Let’s face the facts – you’re lost deep in the woods after going out on a hike to get photos of the elusive Bigfoot. You can’t find your way out and that big bear staring at you and salivating isn’t helping matters. As you rapidly climb a tree, you remember you can summon help with SPOT, the self-described world’s first satellite messenger. This aid to the lost hiker is priced at around $170 plus service fees.

The SPOT takes the form of a portable device which is designed to be waterproof as well as to withstand the outdoors in general. It’s reportedly relatively easy to use by pressing one of several buttons to, for example, transmit a user’s exact location and message to a 9-1-1 emergency call center in times of need. You can also send standard messages to family or others to request help or just let others track you via a Web service which uses GPS coordinates and Google Maps technology.

Now we’ll admit the SPOT isn’t the most stylish of devices but if it saves your butt in the woods, who cares? Style doesn’t mean much as a bear munches on your remains. The SPOT hits stores later this month.

SPOT