Looking into purchasing a GPS device and I am wondering which brand you all use or would recommend.........or perhaps it doesn't matter and they are both acceptable options. Haven't done a ton of research yet on either but I figure if I want to do a deep run into the BWCA this is a must have. Let me know your thoughts, thanks!!!

I have a Zoleo unit that I have been using the last 3 years and have been quite happy with. It pairs with my phone via Bluetooth enabling me to send texts home and has downloadable weather forecasts and a covered/recessed "Send Help" button. I can suspend service when I am not using it, so I am not paying a monthly bill all year. Thankfully I have not needed to be extracted, so I can not comment on how that might work, but in theory it should work the same as a Garmin or SPOT. Another brand to consider.

Also, I keep hearing that these devices will become obsolete on newer phones that can now offer similar functionality. I have an older phone, so it does not work for me. I have had trip mates that have successfully used their phones to send texts through Starlink as they were offering the service for free as a "promotion." Just something else to consider and look into as an option.

It might depend on whether you want a GPS unit with satellite communication capabilities or not. Garmin has both types, but I believe that Spot has only satellite communicators (with GPS location). Satellite communicators require a subscription of some sort to access the communication and rescue systems.

I've only had Garmin devices for about 20 years. The first of two was a unit similar to their current GPSMAP 65s (no communication, but waterproof and with a map display). The second is an older Delorme (now Garmin) inReach Explorer that has satellite communication (texting only) but has to be paired with a smartphone for digital maps. Newer Garmin devices can have maps and sat com in one device (or not)

Either type of device would meet your needs, depending on what it is that you want it to do.

We also take Zoleo units in our groups. They are far cheaper ($125 over Christmas) and have weather. They have a dedicated phone number where people can text to you without using the Garmin app and receive my texts directly. Best of all, they have medical assistance. We used this feature in 2025. One guy injured his hand. We activated the zoleo of medical aid, and a triage team walked us through how to treat and set the finger so that we did not have to come out early. Their medical assistance takes the burden off of you in deciding whether you need an exfil or not.

This last fall we tested the Zoleo units against the iphone 16 satellite texting. The Iphone would take up to a minute for the text to go through. The Zoleo was instant. We gave up on the Iphones as it was too exasperating waiting for messages to go back and forth.

I’ve used both the Spot and Garmin inReach Mini. I’m haven’t used the Zoleo, but it sounds like it’s also worth considering. The Spot is very basic, allowing tracking and preset one-way “okay” messages. SOS is also one-way communication, so you can send the SOS but not have any further communications with the rescuers. The Garmin has the tracking, okay messages and SOS button. But it also allows you to send and receive text messages, get weather forecasts for your location and have two-way communications with rescuers if you unfortunately need to use the SOS button. You can pair the Garmin with your phone to use all of the features more easily, but you can also send/receive messages and weather forecasts right on the device itself. This is helpful if for some reason your phone becomes unavailable.

So far I’ve found the Garmin to be more reliable than the Spot. The Spot occasionally failed to send “okay” messages and I had no idea until family members told me later they were worried when they didn’t get an expected okay message. With the Garmin it’s easier to tell if the okay message is successful and it allows other options for texting if a family member gets concerned about something.

The Spot is much less expensive up front, but added cost of the Garmin might be worth it to you think you want the extra features. You’ll also want to compare the devices’ subscription options and costs.

I would suggest that you look into Garmin products. They have been in the business of mapping longer than anyone. Go Garmin.

I’d go Garmin hands down. I’m curious how the newer phone will affect things. However I fill the Garmin Inreaches are way more reliable than a phone ever will be.

If you are just looking for tracking and for SOS or messaging, I recommend SPOT or Zoleo for ease of use. But if you want mapping and route guidance, go with Garmin. I just find the Garmin apps and interfaces overly complicated so I only use it when I have to have a GPS map (which is rarely since I much prefer a paper map).

Remember that the more features a unit has, the shorter battery life it will have. My SPOT can do 10 minute tracking and send a daily "OK" message for 8 days before I need fresh batteries. My Garmin needs to be charged every 1-2 days.

