SPOT Unveils Next Generation Satellite GPS Messenger

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SPOT Unveils Next Generation Satellite GPS Messenger at Outdoor Retailer: SPOT-2

SPOT Unveils Next Generation Satellite GPS Messenger at Outdoor Retailer
SPOT Expands Product Line with the New SPOT-2 Satellite GPS Messenger - 30% Smaller and Lighter Offering Advanced Capabilities and Feature-Rich Enhancements
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
SALT LAKE CITY, UT. SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT) and a leader in personal satellite messaging and emergency communications, today introduced its new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™.

The new SPOT-2 Satellite GPS Messenger™ is 30% smaller and lighter than the original SPOT Satellite personal tracker, offers additional custom messaging modes, and uses a state-of-the-art GPS chipset and satellite communications to provide enhanced reliability and performance. SPOT LLC is showcasing its line of products and services this week at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Conference in booth number 36191 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Since market introduction, the award-winning original SPOT has initiated more than 250 rescues and sent millions of peace-of-mind and track-me messages around the world. We have listened to our customers’ suggestions and are proud to introduce today the second-generation SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger with its increased features and utility,” said Darren Bassel, director of global marketing, SPOT LLC. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our continued commitment to expand our product line and develop integrated services like SPOT Assist roadside assistance providing advanced personal satellite communications to increase safety for our customers on a daily basis.” The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ will include the following new features designed to enhance customer usability:

•30% smaller and lighter than the original model at 5.2 ounces
•New enhanced satellite antenna for improved performance in foliage or canopied environments
•Advanced GPS performance chipset
•GPS Acquisition light
• “Message Sending” indicator light
•Dedicated GPS Tracking button
•New, dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button
•Protective covers over SOS and Help button to prevent inadvertent message transmission
•Illuminated buttons
•Choice of orange or silver
•Included case and neoprene fastening band

The new model includes globally recognized symbols for its message buttons to accommodate use in international markets and stimulate distribution to a growing customer base in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

“The active outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, boaters, pilots, riders, remote workers and travelers will continue to enjoy the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger ™ for its ruggedness while its smaller compact size and weight is ideal for portable use,” continues Bassel. “The smaller size and ease-of-use will appeal to our broader consumer markets including the family on-the-go or anyone who spends time in the areas with unreliable cellular service. ”Equipped with two, notification LED’s and six function buttons the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ transmits activated messages based on varying levels of need:

•OK/Check in lets contacts know where you are and that you’re okay
•Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows contacts to track your progress in real-time using Google Maps™
•Help notifies your contacts or SPOT Assist professional services of your GPS location and need for assistance
•SOS/9-1-1 Alert notifies an emergency rescue coordination center of your GPS location
•Custom Message button sends a pre-programmed message to your personal contacts
Since market introduction, the award-winning SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ has initiated more than 250 rescues and sent
over 10 million peace-of-mind and track-me messages around the world. As of March 31, 2009 the Company had received orders
to ship more than 120,000 units and it currently has a growing global network of more than 8,000 points of distribution.

Availability:
The new SPOT-2 Satellite GPS Messenger (TM) is now available at retailers everywhere! To find a SPOT retailer in the United States please visit the SPOT website.
Note: The suggested price of the new model is unchanged. The price at retail is generally $149.00. Owners of the original SPOT may migrate their satellite and other service subscriptions to the new model. The original model and subscriptions will remain fully operational according to the SPOT marketing folks we talked with. --Webmeister Speik

http://findmespot.com

The basic design improvement of SPOT over PLBs

Again, an improvement of SPOT over (optional GPS enabled and more expensive) PLBs is the ability to "real-life test" the communication system where the user actually hikes, hunts, sleds, climbs and wanders. If the user programmed message "Hello, I am exactly here and I am having fun" gets through on previous trips, so will the message "911 Rescue Services are on the way, but don't worry Honey, they know where to find me".

The traditional PLB can be tested only for activating a signal circuit - a little light shines. It cannot be tested for whether the signal requesting Rescue, has actually been sent and received by 911. The location accuracy of the PLB using the venerable COSPAS-SARSAT system of seven satellites (without optional GPS support), can be up to two miles.
--Webmeister Speik

Technical questions answered by SPOT

The Communications Satellite Network Used by SPOT. What is it?
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
SPOT Transmits your GPS location through a network of LEO Satellites (Low Earth Orbit). These satellites are in constant motion and are in 8 planes with 6 satellites in each plane providing overlapping coverage. They fly at an altitude of 1,414 kilometers or 884 miles above the earth, moving at 17,000 miles per hour overhead. The satellites move horizon to horizon in approximately 20 minutes, so no matter where you are (such as in a canyon or on a mountain), as long as you can see the sky, your SPOT message gets through.

SPOT and the Commercial Data Network
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 16:00
Many of our customers from time-to-time have questions about the commercial data network that SPOT messages are sent through.
SPOT uses the Globalstar simplex data network to transmit messages. This is a proven data network that is also supporting tens of thousands of commercial and industrial data modems sending millions of messages each month for asset tracking and remote management applications. The simplex data network signal path works differently than the Globalstar satellite phone signal path, providing significantly better reliability and message completion rates. Extensive testing shows 99.6% reliability. As noted, the commercial data network not only supports message transmissions from the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger. In fact it originated to support a variety of personal messaging and tracking, aviation flight-following, and emergency asset and fleet tracking customer applications from some of the most demanding business customers all around the world. Simplex data solutions are also used for a number of remote monitoring and alarm applications, both within and beyond the reach of traditional wireless and terrestrial infrastructure. Information such as GPS co-ordinates, remote status and other sensor information can be reliably sent to customers using the Simplex network.

"What does this mean to you? You can pack peace-of-mind and everyday remote communication capabilities and know that your network is the same commercial data network that some of the world’s most demanding businesses choose to track their assets and transfer data."

http://www.findmespot.com

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