SPOT or Sat Phone?

[Guest akaspecials]

I drew a 24b December deer tag and plan to be backpacking into wilderness areas. I just had surgery on my back and am worried about hurting myself back there. Does anyone have any suggestions on whether to purchase a SPOT, Sat Phone, or other device for emergency AND general communication? How much are you guys paying for these services?

[rcdinaz]

When I researched them I ended up choosing the Delorme unit. I believe Amanda uses the same one. You can send texts and also let others track where you are and battery life is good. Service depends entirely on what plan you pick but expect $20-$30 a month and all of them still have the quirky plans where you have to turn them off or you get billed.

 

Good luck on the hunt!

[Phil Carr]

My brother carried a SPOT. While hiking the Az Trail. Pretty cool because it allows people you give permission to the ability to watch your progress on their computer.

It allows you to send short preloaded messages also. Better yet is the ability to send a SOS which will allow rescue efforts to respond right away. For a small fee you can purchase $100,000 worth of emergency insurance.

My opinion, this is a great devise for the money if a person hunts off the beaten path, especially if they hunt alone.

[Pac8541]

Sat phone was too much of an investment for me and the DeLorme inReach seemed to solve the problem for me. I say that however, without having actually used it yet. The thing arrived just a few days ago. Reviews from users, research off their website, and recommendations from personal friends helped make my decision. The SPOT does some very similar things but what tipped the scale for me was the easy subscription terms and its operation through the Iridium sat network. The whole point of buying one of these was worst case use and if it isn't reliable or doesn't catch a satellite then its not worth the money or subscription. DeLorme seems to have the best features. They're also owned by Garmin so I would imagine there will be cross compatibility with their GPS units in the future.

[Curtis Reed]

ResQlink Personal Locating Beacon. Most powerful and reliable signal available to citizens. You can't text on it, but if you need rescue, there is nothing else I would trust my life with more. It's the same device that has saved thousands of sailors at sea. You register it with NOAA. I wouldn't trust SPOT. the signal is weak and is not reliable. Isn't 100% reliability the reason you get one of these devices in the first place?

 

Do a bit of research and I think you'll have piece of mind going with the ResQlink. Oh... the best part?? No monthly subscription fee.

 

Outdoor Gear Lab's Editors Choice Award

 

https://youtu.be/9C7UiFe_hRk

[pahncho2121]

I have spent hours researching this and over the life of the messenger the delorme inreach was the better buy. They allow you to activate for just a 30 day period under their freedom contract instead of paying for the whole year. I haven't pulled the trigger yet but will soon.

[Str8Shot]

Road hunt ... You Just had Back Surgery

[Guest akaspecials]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The Delorme units are looking like the best option for me.

 

As for road hunting, I have a while until my injury relegates me to a vehicle. So I'm going to enjoy every chance I can get into the backcountry until then. 2 hours of physical therapy and walking for an hour every morning should have me ready by the hunt. Just want to have something back there just in case shtf.