I have the gen 1 and have never had any of the issues I read about on-line. never once sent a message that didn't go through. I think where people have problems is: 1- you can't fix stupid, 2- People are really stupider than even I give them credit for, 3-, and honestly- You just have to WATCH the lights blinking, you'll see when your message goes through every time. Just like a GPS, Don't stand in a timber thicket and expect it to get sat's, but you don't have to be in a wide open meadow either.
All in all, it just keeps the wife happy