SPOT X Bluetooth 4+

No updates in 2 years. Sync fails to download configuration file every time. I can only sync via computer. Unit needs to be reset every once in a while as it freezes. Sometimes you can remote in and tell it to check in so it works again but if you don’t- you get a few new movement alerts and no tracking. Seems it hangs during the battery full screen. I keep it setup exactly like my old gen3. Always tracking but can be pulled out of its hiding spot for use if required. (Which also means resetting)…. Hey how about a reset button for the unit on the app? An available crash log would be nice to-not just upload. Multi use case for me. It mostly up in the cubby in my semi. Works well through the fiberglass roof. When out of cell service way up north. At least able to communicate. Will take it when out on the quad or sailing as well. Please fix. Would hate to go back to the gen3.

This is my first ever satellite communications device, and I use it weekly to communicate with others to let them know everything is fine when I’m out of cell phone service range. You need to realize and be patient that using a satellite texting/emailing/gps location sending and receiving device will take longer to send and receive messages than if you used your cell phone while in cell service areas. The speed of sending and receiving messages is not the selling point of a device like this. The selling point of this device is communicating to others when there is no cell phone service and no other way of electronic communication, period. You use it for communicating to others at times like when you’re hiking, hunting, fishing, or boating outdoors. I have the newer Spot X 2 Way Satellite Communicator with Bluetooth and really like being able to use my cell phone’s (when the cell phone has no cell phone service itself) bluetooth connection and familiar keyboard to type out messages and send them on through the Spot X rather than the Spot X device’s own keyboard. But the Spot X device having it’s own keyboard and long battery life to work independently of my cell phone, if necessary, is a bonus. You can’t do that with the Garmin products. And the Spot X service fee’s cost less than Garmin’s too. No, I do not work for Spot X, and was not compensated for this review. I wrote this review because I’m happy with the product and it’s service.

Ok, first off, this is not cellular service. It sends a message into space and back to earth. This works much slower than cellular. Weather conditions, satellite positions, and many factors all weigh in to how fast it works. But for communication services in remote areas, this is a really nice option. I have been with Spot over a year with the non Bluetooth device, and I can say, the one thing I’ve noticed is they do value your feedback and constantly improve their service. One thing I stressed to them was using Bluetooth and being able to use my smart phone, and I guess they listened to customers. As for the app. It seems very new, and has some issues, such as not organizing the texts in order by time, error messages, and sync issues with the device. After being with this company with another newer device, I watched as they ironed out all the bugs, and I feel confident they will do the same with this a app, but in the mean time, it does work, and I’m not aiming a device to the sky while trying to read or send a message. This app does the job, but needs some improvements, so I give it 4 stars. This is a great company to go with if you are looking for a satellite communications, and I’m looking forward to upgrading this rating to 5 stars in the future.