SPOT GEN3 vs. GEN1?

I was very happy with my Spot 3!

http://www.findmespot.eu/en/spotemer...rticle_id=1103

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.

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"

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

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.

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 he
http://cumulus-soaring.com/spot.htm

Best Regards,

--
Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

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

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

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