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GPS tracker and SOS solution

R3DS!X

R3DS!X

Whatever that means
Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Location
Daly Shity
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Energica EVA
Honda 919
KTM 790 ADV
Royal Enfield INT 650
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CRC MotoGP Contributor
I'm somewhat familiar with spot and heard it gets spotty reviews from folks. Is there a better system that would let my SO track me and give me an emergency button?
 
Until such time you get a Personal Location Beacon or Satellite Messenger device you can also turn out Location Sharing in Google Maps and send the tracking link to loved ones.

Exact location only shows when you have cell/wifi link. In the boonies with no coverage it will at least show you last known location.

58d2c9c0d349f97b098b4fd6-750-562.png
 
My SO likes to track me when I'm camping, doing Astronomy in the mountains, but especially when I'm on the bike. I don't use the cell phone because most of the places I love to go have no coverage whatsoever.

I've been using an older "SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger". I've not had any location issues with it that I know of. I have noticed that if I switch it off it'll sometimes take several minutes or more to reacquire a GPS signal. So, there may be a gap between where I was when I switched it on and where I'd be down the road. But, it'll eventually show where I am. It also took a little time to tweak the online SPOT page for privacy, and then send out invites to the people I wanted to grant page tracking access to. The only other issue I've had has been batteries. Sometimes I'd forget to turn it off and I'd run it down before I wanted, so I've learned to pack extra triple As with me.

For me, it's worked spectacularly well up in the Sierras, Death Valley, etc.
 
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Anyone have experience with the Garmin inReach?
 
R3DS!X said:
Anyone have experience with the Garmin inReach?
Click to expand...

I believe there is already a long thread on it. I have one, love it. Works well. 2-way text messaging is very convenient. There are a variety of plans available, depending on how frequently you need to use it (I use it very infrequently). Disclaimer: never had to use it in an emergency. Planning on keeping it that way.
 
The Spot Gen III will turn itself off if it determines you are not moving and will restart once you get moving. I've used the Spot all over the western states, in Baja during the Mexican 1000 and a buddy used it for a tour of Northern Thailand. Works great. You have 3 message buttons that you can configure to send an email and or text to whomever and an SOS button that will alert the International Coordination Rescue Center. The ICRC will then notify local authorities and pass on your coordinates. I use Spotwalla instead of the Spot app. Much more feature rich and easier to use.
 
I've got a Garmin InReach and would very much recommend it. Has all the features of the Spot + allows texting back home, checking weather reports, etc. I've used it when camping in Death Valley on various 4x4 only trails and loved it. Never had to call in for help, but the service was solid.

Also with the inReach you can have multiple "profiles" so you can lend it to a buddy if they want to borrow it.
 
I think the issue is this;

If you need (want) two-way communication (by text with your phone linked to the device) get in-reach. I hear the Spot-x is okay, but it's like a blackberry.

If you just need a beacon and some canned messages, get a spot Gen 3.

If you use the shit out of it, and dont mind paying a yearly service fee (that seems to get bigger every year) get a spot.

If you only want to use it now and then, and would rather only pay for the time you use, get an in-reach.

Inreach= higher cost of device and the ability to buy service a month at a time.

SPOT= lower cost of device but only yearly service plans.

PLB= emergency beacon only.

You must be able to push the help button on all of them, but a tracking device used with spotwalla will show your last known location (every 10 minutes or so) giving someone a place to start looking if you're unable to do so.

I ride with a phone beacon connected to spotwalla while I'm doing the daily milk run. I use a Spot (because I force them to give me discounted service) connected to spotwalla for my trips. I've never had service or coverage issues with Spot.

When I stop getting steep discounts from Spot, I'll get an in-reach. Aside from cost, I think the in-reach is a better device. Look at the mini.
 
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R3DS!X said:
Anyone have experience with the Garmin inReach?
Click to expand...

