SPOT X Review 2019 - Pros and Cons

Send and receive text messages anywhere in the world with SPOT X. But is it as good as it seems? Here is a 2019 review of the SPOT X Pros and Cons.

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Here are all the things I like and some of the things I don’t like about the SPOT X.

PRO Number One: You can send and receive text messages anywhere in the world.
PRO Number Two: You can check in with Friends and Family.
PRO Number Three: In an emergency You can send two way communication with SAR teams.
PRO Number Four: Tracking Capabilities.

So those are the things I like about the SPOT X. But here is everything I don’t like.

CON Number One: The Antenna has to be pointed straight up.
CON Number Two: It Takes a Long Time to Send or Receive a Message.
CON Number Three: No Confirmation on sent messages.
CON Number Four: Not all Messages go through.
CON Number Five: You Can’t Change the Battery.
CON Number Six: Navigation is extremely limited.

I need to let you know SPOT sent me this device free of charge for this review…but these are my honest opinions.

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[MyLifeOutdoors]

I have used SPOT for years and Love the peace of mind it brings to me and my family. Now with SPOT X I can send custom text messages back home no matter where I go.

[georgeandrews]

I live in Northern Ontario and work in the bush. I use a Spot X and as far as the antenna goes when I am in a pickup I just put there Spot X lying on the dash and driving with nor problem or I have it in the machine that I am using and it still works. There has never been a problem as far as trees blocking the signal. Like I said I work as a logger. Cheers

[juanktkt]

Fantastic review! The bulk of the con's you mention (slow and unreliable messaging, having to orient the antenna) I suspect are a result of Spot taking a dependency on the Globalstar Sattelite network. I've used sat phones on both Globalstar and Iridium and IMO the Globalstar network is complete garbage. The most telling way to demonstrate the exceedingly bad Globalstar network is to make a phone call between two Globalstar Sattelite phones. What you'll find is that it's almost impossible to have a conversation between two Globalstar Phone longer than a couple seconds because the sat coverage will regularly drop out at least one of the phone within seconds of connecting. And, that's it you can connect at all, most Globalstar to Globalstar phone calls never even connect.

It's frankly disappointing that Spot takes such a significant dependency on a network that has over the years become a complete joke. Paying a premium like $.25/message for a system that is as slow and unreliable as you describe is IMO unacceptable. It definitely gives me pause when contemplating swapping out carrying an real satellite phone that uses a more reliable satellite network.

The REAL plus for me on this device is the integrated keyboard, I'm also looking at the Garmin device. While those devices do NOT have a keyboard, they afaik are much more durable, AND most importantly use the Iridium satellite network (much more reliable).

[losttheplotcolin]

If 5 mins is too long to wait for a message to be sent you can go into your settings and set the send receive interval for 2 1/2 mins but it will use up the battery quicker.

[ericanhorn]

Thanks for the review, lots of awesome points. Thank you for pointing out about the antenna and the speed on messaging.

[joeo.]

The Spot X DOES indeed let you know when your message was sent. Update your firmware if it doesn't because the current version does. You can check individual sent messages and see with an icon if it was sent for failed to send. You should amend or update this because its false information and pushing a lot of people away from buying this unit, when in fact it DOES have this feature. If you simply read the manual, you will see you can check for sent confirmation. Also the upload query icon on the top indicates when sent... Please provide people correct info, this is false and pushing people away from something that is a good product and almost convinced me not to buy one until I looked into it myself and got the owners manual.

[duneattack]

Dude your intro music is spot on in 2 out of 2 vids. I'm up in the middle of the night looking at my TO DO OFF ROAD PREP list for this coming spring and summer and I'm looking at Sat trackers to add to the quiver of safety and coms gadgetry . Dig your intro music, your presentation and the info you provide. You're easy to listen to, informative and cover things I find important. I was watching some Rocky Mtn ATV vids on the same subjects and they were nerve racking.... it felt as if they were more like commercials rather than actual testimonials by a real device user. So thank you for what you do, and keep it up!

[mattmccarty]

To the point, I motorcycle tour a lot and usually in areas where help is nowhere to be found. I will say this about the spot x, no one wants to be in long text conversations when out enjoying the world. We all know that when tech gets heavy in your hand, the enjoyment is gone and once your significant other has the ability to have long conversations, it will never end. I just want to enjoy getting away and the texting doesn’t do it for me. I know, there is a plan with a 20 text limit….. we all know what is going to happen with those 20 minute after your significant other knows it’s available. I’m good with the preset messages. If my wife is close to her due date, I’m thinking she will be my priority.

[firefighterluigi]

Very helpful review. I just watched one made Spring of 2020, it was little more than a commercial. Thank you for making a well an organized & HONEST review.

[JustinOutdoors]

I've had some conversations with SAR and they say the two way messaging capabilities of the newer devices is extremely valuable when planning a rescue. I think Garmin and spot have a some kinks to iron out in the speediness of the messages though.

[mikemecklenborg]

Thanks for your input. You have convinced me to stay with the older spot gen 2 I have used for years. I like the light telling me the messages was sent. I wish I could send out more messages more often that "I'm OK" but my wife and I have figured it out a method for my hikes. She knows I send one out at the beginning of my hike, about halfway and then at my destination on day hikes and then the same method on the hike back out.

[modeseven_nyc]

Great job on the review. Straight to the point and no bs.

[catdesignsmx]

Nice job. I have one and I'm trying to get familiar before I'm off grid. Seemed pretty balanced and matches with what I found so far. I had an old Gen 1 for years and it was great to have that peace of mind. Agree 2 way messaging is super nice.

[sinabastami]

The reason text messages do not go through as fast as we like is "prioritization" done by the satellite (whichever happening to be over your head and picking up the text) itself. That satellite has a lot of things to do (very important things with very limited power and bandwidth) and the least important thing for that satellite is your "Hi, honey!". That is why your non-important text goes at the end of the line and is delivered when other important things are done! The SOS function on the other hand is designed to gain priority over every other function that satellite is doing and is sent to the closest SOS receiver in relation to signal source (You) immediately. Hope that helps and happy outdooring!

[kalyan]

This is the first time i watched steven smith videos. After 5 second introduction I liked the video and hit the subscription button. Reason I feel like he is the Honest man to trust on ...Thanks Smith. I like your videos

[johnrudolph]

Just a thought I also carry a solar back up battery charger for all electronics in the back country and that gets ride of the bulk of conventional batteries.

[JonasAlexanderson]

Good video! I have a SPOT Gen 3 and used it for a few years until i got a Garmin InReach. The only pro I can see on my SPOT is the battery time, lasted me for months. But the InReach isn't bad, I've had it on kayak expeditions and it has lasted me about a week before I needed to charge it.

[craigrobertson]

Very useful. My wife is pressuring me to get a tracker, but I am a dedicated technophobe. This info is helpful and I have to agree on the battery thing. Far too much new tech is rechargeable only and I cannot trust it to do what it needs to do in a pinch. (Flashlights headlamps, GPS etc). No batteries, no buy.

[rghayden]

I just ordered a Spot X. I am a currently a Iridium user, but I use the Alaska plan for $245 every 6 months. Problem is, I lose nearly all the minutes because I only carry it a couple times a year, so waste of money for me. I don't need voice, but I want SOS capabilities and I think this will work much better. Thanks for the review.

[mixmasterdjbrown]

Thank you for your review. I’m just getting into backpacking, camping, kayaking, and hiking trips, and I find this very informative. Subscription confirmation in writing. Looking forward to watching more videos.