How It Works (Emergency) Once activated, SPOT will acquire its exact coordinates from the GPS network, and send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center notifies the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information – which may include local police, highway patrol, the Coast Guard, our country’s embassy or consulate, or other emergency response or search and rescue teams – as well as notifying your emergency contact person(s) about the receipt of a distress signal. How It Works (General Use) When you press the OK button, SPOT acquires your exact location from the GPS network and routes it through the SPOT satellite network. Your contacts receive either an SMS text message on their mobile phone with your message and coordinates, or an email with your message and a link to Google Maps™ showing your exact location. Power SPOT has a separate power button to ensure long battery life and to help avoid sending messages accidentally. To turn SPOT on, press the ON/OFF button. You must then wait an additional 2 seconds before activating any SPOT function. When power is on, the indicator light will blink once every 3 seconds. This is also helpful for making SPOT more visible in the dark. To turn SPOT off, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 3 seconds. Functional Specifications SPOT features four key functions that enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based upon varying levels of need: Alert 9-1-1 – Alert emergency responders to your exact location SPOT sends one message every 5 minutes until power is depleted or 911 is cancelled. Ask for Help – Request help from friends and family in your exact location SPOT sends one message every 5 minutes for one hour or until Help is cancelled Check In – Let contacts know where you are and that you’re okay SPOT sends three identical messages to the SPOT service for redundancy. The first of those three messages is delivered. Track Progress – Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps™ SPOT sends one message every 10 minutes for 24 hours or until SPOT is powered off. Small and Light Size: 4.38 X 2.75 X 1.5” (111 mm x 69 mm x 44 mm) Approximate Weight: 7.37 ounces (209 grams) Coverage SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of North America, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern Asia, and hundreds or thousands of miles offshore of these areas. See coverage on findmespot.com for maps and current coverage. Battery Life Includes 2 AA 1.5V lithium batteries; under normal usage a full battery charge should meet or exceed the following Power on, unused: Approx. 1 year SPOTcasting tracking mode: Approx. 14 days 9-1-1 mode: Up to 7 consecutive days SPOTcheck OK/√: 1900 messages Operating Conditions SPOT works around the world virtually anywhere Operating Temperatures: -40°F to +185°F (-40ºC to +85ºC) Operating Altitude: -300 ft to +21,000 ft (-91 m to +6,492 m) Weight: 7.37 ounces (209 grams) Dimensions: 4.38 x 2.75 x 1.75 inches (approx. 111 mm x 69 mm x 44 mm) Floats in water Waterproof to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes Humidity Rated: MIL-STD-810E Method 507.3, 95% to 100% condensing Salt Fog Rated Per MIL_STD 810E Method 509.3, 5% NaCl, 95% distilled water Vibration Per SAE J1455 Random, 20 Hz to 2000 Hz, 0.04g2/Hz, one hour per axis Drop Dropped twice on all six sides from one meter onto hard surface. SERVICE COSTS Mandatory service- US$99.99/yr basic satellite service subscription includes: ALERT 9-1-1: Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location. Unlimited usage included. CHECK IN: Let contacts know where you are and that you're okay. Unlimited usage included. ASK FOR HELP: Request help from friends and family at your exact location. Unlimited usage included. Optional Service: TRACK PROGRESS: US $49.99/yr Tracking Upgrade Option Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps.