SPOT X Bluetooth

No updates in 2 years. Sync fails to download configuration file every time. I can only sync via computer. Unit needs to be reset every once in a while as it freezes. Sometimes you can remote in and tell it to check in so it works again but if you don’t- you get a few new movement alerts and no tracking. Seems it hangs during the battery full screen. I keep it setup exactly like my old gen3. Always tracking but can be pulled out of its hiding spot for use if required. (Which also means resetting)…. Hey how about a reset button for the unit on the app? An available crash log would be nice to-not just upload. Multi use case for me. It mostly up in the cubby in my semi. Works well through the fiberglass roof. When out of cell service way up north. At least able to communicate. Will take it when out on the quad or sailing as well. Please fix. Would hate to go back to the gen3.

This is my first ever satellite communications device, and I use it weekly to communicate with others to let them know everything is fine when I’m out of cell phone service range. You need to realize and be patient that using a satellite texting/emailing/gps location sending and receiving device will take longer to send and receive messages than if you used your cell phone while in cell service areas. The speed of sending and receiving messages is not the selling point of a device like this. The selling point of this device is communicating to others when there is no cell phone service and no other way of electronic communication, period. You use it for communicating to others at times like when you’re hiking, hunting, fishing, or boating outdoors. I have the newer Spot X 2 Way Satellite Communicator with Bluetooth and really like being able to use my cell phone’s (when the cell phone has no cell phone service itself) bluetooth connection and familiar keyboard to type out messages and send them on through the Spot X rather than the Spot X device’s own keyboard. But the Spot X device having it’s own keyboard and long battery life to work independently of my cell phone, if necessary, is a bonus. You can’t do that with the Garmin products. And the Spot X service fee’s cost less than Garmin’s too. No, I do not work for Spot X, and was not compensated for this review. I wrote this review because I’m happy with the product and it’s service.

Ok, first off, this is not cellular service. It sends a message into space and back to earth. This works much slower than cellular. Weather conditions, satellite positions, and many factors all weigh in to how fast it works. But for communication services in remote areas, this is a really nice option. I have been with Spot over a year with the non Bluetooth device, and I can say, the one thing I’ve noticed is they do value your feedback and constantly improve their service. One thing I stressed to them was using Bluetooth and being able to use my smart phone, and I guess they listened to customers. As for the app. It seems very new, and has some issues, such as not organizing the texts in order by time, error messages, and sync issues with the device. After being with this company with another newer device, I watched as they ironed out all the bugs, and I feel confident they will do the same with this a app, but in the mean time, it does work, and I’m not aiming a device to the sky while trying to read or send a message. This app does the job, but needs some improvements, so I give it 4 stars. This is a great company to go with if you are looking for a satellite communications, and I’m looking forward to upgrading this rating to 5 stars in the future.

1. App needs internet connection in order to remain logged in. If WiFi or Cell connection is not available during startup you will need to re-log in. 2. iPhone 14pro screen changes causes issues changing between message screen and main menu. Must frequently close app in order to return to main screen. If not in cell or WiFi coverage that also means another login.

I tried using this app way out in the Alaska wilderness with no cell signal on my spot x recently and it wouldn't connect to my device. I restarted the app and it logged me out. I tried to log back in and it needed cell service to do so. What a useless app. My spot x works on its own pretty well but the keyboard is really glitchy so I figured the app would be a nicer way to type. Turns out it wont even work. While I am in the app (when in cell range) the screen doesnt align wilt my iphone 14 pro properly. The back button is almost completely unusable. It takes like ten taps to get it to work. I bought this device because I liked the idea of having redundancy in case my phone breaks or the device keyboard breaks. Turns out only one of those scenarios will work out for me. If this doesnt get updated I’m going to switch over to zoleo or garmin. At least their apps work.

At first when I first tried the original application it was not as smooth as it is now. I think that’s more to do a growing pains any new device whether it’s the new car always has the bugs you got a work out. But I think it’s amazing that when you’re in the middle of nowhere I can open up my phone can you sound like connection through the device and send a message. Take things so for granted today because we all have cell phones we wanna be able to talk instantly. I read other peoples negative reviews while they look at this as a cell phone it’s not it’s a satellite device.

