Spot X Communicator

After the bad reviews I've read on the SpotX I decided to return it unopened. Man, what an ordeal. It took 5 phone calls to get them to process the return. I'm an easy going guy too. They just kept telling me a supervisor had to process it but there wasn't one available. Geesh.

I ordered mine before reading the bad reviews. So far I think most of them are unfounded or the bugs have been fixed. They put out a software patch last week.

I used mine to send and receiving a few texts. When I have a clear sky I was able to send two texts to 2 different people in a matter of 2-ish minutes each.

I still have an issue with the lack of a key lock (screen lock) feature and the screen is always on (but not back-lit). It's too easy to accidently press the keys and change settings or do something else without knowing. I cant believe they didn't think of this.

Also, it's way too easy to accidentally send an SOS through the menu keys. Frankly I'm surprised that it's even an option. Maybe a software update will fix both of these issues.

I'm still a happy customer but SPOT really needs to fix a few things.

For what it’s worth, I sent a nastygram to Spot customer service about all the price increases on my Gen 3 and they offered me $65 off this year’s subscription. Not sure exactly how that works out, we’ll see when the bill arrives next month.

I found an inexpensive pouch that will hold and at least partially protect my SPOT X and hopefully prevent accidental pressing of the buttons. It's designed for a 2-way radio but fits great. I'll probably place it in the pouch backwards to protect the screen. Picture of 2-way radio added for reference.


LUITON 3 in 1 Multi-Function Radio Holder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B5Z2Q2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_T3ylBbMPAVT0S

There is an excellent update available today. It fixes all the issues I've noticed with the Spot X.

The big one for me is disabling the S.O.S. menu item.

That's great news. I guess we all expected them to push an update to address these issues.

I returned mine and will be expecting an inReach mini in the mail soon. Overall, it just seems to be a more reliable device.

I was looking for the most complete Spot X thread to contibute and get info from and this looks like IT.

I have been a first gen spot user since 2005ish and had been for the most part satisfied although it seemed like coverage got weaker 7 years ago. Well I recently picked up the Spot X for its 2 way ability and getting back into the motorcycle thing again but mainly riding alone.

I have to say I'm pretty disgusted with this latest offering......After investing $500 in hardware and service costs......1)Tracking coverage is horrible even when it's on 5min setting. Went for a 250 mile ride and got just 4 locations the entire day. 2)The device has locked up twice and won't do anything until the battery dies.....the only bad thing about a large battery. 3) Messages in/out are not all that reliable either. 4) The USB door doesn't close tight, so I assume this means it's not water tight in the way advertised? 5) The compass is not even close to accurate. It's off my more than 90°

I used my trusty gen 1 today and got many more locations on the page than the Spot X ever would, however I did notice the same 70 mile dead spot (pun intended) traveling around Lassen Park on the north and east sides.

I have done 2 firmware updates every time I was prompted. Guess I'll have to wait almost the entire week for the battery dies to do anything with it. Damn glad I didn't need it yesterday since I didn't discover it wasn't working till I got home from a 200 mile back country ride......

Anyone know if there is a way to soft reset the X?

I'm also in the process of testing the new SpotX, replacing a Spot gen3, as part of a presentation I'm giving at HU Stecoah in September. However, Cooter, I've had different results than yours:

1) On a ride from Quantico to Richmond, VA, SpotX tracked my movement just fine, 10 min increments. The Spot was sitting vertically in my tank bag.

2) Mine has also locked up, but cleared itself after about 90 seconds. I was purposefully trying to overload it with commands.

3) Messages usually go through on the first send, but twice I've had to recycle the message fetch to send messages. It's worth noting that I was inside for one of those, near a window. When I compose an sms message to myself, then send immediately, it usually arrives in about 4 to 6 minutes.

5) My compass also sucked rocks, until I calibrated it. I'd ask if you have it set to true North or magnetic North, but that wouldn't be 90deg off!

I'm certainly not saying your reality is wrong, Coot. I'm saying that I need to stress mine out more, to see if I can replicate your results. Can you explain more about what you were doing when it locked up on you? Am I right in assuming that you calibrated the compass?

It's interesting how differently all of these devices are performing, based on the posts here.

I too ran mine vertical as recommended (And constantly reminded), but I honestly think it works better face up in the tail bag. I did calibrate the compass and I think it has prompted me to do so again after a firmware update. The first time it locked up I can't remember exactly I was doing with it, but the second time I had just removed it from the charger, powered it up, and then set to track as I was leaving for a ride alone to a remote area.....my wife later sent me a text on the phone saying the tracking wasn't working and had not send out a single message.

My service plan ends this month on the Gen 1 and I'd like to cancel it now, but not sure till this X gets figured out.

Roger that. I've got a road trip tomorrow, and will set the tracking to 2.5 mins, then run some different positions to test it. I'll also start jamming controls immediately after taking it off the charger too.

More to follow.

Updated my firmware yesterday. We'll see how it does.

I just drove from Birmingham to Colorado. It worked fine in the truck. Six days of dualsport riding starts tomorrow. We'll see how it does.

You can follow along here.

https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=199305b282b17b8359

Ran it again today and the satellites seem to receive messages better when I ride slow of stop. There was a 40+ mile section over about 1.5 hours of the ride today where not a single message shows on the web.........

Another issue I have is the X does not show up on the android app, yet the Gen 1 does just fine.

Yes, I ran the 2.5 min test and lost a few tracks in dense woods of Fort AP Hill and other forested areas, maybe due to heavy rain. Overall, it did okay. I didn't get to run the "charge, then jam buttons" test, but hope to soon.

As for the tracks not showing up on the app, I've already contacted Spot about that. Here is their response:

"Thank you for contacting SPOT Customer Relations.

We will be more than happy to assist you and apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but unfortunately the SPOT X is not compatible to our SPOT App at this time. You may visit www.findmespot.com to log into your account to view your records on My Locations map. We will submit feedback on your half to improve our service. If there is any further questions or concerns you may have, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,

SPOT"

Wonder why the X doesn't show up? Surely it's just a matter of clicking an option on their end? Or maybe the X actually operates on a different satelite?

I just asked them that very question, as well as a few others, in preparation for a presentation at Horizons Unlimited in September. More to follow.

looks like it is working fine. do a poppa wheelie !