The Best Satellite Messengers

Whether you're backpacking, backcountry skiing or adventuring out of service range, a satellite messenger, gps device or personal locator beacon (plb) for your outdoor pursuits is important. After all, your safety is on the line. But choosing the right one for your needs can be difficult. We looked at 28 units, from garmin to spot and everything in between, compiling the top professional and user reviews, and comparing models side-by-side for weight, budget, battery life , communication capabilities and subscription costs. The result: our top winners for the best personal locator beacons and two-way satellite messengers for every kind of user.

Spot x offers a wide range of service plans on a monthly or annual basis making the messenger cost-effective for a variety of users. Plus, unlike other satellite messengers, all incoming messages are free of charge to the spot user. View service plans the spot x is a lightweight satellite messenger - weighing under 200g the spot x interface is a 18" micro usb port this messenger can operate in temperatures from -20°c to +60°c!.

To break into the two-way messaging market, the spot x needed to be somehow better than the category leading inreach units. In some respects, it is: it’s simpler, designed to be fully functional as a standalone device. Each unit has a dedicated mobile u. S. Phone number, which makes sending messages to it easier from standard mobile phones or other two-way satellite messengers. It has twice the battery life of the inreach se+ and explorer+, at least when in 10-minute tracking mode. And, it’s less expensive to own and operate, costing less for the unit and for comparable service plans. Since it’s initial launch, spot has released several firmware updates to eliminate coding bugs and improve the user-interface.

1-way vs. 2-way messengers. Satellite messengers are categorized in many different ways. The most common is to characterize them as either 1-way or 2-way messengers. A 1-way messenger can send messages out but cannot receive messages. The spot gen4 is a typical example. Standalone vs. Paired messengers. Standalone messengers provide basic messaging functionality, including the ability to send a preset check-in message or initiate an sos response. However, pairing the messenger to a smartphone (and the messenger’s companion app) is the only way to access a messenger’s full capabilities. The garmin inreach mini 2 is a typical example of a standalone messenger, but pairing it with a smartphone and the garmin explore app provides easier access to messaging features and more robust mapping.

Iridium Versus Globalstar: Which Satellite Network is Best?

Spot is a gps tracking device that uses the globalstar satellite network to provide text messaging and gps tracking (depending on the subscription type purchased). It has a coverage area that includes a large portion of the planet, with the exception of extreme northern and southern latitudes and parts of the pacific ocean. Depending on the product, spot can send and receive communications. The device is sold by spot llc, a subsidiary of globalstar. With the purchase of a subscription, spot allows short (41 character ) user-defined text messages which can be sent to a list of telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Meet zoleo, the affordable accessory that extends your smartphone messaging coverage to everywhere on earth and provides a safety system you can count on. Ruggedly designed, location-aware and iridium-based, the zoleo satellite communicator device will keep you connected and secure when venturing beyond cell coverage*. Simply connect zoleo with our free app on your smartphone to send and receive messages anywhere on earth, and a whole lot more. *active subscription plan required to transmit messages over the iridium® satellite network.

Optimized inreach messaging uses a cellular connection of your smartphone when it’s available, then it seamlessly switches to a 100% global iridium® satellite network when you go beyond available cellular coverage range.

Waterproof:yes includes:usb cable, carabiner clip and spine-mount adapter compact, rugged design:don’t let the 4” x 2” size and 3. 5 oz weight fool you. Inreach mini 2 is tough, durable, impact resistant (mil-std-810) and water-rated to ipx7. Two-way messaging:exchange text messages with loved ones back home, post to social media, or communicate inreach to inreach in the field interactive sos alerts:in case of emergency, trigger an interactive sos message to the garmin iercc, a 24/7 staffed emergency response coordination center. Location sharing:share your location with loved ones back home at any time using your mapshare™ page or with your coordinates embedded in your messages.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator

The garmin inreach messenger is a pricey device, and even a basic subscription adds considerably to the cost. But if you need to be available and visible to others when outside the reach of a wi-fi or cellular network, you don't have a great deal of choice. It's pay-big-bucks-satellite-prices or nothing at all. But if you choose to take the satellite communicator route, you will be very pleased to find that you've chosen a gadget that's both highly reliable and super easy to use, and that will give loved ones peace of mind and a way to get in touch with you.

September 27, 2022 by dc rainmaker | garmin reviews » sports technology news and reviews | comments (158) garmin’s just announced a new model in their inreach satellite communicator lineup – the inreach messenger ($299). And with it, also a new app called messenger, which will soon work with a number of recent inreach devices. This new app aims to more seamlessly mesh your network connectivity so that it’ll use satellite messaging as previous, but also leverage cellular/wifi networks if within range. This is ideal when you’re in sometimes viable cellular coverage, saving you satellite messages/time. Meanwhile, the new messenger device is an entirely different form factor for garmin, which has historically put inreach antennas in their handheld lineup, as well as more recently in some higher-end mainly off-road vehicle dashboards (tread series).

