to recover
it, and it's worked fine ever since. Thanks for building it tough!

gabrielle heynekamp

|2008-11-30 03:41:51

am a 63 year old grandmother with two artificial knees,fused neck (after bad
horsewreck) and a fused lower back.but i have been hiking all my life and am not
about to give it up.besides my 7 dogs need their daily walks.
we live in desert
country,with lots of canyons and steep hills.thanks to spot i can hike off-trail
and my husband can keep track at home.its nice to know i can call for emergency
help!lots of rattlesnakes and mountain lions here...no people around. but i love
the solitude and thanks to SPOT i do not have to give it up!!!i also like to go
on long trailrides by myself and Spot is always there!
THANK YOU!!!!!!

Russell Kofoed

|2008-11-24 03:13:29

I was duck hunting in a small jon boat, with a 1.5 horse motor on a lake in
Northern Idaho in late November. In a matter of minutes the weather went from
calm to a blinding storm with 50 mph winds and three foot waves. We couldn't
make it across the lake, but were able to find shelter on an island to wait out
the storm. As darkness approached we planned to use the SPOT if the wind
continued after dark. We were becoming hypothermic. Just after dark the wind
died enough for us to attempt to cross the lake. We were glad we had the SPOT
with us in case the situation had persisted.

Brad Hewson

|2008-11-20 03:01:01

I am an avid Harley rider and sometimes travel some back roads where there are
no phone booths, cell phone coverage, or other resources.
On two separate
occasions, I was able to receive help because I am a SPOT user. Once for a flat
tire, and once when a companion broke down. Neither were emergencies, but
having the ability to send a message to someone at home who can dispatch help is
a tremendously valuable resource.
Thanks SPOT !!!

Cindy Koene

|2008-11-20 02:54:59

My husband Ruben is currently sailing single-handed from the East Coast of the
US to the Caribbean. The spot allows us to track him as he makes his way over
the Atlantic. The downside of ocean use, is that we have lost the signal for
several hours at a time on multiple occasions, probably due to satellites or
website updates. So our agreement is, unless a 911 message is received, don't
worry, going with the adage, no news is good news.

Shannon Henderson

|2008-11-14 01:16:53

Spot is a better tracker than garmin ! We use it on our hounds, works much
better than garmins ASTRO. Would be great if they could put it on a dog tracker
and have 2-3 day tracking without resetting it.
Only downfall is thier site is
not working right now. Called in and guess they are updating..which is bad when
you're trying to get to your dogs before the wolves do!

Don Cox

|2008-11-10 02:09:28

I hunt elk, alone, in some very rough country. I use the Spot to send OK
signals every couple of hours. My wife loves it. I can stay out until dark
now, without her worrying. It's been great.

Paul Bucca

|2008-11-27 14:01:56

In addition to hunting elk solo, I often scout in the off season here in Idaho.
I am frequently two or more miles off a road and it is assuring to have the
capabilities of SPOT with me.

Ryan Heck

|2008-11-06 03:10:23

Going down the Point Huitzil Route, an ancient anasazi route into the Grand
Canyon, a member of our party fell severely fracturing the two bones in his
lower leg. We activated the SPOT 911 at 1120 and sent a member of our party
back to where we last had cell service (a 2 hour hike out). When he got to cell
service and called 911, they already knew where and who we were. The rescue
team got to us a 5pm. Due to winds, the helicopter rescue didn't happen until
730 the next morning. The SPOT worked awesome, even in a side canyon with
limited sky exposure!!!!

Jeffe Aronson

|2008-11-05 08:33:27

No rescues yet...but as a dory boatman on the Colorado in Grand Canyon, I like
to let my wife know I've made it through Crystal rapids or Lava Falls...so I
send her an OK message from each of our 14 camps on a trip. She gets to see
where we camp and live a little, though vicariously. I would love to be able to
save the OK messages as a bulk block on your website (but must be able to do so
for at least a month or two) and let my clients access them to relive their
journey....so let me know if and when you have that capability. In the meantime,
my wife and I salute you, and I look forward to my solo hike on the Southwest
Coast of Tasmania (!)

