Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: purple monster on May 03, 2012, 11:50:30 AM

Title: spot connect
Post by: purple monster on May 03, 2012, 11:50:30 AM
In the new Cabelas spring catalog (page132) there is a satellite messenger, which claims that you can connect your smart phone to a satellite connection when out of range.  "Simply pair your smart phone with spot connect and get connected to a satellite network:.

I am curious if anyone has ever used this system or if there is any comments on its claimed performance????   Is there any cost associated with a satellite network connection ???? 

any info or comments are greatly appreciated, since, it seems that with my Telus smart phone, I am just about always out of range, even in my own basement.
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: alwaysfishn on May 03, 2012, 02:46:00 PM
In the new Cabelas spring catalog (page132) there is a satellite messenger, which claims that you can connect your smart phone to a satellite connection when out of range.  "Simply pair your smart phone with spot connect and get connected to a satellite network:.

I am curious if anyone has ever used this system or if there is any comments on its claimed performance????   Is there any cost associated with a satellite network connection ???? 

any info or comments are greatly appreciated, since, it seems that with my Telus smart phone, I am just about always out of range, even in my own basement.

I carry the original spot unit when I go hunting. I have heard the spot connect is excellent as I believe it provides the ability to send text messages as opposed to pre-composed emails. Check out their website for more information. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116 (http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116)

I pay $100 US per year which is well worth the peace of mind it provides for my wife and if I ever got hurt while out hunting I know someone would be able to find me.
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: chris gadsden on May 03, 2012, 09:09:48 PM
I carry the original spot unit when I go hunting. I have heard the spot connect is excellent as I believe it provides the ability to send text messages as opposed to pre-composed emails. Check out their website for more information. http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116 (http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=116)

I pay $100 US per year which is well worth the peace of mind it provides for my wife and if I ever got hurt while out hunting I know someone would be able to find me.
Cheaper than a Satellite phone.
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: silver ghost on May 03, 2012, 11:24:39 PM
So...basically it turns your smartphone into a satellite phone, correct?
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: alwaysfishn on May 04, 2012, 08:21:27 AM
So...basically it turns your smartphone into a satellite phone, correct?

Not quite.  It allows you to send out text communication, however it doesn't allow you to receive any communication.
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: DragonSpeed on May 04, 2012, 10:15:23 AM
as a sidebar - it doesn't work in most of Africa :(
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: YetiHunter on May 05, 2012, 12:37:09 PM
I thought this looked great also. The only real life reviews I saw on it though, said it chewed through batteries. Anybody else heard this complaint about the new cell phone adaptable unit?
Title: Re: spot connect
Post by: alwaysfishn on May 05, 2012, 07:39:13 PM
I thought this looked great also. The only real life reviews I saw on it though, said it chewed through batteries. Anybody else heard this complaint about the new cell phone adaptable unit?

I don't turn my spot on unless I want to send a message. I would think that you would want to operate the spot connect the same way. They do have a track feature which requires you to have it on all the time and that would probably eat batteries as it is constantly transmitting your location.