I have a ACR Microfix on order from REI so this is a done deal...


But have you heard of Spot 2.0? There was a rumor on some other forum about it with capability of sending specific text like messages and better GPS. I mean I go away to get away so dont care for much communication portion but I still like updated tracking and gps functions... I mean I get tracking with my GPS anyway but that'sa fter the fact. I would like the supercool where is Matt now feature.

They have been working on "SPOT 2.0" since they started delivering SPOT. As with any version 1.0, SPOT has plenty of room for improvement and they are expected to address many of the concerns. Some will take longer to address or are impossible. Better GPS is good, but it doesn't mean you will always get a GPS location. Better interface is good. Text messages, either canned or otherwise will help a lot. This is simply the natural progression of the technology. Look to GPS itself for an expectation of how things will go. Look also for other options from other providers as well in the not too distant future.

All will have their pros and cons. The key is educating the consumer, a very difficult job.

Since REI has a long estimated shipping date and I was by few camping stores I decided to spend some extra money and grab it from them therfore supporting local economy and blowing my tax return. First store had a display model to play with but no stock. Second store... Well that deserves a write up:

Me: Hi you guys have the ACR Mircofix in stock?
Guy: What's that?
Me: You know the Personal Locator type of the thing.
Guy: Like GPS?
Me: Sort of.
Guy: Hold on. Raul!!!!!!
(Story gets repeated 3 times until a mole comes out of the basement office)
Mole:I'm an expert of special orders and know it all. Can I help you?
Me: Yes looking for ACR Microfix.
Mole: Not in stock. We ordered them from the company and they never came. Obviously they have problems with them.
Me: Really which model?
Mole: They have a high-end one and low-end one. Both are crap.
Me: Really how so?
Mole: We had it in the store and tried it few times and it wasnt that accurate.
Me. Really you activated emergency mode in the store?
Mole: Yeah and it didn't work.
Me: I thought you couldn't do test emergency transmitions since there is a test button for battery only but not emergency "check-in" test.
Mole: Oh no it's all good but it didn't work. Company is having problems and they don't ship the units out so it's not safe.
Me: Well I read articles about it and it seems pretty good.
Mole: Have you used it?
Me: No but...
Mole: Well it doesn't work plus batteries die fast.

(so this goes on and on for about 5 min when guy tells me that it doesn't work and software is bad (windows based) and batteries are bad and it is not good for scuba diving and that it is heavy and so on)

Me: Wow I didn't know that so I guess the bottom line is can you order one for me and how much is it?
Mole: Expensive man and takes a long time. But what you want is a good gps and a sat phone.
Me: It's more expensive than good gps and a sat phone?
Mole: Yup.
Me: Wow I didn't know that I thought they were in $600 range.
Mole: No they are thousands of dollars that's why we dont stock them but they don't work I told you.
Me: Well thank you sir it's been the most educational experience ever I cant wait to tell my friends about it.
Mole: Ok need anything else?
Me: All good just making sure we are talking about ACR Microfix PLB, right?
Mole: Yup the same one...

WOW!

That pretty much sums up every experience I have had when asking for more than the obvious in REI!

I really prefer going to Sportsmens Warehouse, Cabelas, and Bass Pro to get more informed purchases.

I was looking at the SPOT more for helping on local elk hunts. It would be a nice way to get the rest of the hauling crew out to exactly where the harvested elk and I are - without me having to hike out to an area that has cell reception. The time could be better spent quartering the elk and getting it ready for hauling out of the mountain forests.

Thats the problem with an 'Emergency Button'. Sounds like 'Mole' was somewhat like Father Dougal McGuire in the Father Ted Episode called Flight into Terror.

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v204207kKgSdjEC?searchId=98810441951791797&rank=2

Seems to me Matt ran into the kind of help available in many stores in NYC, clueless.

That is too funny. I haven't heard such a load of BS since I retired from the Sheriff's Dept. The stuff people will tell you to stay out of jail. I hope you put the store on your "never set foot inside again" list.

Craig.

Wow, all I can say is: ACR MicroFix at Aeromedix

SPOT could be handy for us that snowmobile, atv, and 4x4 in the snow and non-snow.... great if you need a spare part and want to save time from hiking hrs then driving hours. You could use SPOT to alert for 'help' or you rown custom canned txt like 'need parts'. This could come in really handy. Although you could always use a radio for this too.

It will be interesting to see where this technology goes.

You could if it had the capability for text messaging. Unfortunately, SPOT does not.