The New Spot, Smaller and Improved?

[nomocom]

Originally Posted by dmaib

I seem to remember someone saying that the new units have a much shorter battery life. Is that correct?

It is true- at least if you believe the instrument

Find Me Spot has pulled the new Spot units off the shelves and issued a recall for the second generation Spot. (findmespot.com)

Dissapointing. So, I send my unit back and I get unit that works correctly sent to me "early 2009". Not confidence inspiring.
I've sent them an email for more details, having found their explanation, "some of the new SPOT 2 devices might not meet battery and messaging operating specification." a bit vague. Just what does this mean? In an emailed reply, they report the failure consists of the unit reporting low batteries before the batteries are low. Well, I can think of lots worse failure modes. So I spend a few extra dollars on batteries maybe, but I've got trips planned, so no thanks, you won't be getting my unit until I've got another one in hand, or some assurance on a quick turn around.

While I'm certainly not impressed with their initially vague communications and having to send mine in with no replacement in hand, I suppose it says something that I don't want to give it up