SPOT GEN3 vs. GEN1?

[Tim Taylor]

My trusty SPOT gen1 has developed a bad on/off switch. The GEN1 was very good and almost never missed a data point. Any reviews of the gen3 vs the origional?

TT

[[email protected]]

It's a poor man's InReach?

'Nuff said.

[[email protected]]

On Monday, December 26, 2016 at 10:27:19 PM UTC-7, Tim Taylor wrote:
> My trusty SPOT gen1 has developed a bad on/off switch. The GEN1 was very good and almost never missed a data point. Any reviews of the gen3 vs the origional?
>
> TT

I hope it's better than the Gen2(s) that I had; they would eat up brand new lithium batteries in a matter of hours. Spot had a recall on a certain range of serial numbers known to do that, but mine was outside of the serial number range, so they would not honor it. I switched to InReach and have had no problems. It's pricier, but you can take it offline in the winter and recoup some of that expense.

CG

[[email protected]]

Had a gen 1 and went to a gen 2. . had tracking issues with both.

Just want with Inreach after several glowing reviews from some people that responded to info request.

Have not used it yet, but really like the increased tracking interval, the fact it uses a different satellite system, that sounds more robust for this application, and the fact it keeps sending the message until it gets a verification from the satellite that it was received.

On Cumulus soaring there is a good break down on the different plans you can get so you can set up tracking as you would like. Not just the standard 10 min, but more frequent. Was called the Aviation plan, now called the Enterprise plans.

Hope this helps.

Kevin
92

[jfitch]

On Monday, December 26, 2016 at 9:27:19 PM UTC-8, Tim Taylor wrote:
> My trusty SPOT gen1 has developed a bad on/off switch. The GEN1 was very good and almost never missed a data point. Any reviews of the gen3 vs the origional?
>
> TT

An alternative that you rarely see discussed is the Yellow Bird. British company, targeted more towards yachts (where is it much more popular). Not inReach or Garmin, different plans, but uses the same technology and has the same features as inReach. The main advantage of this device is the battery life is FAR longer than inReach. inReach is fine if you charge it every other flight or so. the battery life if transmitting every 10 minutes is something less than 24 hours, if transmitting every 4 hours it will go about 4 days. The Yellow Bird will go 3 weeks transmitting every 15 minutes. I don't have one but several yachtsmen I know do.

Just throwing it out there in case you are looking for something different.

[Dave Nadler]

My two cents: I had problems with spot. Got an inreach and have been delighted; only problem is on-switch is not well-enough protected/recessed to prevent battery run-down if carelessly tossed in a bag of random junk.
See ya, Dave

[Tony[_5_]]

I had a gen 2 which crapped out and I've been more than happy with my gen 3.

The gen 3 has even survived multiple trips on a friend's high altitude balloon project where it was the only tracking device that survived. It did quite working above ~50,000ft but came.back on during descent and allowed them to find their experiment.

[Papa3[_2_]]

I'm with the others - InReach has been extremely reliable. I also shut mine down for 3 months in the Winter (same time I take the glider offline), so the price isn't that much worse than the Spot.

P3

[JS]

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 8:41:55 AM UTC-8, Dave Nadler wrote:
> My two cents: I had problems with spot. Got an inreach and have been delighted; only problem is on-switch is not well-enough protected/recessed to prevent battery run-down if carelessly tossed in a bag of random junk.
> See ya, Dave

Like others I dropped SPOT for InReach and am happy with it.
Don't see battery life as a problem: Lasts more than a week of average soaring days and is rechargeable with a micro USB cable.
Dave, there was a bug in one version that caused InReach to start up too easily. Try updating it (currently v1.4.9.8229) and see if that helps.
Jim

[JS]

