Re: [Paddlewise] SPOT - Yes, it floats but....

From: John H <seajohnkayak_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 08:12:59 -0700 (PDT)
Derek -
Thanks for posting your report on "SPOT".
i see SPOT float when not tied to an overboard anchor.
i do see SPOT facing the bottom of the lake or ocean when floating.
i do not see a SPOT submersion rating.
 
Keep up the field work and i look forward to your next report.
 
Safe paddling...all ways
 
Regards,
john
santa rosa, ca

--- On Wed, 10/8/08, Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com>
Subject: [Paddlewise] SPOT - Yes, it floats but....
To: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 6:40 AM

This past week I tested my "SPOT" in the lake.  As indicated by the
manufacturer, the device floats and it is indeed water resistant.  The
problem?
I discovered that when allowed to float by itself, it floats face down.  When
I
last I checked, there are no satellites on the bottom of the lake.  :(  If
your
"SPOT" gets separated from you and your gear on the lake, distress
messages are only being received by beavers and fish.  This could be a
problem.

A previous post contained a link to a blog.  In the blog, an individual
posted
that his SPOT had filled up with water and failed.  The manufacturer
suggested
that the device failed because it was in water too deep.  Because SPOT
floats,
it would have to be tied to some sort of anchor to sink below its rated
depth.
The whole scenario, though possible, would be unlikely under normal boating
conditions.  If SPOT did sink to the bottom of the lake like this, it would
probably be unretrievable.  It seems to me that there are three possibilities
here:

Possibility #1: the screws that fasten the battery cover were loose, allowing
water penetration.
Possibility #2: this particular unit had a manufacturing defect.
Possibility #3: the unit was tied to a boat anchor and tossed in the lake -
just to see if it would survive.

Unfortunately we can only speculate.

It should be noted that SPOT does not have an independent waterproofness
rating
- like IP7 or similar.

Thoughts?

Derek

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Received on Wed Oct 08 2008 - 08:13:06 PDT

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