Reviews You Can Rely On

Comparing Personal Locator Beacons

Specs and Ratings Below | Compare to Other products
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $384.99 at Amazon
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$199.95 at REI
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$280 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
88
87
84
81
78
Star Rating
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Pros Tiny, light, can text from phone and device, great battery lifeSmall, comprehensive, reliableCompact, great network, on-device basic controlsExcellent network, seamless communication, some on-device functionalitySmall, affordable subscription options, proven satellite and dispatch networks, simple
Cons Small antenna, small screenNot the absolute lightest, tiny screen, button useNo on-device message viewing or composition, USB-C charging (could be a pro for some)No on-device message viewing or composition, heavier than close competitorsOnly supports SOS and tracking on the device itself, no custom messaging, occasional hardware issues
Bottom Line The best two-way texting satellite device on the market, now with better battery life and interfaceFor how most people actually use their satellite communicators, this is the best product on the marketA small, light, and full-function two-way messenger that competes closely with the top of the heapThis nearly perfect device provides comprehensive, polished, two-way satellite communications at a fair priceCompact, simple, two-way satellite communications using proven technology and relatively affordable subscription options
Rating Categories Garmin inReach Mini 2 Garmin inReach Mess... ACR Bivy Stick ZOLEO Satellite Com... Somewear Global Hot...
SOS/Emergency Messaging (30%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
Non-Emergency Messaging (25%)
10.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Signal Coverage (20%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Ease of Use (15%)
6.5
6.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Portability (10%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
8.0
Specs Garmin inReach Mini 2 Garmin inReach Mess... ACR Bivy Stick ZOLEO Satellite Com... Somewear Global Hot...
2-way Messaging? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
2-way Messaging Available via Cellular/Wifi? No Yes No Yes Yes
Custom Messaging Viewable and Composable on Device? Yes Yes No No No
Passive Tracking (turn on and forget about it - viewers at home can watch your progress on the web) Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Weight w/ Batteries 3.5 oz 4.0 oz 3.6 oz 5.3 oz 4.1 oz
Battery Life Up to 120 (rechargeable lithium battery) Up to 28 days with a message or location sent every 10 minutes with full sky view Up to 120 hours 200+ hours when checking messages every 12 minutes Up to 1000 messages
Waterproof Rating IPX7 (No dust rating. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes) IPX7 (No dust rating. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes) IP67 (protection from harmful dust. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes) IP68 (protection from harmful dust. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion at least 30 minutes) IPX7 (No dust rating. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes)
Pairs with Smartphone? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Requires recipient to use a special app for two-way communications? No No Yes Yes Yes
On Device Functions (if you lose or disable your smartphone) All, but slow to text All, but very slow to text SOS, check-in, tracking. All texting requires smartphone. SOS, check-in. All texting requires smartphone SOS. All texting requires smartphone app
Satellite Network Iridium Iridium Iridium Iridium Iridium
Dispatch service Garmin Response Team Garmin Response Team Global Rescue GEOS GEOS
Dimensions 3.9" x 2" x 1" 3.1" x 2.5" x 0.9" 1.9" x .9" x 4.5" 3.5" x 2.6" x 1.0" 3" x 3.6" x .8"
Volume 7.8 CU IN 6.9 CU IN 7.7 CU IN 9.1 CU IN 8.6 CU IN