Is the Garmin the only one that has the real time tracking map (shows my position and movement) that I could use as opposed to a paper map for navigation?

The Zoleo sounds very cost effective for what it does, but I am wanting to have the ability to track my present location and navigate via an APP as opposed to a paper map.

The Zoleo does not have it's own screen, so you won't get a map to navigate to. Loved ones at home can track and see where you are though.

Zoleo Location Share

If you are looking for an app for your phone to navigate with, try Avenza. Just be sure to set it up before heading out and download some maps for offline use.

Be sure to bring a printed map as a backup in case your electronics die or malfunction.

Hi!
I have used the Garmin Spot for about four years now and I like it. Sending messages other than the three preset messages is a pain, but doable if you keep it short. I have never paired it to my phone. Spot sending and receiving takes battery and I set mine to 30 minutes for sending waypoints and I turn it off once I hit camp , the battery can stretch to about a week. I like it because it is small and therefore light (I'm an ultralight paddler).
So the caveats: I have never tried anything else. And yes, I pay a monthly fee, but I caretake deep backcountry archaeological sites for the BLM and use the Spot regularly.
I do not use the Spot for navigation, the screen is way too small. For navigation I use maps and my cell phone with Avenza, most people don't realize that Avenza works on airplane mode which saves a lot of cellphone battery. I use Avenza sparingly in BW&Q, it is helpful on large or complex lakes. I take and use paper maps 95%+ in BWQ. I take one "brick" for spare power. I can be out for five nights without using the brick.
The Spot gives you weather, including hour by hour forecasts for the next 18(?) hours. As far as occasionally missing a message, I have never had that problem. But regardless, my wife can follow my progress on the personal website map that Garmin provides, it's very cool. She sent me a message once when she saw I wasn't moving in BW, I had food poisoning. I was... uncomfortable... but not SOS. I don't know about SOS (never used it) but the SPOT is definitely two way, you pay a small fee for custom messages after the first three (on my plan, there are unlimited plans).
-Steve aka mancosotter
Mancos, CO

I've got a Garmin InReach Explorer+ that I picked up a couple years ago. It was $$$ at the time but it's amazingly durable. What I like about it:
* Physically tough, I clip it to my PFD while traveling and have zero concerns about it banging around versus my phone
* Long battery life, even with tracking turned on it'll last multiple days and recharges faster / uses less juice from a power bank if I packed one
* bluetooth sync to my phone so I can use my phone for easier messaging, but also with a screen so it doesn't become useless weight if my phone is dead, lost, or damaged
* Able to suspend service in off months
* easy to stash my paddle and with one hand, grab the Garmin clipped to my PFD and display the GPS location and map ("are we going around the next point or did we miss it?") if desired

Actual typing out a text on the device is cumbersome (thus the pre-set messages are great, or syncing to my phone) but it's so much more durable and reliable and long-lasting than a smartphone that I don't go on trips without it.

Zoleo has mapping and guidance, via the app on the smartphone. Frankly I would much rather look at a map for directions on my smart phone vs the tiny screen on a Garmin.

Oh, I get that absolutely - when I'm paddling my phone is secured in a waterproof ziplock in a buttoned-up PFD pocket, so getting it out is extra work but I do it when I want the larger screen. Or, really, any time I'm hanging around camp, where the Garmin is clipped to a line somewhere and left to its own devices. But I've become a huge fan of redundancy ("two is one, and one is none") and having the GPS become a paperweight if I drop my phone in a lake is a risk I wanted to eliminate.

Like I said earlier in the thread, however, the primary thing the Zoleo has the others don't is a medical triage feature. You can text the triage team and they will walk you through how to treat an injury, and advise of extraction is needed. As far as I know, they are the only ones that offer that.

Zoleo also has a dedicated phone number. You don't need the garmin app for texting. Makes life simple. You give everyone your Zoleo phone number to reach you.

I wouldn't recommend a dedicated GPS device to anyone at this stage. I ditched dedicated GPS navigation units for my phone 5 or so years ago and haven't missed my garmin. I had been considering getting a satellite messenger to supplement my PLB for the last few years, but now with t-mobile/starlink messaging there's no reason. I was part of the beta and now have the regular service and it works just fine. Better than dedicated satellite messengers in fact.

