The Best Satellite Messengers, Based on Field Testing
- by Outdoor Life
- Sep 26, 2024
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Posted on Sep 26, 2024 7:12 PM EDT
Best Overall Heavier than other options we looked at
The SPOT X is the only satellite messenger we looked at with a built-in keyboard. That means that even if your phone died on you in the field, you could still use the SPOT X to customize messages to loved ones or emergency personnel without the henpecking required by the Garmin inReach options. And it provides all of this at the same pricing structure as for the SPOT Gen4. In my opinion, the SPOT Gen4’s subscription plan is overpriced, but the SPOT X’s is a much better deal.
Unfortunately, as detailed above, missing a check-in could be a big issue for backcountry travelers, and does not inspire confidence in the SOS feature.
Satellite Messengers vs Smartphones: Emerging Off-Grid Communication Technologies
Over the last two years, it’s become clear that the SOS function on Apple’s iPhone 14 and 15 is a gamechanger for the backcountry. Individuals who previously might not have carried a dedicated satellite messenger are now able to use their iPhone to ping the orbiting Globalstar satellite network for help in the event they’re lost or injured out of service. More recently, Apple has added two-way communication. So if you have an iPhone 14 or higher, do you even still need a dedicated satellite messenger?
There are a few reasons that you should still carry a dedicated satellite messenger, at least for now. The biggest one is that Apple’s iPhone is using the Globalstar network, which our testing showed is still plagued by reliability issues. And while iPhone is now capable of sending both SOS signals and texts via iMessage, there are some limitations. The first is that this functionality is only available with iPhone 14 or more recent models. The second is that, to text, both parties will need the iPhone 14 or higher. With other satellite messengers, your contact in the frontcountry can text you back or send an email from any device, not just one equipped with satellite messaging.
But, that Apple already has this functionality up and running is impressive. And they aren’t the only ones. Garmin announced a deal with Google to provide SOS capability on Pixel 9s. Finally, Starlink in partnership with T-Mobile is launching satellites that can be used for texting and, at some point, cellular calls and data use.
While I do not see any one of these updates as spelling the end of dedicated satellite messengers any time soon, cumulatively these product upgrades are trending toward a future where they may very well become obsolete for many. Outdoor Life will continue to monitor these developments, including side-by-side testing of these features as they become available to better understand their functionality and reliability.
How We Tested the Best Satellite Messengers
Satellite messengers were evaluated on a number of metrics, including functionality, pricing models, in-house measurements, and field testing.
Field Testing Satellite Messengers
Satellite messengers were included as part of our testing protocol on the 2024 Outdoor Life backpacking gear test along the Goat Rocks Wilderness section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Members of the testing crew were each assigned a satellite messenger to test. Each day, at the same time and in the same place, we all sent a message to my email. While using the satellite messengers, users noted battery lifespan and functionality issues.
Below I’ve laid out the days and times of our check-ins. Times reflect the timestamp in my inbox in the frontcountry, while parenthetical times reflect the time that the satellite messengers indicated they were sent. The ACR Bivy check-in’s unfortunately were sent to my spam folder and subsequently deleted, so there is no record for those messages at this time.
Testing Day
Satellite broadband explained
Aug 05, 2021
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