Advancements in this type of unit are coming in fast. A quick look at this unit showed a price of 250 and then various monthly subscriptions and to use all of its features it had to be paired with another Delorme device or a smart phone.

IMO it is time to check out all the options and the present cost  of each. Inreach uses the Iridium satellite network which has profited from Globalstar's problems with two way communication in the last five years. Globalstar has now replaced enough satellites that they are back to good two- way communications. All Spot devices were using the Globalstar system and could easily send the messages. The verification that it had been sent took a while but now that things have been restored the "Message sent" light takes only a few seconds.

The current cost of a Globalstar phone is $500. I use the old  model and it can be picked up cheaper and works fine. You can purchase a Galaxy 120 package that gives you 120 minutes of calling minutes a year for $300. There is no limit to the number of short text that you can receive but you cannot send out texts. Being able to talk and deliver all the details of a situation is a big advantage. When loved ones at home are notified that you have hit the emergency button they are left in the dark as to what has happened.

Good things are happening fast so comparisons need to be done again.

I SR Spot has a sat phone now with some attractive - at least initially - call minute packages - like 80 min for $40 - with their $500 phone.

The gen 3 basic is interesting but best part is it resulted in a lower price on Spot 2 - which I have and really like.

Mad_Mat wrote on Aug 9^th, 2013 at 12:37pm:


M_M, After reading your link I remembered the guide had wished he had it linked to a Smartphone so he had an easier keyboard to type on.

On the "message sending light" I've learned best to just set the thing down - I usually set it on the fire ring - and let it time out - about an hour.  Unless something blinks red, I know it completed the sending process and is indeed "sent".  I caused some concern first trip thinking it was a message sent indicator and turned off the Spot before it had actually been sent.

Even timing out with Spot 2 - I've made several week long trips - a year apart - on same batteries.

BillConner wrote on Aug 10^th, 2013 at 2:11pm:


BC, I think you clued me in to the lights true meaning, thanks. I made the same mistake of turning my Spot off soon as I saw the light I thought meant my message was sent. Several messages didn't go through. Now I know to leave it be for a while longer and it works OK.