Setting up a SPOT G3 with Ok Alone

This article guides you through configuring your SPOT G3 to work seamlessly with Ok Alone. You’ll learn how to link the device via Data Push, customize the button messages for Check-In, End Shift, and Help, and sync settings to your SPOT G3. Follow these steps to ensure full functionality and reliable safety monitoring, even outside cellular coverage.

 

Prerequisite: Link SPOT via Data Push

Before proceeding, complete the Data Push setup outlined in Link SPOT to Ok Alone with SPOT’s Data Push. Once you see your SPOT’s ESN entered on the worker’s profile in Ok Alone, return here to configure your G3-specific settings.

 

SPOT G3 Buttons Overview

The SPOT G3 has four primary buttons you’ll use with Ok Alone:

1. Check-In Button

   • Acts as both Start Shift and Check In during a monitoring session.

2. Track Button

   • Enables continuous tracking; Ok Alone logs location updates at intervals you choose.

3. Custom Message Button

   • Configured to send an End Shift request.

4. Help/SPOT S.O.V. Button

   • Sends a Help alert to Ok Alone when pressed.

 

 

1. Edit Your Check In and Custom Messages

To use the SPOT G3 effectively with Ok Alone, you must tweak your message profiles so that pressing each button sends a formatted message to Ok Alone’s data push endpoint.

1. Log In to SPOT Account

   • Go to https://myaccount.findmespot.com/login and sign in with your SPOT credentials.

2. Open “My Devices” Tab

   • Click My Devices in the top navigation.
     

3. Select Your SPOT G3 and Click “Edit Settings”

   • Locate your G3 in the device list, then click Edit Settings.
     

 

2. Configure Message Profile Settings

Under Edit Settings, navigate to Message Profile Settings. You’ll adjust three message types:

• Check In

• Custom (for End Shift)

• Help/SPOT S.O.V.
  
  

For each, choose Add Email Contact and enter [e-mail]. Then update the message text to include your worker’s PIN followed by the appropriate command keyword.

1. Check In Message

   • Select Check In.

   • In the message field, type:

      

     [Worker PIN],ok

     Example: “123456,ok”

   • Set the contact to [e-mail], then click Save.
     

2. Custom Message (End Shift)

   • Select Custom.

   • In the message field, type:

      

     [Worker PIN],end

     Example: “123456,end”

   • Set the contact to [e-mail], then click Save.
     

3. Help/SPOT S.O.V. Message

   • Select Help/SPOT S.O.V..

   • In the message field, type:

      

     [Worker PIN],help

     Example: “123456,help”

   • Set the contact to [e-mail], then click Save.
     

 

3. Adjust Tracking Intervals (Optional)

While still in Edit Settings, you can modify how frequently your SPOT G3 sends location pings to Ok Alone:

1. Scroll to Tracking Intervals.

2. Choose one of the preset intervals (e.g., 2 minutes, 5 minutes) or set a custom schedule.

3. Click Save once you’ve selected your preferred update frequency.

 

4. Sync the SPOT G3 to Update Settings

After adjusting messages and tracking intervals, you must sync these changes to your SPOT G3:

1. Connect Your SPOT G3 to a Computer via the USB cable.

2. Open SPOTSync or Follow the Manual’s Sync Procedure

   • Launch the SPOTSync software (or use whichever tool your manual specifies).

   • Ensure your G3 is powered on and detected by the sync utility.

3. Perform a Sync/Firmware Update

   • Click Sync (or Update) to push your new message and tracking settings into the G3’s memory.

   • Wait until the process completes; do not disconnect prematurely.

 

5. Verify Functionality

Once sync finishes, test each button to confirm Ok Alone receives the correct messages:

1. Check In Test

   • Press the Check In button on your G3.

   • In Ok Alone, ensure the worker’s status updates to “Checked In.”

2. End Shift Test

   • Press the Custom button.

   • Ok Alone should record an “End Shift” request and close any active monitoring session.

3. Help Alert Test

   • Press and hold the Help/SPOT S.O.V. button.

   • Verify Ok Alone logs a Help alert, and a Monitor receives a notification if configured.

4. Tracking Test

   • Activate the Track button to start continuous location pings.

   • Verify Ok Alone shows a trail of location points (if your plan supports location history).

 

Troubleshooting Tips

• Messages Not Arriving in Ok Alone

  • Confirm you used [e-mail] exactly as the email address.

  • Double-check the worker’s PIN matches the one in Ok Alone.

  • Verify no extra spaces or punctuation exist in the message fields.

• Tracking Intervals Seem Off

  • Reopen the SPOTSync tool and confirm your selected interval was saved.

  • Ensure your G3’s battery is sufficiently charged; low power can interrupt tracking.

• Device Fails to Sync

  • Make sure the USB cable is securely connected and the G3 is powered on.

  • Restart your computer and SPOTSync, then try again.

• Ok Alone Doesn’t Show SPOT Check-Ins

  • Check that your SPOT Data Push settings still working

  • Confirm your SPOT device has a clear line of sight to the sky when testing.

If problems persist, contact Ok Alone Support at [e-mail].

 

Key Takeaways

• Link via Data Push First: Follow the Data Push guide before configuring your G3.

• Customize Messages: Use the worker’s PIN plus “ok,” “end,” or “help” to ensure Ok Alone interprets button presses correctly.

• Sync to Activate: Always sync your SPOT G3 after changing settings to store them on the device.

• Test Each Button: Verify Check In, End Shift, and Help alerts appear in Ok Alone.

By completing these steps, your SPOT G3 will work seamlessly with Ok Alone, keeping you safe even where there’s no cellular service.