My kid is feeling like I should take some kinda SPOT device on my 2-3 wk solo next year. I can't see it as necessary, but if it will keep my family happy while I'm gone, I'm willing, I guess. Any idea how long battery life is on those things? I'm not taking a solar panel, that's for sure!

Also I know nothing about them. Is there one that is better than another? All I really need is something that tracks my progress from one day to the next, and allows me to send a message confirming that I am still alive (LOL). I worry that I'll forget to send an OK message some night and get the EMS called but an overly anxious 35 year old, but I can try to get into some kind of routine I suppose.

I've had a SPOT device (Generation 2) for I think about five years. It came with lithium batteries that I am just now starting to think about replacing. I don't know if I actually need to replace them, but after five years, I'm going to at least look into it. Maybe someone at a Batteries Plus store can tell me how much battery life is left.

I don't use my SPOT for anything other than our trip to Quetico (or the BW) so it sits in the drawer all year except for a week or two when we're using it.

When the signal is sent, not only does it send an "I'm ok" message of your choosing that you program online prior to your trip, but it also sends GPS coordinates and a map so folks can see your location when the message was sent. If they have a map at home, they can see your SPOT message, then check the map to pinpoint your location.

Don't forget... besides the cost of the SPOT itself, there's also a subscription for the service. Not crazy expensive, but it's an expense nonetheless.

My wife got me a Garmin Inreach mini for Christmas this past year. I played around with it on some weekend trips to familiarize myself with it then a couple of weeks ago, used it on a 6 day trip into the BWCA. To answer your ? about battery life, after 6 days, mine still had a 92% battery life. Each evening I sent a preloaded message saying that "I was Ok" to the wife and it included a google earth type link showing where the message originated from. On the next to last day, my buddy fell and hurt his back....he's a pretty tough guy, I could tell he was hurting, so I utilized the device to contact our outfitter(via text message) and arranged for a tow out the following day....It saved his back about 3 hours of hard paddling the day before a 17 hour drive home.

I only had it on for about 15 minutes each evening to send those messages out.

There is an annual fee of about $25.00 and then a monthly fee (several choices) depending on the plan you want. I chose the plan that is month by month so I am not paying any fees while it is sitting on the shelf at home not being used. I beleive that fee is $15.00 per month when you have it activated and that covers a 30 day period. you are limited to 15 texts or e-mails, however, you can preload 10 generic type emails such as "I am ok" which are free to send and unlimited. I also downloaded an updated weather forcast for my location every night. I synced my Iphone with it and typed up the texts from it (much easier) I carried an Anker power pack to keep my phone and headlamp charged and could also charge the inreach from it if I needed to....

Mike

Like Jackfish, I, too, have a Spot Gen 2. Using it only to send a message when we make camp for the night, batteries last years. If you are using the tracking function, that's different. I have read here 3 to 5 days for batteries.

What JATFOMike said. Here's a good in-depth review of the Garmin InReach mini. I bought a refurbished unit from GPS City. On a 14-day trip using it as Mike said, plus getting some weather reports, it used about 2% a day.

I know someone who has a SPOT unit. He was concerned/uncertain about battery life as well so it isn't on all day.

When he goes on a trip, he keeps the unit turned off and in a dry bag that is kept in a convenient location for ease of access. Periodically during his travels, he will get it out, turn it on for several minutes to give the GPS time to get a good fix on location, then send the "I'm OK" message. After the message is sent, he will turn it off again. I'm guessing by doing this it would take a very long time to run the battery down.

Just a thought.

Sure you need the messaging or would a single purpose emergency loacator beacon work?
How to Choose Between a PLB and a Satellite Messenger
Comps: inReach Mini vs SE+/Explorer+, SPOT Gen3, and PLB’s
ACR PLB vs InReach

A PLB is just emergency beacon built to international SAR specifications. More powerful transmitter, build quality, and with a longer battery life. Single point (purchase) cost no subscription needed with a 6 year shelf life between rebuilds (battery replacement).
Priced between Spot and Inreach as a new unit, Spot and Inreach offer messaging or 2 way texting, and need a subscription to be purchased. If an emergency signaling device would work for you a PLB may be cheaper and longer lasting.

I personally use a PLB, have for 15 years.

butthead

PS: Want to add another utility for any of the units. Any back country travel can take you out of cell phone range. Particularly the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. I keep my PLB in my vehicle when driving across our beautiful USA. Routes like the "Dragon's Tail" and "The Million Dollar Highway" while not really treacherous are out of cell phone coms mostly and offer increased potential for an accident. bh

I just used the Garmin Inreach on a 10 day trip. It was set to send gps location every 10 mins and one message each night when we got to a camp site. It was turned off each night.

I had to charge it once. I brought a small ANKER battery for recharging. It was the size of a roll of quarters.

Garmin has the ability to post these locations and a website for your family to watch your progress. Everyone that followed us thought it was cool and allowed them to "share" your trip.

Wharfrat63

I have a Spot X, without bluetooth. On a 7 day trip this summer, I forgot to bring a charging cord (to connect to a battery bank) and was a little worried. I sent messages out each night to parents of the kids that came along (included gps coordinates) and could receive their responses. On day 4, my daughter came down with a medical issue that required us to message back and forth with a Dr friend, so for three days I used it a LOT (but would turn it off when not in use). I was also able to give parents a heads up that we were exiting early. Still had juice when we departed on day 7.

My Gen 2 SPOT lasts for 7 days with 10 minute daily tracking. I shut it off at night ( unless I forget). Just send a" check in" message when I hit the water in the A.M and at night when I make camp. I also have an Inreach and I prefer it over the SPOT.

I have the smallest, most basic SPOT. I set it for 30 minute tracking and keep it on all the time during my solo trips. I send the "OK" message each day when I make camp. The longer the interval for the tracking message, the longer the batteries will last.
I have used it for more than 8 days without needing to change out the batteries, though I always carry a spare set. Be sure to use the high end lithium batteries, not regular alkaline batteries.

dogwoodgirl,

Sent you an email via my gmail....I have a Spot Gen3 that you can have if you're interested....

Pineknot.

I have used the Spot X the last 3 years. I love it. I was able to stay in text communication with my wife during the week in the BWCA which was really nice. I brought some "bricks" (battery chargers) but never needed to charge the Spot X the entire week I was up there. . .and that's with sending texts several times a day.

On top of that you can subscribe for just the month, then suspend it again.

Love it.

PineKnot: "dogwoodgirl,


Sent you an email via my gmail....I have a Spot Gen3 that you can have if you're interested....


Pineknot."

Got it- emailed you back, yes, I'll take it