[pct-l] new spot 2 messenger deffect

[Paul Bodnar]

I provided the information below for people considering purchasing a Spot tracking device.  Below are links to the specifications for the two tracking devices at findmespot.com.  
 
Spot Personal Tracker (older model)
http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101


Battery Life
Includes 2 AA lithium batteries; under normal usage a full battery charge should
meet or exceed the following
o Power on, unused: Approx. 1 year
o SPOTcasting tracking mode: Approx. 14 days
o 9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days
o SPOTcheck OK/√: 1900 messages
 

 


New Spot Satellite GPS Messenger (new model)
http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102
Battery:

Type: 3 AAA Lithium 8x - Energizer
Standby mode: 94.7 days*
SOS/HELP: 2.8 days*
Track Progress: 4.3 days*
Check-in/OK or Custom Messages: 350 messages*
*Under normal usage a full battery charge should meet or exceed these amounts
 
Here is a link to a review and testing of the older Spot Personal Tracker by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.   
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf08252842/pdf08252842dpi72.pdf
 
 
Paul

 

 



 
> Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 00:18:56 -0800
> From: canoeman at qnet.com
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] new spot 2 messenger deffect
> 
> for those of you considering buying the new spot messenger, the spot 2, it may
> have repairable deffect.I replaced my spot messenger with the new smaller,
> enhanced features spot 2, the other day, and when I installed the batteries and
> it was DOA.
> After close examination I noticed the battery springs (positive contact side)
> dont make contact with the battery positive nub.
> the positive springs are recessed, and won't make contact with the shorter nub
> on lithium batteries.The new spot 2 takes 3 of the smaller lithium AAA
> batteries.
> 
> A quick fix is to use a micro screw driver and slightly stretch the spring out
> to make contact with the short lithium battery pos. nub.
> I am posting this in case anyone had a trip planned, and was depending on the
> spot as a back up, and you dont have time to return this to the place of
> purchase.
> 
> please spare me the droning comments about needing a spot messenger, yuppie 911
> etc.
> 
> I am simply making a statement to help those who might benefit from this memo.
> 
> Respectfully
> 
> Canoeman 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live Hotmail is faster and more secure than ever.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/hotmail_bl1/hotmail_bl1.aspx?ocid=PID23879::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-ww:WM_IMHM_1:092009