Spot Connect Satellite Messenger

[Ainsley]

Hello. Does anyone have experience of using a Spot Connect Satellite Messenger ? I am going offshore ( West Coast USA) and am thinking about buying one. Does it hook up easiy with a smart phone ? I want to be able to send texts to land based contacts. Any advice would be appreciated. Many Thanks

[S.V Brava]

Used my SPOT crossing from Panama to Marquesas, in 2008.
Worked fine until 3 days after Cocos Island, and after that no coverage until French Polinesia.
Worked perfect in all Central America and South America
Used it crossing from Ft. Lauderdale - Bahamas - Bermuda - Acores - Gibraltar - Ibiza... worked perfect... able to send ok messages all the way
I have the old unit (orange) for the last 4 years, apart from no coverage in the middle of the Pacific, is a GREAT equipment. Never had to change the batteries
The no coverage area in Pacific is on the coverage area map in their web site as no coverage area.
Can't tell about connect with smart phone and/or send text messages... just ok messages is more than enough for us.

[sinbad7]

Ainsley..

If you are just going to sail in the US West coast area,the SPOT is adequate and your cheapest bet. SPOT however does not have any way to send messages but very short pre-written messages prior to departure. The manual I´m OK messaging is free and the Tracking every 10 min cost around $50.- per year.

However,if later you are extending your cruising areas world-wide I would definately
recommend getting the initially more expensive inReach by Delorme whixh uses Iridium
world-cover satellites and also has the capability of short two-way messaging.
The in Reach cost around $ 250.- and unlimited tracking $ 25.- per month which also includes a set number of massages per month with a supplement exceeding the limit.

inReach connects up with most smartphones,Android and iPhone.

Both SPOT and inReach can also send their data to the FREE SpotWalla public page which can display your present position to family and friends every 10 min.

Tore

[Ainsley]

Thank you for the advice, I now think that the Spot 2 will be sufficient for my needs, even through the Spot Connect sounds appealing, it also sounds a bit too complicated to relay on it to connect via blue tooth to my phone...I like to keep things simple on a boat !! Again thanks for your advice Smooth sailing.