Renew my SPOT account for $200 ? You crazy !

[~TABASCO~]

I got an Email the other day to renew my SPOT.. It was almost $200 bucks... Ummmm No.... I called today to see if they have anything going on because im going to cancel it.. She said "Ummm maybe, call us back right before it expires"... what ever that means......
I know many ADV guys have a SPOT, does yours cost this much ? Does anyone know any "coupons" to use on renewals ? Dont get me wrong, its a great tool, but $200 seems expensive to me... She did say basic service was 99 and then some tracking I had was another 70-80 plus tax.... What tha heck ??? This sound right to you ?

 

[coastie]

And I was thinking about getting one before colorado, because the second week is either going to be on the COBDR or off by myself in Utah. Going to have to do some more research now.

 

[Doug C]

It has been, last few years anyway $99 for the service plus $49 for the tracking, for me and my watchers at home worth the cost. So far haven't pushed the 911 button yet.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Just ordered a Spot 2 yesterday. I thought I had heard it was about $100 per year and really didn't research it. $200 is a lot more than I was expecting. So if you don't get tracking for $99, what do you get for the base price?

 

[Firefight911]

Renew my SPOT account for $200 ? You crazy !

Less than $20 a month. Cheap considering the alternative.

My renewal was roughly $160-$170. Tracking and basic service. No roadside assistance.

Let me know how much your help flight and bike recovery cost you. My guess is it will be more than the less than $20/mth fee.

Never leave home without it!!! Always in track mode!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk which means there are more than likely spelling errors!

 

[snuffcityrider]

Mine is about the same $ as Phil's. Just not having to answer the "where ya going" question is worth it. I just push the I'm okay button and the wife gets a text with location.

 

[Andrew]

Mine renewed for $192, or a bit less than $4 a week. Last year me and my sweetie rode 11,000 round trip miles to the Arctic Ocean, and we plan on similar mileage this year, tho split over multiple trips. Worth every penny.

 

[Buelligan]

my renewal was $155. Same as Dougs, $99 for the basic service, and $49 for the tracking.

 

[justbob]

My renewal was $158.98

 

[klunsford]

They are probably doing it like the ON STAR service from GM. The later that you wait, the better offer that they give you. I did that with my wife's ON STAR and saved over 50%. Did it the day before it expired.

 

[offcamber]

When I canceled mine I had to wait till the month it was due to be renewed or they were going to automatically renew it on the card I used initially. They make it a royal pain in the arse to cancel the subscription. I plan on renewing this year as I have some long trips planned. If you add all their little options the price goes up fast.

 

[greg the pole]

it's a worthwhile tool, but I only use it when i'm out in the boonies by myself.
I have the spot connect, and found it a bit frustrating to work with.
$200 bucks seems steep, but I guess it depends on the options.

 

[markjenn]

As others have mentioned, calling up right before it is going to expire may net you a better deal. It reminds me of when I had XM - the rack rates were high, but you generally could negotiate a much better rate if you were willing to call. But you had to say the magic words "I'm going to cancel", before they'd transfer you to the person with the power to give you the deal.

This stupid haggling was one reason I stopped using XM. I travel with folks who have Spot and can be invaluable, but it is not flawless and there are some who have had problems. From a safety standpoint, there really is no substitute for traveling with a companion.

- Mark

 

[EricV]

My auto renew is $169. That's with tracking, but no other add on services.

Tip, if you don't want them to auto renew, use a CC that expires before the next renewal.

Tip #2- DO NOT just let it lapse. If you want to stop, call them up and cancel the service. Otherwise they will continue to bill your account, whether you use it or not. Then it will come up as unpaid if you want to use it again or attempt to open another Spot device account down the road.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It's $99 a year basic service.

Thanks. I suspect DM will want the auto tracking feature turned on.

 

[True Grip]

It really should go in the backpack with the parachute and the gun. Look how many times our cell phones have bailed us out. I guess we really owe it to our loved ones. Mine would be used for body recovery last year i used my bro in laws in reach locator. 3 weeks out west my wife didn't look at it one time.

 

[nwryder12]

I went with one of these: ACR Electronics ResQLink 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon. They cost a little more up front ($280) but there's no service fee. In addition, the technology seems to be more reliable than what's used in the Spot system. The only draw back is there's no tracking and messaging features, just the rescue button is all you get.

 

[True Grip]

For you guys that have the spot does your "i'm OK" signal always go through. Reading several reviews and alot seem unsatisfied with the reliability. I don't trust the interweb that much but would trust your opinion. Some reviewers may be hikers and under thick canopy. What say ye?

 

[~TABASCO~]

For you guys that have the spot does your "i'm OK" signal always go through. Reading several reviews and alot seem unsatisfied with the reliability. I don't trust the interweb that much but would trust your opinion. Some reviewers may be hikers and under thick canopy. What say ye?

I have found by talking with my wife that 'most' of the time it works but not 100% of the time...

 

[snuffcityrider]

For you guys that have the spot does your "i'm OK" signal always go through. Reading several reviews and alot seem unsatisfied with the reliability. I don't trust the interweb that much but would trust your opinion. Some reviewers may be hikers and under thick canopy. What say ye?

Don't think mine has missed one yet, l always ask after a ride.