SPOT Gen 1 vs Gen 3

[Jordan Budd]

I've got a SPOT gen 1 I'm getting ready to activate for an Alaska trip coming up.

However looking at the new Gen 3's, I'm wondering if I shouldn't upgrade to a gen 3 instead.. Anyone have input between the 2? Haven't been able to find that much info between the two.

 

[smokinf15]

Have you looked at the delorme inreach se?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobhunts]

I got the gen 1 also. For what it does...no I will not upgrade. It works as designed and I have been happy with it.

 

[idcuda]

I was just looking at some info on this - check out the link below. I have a gen 2 and it's been great. I only use it for pre-programmed messages, so I don't have a need for anything else. I don't use any tracking functions, so I have never had a battery-related issue - I replace the batteries at the beginning of every hunting season. It hasn't failed to send a check-in message yet anywhere in Idaho. The article points out a few possible differences between the two. I think the gen 1 was the same as 2, but 2 has covers over the SOS and help buttons.

http://sectionhiker.com/spot-gen3-satellite-gps-messenger-review/

 

[oldgoat]

I had a spot, bought it in 2011 I believe. I now have an InReach, it costs more to buy initially but is cheaper to subscribe. It also has pre programmed messages, but you can type a message if need be and if you ever need to use the emergency function, you can actually communicate with emergency services. It so outperforms the spot it isn't even funny.

 

[Bughalli]

I went through this last year because I was doing a solo backpack trip and weighed my options. I only get one, maybe two real hunting trips a year (full week hunts in remote country). Much like GPS's, they come out with a new device every year and you find yourself liking the new technology. In the end I just rented a satellite phone. It was like $120 for 10 days. If you use a ton of minutes then it costs more, but if I get to that point then something serious happened anyway.

 

[camping1601]

I had a spot, bought it in 2011 I believe. I now have an InReach, it costs more to buy initially but is cheaper to subscribe. It also has pre programmed messages, but you can type a message if need be and if you ever need to use the emergency function, you can actually communicate with emergency services. It so outperforms the spot it isn't even funny.

Never used a Spot but I'd agree about the Inreach. It came in handy once to reach my wife on a non hunting trip. As a rule I a the preset twice a day to ck in.

 

[ColoradoTCE]

Get a Delorme InReach, I sold my Spot

 

[JeremiahH]

I've got a spot connect in the classifieds. You can type and send texts through it with your phone. Send pre made messages and has an SOS button on it that doesn't require your phone. I might go in reach or satellite phone.. I haven't decided. Leaning towards the in reach. It's more expensive at something like $35 a month for the basic package. Vs the spot for $149 a year. Two way messaging is always gonna cost more I suppose.

 

[oldgoat]

I've got a spot connect in the classifieds. You can type and send texts through it with your phone. Send pre made messages and has an SOS button on it that doesn't require your phone. I might go in reach or satellite phone.. I haven't decided. Leaning towards the in reach. It's more expensive at something like $35 a month for the basic package. Vs the spot for $149 a year. Two way messaging is always gonna cost more I suppose.

I have the basic package it's like $15 a month with a $25 a year fee, unlimited preset messages, ten non preset and if you go over its like 50 cents a message, and you can shut it off in months you aren't using it, or upgrade to a bigger plan to have more messages for a month then downsize the next. So if you only need it in September, it's only right around $40 a year. I've left my on because I keep thinking I'm going to get up in the mountains to snow shoe etc but haven't yet, but scouting season is just about here so no sense to shut it off now

 

[JeremiahH]

I suppose I was referring to the recreation plan. Really the only one worth getting if you plan on actually using two way text.

 

[camping1601]

A plus for the Inreach is the ability to get weather. You can click on an Icon and get some basic weather sent tom the unit and it only uses one text. Also another way is to send a text to the wx now service. It's a better forecast and still only uses one text. Last year I had my wife sending it to me but it was so incorrect it was worthless.

Edit-Wx now service uses two text