SPOT LLC Announces Recall!

SPOT LLC has announced a recall of it’s SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.  This is for the generation 2 model.  This model has only been available since October 2009.  Although North Wash Outfitters has not yet began selling the generation 2, we understand that some of our customers may have purchased this unit elsewhere and therefore encourage you to look up the SPOT website for information on this recall.  The article from their site is posted below along with a link to their website.

Spot LLC is dedicated to providing the highest quality and best performance products to our customers, therefore, Spot LLC will be conducting a voluntary return on any new model SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ (SPOT 2) purchased since October 1, 2009. During recent testing, we discovered that some of the new SPOT 2 devices might not meet battery and messaging operating specifications.
Affected Units

To see if your SPOT-2 unit is affected by this issue, please do the following:

• If you have activated your SPOT-2 unit, login to your account at https://login.findmespot.com, click on the My GPS Locations tab and a message will display indicating if you have an affected SPOT-2 unit.
• If you have not activated your SPOT-2 unit, do not activate. We highly recommend you return your product for replacement at your earliest convenience.

The Exchange Process

• Replacement units are anticipated to be available in early 2010. More details to follow.
• If you exchange your eligible unit, you will also receive 1 additional month of your current SPOT service plan and associated services.
• Once exchanged, you will receive a new SPOT-2 unit.
• Please follow this process to receive your return shipping materials. These will be sent you upon completion of the form.
• Ship only your SPOT-2 unit and take out batteries prior to shipping.

Important notes
This does not affect SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) nor is it an upgrade program to transition from SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) to the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT-2).

SPOT LLC website address:  http://www.findmespot.com/exchange/

Sale on SPOT Satellite Messenger

We are excited not only for the Canyoneering Community but for the outdoor community as a whole.  SPOT Satellite Messenger is having a sale to beat all sales.  I am thrilled because this device is one that should be with anyone who is going to be out of cell phone range.  I have seen some incidents quickly resolved because of this device and I have seen some incidents that would have fared much better had help been summoned much sooner.  SPOT is a great device that is well worth the money.  Most Americans spend much more money a month on their cell phone bills than on what this unit is going to cost you a year, and your cell phones won’t get out in some areas like this will.  Plus your cell phone doesn’t come with an optional $100,000 rescue insurance for $7.95 a year, A YEAR!!

I’m not going to rant about it again, this unit is well worth it and I am not being paid by the company to promote it.  I have seen and used it and have had great success with it as well as peace of mind.  Whether you buy yours from North Wash Outfitters or any other retailer, it is an investment that is worth it.

Right now SPOT is offering the unit for free or at a reduced price through rebates depending on the service contract you sign up for. This offer is valid 6/1/09 through 8/3/09.

Canyoneering with The Totem

Have you ever been frustrated by your rappelling device? Tired of a device that seems to work good on one type of rappel but not another? Well, I don’t know if there can be such a perfect device to fix all your problems, but The Totem is going to come as close as you can get right now.

The Totem is by far going to be one of your favorite pieces of Canyoneering / Climbing / Rescue gear. This rappelling and rigging device was designed by Rich Carlson from the American Canyoneering Association and is  going to fast become one of those devices that you can’t leave home without.  No it doesn’t have a bottle opener built into it but this device is multi functional and can carry the rigging load of many of your other / older / outdated devices.  It functions like a figure eight, sticht plate and gigi all in one.  It will do everything each of these devices will do, plus a few things unique to The Totem. Use it to rappel on single or double strands of rope from 7.5mm to 10.5mm. Easy to add friction on the fly. Simple to lock off.

Other uses include: rigging releasable eight, joker and stone eight; anchor rigging plate; as a “trolley” for guided rappels, guided hauls and lowers; and much much more.

Check out below some of the different ways to rig this amazing device.
The Totem on YouTube

The Totem on YouTube (Rough Cut)

PDF download show different Anchor Rigging Options which can be done with the Totem.

PDF download show different ways to rig Rappelling Options with the Totem.

The Totem sells for $45.00