As a customer of both SPOT and Garmin InReach - I can honestly say there is absolutely, without question, no comparison. The InReach is better in every single way possible.

If you can find one of the older ones, an "InReach Explorer", you can really maximize your bang for buck.

SPOT always missed waypoints and check-ins when I was in rough areas, or under trees, or if a bird flew over, or if the sun coughed, etc, etc. InReach uses, I believe, the Iridium network and not only does it provide 2-way communication, it freaking works.

I won't even get into the pathetic, borderline fraudulent feeling customer service that SPOT employees to keep you locked in. I didn't even try to sell my Spot Gen 3, I threw it in the garbage - literally.
 
I have the Garmin InReach Mini. Works great. I turn it on and throw it in my jacket pocket and it still pings the satellites. You can turn on a bread crumb feature if you want to leave a trail. Even without breadcrumbs my wife can login and find my current location. You can link your phone to it and send text messages via satellite to any cell phone. And you can download Garmin's map app and have topo/street/even quad sheets and aerial views while out of cell phone range. And if shit hits the fan it has a big SOS button which can send in the cavalry when necessary. $299 + monthly service plan. The plans range from like $12 to $100 depending on how many messages/breadcrumbs/weather reports etc.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592606
 
I use the Delorme Inreach. Also I knew someone that had experience using the SPOT and the Inreach and he said the Inreach is much better. The spot you press the SOS button and your left to wonder if you are going to be rescued. The Inreach you press the SOS button and a live operator will contact you and get you help. They also keep you updated when help will arrive. I have used it in Baja when we had a rider down and used it to track where I have been when I go on LONG trips.

Also the Inreach has the freedom plan. You pay a yearly subscription but you can deactive the service anytime you want. So you use it and pay only when you need it for a month. There are different plans also.
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^^ Yup, that's the one I got. The older Delorme Inreach. Fantastic and if you can find them used, they're affordable.
 
I've been using a Gen 3 SPOT for 4+ years and purchased it to let the lady track me when I was off in the middle of nowhere for days on end, and if I needed a helicopter ride.

The Bad:

I find their pricing, website and features archaic and frustrating. Prices keep going up every year, they don't make it easy to pay for a month and then cancel. You have to call in to the CSR to cancel, where they try and convince you not to.

The Okay:

I've not had any reliability issues when it comes to sending non-sos messages or general tracking. I've spent a bunch of time in the middle of nowhere US of A and it's been fine. Also used it on a 4x4 trip earlier this year, hanging from my rearview, out in the Eastern Sierras/Death Valley, again, no issues.

The Good:

Simple device, no screen to break. It's orange.


If I were buying today, Garmin InReach, and don't tell anyone I know it has 2 way text capability.
 
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Seems like the consensus here is the In-reach devices.

...we still haven't heard from the die hard PLB folks though...
 
After reading comments here, a few more online, looking at features and pricing online... I’m convinced. If I had a do over I’d go InTouch instead of Spot. Add me to the pile, Boney.
 
Krooklyn said:
I've got one too. It took forever to find a ram mount for it though as it's getting a bit old now.
Click to expand...

Is it too big for a pocket?

I've always disliked the idea of attaching my SOS device to the bike, as we might go separate ways. I've always attached my spot to my camelbak when riding off road, and toss is in my pocket when street riding.
 
InReach is really, really good.

The two-way texting is super useful for when you need some help but not an emergency. Situations like broken down in the woods, busted ankle or whatever.
 
DReg350 said:
After reading comments here, a few more online, looking at features and pricing online... I’m convinced. If I had a do over I’d go InTouch instead of Spot. Add me to the pile, Boney.
Click to expand...

The only reason I keep using mine is that they send unbeatable deals to my email about 6 weeks after my subscription expires. Pro-tip- use a card that expires before your next anniversary date so they can't charge you automatically for the next year. Then sign up again for half off when the code came in.

As soon as that stops, I'm gonna go buy an In-Reach Mini.
 
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