Puckster wrote on Mar 16^th, 2012 at 3:07am:

I'm just curious, but what is the attraction to this technology?  Same question goes for weather radios, GPS, etc...  To me, part of the thrill of wilderness travel is going to a place where I am cut off from the modern world.  A little risk to me adds a bit of excitement to the trip.  I'm as inconsistent and hypocritical as hell, cuz I like to have a map, and I enjoy all the creature comforts of modern canoe camping. I suppose solo canoeing is another matter, or is it? prouboy

I'm doing a 3 week solo this spring and a SPOT GPS Messenger was a must for my wife.  It's worth it to give her peace of mind.  Also found another use for it.  My trip is part of a sabbatical (I'm a pastor).  I'll hit my "I'm OK" button at every lake and campsite, which will plot me on a map.  A member of the congregation has volunteered to put my developing route on a map and post every other day to the web, allowing everyone to see progress (and part of this is for the per mile pledge people are making to support the church's ministries).  I have no use, however, for gps or anything else.  But I do take my kindle.  Saves me from lugging a bunch of books.