Keep in mind that the satellite messaging services from google, iphone, garmin, etc are NOT at the same level because they rely on different smaller satellite networks at higher orbit and as a result coverage and speed of messaging is not at the same level as utilizing the starlink satellite network.

The tmobile service is only like $10 a month and you can get it even if you use another carrier (at&t, verizon, etc). Only drawback is it doesn't work on older phones, but I still wouldn't put my money towards a dedicated gps messenger when you could put it towards a new phone that can do more.

keth0601: "I wouldn't recommend a dedicated GPS device to anyone at this stage. I ditched dedicated GPS navigation units for my phone 5 or so years ago and haven't missed my garmin. I had been considering getting a satellite messenger to supplement my PLB for the last few years, but now with t-mobile/starlink messaging there's no reason. I was part of the beta and now have the regular service and it works just fine. Better than dedicated satellite messengers in fact.


Keep in mind that the satellite messaging services from google, iphone, garmin, etc are NOT at the same level because they rely on different smaller satellite networks at higher orbit and as a result coverage and speed of messaging is not at the same level as utilizing the starlink satellite network.


The tmobile service is only like $10 a month and you can get it even if you use another carrier (at&t, verizon, etc). Only drawback is it doesn't work on older phones, but I still wouldn't put my money towards a dedicated gps messenger when you could put it towards a new phone that can do more."

Our groups ran a test last fall with the Iphone 16's using satellite, Garmin Inreach and Zoleos. The Garmins and the Zoleos were far faster on texting then the Iphones. Also, the Iphone only will text. The Zoleo has a dedicated phone number so the wives liked that better then having to use a Garming app to reach us.

We use our Iphones for mapping (via Gaia GPS). However we use the Zoleo's for texting and medical assistance (reaching a medical staff to guide you through a situation without an exfil).

They are all tools. No tool is "best" for everything. Having been in an emergency with a Zoleo, however, when their medical assist talked us through setting the hand and stabilizing it, our groups will "not leave home without it".

AFter the test for all of those, most opted for the Zoleo. . .particlarly when the dropped to $125 for the unit

ockycamper: "
Our groups ran a test last fall with the Iphone 16's using satellite, Garmin Inreach and Zoleos. The Garmins and the Zoleos were far faster on texting then the Iphones. Also, the Iphone only will text. The Zoleo has a dedicated phone number so the wives liked that better then having to use a Garming app to reach us.".
"

Just thought I'd mention again that the iphone satellite texting and the starlink satellite service run on different satellite networks (Globalstar VS Starlink) and do not work the same way or perform the same.

Supposedly the tmobile offering will function as an actual data connection and not just texting in the near future as well.

keth0601: "I wouldn't recommend a dedicated GPS device to anyone at this stage. I ditched dedicated GPS navigation units for my phone 5 or so years ago and haven't missed my garmin. I had been considering getting a satellite messenger to supplement my PLB for the last few years, but now with t-mobile/starlink messaging there's no reason. I was part of the beta and now have the regular service and it works just fine. Better than dedicated satellite messengers in fact."

When you venture north from Iowa into northeastern MN during the winter months, you will understand why I continue to carry my ten year old Delorme inReach Explorer. There isn’t a consumer phone on the planet that should be relied on for emergency communications in cold weather. OTOH, my inReach works flawlessly while it is clipped to my chest pack throughout the winter.

IPhone is neat but still very rudimentary for sat comm. And not reliable enough yet. Sat technology is improving in leaps and bounds.
For me, I've been using Zoleo for three years. 100% reliable and I trust the device. Well made and a serious GPS companion on my trips.
My wife loves it too since we can text each other at will.
Tom

gravelroad: "

keth0601: "I wouldn't recommend a dedicated GPS device to anyone at this stage. I ditched dedicated GPS navigation units for my phone 5 or so years ago and haven't missed my garmin. I had been considering getting a satellite messenger to supplement my PLB for the last few years, but now with t-mobile/starlink messaging there's no reason. I was part of the beta and now have the regular service and it works just fine. Better than dedicated satellite messengers in fact."