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 9:35:14 AM UTC-8, JS wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 8:41:55 AM UTC-8, Dave Nadler wrote:
> > My two cents: I had problems with spot. Got an inreach and have been delighted; only problem is on-switch is not well-enough protected/recessed to prevent battery run-down if carelessly tossed in a bag of random junk.
> > See ya, Dave
>
> Like others I dropped SPOT for InReach and am happy with it.
> Don't see battery life as a problem: Lasts more than a week of average soaring days and is rechargeable with a micro USB cable.
> Dave, there was a bug in one version that caused InReach to start up too easily. Try updating it (currently v1.4.9.8229) and see if that helps.
> Jim

Typo: latest version is 1.4.9.8299

[[email protected]]

I was very happy with my Spot 3!

http://www.findmespot.eu/en/spotemergency/index.php?article_id=1103

[Frank Whiteley]

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 9:32:44 AM UTC-7, jfitch wrote:
> On Monday, December 26, 2016 at 9:27:19 PM UTC-8, Tim Taylor wrote:
> > My trusty SPOT gen1 has developed a bad on/off switch. The GEN1 was very good and almost never missed a data point. Any reviews of the gen3 vs the origional?
> >
> > TT
>
> An alternative that you rarely see discussed is the Yellow Bird. British company, targeted more towards yachts (where is it much more popular). Not inReach or Garmin, different plans, but uses the same technology and has the same features as inReach. The main advantage of this device is the battery life is FAR longer than inReach. inReach is fine if you charge it every other flight or so. the battery life if transmitting every 10 minutes is something less than 24 hours, if transmitting every 4 hours it will go about 4 days. The Yellow Bird will go 3 weeks transmitting every 15 minutes. I don't have one but several yachtsmen I know do.
>
> Just throwing it out there in case you are looking for something different.

[2KA]

I've been super happy with my Spot 3. Battery life is wonderful. I threw away my rechargables, since I can get through the season on just one or two battery changes. Even if you leave it on accidentally, it goes into hibernation automatically. Of course still no altitude data on the tracks.

Lynn Alley
"2KA"

[Tom BravoMike]

Tim,

I switched from Spot1 to Spot Gen3 over two years ago and am quite happy with it. It's more compact, easier to turn on/off, can be powered externally and with a higher level plan you can get the fixes sent to the web every 5 mins, which I decided to go for. So far no problems with the satellite range and continuity (between Mid West and Florida).

Half a year ago I dropped/lost it when exiting the glider after landing. It was found by the Ionia airport crew (thank you, guys), who contacted the Spot team and were directed to me. It looked mechanically OK, but for some reason it wouldn't turn on, no matter how hard I tried - probably some equipment ran over it. The customer service at the Spot allowed me to have it replaced just for the Product Replacement Program fee, which means now I am covered even if I damage/lose it once every year ($17.99 per year + $30 deductible).

It seems to me with all the advantages and high shelf plans I pay less than I would for an InReach. Well, you asked for a user opinion.

Tom BravoMike

[Tim Taylor]

Thanks for the input. François, Tom, Tony and Lynn for the feedback on the Gen3. I liked my Gen1 and had heard poor reviews on the Gen2. Not ready to spend so much for the other options yet.

[Paul Remde]

On 28 Dec 2016 17:09, Tim Taylor wrote:
> Thanks for the input. François, Tom, Tony and Lynn for the feedback on the Gen3. I liked my Gen1 and had heard poor reviews on the Gen2. Not ready to spend so much for the other options yet.
>
Note: The SPOT Gen 3 is on sale through the end of 2016 for $75 (half
off). You can see details here:
http://cumulus-soaring.com/spot.htm

Best Regards,

--
Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

[Wheaton]

Tim: I have a serviceable Gen 1. Pay postage from Colorado and it's yours. pa12joeataol.com

[Tim Taylor]

Thanks for the offer! I ordered one just before I saw your post.

[Dave Nadler]

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 12:35:14 PM UTC-5, JS wrote:
> Dave, there was a bug in one version that caused InReach to start up too easily. > Try updating it (currently v1.4.9.8229) and see if that helps.

Thanks for the reminder Jim, just updated.
Off to the Seniors soon!
See ya, Dave