[pct-l] Anyone have experience with SPOT-2 satellite messengers? Any alternative options?

[Kathi]

Ditto on this. I used the SPOT 2 for the first time this last summer and 
my signal did not seem to go through in tree cover. As a user it 
appeared to me that the message went through because I got all the 
proper lights. When I got home I found out that the signal had not been 
received in those areas. Others on this list have suggested that you 
always push the I'm Ok a few times about 15 minutes apart in those 
areas, of course if you have the option find an area with no tree cover.
Puddles
On 1/22/13 11:20 AM, Michael Irving wrote:
> You just have to make sure you have a clear shot to the sky when sending messages. I've used Spot Connect with my iPhone for 2 years in Oregon on the PCT. it can't go through tree cover so the every 10 minutes pings will sparsely go through when you're in heavy tree cover. Just find an open spot when you actually send messages.
>
> On Jan 22, 2013, at 11:14 AM, Ed Jarrett <edjarrett at msn.com> wrote:
>
>> I have been using a SPOT Connect coupled with my Android phone over the past couple of years.  I have found it to be fairly reliable and it allows me to send short text messages as needed.  Downsides: you don't know if a message actually was delivered; you can receive nothing from anyone; the farther north you go the less coverage.  In Washington I seemed to have more missing pings than I did further south.  All in all I would recommend it to anyone with someone at home that you want to provide daily assurance to.
>>
>> Ed Jarrett - http://aclayjar.blogspot.com/
>>
>>> From: river at orcasonline.com
>>> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:05:46 -0800
>>> To: mendoridered at yahoo.com
>>> CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
>>> Subject: [pct-l] Anyone have experience with SPOT-2 satellite messengers?    Any alternative options?
>>>
>>> I would love to hear from other hikers on the current model (SPOT-2) and also any alternatives that would help both with
>>> reassuring those at home and with emergency calls if needed.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> River
>>                          
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