When you venture north from Iowa into northeastern MN during the winter months, you will understand why I continue to carry my ten year old Delorme inReach Explorer. There isn’t a consumer phone on the planet that should be relied on for emergency communications in cold weather. OTOH, my inReach works flawlessly while it is clipped to my chest pack throughout the winter.


"

Well I actually live in Brule, WI. Have for about 5 years now and grew up in Sandstone, MN. Don't really see why that matters. Phones work fine in the winter if you just keep them warm in your pocket. I train with mine outside in the cold almost daily synced with my heart rate monitor and don't have any issues in temps well below 0.

Cold weather issues with electronics come down to the type of battery used. Your inReach uses the same lithium batteries as most cell phones. Don't believe me? Read Garmin's own documentation stating the inReach has issues below 14 degrees.

The devices that have a clear edge in the cold are the ones that allow you to use a lithium metal battery (i.e. the ones with replaceable AA/AAA batteries). The lithium metal (not ion) batteries work down to like -40.

I’m reading some current reviews of T-Mobile and Apple phones with Satellite communication. There is widespread mixed reviews with many people saying it is not completely reliable.

That said, we are going that direction and I believe the day will come when it works as well as a stand alone GPS unlit like in-Reach or Zoleo.


With T-Mobile, you need a premium plan with the satellite feature $$ on top of that.

Zoleo is still $20 a month and you can suspend service when not in use for $4 a month. For me, it my best option.

tumblehome: "I’m reading some current reviews of T-Mobile and Apple phones with Satellite communication. There is widespread mixed reviews with many people saying it is not completely reliable.


That said, we are going that direction and I believe the day will come when it works as well as a stand alone GPS unlit like in-Reach or Zoleo.



With T-Mobile, you need a premium plan with the satellite feature $$ on top of that.


Zoleo is still $20 a month and you can suspend service when not in use for $4 a month. For me, it my best option. "

I hate to keep bringing it up but only Zoleo has a dedicated phone number where people can just text you like texting any other phone and most importantly medical assist where you can text their medical help center and they will walk you through treatment. We used this two years ago to set a man's finger after dislocating it which allowed him and his camp to finish out the trip.

I won't go anywhere without that feature.

I used satellite messaging on my iPhone for progress reports each time I started on a new lake and evening check-ins during my 6 day Quetico trip in September. I only had one instance where it took longer than a couple minutes to connect to the satellite. I also really like the Avenza app with pre-downloaded offline maps that have all the PP portage and campsite data uploaded.

Due to the potential for issues with battery powered electronic devices in the wilderness, I also always carry a Garmin 67i for redundancy and the ease of a one button SOS (I usually go solo). Since I live and drive in the mountains where cell signal is very spotty, I also keep the Garmin in the car year round.

ockycamper: "
I hate to keep bringing it up but only Zoleo has a dedicated phone number where people can just text you like texting any other phone and most importantly medical assist where you can text their medical help center and they will walk you through treatment. We used this two years ago to set a man's finger after dislocating it which allowed him and his camp to finish out the trip.


I won't go anywhere without that feature."

FYI anyone on any service can text 911 and get medical advice in an emergency. As a first responder I feel like I should throw that out there for those who don't know already.

tumblehome: "I’m reading some current reviews of T-Mobile and Apple phones with Satellite communication. There is widespread mixed reviews with many people saying it is not completely reliable.

That said, we are going that direction and I believe the day will come when it works as well as a stand alone GPS unlit like in-Reach or Zoleo.

"

The service definitely has room to improve and I think a lot of it is basically the fact that the phones that are out there currently aren't designed with this new capability in mind. An example is the fact that you can't manually turn the satellite service on/off. Instead it happens automatically when you lose cell tower signal. There's a weird "in between" zone where if you still have a very weak cell signal it won't transition to satellite and your message won't send until you either completely lose cell service or get enough cell service to send the message.

I find when I usually want to use it in the backcountry I have 0 cell service so it's not an issue for me. I think once the phones start incorporating features to accommodate the new tech this awkwardness will go away, but if you understand how it's working it's not a big issue. This is also different from how iphone satellite texting works which I won't get into.

tumblehome: "
With T-Mobile, you need a premium plan with the satellite feature $$ on top of that.

