Review: SPOT GPS for ATV Riders
Because Earth-Orbiting Satellites Make Sure You’re Never off the Grid
Harsh Realities
ATV riders pride themselves on venturing into some of the most remote regions yet untouched by civilization that the planet has to offer. The trouble is mechanical failures and injuries are a fact of life and sometimes simply having a call phone isn’t enough; ever hear of a “dead zone”?
To remedy this reality, SPOT has developed a small fob that can be carried easily in a fanny pack, backpack or your quad’s under-seat storage that literally keeps you connected to the wireless grid regardless of whether or not there is cellular service. After all, what are the odds of breaking down precisely within your wireless carrier’s coverage area?
What is It?
A satellite tracker that allows you the option of pressing a button to “check in” so that concerned friends or family get confirmation that all is well, progression tracking which lays your route (in real time) over Google Maps, an “ask for help” option that shoots a pre-created non-emergency message to the recipient of your choice, and a 911-button that notifies the authorities that you need emergency assistance as well as provides them with your precise GPS coordinates.
Does it Work?
In a word: Absolutely. We’re big on the “check in” function, just to let family members know we’re all right especially when rides go longer than we anticipated. Additionally it’s indescribably satisfying to retrace an epic ride’s route with Google Maps in the evening once the ride’s in the history books.
Pricing
The SPOT system works rather like a cellular phone service in that the hardware (9) requires purchase of a service plan to function. We chose the basic yearly package (which was ) then later added the real-time tracking service for .95/ year. SPOT offers a variety of service plan options, perhaps the coolest of which is GEOS service, which for under per year grants the user with 0,000 of additional search and rescue benefits (including helicopter extraction costs) and reimbursement options worldwide. Legendary risk-insurance specialists Lloyds of London underwrite this policy and covers any and all emergency service expenses the user may incur.
Conclusion
Sometimes it’s difficult even for editors to put into the words the peace of mind that simply knowing such a device is in your pack at the beginning of a ride can provide. Almost like trying to explain the convenience of a cellular phone to someone who has never owned one, the SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker is one of those gizmos that does its job so effortlessly and reliably, that you simply find yourself wondering how you were able to function without it. We would love to conclude this review by stating that if all goes well, you’ll never need to use it, but SPOT incorporated so many useful features that, like us, you’ll likely find yourself playing around with mapping your treks or checking in just to confirm that everything’s okay nearly immediately.
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