It really coincides with the satelite coverage for the phone service. SPOT Inc is a subsidiary of Globalstar, uses the same network of satellites.

Ask around, if your area does not have very good coverage with Globalstar service the SPOT isn't going to work very well.

On the other hand, the SPOT transmits so much less data compared to voice that in areas with iffy satphone coverage the SPOT will work pretty decent.

The other thing to be aware of is how hit and miss the SPOT is in tree cover. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't.


So, the short answer; I don't have a definite answer for you on what latitude it doesn't work reliably past, or if there even is one now. My experience with the SPOT is from when it first hit the market.

I've been looking into, reading reviews of the Spot for a while now and not sure what to think of it at all like Yuccahead post states. I've been thinking of buying one and trying a month service and see how the unit works and if not happy returing it.

I'm planning a 17 day back country canoe trip in Nov of this year in the Everglades.
There is no cell service available there.
What I like really like with the Spot is the I'm OK messages it can send. This way family members know that all is well when there is no way to communicate with them.

I also thought about seeing if it was possible to rent a PLB, but then family members would have no idea that I'm ok and would be out of touch for that time and make them nervous.... unless I get a Spot and it is possible to rent a PLB.

Are there places that rent PLB? Just answered this myself, Yes.
Is a messaging system to family members something that PLB manufacture companies are looking into at all?

Re Stroud's remarks on PLB, I'll save you the trouble of looking it up in the book, having just read it. He tried a PLB in Belize and got no response. For this reason (and for certain financial considerations, no doubt), in his book, he promotes SPOT as more effective than a PLB.

Since SPOT's operators call 911, I wouldn't expect it to be too effective in Belize, either. You can't get help from people who aren't organized to provide it.

Yup, that was the section... Didn't seem to make sense to use SPOT either... Then again, I don't plan on being in Belize any time soon.