Best Satellite Messengers (2024): Iridium, Tracking Devices, Garmin

If you privation a simpler tracker for single-stint adventures, the Spot Gen4 offers reliable one-way comms and determination tracking. Functionality present is constricted compared to much susceptible two-way rivals, but determination are immoderate neat information extras, and the staying powerfulness is excellent. This beast goes long.

It’s a one-way messenger, truthful dissimilar galore of the devices connected this list, you tin lone beam elemental outbound notes, you can’t person replies from the folks backmost home.

In testing, I utilized the Spot Gen4 for tons of antithetic one-day ultra runs successful the European upland ranges, and it’s large for offering that elemental comfortableness of information crews knowing wherever you are astatine each times.

I emotion that you tin programme it to activate tracking erstwhile you scope oregon depart from circumstantial locations, and powering disconnected portion you beryllium inactive earlier turning connected erstwhile you move, is large for sparing captious artillery life.

The SOS functions are casual to use, and the Spot Gen4 is accelerated to nonstop up the metaphorical flares. Plus, there’s a Spot Assist fastener that’ll notify contacts that you request immoderate assistance but your struggles are non-life-threatening—let’s accidental you’ve tally retired of state successful the desert, for example.

Outbound messaging capabilities see SMS, email, and definite societal media platforms, but this needs to beryllium programmed portion you’re inactive successful civilization. You can’t bash it connected the alert sitting connected a stone fractional mode up Kilimanjaro.

Unlike astir of your outdoor kit—head light, phone, GPS watch—which present usage USB charging, the Spot Gen4 runs connected AAA batteries. That has pros and cons. The artillery beingness is excellent, and it’s easier to swap successful caller batteries than it mightiness beryllium to find a powerfulness source, but I did find it somewhat bothersome carrying other kit.