Zoleo is still $20 a month and you can suspend service when not in use for $4 a month. For me, it my best option. "

Everything I've found suggests that you only have to pay $10/month for the service and supposedly you don't even have to have a tmobile plan to get it let alone a premium plan. For me it's $10/month on my current plan, but once I get back on the first responder plan it's supposed to be free. If you already have a compatible phone the cost savings are pretty significant over purchasing a new dedicated device and service plan.

keth0601: "

gravelroad: "

keth0601: "I wouldn't recommend a dedicated GPS device to anyone at this stage. I ditched dedicated GPS navigation units for my phone 5 or so years ago and haven't missed my garmin. I had been considering getting a satellite messenger to supplement my PLB for the last few years, but now with t-mobile/starlink messaging there's no reason. I was part of the beta and now have the regular service and it works just fine. Better than dedicated satellite messengers in fact."

When you venture north from Iowa into northeastern MN during the winter months, you will understand why I continue to carry my ten year old Delorme inReach Explorer. There isn’t a consumer phone on the planet that should be relied on for emergency communications in cold weather. OTOH, my inReach works flawlessly while it is clipped to my chest pack throughout the winter.



"

Well I actually live in Brule, WI. Have for about 5 years now and grew up in Sandstone, MN. Don't really see why that matters. Phones work fine in the winter if you just keep them warm in your pocket. I train with mine outside in the cold almost daily synced with my heart rate monitor and don't have any issues in temps well below 0.


Cold weather issues with electronics come down to the type of battery used. Your inReach uses the same lithium batteries as most cell phones. Don't believe me? Read Garmin's own documentation stating the inReach has issues below 14 degrees.

The devices that have a clear edge in the cold are the ones that allow you to use a lithium metal battery (i.e. the ones with replaceable AA/AAA batteries). The lithium metal (not ion) batteries work down to like -40."

That link you posted is for the Mini. The actual spec from DeLorme for my full-size inReach SE shows an operating range down to -4° F:





And my real-world, subzero experience matches this account:





This is because the operating system in the full-size inReach is engineered to cope with cold temperatures in a way that no consumer smartphone can approach. I’d rather rely on something clipped to my chest pack and can be operated with mittens than something I need to keep coddled near my skin.

gravelroad: "

That link you posted is for the Mini. The actual spec from DeLorme for my full-size inReach SE shows an operating range down to -4° F:






And my real-world, subzero experience matches this account:






This is because the operating system in the full-size inReach is engineered to cope with cold temperatures in a way that no consumer smartphone can approach. I’d rather rely on something clipped to my chest pack and can be operated with mittens than something I need to keep coddled near my skin."

Well you can't actually buy the original inReach anymore so not sure how that's relevant to this thread. We're discussing options for someone buying a new device.

keth0601: "

gravelroad: "


That link you posted is for the Mini. The actual spec from DeLorme for my full-size inReach SE shows an operating range down to -4° F:








And my real-world, subzero experience matches this account:








This is because the operating system in the full-size inReach is engineered to cope with cold temperatures in a way that no consumer smartphone can approach. I’d rather rely on something clipped to my chest pack and can be operated with mittens than something I need to keep coddled near my skin."

Well you can't actually buy the original inReach anymore so not sure how that's relevant to this thread. We're discussing options for someone buying a new device."

Sigh. Some days it’s like shooting fish in a barrrel.





GPSMAP® 67i Owner’s Manual

gravelroad: "

Sigh. Some days it’s like shooting fish in a barrrel.

GPSMAP® 67i Owner’s Manual "

Not sure what that's supposed to mean? It's no different than the inReach mini specifications for temperature. Or any other device with a lithium ion/lithium polymer battery really. -20c is the standard discharge temperature rating for any lithium ion battery and that's probably where Garmin got that number. Any cell phone with a lithium ion battery is likely to function at the same temps unless they have safeties built in similar to the inReach mini and that tracks with my experience using cell phones on cold weather as well.

Again, the original inReach is no longer sold so not really a viable option. You could buy an older used one, but the batteries on those are likely starting to reach the end of their lifespan in the next few years.