

Gen 3
The SPOT Messenger has stuck to its roots on the outside, and has had some big improvement on the inside. Like the SPOT Gen 1 and 2, the Gen 3 has kept the ‘Help’ and ‘SOS’ buttons. Also carried over are the custom message, tracking, and ok/checking in buttons. These buttons are located on bottom end of the device, and each button has a coinciding light. Along the top of the device are 3 more lights, each light up as you activate their respected feature on the device. Gen 1 Weight: 7.37oz Size: 4.38″ x 2.75″x 1.75″ Power: 2 AA Lithium Gen 2 Weight: 5.2oz Size: 3.7″ x 2.6″ x 1″ Power: 3 AAA Lithium Gen 3 Weight: 4.0oz w/ batteries Size: 3.43″ x 2.56″ x 1″ Power: 4 AAA Lithium
The Test
Hearing nothing but good things from some Tour Divide racers, I was eager to test the Gen 3 out on the Colorado Trail Race this year. The set up of the device was simple, even more so now with SPOT’s user interface makeover. The new online experience is extremely easy and straight forward, much more user friendly than the past, which is a huge bonus.


Overall
If I could describe the new SPOT Gen 3 in one word, it would be ease. SPOT had noted what needed to be improved and they did it. Starting with battery life, we all know ultimate lithiums are super expensive. Between adding another battery and the battery saving motion activation, I now know the batteries in my SPOT will last.


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