Diego Gonzalez Joven

|2008-11-01 14:06:59

My friend John (who is blind), his guide dog and I have undertaken several long
cycling and mountaineering expeditions that led us to set two world records. One
of our first concerns was safety, that's why we got a Spot tracker. Since we
were traveling by ourselves through treacherous terrain, we wanted to rely on a
robust yet light GEOS enabled tracking device. The one thing that comes handy is
the live map locator, in our website people could track our progress live...

We
love this little gadget, its light, easy to use and brings you peace of mind all
in one. What else can you ask?!?!?

Diego Gonzalez
Joven
www.whatsyourimpossible.com

Roger Thode

|2008-10-25 13:39:18

Spot may have saved my life the very first time I used it earlier this week. I
fly a powered parachute and like to fly in the wide open high deserts of central
Nevada. I had to make an emergency landing and broke my leg in the process. I
was miles from anywhere and my wife didn't even know where I was. I activated
the "help" and "911" feature. In about 2 hours I saw a pick up
coming to my rescue across a dry lake bed. Another 3 hours and I was at a
hospital in Fallon NV over 100 miles away. I now have a bunch of hardware in my
leg and it hurts but it will heal and I will be fine. I do need to teach my
wife to enter a way point and be able to go to it. She got the help message by
way of satellite Internet but was having trouble finding me. We were camped
where there is no cell phone coverage. THANK YOU SPOT!

Ron Skinner

|2008-10-22 09:24:30

I used my SPOT on my volunteer vacation on Santa Catalina Island last month.
While I never needed the 911 function, or the Help function, the Check In
function and tracking was a ton of fun! My friends so enjoyed watching my
adventure that they told me to be sure I took SPOT with me on my Yantze River
cruise next month!

Brian Campbell

|2008-10-22 07:01:36

Just returned from a Northern British Columbia Moose hunt with my son. We each
had SPOT. He and his guide got lost. They say that their horses were MISPLACED.
Spent the night in the bush. He sent OK pings during the night and early the
next morning. I had a sleepless night but checked my office by sat. phone the
following morning. All was OK. Great relief and I went hunting that morning.
Have spent over 45 days in Canada this year hiking and hunting. Everyone on my
contact loves getting pings. My son did end up taking a record book moose with
his bow. I\'m waiting for your text unit. It\'s got to be on the drawing
board.

Jim Griscavage

|2008-10-22 06:38:05

On a recent motorcycle trip from the Virginia area to Hyder Alaska and back
snaking all around the country, I used the OK feature on spot about every hour
to send to my parents. It was easy to send a message without stopping to phone
in and not knowing if there was even any cell phone coverage. They had a great
time over that 2 weeks tracking where we went, what we were seeing and where we
stopped. They had fun and I felt safer out there in the middle of nowhere.
Great unit.

Bill Chickering

|2008-10-22 06:19:04

Every summer I fly my single engine Piper Cherokee from California to Michigan
and back. It's always an adventure. This year friends and family followed my
progress with SPOT Tracking. And I enjoyed the added safety of an accurate
position report for SAR should anything go wrong along the way.

With the
traditional 121.5 aircraft emergency monitor going away early next year, all
small planes should have SPOT on board.

Stephen Baumbach

|2008-10-22 06:05:45

I'm a professional photographer making numerous trips a year to less than
favorable places and conditions. I'm alone most of the time whether in the
mountains or desert. SPOT gives my wife a sense of security knowing that I'm
covered if an emergency arises. I've spoken with a lot of the rangers in our
national parks and they wished more people would consider carrying a device like
SPOT. Thanks for the peace of mind and keep up the great work.

stephenbaumbach.com

Butch Elrod

|2008-10-22 06:03:30

When collecting soil and rock samples in the mountains of Nevada, I have been
without cellular signal for up to 4 days at a time. My Spot Messenger OK
messages have provided real peace of mind for those concerned about me. It's
become as important as sunglasses or a pocket knife to me and I never leave home
without it...