Garmin has a range of satellite messengers on the market, ranging in price from $529 (mini) to $949 (gpsmap 86i). The mini is the entry-level unit within the garmin range and features two-way messaging, two-way global interactive sos, tracking and location sharing, cloud storage, trip planning, and weather info. The mini weighs a lithe 100g and measures in at 5. 2 x 9. 9 x 2. 6cm. The rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery provides up to 50 hours of life (at 10-minute tracking with five-minute logging). 4x4 australia’s former deputy editor, dean mellor, tested the inreach mini and said of it: “here was a two-way satellite communicator that cost much less than a satphone to purchase and operate, yet it allowed for text communication from anywhere in the world.

This post may include affiliate links. There is never an additional cost to you. See full disclosure here. The best satellite messengers give hikers and backpackers the ability to stay on track, stay in touch, and—if worse comes to worst—summon rescue. In this article, we’re going to compare two of the leading satellite messengers on the market. Both are under the garmin inreach line: the garmin explorer+ and the mini. We’ll kick off with a more in-depth argument for why you ought to consider carrying a satellite messenger with you out in those splendid wilds, moving on to a discussion of what inreach in general offers, and then break down the nitty-gritty of both of these handheld models.

SPOT X Bluetooth Satellite Communicator

The spot x provides 2-way satellite messaging so you can stay connected with family and friends when you are off the grid and beyond cellular coverage. Each spot x has its own unique mobile number allowing you to exchange sms messages with mobile phone users, or send and receive emails, wherever you're located. If preferred, you can connect the spot x to your smartphone via bluetooth and use your mobile phone and the spot x app to communicate easily with family, friends, or directly with search & rescue services in a life-threatening situation. Spot x features • send an s.

Spot x provides 2-way satellite messaging when you’re off the grid or beyond reliable cellular coverage. Connect spot x to your smart phone via bluetooth wireless technology through the spot x app to access your contacts and communicate easily with family, friends, or directly with search & rescue services in a life-threatening situation. If preferred or when necessary, spot x can be used as a standalone communication device. Functions: sos: send an s. O. S. To the 24/7 search & rescue services, message back and forth about the nature of your emergency, and receive confirmation when help is on the way.

Spot xtm with bluetooth® 2-way satellite messenger from spot on vimeo. Spot x provides 2-way satellite messaging when you’re off the grid or beyond reliable cellular coverage. Connect spot x to your smart phone via bluetooth wireless technology through the spot x app to access your contacts and communicate easily with family, friends, or directly with search & rescue services in a life-threatening situation. If preferred or when necessary, spot x can be used as a standalone communication device. Spot x has its own dedicated canadian mobile number, so others can message you directly at any time. Specifications: s. O.

Spot x provides 2-way satellite messaging so you can stay connected to remote and lone workers, even outside of cellular range. Connect spot x to your smartphone via bluetooth through the spot x app to access your contacts and communicate easily. This includes direct communication with emergency services and pinpoint satellite location of employees. Spot x is flexible too—each unit has its own u. S. Mobile phone number so units can be reached via cell or other sms devices at any time. Easily connect the spot x device to the spot x app and have satellite connectivity at your fingertips.

SPOT Gen4 Satellite Communicator

Affordable satellite messaging, location sharing, and sos, wherever you have a clear view of the sky!* respond to messages sent by your contacts via satellite, and message contacts over an internet connection, free of charge. Bullitt satellite messenger offers low-cost messaging over satellite. Communicate with family, friends, and co-workers, in places where it's never been possible to get a message out before. Escape the no-bar blues - cellular dead spots do not apply. When a message is important, we want you to be able to send it. And in an emergency, you have a reliable means to raise the alarm - day or night, wherever you are*, you can reach the response center via satellite and get the help you need.

Spot x uses satellite communication to allow users to send sms and email messages to any phone number or email address worldwide, without the requirement of mobile phone service. In short—you can text from the backcountry. The device also provides s. O. S. Emergency signalling, tracking, navigation, and other messaging features.

Spot x provides 2-way satellite messaging so you can stay connected to family, friends, colleagues whenever you’re outside of cellular range, including direct communication with search & rescue services in case of a life-threatening emergency. Spot x even provides you with your own personal mobile u. S. Number so others can message you directly from their cell phone or other sms devices at any time. Message – exchange messages with any cell phone number or email address from virtually anywhere in the world. S. O. S. – send an s. O. S. To the 24/7 search & rescue center, message back and forth about the nature of your emergency, and receive confirmation when help is on the way.

Garmin inreach mini 2 - black hgs-0260-201 spot x - 2 way satellite messenger w/bt hgs-2000-011 spot satellite gps messenger gen 4 hgs-2000-012 zoleo seamless global messaging system hgs-zole-o-1.