Recent outing in Cairngorms was beset by poor weather, meaning we got back into signal 5hrs later than planned to find that the wives had followed procedure and called MRT when we hadn't got in touch. Quickly sorted and stood down before they'd mobilised, and good to see the agreed procedure was enacted without hesitation, but I would like to avoid this eventuality in future by giving ICE contacts a dot to follow in addition to the time-bound rules. Are SPOT trackers still the best option for this? Would only be used a couple of times a year so not keen to drop silly money on device + subscription, if there a lower cost option that the hive mind has experience of I'm all ears (I use Garmin & Strava to log rides, I presume there's a live tracking feature on one/both of them - any good?)
I'm interested in this as I had a similar situation arise last year. We (as in me and my OH) looked at SPOT and Zoleo. Both offer monthly plans that can be picked up and dropped to save costs (and Mrs NS's mum really rates Zoleo - she does a lot of remote solo walking in the Pennines and Lake District). We haven't used either yet, but it's likely we will in the coming months. Live tracking features aren't going to work unless there's a way of getting the data from where you are to where someone needs to see it (which you won't have without satellite if you're out of mobile range).
I have had a Spot Gen3 tracker previously, but now use a Garmin Inreach Mini.
Spot really are a rubbish company to deal with - no subscription renewal info, they just double the price and take your money. You have to threaten to leave to get a better price. After a few years, I couldn’t be arsed.
Inreach has better hardware, functionality and tracking performance. Subs are more expensive but what price safety? I mainly use mine sea kayaking rather than biking or in the hills - Mrs DB can track my position online, plus we can exchange text messages when I’m out of mobile phone contact which can be as little as 6.5km from home.
For irregular use, there are places that hire them. There are also cheaper units like Zoleo but I have no experience as a user.
An alternative is an PLB - Personal Locator Beacon - which doesn’t offer tracking, just a GETMEOUTTAHERE device which you actuate in case of an emergency. They only really work effectively with VHF radio or satphone as there’s no means of communication otherwise.
More info here: Global Telsat Communicationsrs
I was looking at getting an Inreach for emergency use in out of mobile coverage areas. Especially for a late back procedure situation like you have experienced. I see O2 have now started to offer a satellite back up for use with apps when you are out of mobile coverage. You need to have a suitable phone, seems to be mostly Samsung models but you can use What’s App to call and message via the O2 satellite system. May be worth a look.
I use an inreach mini - i use lower location rates to reduce costs - but it means that the family know where i am. The kit gets shared across the family when they go out hillwalking etc - it's an insurance for sure
Garmin live track and a battery pack to charge if it’s getting low? No sub needed that way.
Friend uses a Garmin InReach Mini for ski expeditions/exploring in Norway, Alps, Canada, etc, ...
He said he just leaves it in the bottom of his bag during the day and sends preset: heading out, back in, delayed getting back type messages which show his family where he is and he is OK. So far he has not needed the SOS facility but gets comfort from it being there.
After paying to register, he then pays for those months when he needs it and then suspends payment when not using. The registration stays active as long as its used once a year.
Works for him and his family.
If you subscribe to STW, keep an eye on the Members Garmin offers.
Garmin LiveTrack allows you to share your real-time GPS location, route, and fitness metrics (like pace, heart rate, and elevation) during an outdoor activity. It works by connecting connecting your Garmin device via Bluetooth to your smartphone, using your phone’s mobile data to upload your progress to a live web
No mobile signal no live tracking.
Garmin live track
Not sure that works without a mobile signal?
It doesn't. Someone didn't read the OP properly and gave out duff info... 🙄
OP: some recent top end phones have satellite connection capability. When my current phone needs replacement, I'm gonna make sure my new phone has this capability as I frequently ride solo and am often out of mobile phone range. It might be worth checking if your phone can do this and/or bringing forward any phone replacement plans to do this, rather than spend £££ on a dedicated device....
I've considered an InReach or Zeleo but would rather not have to carry/charge/pay for another device and pay for yet another subscription service...
Not many areas, even in the Cairngorms, lack mobile reception in my experience, and the live track will show your last location where you did have reception, so if you’ve spannered yourself, the person tracking you will have a fair idea where you are. Sorry for misreading the OP, I’ve had a few pints 🤪
Garmin InReach for me.
Whilst my phone has satellite capability it's not always particularly useable - with some of them you have to point it at the satellites and sometimes move it to track them and that may not always be possible if injured, or in my case, having a hypo.
It's also available in fewer countries than InReach.
Factor in battery life etc and having a small, dedicated device is, to me at least, more comforting. It's also far more robust than a phone.
As an insulin controlled diabetic, a simple to use device gives me the confidence to get out into the wilds in a way nothing else quite does.
The new top end Garmin watches now have InReach technology
Further to Dander's post:
Look at the Coros Dura rather than Garmin for live-tracking.
Battery life on the Dura is measured in weeks rather than hours. Sends an activity notification and tracker link via the phone to contacts at the start of the ride. Also has a feature where if you press the side button for 7 seconds and then confirm it sends a SOS text to your emergency contacts.
It needs mobile connection and signal but for general non-wilderness cycling it's excellent.
You should be able to get a used spot Gen 3 for a fair price.
The subscription costs are the biggest issue ,but they do offer a monthly contract you can start and stop for a trip etc.
They are fairly basic now as tech as moved on, but as a basic tracker and SOS call out they are a designed for the outdoors and quite robust.
Newer tech ones have proper messaging capabilities. Good for group leaders etc.
I have a Spot Gen 3 that I used for a few years. As noted above, the subscription kept rising. My requirement reduced and mobile internet became almost omnipresent (and I ride/run/walk in the Cairngorms) so I stopped using it. I've been thinking of starting to use it again but last time I looked the inReach subscriptions were cheaper and I reckoned I'd go that way instead.
Get a cheap SH Spot 3 and use the subscription pause feature:
Device - £35 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/
Activation - €30
Annual charge - €35
Monthly charge (can be paused for months) - €18/month (min 1 month per year)
Or you can hire
