Just "upgraded" from the original Spotx (no bluetooth) to the bluetooth version. Used the original one on a recent RV trip cross country from the east coast to the west coast then up to Alaska. Had the tracking on the entire time along with checking for messages every 30 minutes. Used the checkin feature every few day to let the family know we were still OK. Also clipped to the outside of the backpack on short hikes. Went to national parks in Alaska and was VERY happy to have a device in the RV and on the hikes that could contact the outside World just in case. Got one for my son and daughter just in case of issues in the World.
@thegoodridesnow10 ай бұрын
Thanks for your take!
@SnowMansonАй бұрын
Comparing the Zoleo, InReach and this. I'm leaning towards the SpotX for the dedicated phone# and tracking. Very thorough review, thanks so much. Will be checking out your other videos now too.
@jasperfrenchie11 ай бұрын
Excellent information
@thegoodridesnow11 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@Grady2528 ай бұрын
After using for a few years, for me using Offshore fishing out to 60 miles, I am not happy with the device. Always very slow sending/receiving. Sometimes, might not send for about 10 minutes. Clear sky, no obstructions. Also, it will not work if any 5G is around when near or on shore. Connectivity in the app via bluetooth fails to stay connected for no good reason. I am going to cancel my subscription and go for the Garmin InReach Mini2.
@thegoodridesnow8 ай бұрын
Thanks for your take.
@terrellspaulding54563 ай бұрын
Why would you use satellite for messaging if you have a 5G wireless signal? Seems like you would just use your phone in that instance.
@Grady2523 ай бұрын
@@terrellspaulding5456 In order to activate the spot tracking you have to connect to the satellite. When at the dock, and 5G is in the area, the SPOT will not connect to satellite. So have to stop the boat about 10 miles out to start the connection which takes a while and then activate the tracking. This will be a problem anywhere there is an active 5G network around, the SPOT is not usable until out of the 5G range.
@LostCanuck1928 ай бұрын
Have you used it in the tree line? If so, how was the reception
@thegoodridesnow8 ай бұрын
It was slower in dense forested area. The antenna needs a clear view of the sky to work the most efficiently. But it still worked in the trees, it just took longer to send / receive messages. Most of the forest I tried it in still had some patches of sky here and there. Make sure to prop it up using the stand or something else so the antenna is pointed towards the sky, and it is faster as well.
@tl56kmair6 ай бұрын
Great video. I am thinking of going with the spot x after Bullitt went bankrupt and now my Motorola defy doesn't seem to send messages. I have a question, when you send a check in messages is the location in a clickable link that opens in a mapping program? Thanks
@thegoodridesnow6 ай бұрын
Yes, there is a clickable link and it will write out your coordinates and elevation in the message too, as well as a link that will bring you to a map on the Spot website where the message recipient can see your location pinpointed on the map. This is what it sends out: Device Name: Steph's SPOT X Latitude: 37.59359 Longitude: -119.01781 Altitude: 2939.0 m | 9642 ft GPS location Date/Time: 08/14/2023 15:56:33 CDT Message: This is the default SPOT Check In message. Please update. Click the link below to see where I am located.
@tl56kmair6 ай бұрын
@@thegoodridesnow thank you!!!
@Mo-gm5zmАй бұрын
Most didn’t have service? That’s not good right
@Gumby19786 ай бұрын
How is the reception in a large 5G network area?
@N2tech9 ай бұрын
Question. Can you communicate between devices? I see that it sends a message to the satellite and then transfers it back to the grid, but if the grid is down will it act as a no voice walkie-talkie but with texts? Thank you.
@thegoodridesnow9 ай бұрын
Great question! Upon further research into the SPOT devices here’s what I found “SPOT X users can also message one another in the backcountry, device-to-device” However, I was not able to test this feature out, as I only had one device while testing. Here’s the article that talks about the device to device communication. (sleddermag.com/gear/spot-x-2-way-messenger/#:~:text=Communication%20is%20not%20required%20to,%2C%20device%2Dto%2Ddevice.)
@Dolmdemon7 ай бұрын
What did you mean by "some I had service, some I didn't"? Do you mean cell service, or the SpotX wasn't working?
@thegoodridesnow7 ай бұрын
I was referring to cell service, and sending and receiving messages (and being able to connect to the SpotX Bluetooth) with the SpotX in areas with and without cell service.
@paulphillips90829 ай бұрын
It's JUNK. Buyer beware. They give you NO Way to opt outof billing! You need to UPDATE it constantly with a home computer. Utterly worthless if your traveling. THEY KEEP CHARGING ME. They give you NO way to stop them! NO WAY....UTTER THEAVES.
@thegoodridesnow9 ай бұрын
Oh man! Good to know.
@mksherwood30688 ай бұрын
just dispute the charge to your cc and they have to stop or give a reason. BTW you did not indicate why updating is bad and in what way the device is worthless.