Does anyone have a SPOT device?

Hi all,

I've been given a SPOT (Satellite GPS messenger) to use when on fieldwork with my job, as we're often out of cell phone range. I haven't quite figured out how to use it though, despite my best efforts at deciphering the enthusiastic manual.

So as usual I turn to the friendly and knowledgeable ladies here. Anyone here have and use one actively, for sending ok messages or tracking their progress? I seem to recall someone mentioning it as a potentially useful safety device when cycling out of cell phone range.

No help - I have one and have never turned it on... :(

DH has one, I don't know how it works, but if no one else here comes up with anything I can pass your questions on to him ...

Well, I'll just ask then :) I just want to know the correct "sequence of lights" to expect for the following - switch it on, presumably wait for the self-check, send an ok message, and confirm that it has been sent.

I tried doing this last time I was out, but the light sequence was confusing so I tried again. I think I then cancelled the original message... :-P My boss didn't get it anyway, and was very relieved to hear from me by text message some 16 hours later.

Well ... he says there are a lot of different models now. His is the first generation, the most basic one that just sends either okay or "help" messages. So, what he says might not apply to yours.

When it's generating a breadcrumb trail, both lights are strobing. When he sends an okay message, it blinks fast while it's sending and then goes solid to confirm it's been sent, then returns to strobing.

He suggests setting it up to your own email account to test it so you can see what it's doing. And that the breadcrumb trail is probably the most valuable, anyway.

Okdoke. Thanks to Oak and hubby!

Check out YouTube and see if there are any videos of "Getting Started" - that's what I needed to do with my blu-ray/DVD set up. The instructions were no use.

Will do! At least now I have the user name and password so that I can go in and change the message recipients, so that I can mess around and test it properly.