Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for SPOT Connect GPS Messenger

SPOT Connect GPS Messenger

Model: COM-SPH-01
SKU: 1934484
UPC: 893049001387
This GPS messenger allows you to send messages from virtually anywhere in the world via satellite and features an on-device SOS button for emergency assistance.
Average Customer Rating:
3.25 out of 5
3.3
 out of 
5
(4 Reviews) 4
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot 4 reviews
5 stars
0
4 stars
3
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
1
75% of customers would recommend this product to a friend 
(
3 out of 4
)
Customer Reviews for SPOT Connect GPS Messenger
Review 1 for SPOT Connect GPS Messenger

Work's well

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: Hatchman1
from Anaheim
on 04/20/2012
What's great about it: Once you set it up it work's well
What's not so great: A challege to setup at first
Works great once you get it set up. Interfaces easily with iPhone, after you have it set u. Work's anywhere.
This product has... Simple controls
About me... Use for outdoor activities (i.e. hiking, hunting, fishing), Use for long distance sports (i.e. bicycling, skiing, running)
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 2 for SPOT Connect GPS Messenger

Great little addition to my kit.

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: ROC71
from Lower California
on 02/14/2012
Firmware update was a slight hassle, probably more my computer then an issue with the Connect. Luckily I had another computer nearby to complete the task, but I could see where others might think its an issue with the Connect.
Account setup was pretty standard. Create a user name and password, pay the yearly fee.
First try to pair the Connect by Bluetooth with my iPhone 4 failed. But after a reboot of the iPhone all went well. Each time Bluetooth is turned off then back on I have to go into the iPhone's Bluetooth settings to re-connect (not pair just re-connect# to the Connect. Would like the iPhone to automatically recognize and connect like most other Bluetooth devices, but oh well.
Setup of contacts, contact groups, and predefined messages was easy. Did it on both my computer and on the iPhone, just have to be sure to sync the app afterwards. Each message went out and was received within a minute of initiating. Of course the unit still spent 10 plus minutes locked-out while sending out the redundant messages, which weren't received #which is intended). I wish the SMS sent out had a link to a map showing the location like the emails do.
Put iPhone in airplane mode, turned Bluetooth back on and connected, then sent out more test messages with no problems.
The only possible issues I can find are; if I don't sync changed contacts or predefined messages before leaving cell coverage there could be issues with the sent messages. Or, if the Spot Connect app gets "signed out" while out of cell coverage, I won't be able to open the app rendering the Connect only useful for only SOS mode.
After my initial setup I began pairing the Connect to a second iPhone, my iPad, my Android Tablet, and a Android smartphone. All had no issues and sent out messages, even from inside the house.
This product has... Simple controls
About me... Frequent traveler, Parent with kids, Use for outdoor activities (i.e. hiking, hunting, fishing), military
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 3 for SPOT Connect GPS Messenger

Great start and works for me

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: biglouie
from central oregon
on 01/16/2012
What's great about it: I am connected with potential help on very remote trails
What's not so great: Lacks two way communication. Challenging setup.
I could have given the Connect a 5 star rating if it offered two way communication and a bit easier setup. It works with my iPhone without a problem. Takes a little time to get the two devices to communicate, but they sync just fine now. I am happy with the product and intend to upgrade as they add features.
About me... Use for outdoor activities (i.e. hiking, hunting, fishing)
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
3out of 4found this review helpful.
Review 4 for SPOT Connect GPS Messenger

Much thought put in concept - but practially arh!

Customer Rating
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Posted by: Darwin1969
from Livermore, CA
on 12/16/2011
What's great about it: (idea, concept)
What's not so great: See above (many). Lack of response from SPOT rep. to help
I can understand that it must not be simple to operate a satellite constellation - I wish as much thought had gone into SPOT Connect.
I own both models, SPOT2 and now SPOT Connect. There are areas I go where SPOT would without question be my only cry for help, so I need to have faith in whatever life-saving capability. That faith has not been reinforced with Connect.
The stand-alone SOS button is good on the device, but the rest of the functionality is more trouble than it is worth:
It does not work well with my iPad(which is what I bought it for) or my iPhone.
As a Bluetooth device I have to forget it every time I want to use it.
It takes 5+ minutes to get a satellite lock.
I found that if I don't authorize it with the spot app it doesn't talk to any other apps.
The signal is lost very easily.
I will be returning this to Best Buy tomorrow.
I am very dissapointed, and just cant recommend this product until it is significantly improved.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
This product has... Inaccurate, Short battery life, dependent on users intuition not command driven, poor after sale support, spot rep. had very little sales knowledge
About me... consistently out in remote areas off the grid
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+14points
15out of 16found this review helpful.