Planning to do the full border route trail in August. Looking at satellite tracking devices for safety and letting family track the trip. Spot Gen 4 seems to be the best value. Anyone have experience or advice?

I use a GPS device from Zolio. I used it on my recent BWCA solo as well as a 76 mile thru hike earlier this year on the Foothills Trail here in SC. It worked very well. It found satelite services pretty good for being in the mountains on my hike. I set up a url through the system for my coworkers and friends to track my progress. I also had the ability to send texts to up to 5 people each time I checked in. (This can be more if you pay more on the subscription side. I like the fact that I can suspend the monthly service and reduce payment to a minimal fee when I am not planning trips. My buddy uses a Spot device and he seems to like it.

are you hiking or paddling?

I have had the Spot X, the Zoleo, and a friends brings the Garmin Inreach. The Spot X has its own keyboard which is nice. I just found the small keys on the keyboard difficult to use. I thought the Garmin Inreach had too small of a screen. My friend struggled with typing on it. Also, the Garmin requires the user to use an app vs just text to a phone number. I like the Zoleo best at this point. I have no problem using my cell phone in pair with it. That makes texting easy (with Siri). It, along with Spot, also have their own phone numbers so anyone can text you directly without using an app. The plus with the Zoleo is the medical assist feature. If you run into a medical situation, you can start a text thread with their medical staff and they can walk you through how to treat it, and/or advise on exfil and start a rescue. Zoleo was just $150 the last time I checked.

I got the Spot Gen 4 last year. Same route (but shorter) and purpose as you. It works fine. I found this video to be of some use when initially setting it up. The website where you register the device, etc could be better, I didn't find it intuitive. I called when initially setting setting up the Spot, and they were quite helpful.

In terms of use I didnt set it up for automatic tracking (eg 30 minute trail of breadcrumbs). I just hit the check-in or message button a few times a day.

Below are a couple screenshots from the device's map history:
- Moose Lake to Grand Portage (2023)
- PP - Man Chain - Falls Chain - McEwen - Louisa - Sunday - Moose Lake loop (2024)

I use the InReach (mini?)
I agree the screen is small, but it works. SOS built in. You can set up pre-defined messages and send those to a whole group of people. You get some number free each month with the paid subscription. You can turn the subscription on and off and avoid the fees, but there is a yearly "keep-me-enrolled-but-not-active" fee. I think it was about $16 US.
It is not cheap. I got mine at REI for about $400.
I had not even heard of the Zoleo at the time I bought it.
So far, works great for me.

My $0.02

I use inreach and like it. Weather and can save maps on my phone and pair them. Can activate and turn off as needed online.

My personal opinion it feels like Spot has fallen behind in this business. I use a Garmin InReach Mini (1) which I can use alone or with my phone and accompanying software. With the new Mini 2 out, there may be deals on the older but still highly functional 1. Zoleo has really risen in the last couple years. They both have a few slight advantages over the other in my opinion. Either option is excellent.

+1 for Garmin inreach mini2 with an iPhone.
Other than starting and stopping tracking at the beginning and end of my trip, the mini2 stays in the pfd. Texting w/family and detailed weather reports are all via the app on my iPhone tethered to the mini2 via Bluetooth. The iPhone is also our primary navigation, I use the offline maps functionality in OnX and map out preferred campsites and routes in advance. The mini2 uses about 10% of a full battery charge per day, and the iPhone, on airplane mode, about 20% of its battery per day. I also carry a 20k Anker power bank. We’ve done 2 weeklong BW trips this year, and each time returned to the car with 70-80% left on the Anker. My setup is 700g in total but worth it to me to have navigation, sat comms, and camera. It will be interesting to see if Apple decides to add sat texting to the SOS functionality newer gen iPhones have already.