Whether you’re staying in this holiday season or venturing out to enjoy some winter trips, there is no shortage of new gear or gadgets to choose from to make your life as a pilot easier and more enjoyable. From the latest in tech to toys that will keep the youngest aviation enthusiasts among us engaged for hours, we’ve identified the must-have gifts for anyone with a love of flying.
SPOT Gen4
Whether youâre flying in the backwoods or driving through a remote area with no cell coverage, the SPOT Gen4 is a tool youâll be glad you have on hand in case of an emergency. The GPS messenger uses the Globalstar satellite network to track your movements, notify friends and family of your location and coordinate an emergency response if something goes awry.Thanks to the unitâs motion-activated tracking technology, users can set up a vibration sensor to prompt the SPOT to start location monitoring as soon as they start moving. Users can send their GPS coordinates from a waypoint to up to 10 people via email or text, and they can also refer back to those waypoints at a later time. In the case of a serious emergency, SPOT users can activate the S.O.S. button in order to alert emergency personnel. Additionally, the Help/S.O.V. function can be utilized to reach loved ones in the case of a non-life-threatening emergency.
The Gen4 is pocket-size and lightweight, weighing less than a third of a pound. It can operate up to over 21,000 feet, and it can maintain functionality in severe cold (down to -22° Fahrenheit) as well as severe heat (up to 140°).
The unit itself is priced at $149.99, and users can select from either contract plans that start at $143.40 per year for continuous use or flex plans that start at $14.95 per month for seasonal use.
Learn more at findmespot.com.