Butch Elrod

|2008-10-22 06:12:39

I'd like to add that users need to discuss with loved ones exactly what your
non-emergency help message means...

I sent a Help message to my girlfriend
when the front wheel fell off my truck [broken ball joint] in a mildly remote
area of Idaho. My thought was that I might not make it out in time for my
nightly check in phone call with her. Two hours later, when I finally got
cellular signal, she was nearly frantic. Now our understanding is that my Help
message simply means that she should not turn off her phone or it's ringer until
after she has heard from me.

Karen

|2008-09-30 04:32:31

My husband was in Venice, La when hurricane Ike hit. The phone service was out.
I was able to know he was okay by SPOT. He hit the I'm Okay button 2 - 3 times
a day until he was able to call home. As far as I'm concerned SPOT has already
paid for itself!

Bryce Christensen

|2008-09-24 10:26:50

Andy Kegel

|2008-09-23 13:56:00

I do a lot of outings with our Boy Scout troop. We recently spent a week in the
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (MN) and Quetico Provincial Park (Ontario).
Beautiful! My co-leader and I had responsibility for six scouts, four of whom
are in other families. I used my SPOT tracker to send frequent "OK!"
updates to the moms and dads at home. They were able to track their adventurous
sons remotely with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they were safe and
sound. The mapping feature meant the folks at home knew exactly where their
boys were. Mom could drink her morning coffee and know exactly where her son
was that morning, 2000 miles away. We were fortunate and didn't need to use the
emergency rescue features of SPOT, but a few SPOT messages a day went a long way
to keep those parents comfortable while their boys were away.
Thanks,
-andy

Paul Scott

|2008-09-23 09:21:39

SPOT has helped make for a great summer hunt for my father and I. Nevada Mule
Deer bowhunting season extends through August and the state is known for poor
cellular reception regardless of carrier. SPOT enabled my retired father to
hunt while I held down the office job. Dad would send "OK"'s down
nightly and I would wait for his "Need Help" call to go pack out his
monster buck (maybe next time). All the while I was comfortable letting my
nearly 70 yr old father hike the outback with access to emergency services
FASTER than if I was with him.

Thanks and I look forward to many years of
similar ease of mind when Dad isn't with me because he's doing all the things he
wants to.

Peter Spiller

|2008-09-23 08:18:54

Jon and I took SPOT! along on a 450 mile canoe expedition in very far north
Saskatchewan, Canada. We followed three north flowing true wilderness rivers,
Whitford, Waterfound, Fond du Lac. We ended at the indiginous community of Stony
Rapids, almost on the 60th parallel! That's at the boarder of the NW
Territories. Expedition was amazing (between us this was our 68th summer
paddeling in the far north, so we know "amazing" when we see it).

SPOT! worked flawlessly, except that the orange plastic belt clip broke off
unexpectedlty. Luckily we were not in a rapid at the time.You should make it
stronger.

Suggestion: Each subscriber be given a folder where expeditions
(date ranges of SPOT! tracks) can be saved for review later. Be very useful
later when making up trip reports or just for bragging rights.

John Gray

|2008-09-23 07:52:24

I just arrived in Qatar on my way to Iraq. I am going to use my Spot for
tracking for my families peace of mind and will be submitting any lessons
learned from my four month tour.

Steven Lieber

|2008-09-30 06:03:43

I just returned from a photographic trip to photograph Polar Bears in Canada.
Used the SPOT BEACON as an emergency backup tool, and also to keep my associates
up to date on our shooting locations. I have some photos of our Cree Guide
useing the SPOT Beacon along with some good Bear Shots if you would like
them.

Steve Lieber

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