SPOT Gen4
- Send messages ONLY
- Three message options to choose from
- The custom messages have to be composed at home, not on the device
- Messages can only be sent to, up to 10 predetermined, contacts before your trip starts
- IPX7 – Waterproof
- Six (6) service plans available. Three 12 month plans and Three monthly plans.
- Can charge with a re-supply power pack or extra AAA batteries.
- Size = 3.48″ x 2.66″ x 0.93″
- Weight = 5.0 oz.
- Pro’s
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to Use
- Rental options
- SPOT App
- One of the Least Expensive Satellite Messengers
- Con’s
- Only 1-way communication
- No smartphone Sync
SPOT Gen4 gives you a critical, life-saving line of communication when you travel beyond the boundaries of cell service. The latest generation of award-winning SPOT devices, SPOT Gen4 lets family and friends know you’re okay, or if the worst should happen, sends emergency responders your GPS location – all with the push of a button. Add this rugged, pocket-sized device to your essential gear and stay connected wherever you roam.
This product was presentation was made with AAWP plugin.
If you would like additional information on the SPOT Gen4, go to my SPOT Gen4 Review, or to see other models, go to my Emergency Radio Reviews, leave a COMMENT BELOW or send me an EMAIL.
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SPECIFICATIONS
BATTERY TYPE
LONGER BATTERY LIFE
- More than 2x the battery life of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger
- Send 1,250 Check In and Custom Messages on a Single set of Lithium batteries
Spot Gen4
Pros
- Compact & Lightweight
- SOS Distress Call
- Track & Share with Friends
- Rental Options
- Low Initial Purchase Price
Cons
- Only 1-Way Communication
- No Smartphone Interface
- No Navigation
wow SPOT Gen 3 sounds like a life-saver for hikers! I love hiking but I agree it’s hard to get a line when you’re separated with your friends halfway. This is definitely a must-have and I’m so psyched to get it! Out of curiosity, how does it send out signal if there’s no line? Does it use waves maybe?
It has been a life-savor for many people. The SPOT Gen3 is tracked by satellite but you have brought up a great question that I want to know quickly. Can you be tracked and get a signal out if you are in a canyon, especially with steep walls?
I don’t know the answer to this and my research on the net hasn’t revealed anything definite so far so this will be one of the first things I answer in the mountains after receiving my Gen3 today. I will find a deep canyon with vertical walls and see if it will send out messages or if it can be tracked. Of course, I will refrain from activating the SOS button to see if the search and rescue teams really do show up.
I will write a blog post about this within the next two weeks.
Rick
Nice little device that should be able to work about everywhere. However, there are some place in the world where the GPS is not working – especially in the Himalayas. Do you think this device would be working there? I like the fact that it’s impact resistant. Pretty useful. What is this 12-month contract you mentioned as well? Anyway, thanks for showing that device!
You are correct in that the SPOT Gen3’s coverage in the Himalayes is suspect. In this case, I would take a look at the Garmin inReach Mini or Explorer+ that uses the Iridium satellite network, which has pole to pole coverage with no gaps. To answer your question more directly, I would not take the SPOT Gen3 or SPOT X to the Himalayas.
The SPOT Gen3 Service Plans: (one of the plans is month to month)
Basic: $11.95/month (12 month terms apply)
Flex Basic: $14.95/month (1 month minimum terms apply)
Basic (Yearly Payment): $143.40/year (upfront payment required, 12 month terms apply)
I hope that helps.
Rick
Thanks for carefully outing down this helpful and enlightening review. Getting a an emergency beacon hasn’t be easy therefore there is the need for careful and proper search of an effective beacon . I’m glad I have found the spot Gen3 because it allows family and friends know if one is okay, or if the unbearable happens, it sends emergency responders to one’s GPS location . The Longer battery life is also a very important aspect I look out for majorly and I have gotten it… Thanks
That’s great. Let me know what you think when you’ve been on the trail a few times. My SPOT Gen3 is arriving today and I am excited to get it setup and see how it works for real. I know I was really wanting it on a 12 mile hike I took yesterday. I was out for 4 hours and was hiking by myself in the Rocky Mountains. There were several times I was thinking it would be great to have.
The battery life is really important and the tracking intervals would help conserve that. I may have set my intervals to 5 or 10 minutes yesterday as it was a long hike but for only 4 hours.
Thanks for commenting and please, let me know how well you like it after you have been out with it a few times.
Rick
Trackers are highly recommended to be brought by hiking adventurers especially on satellite deprived sites. This prevents being lost for a long time due to problems in technological communication. Just a few questions to know more about this product, How deep can it be safely submerged into water, and can it still be tracked if its on waters? How fast can the tracking be updated? Thank you in advance for answering.
The SPOT Gen3 can be submersed in water, up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It can be tracked on water but you would have to take a look at the coverage areas. The coverage is great for most of the world and on seas but there are some big gaps in the Indian Ocean and in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Gen3 has tracking intervals you can set from 2.5, 5, 10, 30 and 60 minute intervals. Remember that the battery life will be affected by how often you track. The nice thing about the SPOT Gen3 is that it is motion activated so it will not send out duplicate tracking information if you take a break, and maybe have lunch for 30 minutes. This will save on the battery life.
I hope that helps. Please stop and ask additional questions if you think of any more.
Rick
Hi there!
This is so interesting, I have always wondered about what can be done when you have zero signal in dangerous terrain. I have always enjoyed hiking, but it has always been with a guide, so I honestly never even noticed that I didn’t have signal at times.
But when you are hiking for days on end, especially on your own, the SPOT Gen 3 sounds like it would be perfect. Do you think this is the best device out there for hiking specifically?
I was also wondering if you know about any two-way connected devices that would enable you to send and receive messages? Or maybe I’m just spoiled with a smartphone and don’t understand emergency devices that well!
Thanks for the great article, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Lize
You have several great questions here so let me take one at a time.
Is the SPOT Gen3 the best satellite messenger for hiking? Not necessarily. I chose the Gen3 due to some nice functions but also because of price just to have something with me when I am off hiking, and sometimes I am hiking on my own. It really depends on what you like or what your priorities are. There are several great options out there. The Garmin inReach Mini and Explorer+, the SPOT X, the ACR ResQlink 406 and several others. Just think about what you want it for and you’ll find the right one for you.
There are some great satellite messenger that work on their own or synced with your smartphone that allow messaging using your phone and you still have the coverage of the satellite network. Here is a list of some devices that may fit what you want:
1. Somewear Global Hotspot
2. Bivystick
3. Go Tenna Mesh
I would caution you on the Go Tenna Mesh though. This doesn’t have as good of coverage as most of the other satellite messengers and it is more suited to gatherings of large groups of people where you may have a group that you want to keep in contact with, such as festivals, concerts or sporting events.
I hope this helps and please feel free to ask additional questions if you think up any more.
Rick