Comparing Personal Locator Beacons
Showing 5 products | Change
Awards | |||||
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Price | $389.90 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $199.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $280 List |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Tiny, light, can text from phone and device, great battery life | Small, comprehensive, reliable | Compact, great network, on-device basic controls | Excellent network, seamless communication, some on-device functionality | Small, affordable subscription options, proven satellite and dispatch networks, simple |
Cons | Small antenna, small screen | Not the absolute lightest, tiny screen, button use | No 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 competitors | Only 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 interface | For how most people actually use their satellite communicators, this is the best product on the market | A small, light, and full-function two-way messenger that competes closely with the top of the heap | This nearly perfect device provides comprehensive, polished, two-way satellite communications at a fair price | Compact, 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%) | |||||
Non-Emergency Messaging (25%) | |||||
Signal Coverage (20%) | |||||
Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
Portability (10%) | |||||
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 |
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