GEAR REVIEW
What is it? Budget satellite text messaging, tracking and emergency alerting.
Who is it for? Stand-alone back up for conventional sat phone systems, or occasional use when out of range of VHF coast stations.
Satellite trackers have improved enormously recently. Instead of simply pinging your position, plus potentially a small range of predetermined text messages, the Spot X is a full-function two-way messaging system, including a facility to update social media accounts. Key limitations are a 160-character limit and the extent of Globalstar’s coverage (see map).
First impressions are of a clunky device, but it’s important not to lose sight of the benefits the Spot
