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SPOT

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A SPOT Gen4 clipped to the shoulder strap of a hunter's pack in open western sagebrush, autumn light.

Satellite Trackers / SPOT

SPOT Satellite GPS Messengers and Asset Trackers

SPOT Gen4 tells the people who matter where you are and calls for help with one button, on batteries you can swap in the field. The SPOT SmartOne C does the same job for a trailer, a boat or a generator, for over a year on one set of cells.

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Who SPOT is for

SPOT is the simplest satellite tracker we sell. The Gen4 has a handful of buttons: check-in, custom message, help and SOS, plus motion-activated tracking that drops your position on a shared map. It does not receive messages and it has no screen to read, which is exactly why some customers prefer it: nothing to learn, nothing to pair, and a set of four AAA lithium batteries lasts roughly 1,250 check-in messages.

SPOT runs on the Globalstar network. Coverage is strong across North America, Europe, Australia and parts of South America, northern Africa and Asia, plus hundreds of thousands of square miles offshore of those regions. Inside that footprint it is a dependable way to be followed and to raise an alarm. Outside it, nothing gets through, so check the SPOT coverage map against your route before you buy.

SPOT is not for you if you need to hear back. If a rescue coordinator or your partner needs to be able to reply, look at the two-way messengers on the Garmin, ZOLEO and Bivy Stick pages. And if you only want a rescue button with no subscription, an ACR ResQLink PLB does that.

SPOT devices at Satmodo

One device for people and one for property. Both need an active SPOT service plan.

SPOT Gen4 satellite GPS messenger — front view
Special offer
SPOT Gen4
$149.99
SPOT SmartOne C satellite asset tracker — compact unit
Special offer
Spot SmartOne C Satellite Asset Tracker
$130.00

SPOT Gen4 vs SPOT SmartOne C

They share a network and a battery format and do completely different jobs. Figures from findmespot.com, globalstar.com and the SPOT Gen4 user guide.

SPOT Gen4SPOT SmartOne C
Built forA person: hikers, hunters, riders, lone workersAn asset: trailers, containers, vessels, generators, equipment
NetworkGlobalstarGlobalstar
MessagingOne-way: check-in, custom message, help, SOS with GPS positionAutomated position and status reports; no personal messaging
SOSDedicated button; monitored by FocusPoint InternationalNo SOS button; alerts on movement, geofence exit and low battery
TrackingMotion-activated; 5, 10, 30 or 60-minute intervals, 2.5-minute with Extreme TrackingUp to 12 reporting times; interval or 24-hour mode; alternate schedules; reduced reporting when stationary
Battery4 AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium or NiMH; about 1,250 check-in/custom messages per lithium set4 AAA 1.5 V lithium, over 1.5 years of life; or line power with automatic battery backup
Weight5 oz (142 g) with lithium batteries3.6 oz (102 g) with batteries and mounting hardware
Size3.48 x 2.66 x 0.93 in2.7 x 3.25 x 1 in with brackets
Water and dustIP68NEMA 4X / IP68
Operating temperature-22 to 140 F (-30 to 60 C)-22 to 140 F (-30 to 60 C) normal; functional to -40 to 185 F
InputsNoneSerial (TTL) input from external sensors
Requires a phoneNoNo
SubscriptionRequired, auto-renewingRequired

SPOT Gen4 SOS is coordinated by FocusPoint International per findmespot.com. Our older listing names GEOS, the previous provider.

How to decide if SPOT Gen4 is the right tracker

Three checks, in order.

1

Check the coverage map against the trip

Globalstar is regional, not global. The lower 48, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia are well covered; central Africa, much of Asia, the Southern Ocean and the poles are not. If your trips will ever leave the footprint, buy an Iridium device instead and use it everywhere.

2

Decide whether one-way is enough

SPOT Gen4 tells people you are fine, or where you are, or that you need help. It cannot tell you that your message arrived, that a storm is coming, or that the helicopter is two hours out. For many day users that is fine. For a solo multi-day trip it is a real limitation, and a two-way messenger or a PLB alongside is worth considering.

3

Think about batteries, not charging

The Gen4 uses four AAA cells. Carry a spare set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium and you have replaced the whole power problem for a few grams in your pocket. This is why guides, outfitters and hunting camps that share one unit between people keep choosing SPOT: nobody has to remember a cable.

SPOT SmartOne C: satellite asset tracking for equipment and vessels

The SmartOne C is a commercial IoT tracker, not a personal one. It mounts with included hardware, runs over 1.5 years on four AAA lithium cells or indefinitely on line power with automatic battery backup, and reports position on up to 12 configurable schedules. Motion sensors trigger a report when a stationary asset starts moving, a geofence alert fires if it leaves a set area, and a low-battery warning arrives before the cells die.

A TTL serial input lets it relay a signal from an external sensor: a door switch, a tank float, an engine-run line. Fleet managers use it on trailers and containers that spend months out of cellular range; boat owners use it as a theft and drift alarm on moorings; contractors put it on generators and light towers at remote sites. It is rated NEMA 4X and IP68 and works from -22 to 140 F.

It is the wrong device for a person. There is no SOS button and no messaging. For a worker, use the SPOT Gen4 or a two-way messenger; for an Iridium-based alternative with global coverage and analog and digital I/O, see the Iridium Edge on the main trackers page.

A small satellite asset tracker bolted to the A-frame of a construction trailer or the deck rail of a moored boat, in daylight.

What you need alongside a SPOT device

SPOT's setup is done online, so do it at home before the batteries go in.