I had a regular Spot X but decided I might be better with the bluetooth device so bought a new one. We have a cabin in central Alaska, well within the supposed coverage range. I have to set the Spot outside on our deck pointing at the sky, which is frequently totally clear. It initially connects to my phone via BT but does not stay connected and I must continuously re log in. Kind of defeats my reason for wanting the BT model. Additionally sometimes my texts do not send or I do not receive texts sent to me. I'm less than thrilled with the dependability of this device, at least here in Alaska!

App works fine if device such as an iPhone has internet connectivity. Once the iOS device goes off grid the app log out of the Spot X and afterwords iOS app will not connect to the device. It’s almost like the app needs internet connectivity to complete its handshake with the spot x. Can’t emphasize what a poor design that is for tools that are supposed to be for off grid communications. I’m not a developer but I would assume that can be all done natively in the app and with Bluetooth between the two devices. Come on Spot X fix this huge issue!

You are better off setting your money on fire and trying to send a smoke signal. The Bluetooth function works about 25% of the time and texts actually go through at an even lower success rate. The purported battery life of 240 hours is only accurate if you turn it off. We had all settings to preserve battery and am lucky to get 6 hours with minimal use. I would return it but we are halfway down the Mexican coast and it is useless. God forbid we need the SOS function because we may see help in a week or two if ever.

The app is in serious need of an update. It loses messages, frequently says “Invalid Thread,” constantly having to log in when it can’t get internet, and many other problems. Between the app and poor design of the SpotX device interface itself, I may switch to Garmin InReach.

Apparently, I was a too-early adopter of SPOT X. I bought it at Oshkosh 2019 and was told it would work with the SPOT app. When this turned out not to be true, I was told it was a “known issue” and that they were working on a fix. The fix came out in the form of the SPOT X app, which only works with a BlueTooth SPOT X. This means early buyers of SPOT X STILL don’t have an app, leaving us with only the mobile-unfriendly website. This is really bad customer service, SPOT.

The app connects fine to the SPOT X. There is no way to turn off Bluetooth on the SPOT, and that seems silly. The APP is not in proportion, meaning the battery, upload arrow are so tiny you can’t hardly see them. Not sure what the SYNC feature is, since nothing changes when you use it, and I don’t know what it’s sync to? It does stay connected well.

I previously used the spot GEN three. You were slow to improve your functionality, so I went to GARMIN way. Have an INREACH mini 2. I’m thinking of moving back to spot for the SPOT X, but it doesn’t look like spot is doing anything to improve the interface with the app. So I am on the fence. What do you plan on doing to improve things spot?

Convenient interface. The app makes the device easy to use. I have not experienced any pairing issues.

This app has been abandoned by the developer. It does not fit properly on modern iPhone screens. Specifically, you are unable to use the navigation controls because of their location on the screen. Very sad that a hardware device is practically unusable because this application has been abandoned.

You typically see app developers constantly improving their apps but, this one doesn’t appear to have been updated in more than a year!?! Feels like Spot has abandoned this app. This is the 4 spot device I have owned so, I have always been a fan, until this purchase.

This app is 2 years old The “back” button in the top left corner is unusable on the iPhone 15 so you get stuck in every page and have to force close

Trying to open my app- keeps crashing! App help only sends me to buy a new one? Help 🙏🏼

Very rarely connects to my SPOT X device. Bluetooth connection is thinner than floss; can’t give this app a very high rating.. don’t count on it working in the backcountry

Unusable on iPadOS v17.2. App crashes on login attempt. On iOS 17.2, the app loads, sign in works, but Bluetooth scanning doesn’t. The macOS app from the 1800’s continues to be the only way to sync and update the device. With these flaws, the SPOT X Bluetooth and its suite of companion apps are all incomplete products.

App just scans without finding device . and spot x Bluetooth device keeps freezing. Horrible system. Returning to store

Can’t even sign in. The app just crashes immediately.

Would be nice to use the app but after I put in my details it just scans for the device even with the SPOT X

Won’t pair with Spot X. Only indicates “scanning.”