ao318 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Just saw this in one of my magazines today about the ability of the SPOT device to communicate with your smartphone via bluetooth. I have one of the older original SPOT's, maybe it's time to upgrade . Quote Link to comment
+embra Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Looks like a pretty spiffy device...I'm enjoying the SPOT Communicator paired with my PN-60w. I did receive a tweet from Rich Owings today noting that Spot has had to push their release date back again. So it may be yet a little while before they're available. Quote Link to comment
+geofred Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 (edited) Was very jazzed about the Spot Connect. Bought it through REI and signed up for the full subscription service. I know where I go and the dumb things I may try when I get there. Unfortunately, no joy. My T-Mobile MyTouch 3g running 2.2 Android would simply never complete the connection. Worked with Spot Support for a month but never solved problem of the myTouch trying to send a Bluetooth code, standard 0000, to the Connect. But, the Connect does require a Bluetooth code so the two devices never connected. REI gave 100% and SPOT refunded the annual subscription without complaint. Some joy there. Thinking of the DeLorme +Connect combo. Would like to hear from current owners. I added a review with a List of SPOT approved phones provided by SPOT support to my REI review.Here it is: List of Tested Devices # Device Carrier OS 1 Motorola Backflip Verizon Android 2 Captivate ATT Android 3 HTC Aria ATT Android 4 Continum Verizon Android 5 HTC Incredible Verizon Android 6 Fascinate Verizon Android 7 Motorola Droid X Verizon Android 8 Motorola Droid 2 Verizon Android 9 Nexus S Sprint Android Edited June 2, 2011 by geofred Quote Link to comment
+khumbu_calypso Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I wouldn't rush out and replace your SPOT yet with the SPOT Connect. To me the glaring problem with SPOT Connect is that it requires a smartphone pairing to work at all. That means, no SOS when it is not paired to a smartphone. To me that is ridiculous. If I fall in a crevase and break a few bones, I have to hope that my smartphone still has some juice left in it, or that it is even within reach. I don't understand why the SPOT Connect wouldn't work as a stand alone unit, with the added capability of connecting to a smartphone for the purposes of sending text messages. To me this is a huge design flaw and makes it totally useless as a device that you are supposed to be able to trust your life to. Quote Link to comment
+Redwoods Mtn Biker Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Mine said it failed to connect, but in reality, it had connected. Asked for a passcode, which I never entered. I'm using the Droid 1, aka OG Droid. I'm pretty sure the SOS function will work independently, without having to be paired with a phone. Quote Link to comment
+jrhoffman Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Redwoods is correct. The Connect does not need a smartphone to function. It's the other way around. Connect allows you to use your smartphone when there is no cellphone signal available. Quote Link to comment
+khumbu_calypso Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I stand corrected. The SOS function still works without a smartphone. There is no "Check-in/I'm OK" button on the SPOT Connect. For that feature you need to have a working smartphone. Can anyone verify if the "Check-in/I'm OK" function still works without any extra subscription? On the SPOT 2 device, it is just the one subscription that allows for SOS, Check-in, custom message, and tracking features. With SPOT Connect, the custom text message capability is only unlocked with an additional subscription, above and beyond the basic $99/yr service. Does that mean there is no "Check-in/I'm OK" functionality with the SPOT Connect if you just have the basic subscription or is this feature still there, just no dedicated button? I just don't understand why they have created two different products. Why the SPOT Connect isn't exactly the same device as the SPOT 2 Communicator with the added capability of bluetooth connection to a smartphone for sending text messages with an added subscription is a mystery to me. For me I am sticking with the SPOT 2 until they get it figured out. Quote Link to comment
+Team CowboyPapa Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Thinking of the DeLorme +Connect combo. Would like to hear from current owners. As Embra notes above, I find that the DeLorme PN-60w and the SPOT Satellite Communicator function as intended. Quote Link to comment
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