The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, or SPOT-2, is the next generation of personal satellite messaging and emergency communications providing enhanced GPS performance in a smaller and lighter form.

There are a number of key differences between the original SPOT Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) and the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT-2):

• A more compact package:
  • 30% smaller
  • 30% lighter
• Advanced GPS
• GPS acquisition light
• Custom messege button
• Enhanced antenna performance
• Dedicated tracking button
• Improved tracking performance
• Safety covers over SOS and Help buttons
• Replaceable button covers
• Illuminated buttons
• Messege sent indicator light.

SPOT is designed to provide outstanding quality and reliability. With a perfect view of the entire sky, the SPOT Messenger is designed to transmit virtually every message. In everyday conditions, the view of the sky is often blocked due to hills, buildings, or other obstructions so it is normal for some messages to be blocked. That is why the SPOT Messenger automatically sends multiple messages in every mode, giving you excellent overall reliability. In some modes this means multiple attempts to send the same message, while in other modes it means regularly updating GPS coordinates and sending a new message. Placement of your SPOT unit can make a difference. Experiment with placement until you are familiar with the reliability of your operating environment. Here are some important tips in using your SPOT device:

• SPOT needs a clear view of the sky to obtain a GPS signal and provide the most accurate location information. It is not reliable indoors, in a cave, or in very dense woods.
• Orienting the SPOT device so that the SPOT logo is facing up toward the sky will improve performance as the antenna is located under the logo.
• Keep your SPOT at least 12 inches away from other SPOT devices.

• SOS/911
• Help
• Custom Messege
• Track Progress
• Check-in/OK

These are each described below.

Use this function of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger in the event of a life threatening or other critical emergency to notify emergency services of your GPS location and that you need assistance. The GEOS International Emergency Response Center alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide – for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders in Europe.

In the event of a non-life threatening emergency, you can use this function of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger to notify your personal contacts that you need assistance. Additional SPOT Assist services can be purchased and programmed to your Help button as well. When activated with SPOT Assist, the Help button will notify professional services either on the land or water. SPOT has partnered with national service providers to offer non-life threatening assistance.

This feature of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger allows you to let your friends and family receive a custom message along with your GPS location with a push of a button. Use this feature as a secondary OK message or transfer your personal help alert to this message function if you are using a SPOT Assist service on your Help button.

This feature of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger allows you to send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using Google Maps. With your SPOT account you have the ability to set up a SPOT Shared Page which allows you to show your SPOT GPS locations to others on a Google Map.

This feature of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger allows you to let your friends and family know that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS location. With a push of a button a message is sent via email or SMS to up to 10 pre-determined contacts and your waypoint is stored in your SPOT account for later reference. Your stored waypoints can be easily integrated into a SPOT Shared Page or SPOT Adventure account.

To turn your SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger on simply press and hold the ON/OFF button until the button blinks green. SPOT performs a self-diagnostic test. When power is ON, the button will blink green every 3 seconds. To turn SPOT off, press and hold the ON/OFF button until the light stops blinking.

SPOT performs a self-test when you initially turn on your device. If all visible lights flash red, the SPOT self-test has found a failure, and SPOT will not send a message. If the On/Off light, GPS light and Message Sending light all blink red, SPOT has a GPS failure, but SPOT may still be able to transmit an SOS or HELP message without your GPS location.

Before you can begin using all of the benefits that the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger has to offer, you need to first purchase a service plan. In order to operate your SPOT unit you need to subscribe to the Basic Service at a minimum. You then have the option to add Tracking functionality - great for any outdoorsmen, adventure enthusiasts, travellers and families - and the GEOS International Emergency extraction benefit if so desired.

software-maps.com is a reseller of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger only. We do not offer any of the SPOT service plans. You'll need to visit the SPOT website in order to activate your device and sign-up for the service plan.

Select SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT-2) specifications are:

• Export Data:
  • CSV (spreadsheet), KML (Google Earth™), GPX (GPS data)
• Certifications:
  • FCC, IC, WEEE: Outside of Case
  • SAR, RoHS, CE1313: Inside Case
• Additional Specifications:
  • Size: 3.7” x 2.6” x 1.0” (9.4 x 6.6 x 2.5 cm)
  • Weight: 5.2 oz (147.4 g)
  • SOS Transmit: 5 min. intervals until batteries die, 1350
    transmissions on fresh battery
  • Help/SPOT Assist Transmit: 5 min. intervals for 1 hr
  • Check In/Custom Message Transmit: three times within 20 min. -
    only posts one
  • GPS Latitude/Longitude datum format: WGS-84
• Operating Environment:
  • Temperature: -22°F to +140°F (-30°C to +60°C)
  • Altitude: -328 ft to 21,325 ft (-100 m to +6500 m)
  • Humidity: MIL-STD-810F Method 507.4 95% to 100% condensing
  • Salt Fog: Per MIL-STD 810E Method 509.3, 5% NaCl, 95% distilled water
  • Vibration: Per SAE J1455, Random, 20 Hz to 2000 Hz, 0.04g_/Hz
  • Water Proof: 16.4 ft (5 m) submersion for 1 hour
  • Buoyant: Yes
• Power:
  • Batteries: 3 AAA lithium
  • Transmission Power: 0.16 Watts
  • Standby mode: 110 days
• LEDs:
  • On/Off
  • OK/Check
  • Message
  • Track
  • SOS
  • Help
  • GPS Acquired
  • Message Sent

The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger kit now includes a removable case; flexible attachment solution providing arm band, carabiner, and car dash attachment, made of a reflective material.

SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa, and North-Eastern Asia and hundreds or thousands of miles offshore of these areas. In Russia, the GPS accuracy of your SPOT is limited (degraded) in accordance with Russian regulations restricting the accuracy of GPS performance for devices utilized in Russia.

The coverage map was last updated on 11/08/2009. Please note that this is an Estimated coverage area. Actual coverage may vary. Success rates are forecasts for a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger to successfully deliver a single message during a 20-minute period, based on network availability. Additionally, in everyday conditions it is normal for some messages to be blocked by your environment, such as hills or buildings. That's why the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is scheduled to automatically send multiple messages in every mode - giving you excellent overall reliability.