spot 2 users

[wookieone]

Just curious after a bit of time how Spot 2 users would rate the new unit? I have been using the older unit with little issues and am thinking of getting the newer one, input welcome, Jefe

[jeffkerkove]

Used it in CTR 2010 with no issues.  Never used the old one.....so no room to compare the two.

[Mathewsen]

Jefe, SPOT2 is probably worth it if your primary use is for ultra racing.

Having been the person to call your family mid-CTR to relay "please reset" messages to you, i'd say you're a good candidate for SPOT2's more intuitive controls

You may not appreciate the increased battery expense, though. My experience has been about 4-5 days batt-life on continuous track mode (less than half of SPOT1). SPOT2 uses AAA instead of AA (it seems AAA is harder to find in gas stations).

The biggest bonus is weight/size/packability.

At TL we certainly appreciate the higher resolution data SPOT2's more powerful antenna affords. It also tries to send each message 3 times (if not transmissible in the moment). To wit: with a SPOT2 you will look 'smoother' and more course-compliant on Scott M's swank replay videos. That counts for everything, right?

[Done]

I haven't used a Spot 1, so I can't compare the two. But the Spot 2 has worked well for me. Highly recommended.

If you want to test one, let me know and I'll send you mine for a few days.

[Slowerthensnot]

spot 2 you can get in swank sliver..... and its all about looking good right??

[wookieone]

Thanks for the input everyone, looks like battery life/type is the big limiter. So does it get as good reception? Sure does look smaller and such, and silver, HOT.

[ScottM]

Oh yeah, it's hot alright.  Better reception than SPOT1, definitely.  You will show up a lot more frequently on the tracker with a SPOT2.

Battery life -- still enough for a Jefe paced CTR effort, methinks.  But if you're slower than Jefe?  Better take a spare set of batts!

[wookieone]

Anyone know; how much lighter is #2?

[Mathewsen]

Anyone know; how much lighter is #2?

a couple ounces. the real bonus is size, IMO.
if i was buying one, i would still go orange, for trail visibility in case you lose it.
spec sheet for SPOT2 here: http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
spec sheet for SPOT1 here: http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101

we track sled dog races annually where it gets pretty freaking cold. the SPOT1 is considered to be rated to slightly lower temps but not exactly sure why (probably b/c AA batts perform better at xtreme cold). since SPOT is sort of 'banned' for bikepacking up there, maybe it's a non-issue for you...though, we will be tracking the yukon arctic ultra for the first time this year.

jefe, if you talk to santa about spot2, and mrs. claus is looking for xmas eve sleigh-tracking sevices, have her email us! we'll do `em up a killer replay worthy of CNN coverage.

[mattinaustin]

My spot 2 gave up the ghost on the third day of a bikepacking trip last week.  It was flashing red on the message sent and the GPS light for 2 days and never went to green.  I tried new batteries to no effect.  I still need to call them to see if there is anything that can be done (like some sort of factory reset), but for now I am questioning the durability...especially for something meant to be a potential life saver.  I was carrying it in the gas tank bag so it was subjected to more vibration...maybe best to keep in the top of the pack.

--Matt

[Mathewsen]

matt, few questions:

did you first obtain your 'satellite fix' by successfully sending an OK msg?

did it ever work for tracking or messaging? if yes, can you please send your shared page link to info@trackleaders.com. i'd like to see the data the unit did produce just before/at the time of failure.

which msg signal were you trying to send at the time it fritzed? an OK msg, or the more custom msg?

where did you purchase, or come by the SPOT2?

when SPOT2 was first released last fall they had a problem with the low-battery sensor registering low even when the batteries were fresh. (low batt registers as a red signal on the GPS LED). it may be that you have one of those units--though unlikely. the result of that defect was that they recalled all those units.

perhaps it's worth checking the serial # (called an ESN, listed inside the batt compartment).

either way, you should be able to warranty it.

good luck.

[mattinaustin]

Hey Matt,

The OK and Tracking worked for the first and second day well, there were only a few missed track points.  The third day the tracking stopped around noon and OK messages would not go through (envelope and GPS leds flashed red).  I cycled power, replaced batteries and the GPS led flashed red (still does) when I tried to send an OK message or track.  The 'power' and 'ok' buttons flash green.

Unfortunately I deactivated the shared page which erases everything.  When I re-activated it was all gone.  I am still happy to send you the link if you know how to access the data.  Personally I find the Spot shared page archiving lacking.  Seems like it would be easy to store the data for a longer period and make it easier to access and view.

My original Spot 2 was part of the recall.  Spot sent me a new one which I used on this trip.  I will give them a call after the holidays to get it warrantied.  On the plus side, it does reinforce the fact that you can never rely on gear 100%.  Good to have back up plans for everything.

--Matt