Spot Tracker disabled

"If you keep it activated e.g.. pay your yearly fee it is still ok?"

That has been my experience, William.

Cheers

That seems to be the case , however you would need to check with them , however given they arent notifying people about de activation and the negative comments on the internet around their business practices wouldn't put anything past them

I've had mine for ages as well and always had it activated. Ill check every thing works ok when I get home to be sure.
I cannot see why it would be hard to re activate.
Sounds like a completely commercial decision.
William

Not sure I agree with the tenor of your post, Stephen.

Must we throw out, or be forced to throw out, a perfectly serviceable item just because it is old?

I can understand and accept loss of support in terms of repair and spare parts (if those were ever economically available.) But that is not the case here, the OP's unit is serviceable (presumably).

The fact that my 9 year old Spot 1 still works perfectly indicates that the old versions remain compatible with Spot's systems. AFAIK the only difference in technology between the old units and later ones is Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to send and receive text messages.

The old units continue to share the SOS, non-life-threatening Help, I'm OK and tracking functions that the newer units use, so if the old unit is in working order, what is Spot's problem? It's just a Spot unit without the "bling". It makes no sense that activation be denied, especially given that old units that remain activated are still supported by the ground technology and especially given that the OP says he has an account that is associated with the old device?

It is not logical, is wasteful, causes needless expense to the user and to me smacks of corporate greed.

But sadly, should any of this be communicated to the Big Business behind Spot, I doubt any of it will ring true. Profit is far more important.

Frank,.

No we should not have throw away a product that is in working order, but we must ask, why has SPOT done this?

There must be a reason why they have done this and one that we will never know.

The point I was making that $174 is not a big expense for something that could save your life, that will give you years of peace of mind.

I have a Spot Connect purchased in 2014, according to the Chat I had with them today:

as of April 4, 2019 we are no longer accepting new activations,
upgrades or ESN swaps for:
-Spot Connect
-Spot HUG
-Spot DeLorme Communicator

They will only support SPOT Trace,
SPOT Gen 3, and SPOT X 2-way messneger.

My point is that my Spot Connect would still work if they allowed it to be connected to the network there are plenty of older ones connected that work fine , they seem to be forcing people to upgrade for no reason other than to sell new units and therefore boost profits . The analogy would be Apple disconnecting iPhones after 5 years even though they could still make calls ( software would be old but basic functionality still there same as my Spot Connect)

Whilst PLB and Spot are similar purchase price PLB costs nothing for annual connection last time I looked Spot was around USD200pa my PERSONAL opinion is that I prefer emergency monitoring and response in Australia , but each to their own. I accept that the Spot tracking is a handy feature that PLB does not offer, I have elected for PLB plus Satphone annual costs are lower than Spot , but as I say each to their own.

Thats all I will have to say

If they cut me off I will abandon them and not go back. There are alternatives.

Phillip o1 : I think you are pretty well spot on with your thoughts comments
I had a similar situation with Garmin Topo.. when you fork out $$$ you expect it to work or not to be out of date after a number of years .
From what I have seen on forums and reviews The Spot was nothing to rave about just the live tracking function and you like someone in Australia looking after you rather than relying on numerous agencies /overseas .
Cheers

The same thing is happening with mobile phones.
The CDMA phone system was unbeatable.
No not for the Phone Companies who tell us we have to have latest and greatest.
No good if it only works in populated areas.
Only way to beat them is start your own Company and take away all their customers. I know I can't do it, maybe a chat with Dick Smith might help.

https://au.findmespot.com/en/spotemergency/index.php/?page=1&last_page=15



https://au.findmespot.com/en/spotemergency/index.php?article_id=659E

https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/injured-bibbulman-hiker-uses-gps-to-alert-husband-in-queensland-via-text-message/news-story/6f08d2474517bf13974a410d85ec9a10


https://au.findmespot.com/en/spotemergency/index.php?article_id=600

Hi Nick

The link you posted is exactly what I always push here on EO.....

I I personally carry what he had, a SPOT3, PLB and a Satellite Phone.

You will also note he did not knock the SPOT and he takes it when bushwalking.

One thing he did not say is battery life for the SPOT.

They recommend lithium AAA batteries and used every day, they were still functioning after 7 weeks on our Cape York trip last year. Another important thing he did not mention, the unit will not just die when the batteries are going flat.

A red light will flash to advise you that it is time to replace the batteries, and will still function for a day or more, giving you ample to to replace the batteries.


Cheers



Stephen

I agree with Stephen and also carry PLB, Satellite Phone, HF Radio and I have just added a Spot 3 for my latest CSR trip.

I'm still of the PLB as the locator and the Spot 3 for tracking mindset - but the jury is still out.

Cheers

Anthony

Hi Anthony

My old age is showing......lol

Yes I also still have in the car a HF radio


Cheers


Stephen

maybe for some interest >How to Choose a Personal Locator Beacon >outdoor gear lab

PLB

It's a good piece.

To add ...

Spot X isn't available here.

Closer to the equator and in mountainous terrain, Iridium encounters call handover limitations and some adventurers have canned it.