Hi All, I just purchased the SPOT Gen3 and will be getting it set up soon. I am curious about its durability regarding the fact that it is not "waterproof" (due to the port) and is this really an issue? Should it be in some sort of clear waterproof pouch? I appreciate any feedback or experieince you all can share.
SPOT Gen3
(20 posts) (13 voices)-
Hollywood
MemberThanks BustedRudder for the response. I had just read a couple of reviews and reviewers mentioned the rubber cover could be an issue in "wet" environments.
I wanted to get input from the Tribe and their experiences, because this is truly what it's all about. If it's good enough for the Tribe events it's good enough for me. :)
Posted 6 years ago # -
BustedRudder
MemberThe EC is definately a "wet" environment. I only have experience with gen 2 which have been quite reliable for tribers.If the USB rubber cover is simply a "push on" and not a positive screw in seal it may be of concern. I have lost two Garmin GPS that have push on seals for USB and I beleive that is the entry point. Can't tell for sure but this looks like push on seal
We will know after the EC..... Gen 2 spots are still readily available. I would avoid the gen3 for now.
Posted 6 years ago # -
PainenDias
BlockedI kept my 6 week old Spot 3 in a water-filled baggie that was attached to my neck and was relatively dry until my G-Cat FlipsWithWind catapulted the crew into Biscayne Bay one night. I quickly emptied the baggie and hung it on the trampoline hiking straps while attempting to recover the cat. In the dark, wet, and windy I watched my tracking and GPS lights go dark and thought "There goes all my Derby points cause I can't get more than 4 points a day now!" The fact that we were drifting along at with the trampoline pushing us at over 5 knots while capsized in the dark seemed pretty normal for a watertriber, but losing my Spot was not. Just got my new Spot 3 back from the warranty guys yesterday so my Derby points will increase. All the other electronics were in a SeaLine waterproof bag and came through in great condition. Better bags would seem to be the way to go. It appears to be a matter of luck. I did not expect a few inches of water in a bag to kill my Spot. Lesson learned. I am now thinking of a clear SeaLine bag with my GPS, Spot, a computer tablet and associated batteries to power all of them for a week. But I will guard that Spot 3. I tend to end up wet a lot. Anyone else have any experience with individual bags for electronics? If your Spot goes swimming the reason I put down for warranty work was "Salt Water In The Battery Chamber!"
Posted 6 years ago # -
Mexican
MemberMore feedback for this feed. Just used my spot on a training run where i dumped my plastic boat and dealt with going in the drink...the SPOT FAILED and it was placed on my shoulder strap of the pfd without a waterproof bag. Brand new and now i have a replaced new one that will live in a clear dry bag.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I thought that Chief changed the rule last year. A drybag is required for your SPOT.
After loosing a couple of GPS units and one SPOT, I put all of my devices in clear dry bags. Even the cheap $10 Wal-mart bag is better than nothing. I used that on the last NCC with very rough weather. A little moisture did get in that I cleaned out when I got the chance.
Posted 6 years ago # -
danceswithmullet
MemberMy spot lives underdeck and transmits just fine through the fiberglass and foam. The blinking light isn't driving me nuts and it is protected. Like the previous post "waterproof" bags seem to still get moisture. They seem to just buy time until you can find a more permanent place out of the weather. DWM
Posted 6 years ago # -
JoeWildlife
MemberMy SPOT was in a waterproof pouch with dessicant packs and it lived through the 2013 EC just fine. However, my Garmin GPS got some water in it, judged by condensation under the screen, but it didn't kill it. I will continue to recommend lots of grease on the gaskets and ports. The GPS wasn't in a case because I have it on a RAM mount and haven't figured out how to have both a good mount and a waterproof case. Any ideas?
Joe
Posted 6 years ago # -
I've given up on my Ram mount (have kept the ball screwed to the deck) and now have my GPS in a drybag that sits on my spray skirt. First, I couldn't work out an effective waterproof system having it on the mount; and second; my vision's deteriorated enough that it's too far away to see.
KB
Posted 6 years ago # -
Joe,
This is what I did:
My GPS went in a drybag and then the drybag went under the bungees (the set on the left). The chunk of wood that you can see is on a friction hinge so I could vary the angle and it would stay put. I also tethered the drybag to a hardpoint on the boat just in case...
Posted 6 years ago #
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