Wasn't sure where to post this but COSTCO had the SPOT's for $199.00 plus a $50.00 mail in rebate.
http://www.findmespot.com/en/

i'd personally wait to buy a unit. They're coming out with a new model soon. Just an FYI...

I'm changing the tone of my last statement (atleast until Monday)...get it while it's hot

http://www.expeditionswest.com/sponsors/FirnedsFamily-E-FreeServ-NEWv3.jpg

ETA - US Customers Only

Looks like I will be calling them on Monday, hopefully it will apply to new customers as well.

i'd personally wait to buy a unit. They're coming out with a new model soon. Just an FYI...

Do you have any links to details of the new model?

Do you have any links to details of the new model?

no...i was asked to take part in an online survey (as a current customer) which asked for my opinion on 3 new designs...one of which will be the new SPOT to hit the market in '09. There was a thread on ExPo about it, but I don't know where it is.

Not to rob this post but .....I have a app for my iphone I paid 1.99 for the application and does the same thing for free !!! Just so iphone users dont pay for this !! ;)

uhhhh....yeah. is that via a satellite or does it only work when you have cell coverage?

uhhhh....yeah. is that via a satellite or does it only work when you have cell coverage?
It would only work in cell coverage.... and it would be redundant since you normally have 9-1-1 service in cell coverage.

On a side note - contrary to popular belief, OnStar is also useless when you're outside of cell coverage. Spot messengers, personal locater beacons (PLBs & EPIRBs), satellite telephones and ham radios are the only way to call for help in the backcountry.

that's what I thought...therefore, that Iphone app is useless...

that's what I thought...therefore, that Iphone app is useless...

My gps works on the phone always at least it has every time Ive used it , worked at west coast meet on the river bed !But to be honest not sure if it runs on the phone or sattelites like a reg gps ALL I know is has always worked :(

My gps works on the phone always at least it has every time Ive used it , worked at west coast meet on the river bed !But to be honest not sure if it runs on the phone or satellites like a reg gps ALL I know is has always worked :(

The advantage of the SPOT is that you can use it to call for help when you're outside of cell range. It's not that it's a GPS (although that's useful in pinpointing your position to rescuers) but that you can use it to call for help.

Yes, a GPS application on your phone should work anywhere you can see the sky, whether you're in or out of cell range, but that's not going to help you call for help.

The other fun thing about the SPOT is the remote tracking - your friends & family can track your position from home, again, even if you're out of cell range.

No worries if you dont know what a satelite gps rescue transponder is, chances are you don't need it.
Of course how many times have you needed your seatbelts/airbags?

The one time I did need one I didn't have it, but I did have my Iphone.
I had to hike out 20 mi at night, cross country, in the winter in WY down a mtn before I picked up a signal to call for help. Even with my winter gear it sucked.

Edit: Forgot to mention that Iphone battery life sucks so I had to keep it off most of the time and turned it on every 30-45 minutes to check for a signal.I have/had the 1st gen Iphone. Actually thats a good tip for any cell phone out-county. They burn through battery life when no signal because they are constantly searching for a signal.

This would be great for offshore fishing. If only you could push a button for a tow boat! Sometimes you dont need to be rescued just need a tow. Cell phones rarely work where i go.

The advantage of the SPOT is that you can use it to call for help when you're outside of cell range. It's not that it's a GPS (although that's useful in pinpointing your position to rescuers) but that you can use it to call for help.

Yes, a GPS application on your phone should work anywhere you can see the sky, whether you're in or out of cell range, but that's not going to help you call for help.

The other fun thing about the SPOT is the remote tracking - your friends & family can track your position from home, again, even if you're out of cell range.

FYI gps application on a phone actually wont work outta range! 99% of cell phones dont come with gps antennas built in. They use the wireless signal to give you GPS maps.

This would be great for offshore fishing. If only you could push a button for a tow boat! Sometimes you dont need to be rescued just need a tow. Cell phones rarely work where i go.

You could pre-arrange that a "Help" call on the SPOT to your family or a friend means that you need them to get a tow for you.

The SPOT has 3 messages to communicate by pressing buttons - "OK", "Help", and "911". "911" goes to their service center, and they will send out SAR (search & rescue). "OK" and "Help" go to whomever you select. They all send location information along with the message.

Hey, now this thing is pretty f'in cool!

My mom has her left leg amputated earlier in the year due to diabetes. She's getting her prosthetic next month and we're getting the Camry retrofitted so she can drive it (she's going insane with cabin fever). She has a cell phone but this is a great back up device for her. Definitely going to do some research on this.

You could pre-arrange that a "Help" call on the SPOT to your family or a friend means that you need them to get a tow for you.

The SPOT has 3 messages to communicate by pressing buttons - "OK", "Help", and "911". "911" goes to their service center, and they will send out SAR (search & rescue). "OK" and "Help" go to whomever you select. They all send location information along with the message.

WOW, I am impressed. My dads new christmas present! Its his bay boat, now we can go offshore without 2 motors! :occasion5::cheers::laughing3::rockin::rockin::roc kin::headbang::salute::toothy8::thumbup:

I have Sat Track (https://www.mobilesecurezone.com/Default.aspx?center_logged=map_loggedGMap) included in my Xterra purchase. Works great as a locater or in an emergency.
I think it's Cell and GPS so you still need coverage but it "pinged" me way out of my mobil range in the high desert once (just for fun, I wanted to see if it worked)
You can set nanny or speed parameters if you want to (think teen drivers; or not if YOU are that teen! HaHa)
At $1 a "ping" you could do 50 a year for well, $50/ year.
Also it pings you once a month to prove it's working.
I got pinged (location comfirmed) going 72 mph on the I-5 at least once!
Only used 5 all for fun in the last 10 months.
You can't see anything in the car, just at home online.
I still wanna get a Spot too!

i have the spot and would never turn away from it! best back up plan ever, you caan push okay or track mod, and send it to wife/gf/mom who ever and they can get a google map image of where you are, and then you can ajust your mesage to say whatever, so if your "x's" computer goes out, you can push help, and wont have the calvary comming for you just friends,

IT IS A MUST HAVE!!!

:withstupid:
Guess I'm gonna get one too.
Any suggestions on where to get mine?

Bass pro had a deal on theres, like a cash back deal....did you get "pinged" out there by any chance?

in all honestly, look around on the internet....

If anyone wants to see the spot in action this weekend there is a bike race were they are using them. Its pretty cool to follow.
http://topofusion.com/tracker-azt.php

they are great im serious GET ONE EVERYBODY!