HikeArizona.COM

For several years I have been carrying a SPOT 2 device on my hikes. Many times it's just my dog and me and the SPOT is used to let people know where I parked, my location at any given time (when button is pressed) and when I have returned to the trail head. If ever I was in need of immediate help I have the option of pressing the SOS button and supposedly I will be rescued. Yearly subscription to use the above mentioned features is now $200 and seems every time I go to renew, there is a price increase. I have looked at other options but find there is no, less expensive, way to carry this peace of mind and promise of rescue that SPOT delivers. I am curious as to what others are using and why. Also open to any suggestions, comments, advice...etc related to this subject.

@Metalrunner
Technology has changed since this post and hopefully some current users will add new information to the discussion, but there were some posts you might find helpful in a previous thread:
[ Emergency Transmitters / Locators - 2015 ]

I use the ACR ResQlink. You can find it for under $300. No subscription, 10x's stronger than a Spot, and the battery is good for 7 years. It's only an SOS beacon so it won't send out messages to your loved ones. I'd rather have signal strength than messaging.

If you want the messaging capabilities, the InReach is 5x's stronger than the Spot but also has a subscription fee.

I haven't been able to find any signal strength info about the SpotX so chances are they haven't improved it enough to brag in any ways other than user friendliness and frills.

I just ordered a Garmin Inreach Mini - super excited to get my hands on it!
Will report back ...

@cactuscat I got one a few months ago—I like it.

lindaagm wrote: I got one a few months ago—I like it.

I did too. I order a protective case for it on Amazon, that included screen protectors too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GZ ... ikearizona

I have decided to wait for SPOT to come begging me to reactivate my account. They did that a couple years back when I let my account lapse and offered me a 50% discount. Hopefully, some day soon, the satellite communication will be available on smartphones. While I wait, I bought a hand held Ham radio to use which complements the cell phone.

@Metalrunner
There are already satellite communication apps for smart phones.

The one we had for the 340-mile lower Colorado River trip failed after about 10 days of every-day, all-day use. It would no longer charge up. The company was good about overnighting a replacement, trusting my friend to send the broken one back. But my friend said when his contract is up, he's buying a DeLorme. He also did not trust it to be actually waterproof.

DmN wrote:Good advice in this thread. Not really on topic but worth mentioning... I like to carry a SPOT to let people know where I am. There are a few options out there (Garmin in-reach, SPOT, ResQlink, etc) and it's something I always carry with me when I am exploring more remote and less traveled areas. Perhaps something to consider when you start off with more primitive exploring. Good luck and be safe!

@DmN
I had a spot but upgraded to a Somewear device and I love it. I like the fact that I can send text with it.

@RowdyandMe

Huh, I have never heard of this and will need to look into it. i was thinking about an upgrade to a Garmin Explorer but it's just one other piece of kit that'll add weight. How durable is the little puck?

Well I really like it a lot. I did one hike and wasn't feeling well. So I texted my wife and had her pick me up at a different trailhead. Which was great and she took me back to pick up my car.

@RowdyandMe
I have only used my Garmin inReach to order ice and batteries.