An active SPOT service plan, activated in your SPOT account before the trip. Without it the device sends nothing, including SOS.
Your check-in and custom messages written, and up to 10 contacts entered with their phone numbers and email addresses.
A spare set of four AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium (L92) or NiMH rechargeable cells. Standard alkaline cells are not what SPOT specifies.
The included strap and carabiner or a pack-strap clip, with the SPOT logo facing the sky.
A test check-in outdoors with a clear view of the sky, confirmed on the shared map, before you leave signal.
For the SmartOne C: the mounting hardware included in the box, a decision on line power or batteries, and your reporting schedule configured in your SPOT account.

Tracking a fleet, a boat or a hunting camp?

Satmodo sets up SPOT service plans, configures SmartOne C reporting schedules for fleets, and can advise when an Iridium tracker is the better fit for your routes. Rentals are available for single trips.

Call (800) 279-2366

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

Does the SPOT Gen4 receive messages?
No. The SPOT Gen4 is a one-way satellite messenger: it sends check-in, custom, help and SOS messages with your GPS position, but it cannot receive a reply and has no screen. If you need to read replies, choose a two-way device such as a Garmin inReach, ZOLEO or ACR Bivy Stick.
Does SPOT need a subscription?
Yes. Both the SPOT Gen4 and the SmartOne C need an active, auto-renewing SPOT service plan to send anything. Tracking features and Extreme Tracking are plan options. Satmodo can set the plan up with you when you buy.
Where does SPOT work?
Across virtually all of North America, Europe and Australia, and portions of South America, northern Africa and Asia, plus hundreds of thousands of square miles offshore of those areas, according to the SPOT Gen4 user guide. Globalstar coverage is regional, so check the SPOT coverage map for anywhere else. Devices need a clear view of the sky.
What happens when I press SOS on a SPOT Gen4?
The device sends your GPS coordinates to FocusPoint International's monitoring centre, which coordinates with search and rescue for your location and contacts your emergency contacts. Leave the unit on and facing the sky; because SPOT is one-way you will not see a reply, but the device keeps updating your position.
How long do SPOT Gen4 batteries last?
SPOT rates it at about 1,250 check-in and custom messages on a single set of four AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium cells. Tracking at short intervals and cold temperatures reduce that. Because the cells are standard AAA, a spare set in your pocket solves the problem without a cable.
Is the SPOT Gen4 waterproof?
It is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, has a MIL-STD 810F humidity rating, and is rated for vibration to SAE J1455 and altitude from -328 to 21,320 feet. It handles rain, spray and a dunking; it is not a dive device.
What tracking intervals does the SPOT Gen4 offer?
Basic tracking at 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes, with a 2.5-minute option on Extreme Tracking plans. Tracking is motion-activated, so the device stops sending when it has been still for more than five minutes and resumes when you move, which stretches the batteries.
What is the SPOT SmartOne C used for?
Tracking fixed and mobile assets: trailers, containers, vessels, generators and equipment left outside cellular coverage. It reports on up to 12 schedules, alerts on movement or leaving a geofence, accepts a TTL sensor input, and runs over 1.5 years on four AAA lithium cells or on line power with battery backup. It has no SOS button and is not a personal device.
Which is better, SPOT Gen4 or Garmin inReach?
The inReach if you need two-way messaging, global Iridium coverage or on-device navigation; the SPOT Gen4 if you want the simplest possible one-way check-in and SOS device with swappable AAA batteries inside Globalstar coverage. Both require a subscription. Many outfitters run SPOT for groups and an inReach for the guide.
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SPOT SmartOne C satellite asset tracker — compact unit
Special offer
Spot SmartOne C Satellite Asset Tracker
$130.00
SPOT Gen4 satellite GPS messenger — front view
Special offer
SPOT Gen4
$149.99
SPOT GEN 3
Special offer
SPOT GEN 3
$199.00

Buyer’s Guide: Which SPOT Device is Right for You?

SPOT has saved thousands of lives worldwide by focusing on essential safety features. To choose the right model for your specific needs, it is important to understand the key differences in their product lineup:

One-Way vs. Two-Way Communication

The biggest distinction lies between the SPOT Gen4 and the SPOT X. The Gen4 is a classic "one-way" messenger; it allows you to send pre-written "I'm OK" messages and GPS tracks to loved ones, but you cannot receive replies. It is perfect for users who want set-and-forget simplicity and long battery life. The SPOT X, however, features a full QWERTY keyboard (and Bluetooth smartphone pairing), enabling two-way SMS and email. This allows you to chat with family back home or communicate specifics to rescuers during an emergency.

Dedicated Asset Tracking with SPOT Trace

Not all tracking is about people. The SPOT Trace is a specialized device designed to secure your valuable gear. Ideal for monitoring boats, motorcycles, ATVs, or construction equipment, the Trace activates the moment it detects vibration or movement. It sends text or email alerts to your phone, allowing you to track your asset's movement in near real-time on Google Maps. This is a powerful anti-theft and logistics tool for anyone managing remote property.

The S.O.S. Button and Emergency Response

Regardless of which model you choose, the core feature of every SPOT device is the S.O.S. button. pressing this button sends your precise GPS coordinates to a 24/7 International Emergency Response Coordination Center. This team coordinates with local search and rescue, law enforcement, or maritime authorities to dispatch help immediately. Since its inception, SPOT technology has initiated thousands of successful rescues, proving that affordable hardware can provide invaluable peace of mind.

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