When Off the Grid, Spot Gen 3 Checks in with Family!

If a family member likes to hike, bike, or camp off the cell phone grid – you know how scary it can be when you haven’t heard from them in a while.  If you are the one camping, it can be equally scary having an emergency with no working cell phone. 

Now there is an affordable solution!  The Spot Gen 3 tracker can send check in messages to your pre-selected contact list, or you can hit the S.O.S button and emergency persons will be sent to your location!

Camping in Oregon!

Recently, my husband and his dad took our 14 year old son for his “rite of passage” camping trip in Oregon.  They were completely off the cell phone grid and to be honest, it made me a little nervous.  Luckily, I was able to send them off with the new Spot Gen 3 tracking device.  The Spot 3 is a small device that clips on to your backpack.  It uses satellite transmissions to send cell phone texts and emails to your contacts.  It just needs a clear view of the sky!

Before they left for their camping trip, I was able to set up the Spot Gen 3 account.  Within the account, you can choose the contacts that you wish to send updates to by phone or by email.  Additionally, you can even edit what the message says.  I think mine said something like,

“Just checking in – all is good!” 

Keeping Track From Home

Whenever the “OK” button was pressed, I would get a text a few moments later – alerting me that all was well.  Another very cool feature on this is the ability to set the tracking intervals.  If the person hiking is conscious about it, they can push the shoe print icon and mark where they are at. 

Unfortunately, that is often not on the mind of most backpackers!  Spot 3 has a solution.  Within the account set-up features, you can choose the intervals at which you would like the Spot 3 to track!  This means that even if your favorite off-grid person is horrible about remembering to check-in, the Spot 3 can automatically track check points every 2.5 minutes – 60 minutes. 

One of the greatest tools for the family at home is the ability to look at a map to see where your loved one is.  The map below is zoomed out, but this map allows you to zoom in to the exact coordinates! 

Functions

As you can see, there are a variety of tools to check in with family or emergency services.  A few distinctions on the above graphic; the Help/ Spot Assist button does not alert emergency crews.  It alerts your family that you need assistance.  This might be a flat tire, or something else. 

However, the S.O.S. button does alert emergency crews of your exact location immediately.  The user guides warn that the user is responsible for all emergency call costs associated with pressing the button.  Both the S.O.S. and the Help buttons are covered with a flap.  The rubber flap must be lifted up in order to press the button.  This prevents an accidental pressing of the emergency buttons.

Another fun feature is that the account set up allows you to choose if you would like to post your check ins on social media as well, if you want your friends to follow you on your journey. 

Pros

• Light Weight
• Easy to Set-up
• Ability to check in with family while off-grid
• Ability to get emergency help to exact location
• Durable

Cons

• One way communication; family cannot reach out to hiker
• Can only send pre-created texts – is not able to make phone calls

The Spot Gen 3 can be purchased on Amazon for about $162.  Users must also purchase a subscription for the service either on a monthly or yearly basis starting at $9.99/ month.  Price packages can be found on the Spot website.

A Mom’s Perspective

The Spot Gen 3 is a great tool providing peace of mind when hiking or camping off the grid.  It almost seems like it is impossible to be away from cell phone towers, but there are still areas on the globe where cell phones don’t work. 

Family members and friends trekking, hiking, fishing, camping, mountain climbing, and more can easily track their journey and automatically check in so family members and friends can feel better informed about how their loved ones are doing.

Additionally, the Spot Gen 3 gives adventurers the ability to create an S.O.S call that can save lives!  If you are planning your next adventure in the US or abroad, make sure to invest in a Spot Gen 3!