Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
SPOT - Busted..Take note SPOT - Busted..Take note
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By MilesofSmiles
  • 2 Post By navalarchitect

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Apr 2016
MilesofSmiles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Riverside California
Posts: 78
SPOT - Busted..Take note
Spot just billed my account on April 4th for a years worth of service. It seems someone at SPOT decided to upgrade my account without my consent and added "Tracking", then billed an extra $50.00 for a total that went from $99.99 to $149.99.

Check your bill carefully for the fraud.

The SPOT lady tried to send me to the billing dept but their lines were tied up so she is doing the credit on my credit card.

MofS
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Apr 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
Still pretty cheap for a useful service.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 May 2016
MilesofSmiles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Riverside California
Posts: 78
They did refund my $50.00 so all is good. Bummer it needs to be looked at each year.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 May 2016
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony LEE View Post
Still pretty cheap for a useful service.
I agree ... if it actually works!
The info I'd like to hear is whether or not the service consistently works as promised. I've heard a few negatives from users. A couple years old info ... hope it's fixed by now. This was in USA.

Anyone really tested it out in Africa, Asia or Latin America?
I know the tracking bit works but it's the I NEED HELP Panic Button mode I'd be more concerned about. It has that feature, right?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 May 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
I agree ... if it actually works!
The info I'd like to hear is whether or not the service consistently works as promised. I've heard a few negatives from users. A couple years old info ... hope it's fixed by now. This was in USA.

Anyone really tested it out in Africa, Asia or Latin America?
I know the tracking bit works but it's the I NEED HELP Panic Button mode I'd be more concerned about. It has that feature, right?
Mollydog, plenty of travellers have used the tracking feature, but there is no coverage in South and Eastern Africa and parts of Asia as it uses the Globalstar network. I have read of a few rescue's in North America, but you can't help wonder how prompt a rescue will be if you are off the beaten track in Timbuktu. The Delorme inReach has global coverage on the Iridium network, is a bit more expensive but has 2 way messaging available.

https://www.findmespot.eu/en/index.php?cid=109

At least the OP got a refund for the overcharging, my buddies do like their SPOT's and its good to get updates on their locations when they are backcountry.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 May 2016
Lifetime Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 365
SPOT claims coverage now for all of Africa - they updated their coverage map a year or so back. My practical experience of logging my location once every few days as I travelled up from Cape Town to Cairo on the east side is that worked everyone I tried it.

Fortunately I have never used the panic/SOS button. My expectations for this are limited in places without a complex emergency infrastructure , but the way I looked at it was it would at least immediately alert my friends and they could try and contact my embassy etc. who hopefully could get some sort of search going (most countries do have at least military with reasonable equipment).

FYI I know it works really well in Australia (have seen helicopters arrive when it was used for a crashed biker in the outback )

Sent from my SM-P350 using Tapatalk
__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 May 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Thats good to know, I stand corrected, looks like they put a new satellite up!
I'd have thought spot would have removed the old coverage map from their website as its a bit misleading - I have seen that old map for the last few years. At the end of the day its a big improvement for the end user.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
A couple of years ago a guy used the SOS button on the Road of Bones in Russia, got picked up by a couple of Russian rescue guys.

On the other hand, my SPOT just stopped working on the Road of Bones, and would never turn on again.

I've since moved to a Delorme, which has worked great and has better features.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 May 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Wenatchee, WA USA
Posts: 20
Being on the receiving end of the SOS, (I work in emergency services) my experience with SPOT is: If I am in a place where my life depends on getting an SOS out, I'm taking a PLB that isn't stymied by cloud cover. An ACR PLB will go with us on our next adventure.

I think the bells and whistles on on the SPOT is pretty cool, though. And to that end, I'm pretty happy with my DeLorme. It has a bit more than the SPOT and worked great for sending the "I'm OK, meet me here..." text message when we were in SE Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Apr 2017
MilesofSmiles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Riverside California
Posts: 78
It's now 4/5/2017 and my spot plan re-billed yesterday. Yet again SPOT is up to their fraudulent old tricks but this time they went overboard.

Instead of $117.64 for basic service (I do not track) I was going to be billed for $184.64 by the 9th. They said that Tracking is now part of the base service and I was notified 1 month ago. No notification was ever sent.

I called SPOT and spoke to the customer loyalty supervisor and after 23 minutes he agreed to only bill me for $117.64 and the charge was finalized. Today 4/5/2017 I noticed those bottom dwellers added another billing for $65.00 to my account a few minutes after I hung up. So now they got there $184.64 52 total minutes tying up my business phone lines and I still go screwed.

Today they said I would receive a $65.00 refund by Friday. If this does not occure I will contest with the credit card company and DUMP SPOT

A PLB is looking more and more like the correct choice now as SPOT has become another Bottom Dwelling fraudulent recurring billing company.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Apr 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Outer Sydney, Australia
Posts: 366
Thanks MilesofSmiles. To overcharge deliberately 2 yrs in a row, is nothing short of fraud
If they get away with it for 50% of the customer base, they are indeed making a lot of 'free' cash.
I'm a PLB user for that very reason, no extras to be charged for
__________________
My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16 May 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 21
That's downright fraud, you should just stop using Spot. If it were me, I would try to get my money back and stop using their services right away.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 24 Jul 2017
RIP: 5/3/21
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Onalaska, Washington, USA
Posts: 335
First to the "does it work". My older brother has a single seat flying machine, looks like a big kite. First time he took his new spot up in the spring, (was a Christmas gift), the plane stalled out. Thinks it was water in the gas. He was out in the middle of nowhere desert Arizona and he put it down. It was a rough landing and his foot came off and under the machine breaking his ankle. He pushed the buttons and they were there in twenty minutes picking him up. Without the Spot he would have been crawling out for miles. So it does work.
Second I was going to renew my subscription as my next trip will be solo and off the beaten path. But I absolutely hate auto renewals and the fraud crap some outfits try. So I will be doing a little more research before I sign with Spot.

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 24 Jul 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
Spot and Delorme have ties with a company that has cheap policies to cover rescue expenses that might get you better service in places without rescue services.

Spot gets pretty ratty in the northern coast of Iceland and also bottom of Patagonia because it relies on geostationary satellites that get harder to line up on the higher the latitude. Delorme uses cloud of low orbit satellites so is more reliable in difficult situations. It also uses the signal received feedback to re-transmit to help improve reliability and also stores locations when there is no signal at all and sends them up later if necessary.

I do have a PLB but would only use it if the delorme failed especially if it wasn't a Mayday situation but more of a Pan,Pan,Pan one. Delorme has two way communication which PLB and Spot do not have and the last thing I would want is a helicopter turning up when all I really needed was a 4WD from the nearest garage to bring out a couple of new tyres.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
spot, tracker

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SPOT Connect - Anyone used these ? strimstrum Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 14 20 Jun 2014 16:40
Bracket for a SPOT harrenz Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 5 14 Sep 2013 05:00
External power of Spot 2 device isaac.feliu Communications 7 24 May 2013 01:40
Spot Assist bdt149 Communications 1 16 Feb 2013 23:22
Spot messenger batteries Hemuli Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 1 11 Mar 2012 23:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:52.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top