Also a SPOT user. I have one of the first ones, about 5 years old. I have it set to send my computer at home my messages along with friends computers and phones. It has NEVER failed to send the messages. The newer ones can send two predetermined non emergency messages along with a non emergency help and an emergency help.
A lot of times you can get one for free with a service contract. I have the basic service for about $100 per year plus another $100,000 worth of Search & Rescue Insurance for $12.
Several years ago we have a friend, solo camper, dirt bike rider that crashed his bike on a trail quite some distance from his camper. Laid there all day drifting in/out of consciousness with a broken neck until someone happened upon him. This was before the days of SPOT but shortly after the PLB was legalized in the lower 48. Guess who's DW made him buy a $600 PLB before I could go out again? I am also a solo camper, dirt bike rider. I still have the PLB but always take the SPOT for it's smaller size and non emergency message capability.
I've never had to use it in an emergency situation but did learn a valuable lesson for it. ALWAYS keep it on your person where you can reach it in any position after a crash!!! In your back pack does absolutely no good laying in the middle of a rocky trail near Denio NV with a 400 lbs 650 laying on top of you!! Don't ask how I learned this!!! :o
