Fox Morgan takes a look at some of the best satellite messenger and tracking devices on the market to see how they compare against each other for usability, functionality and cost of use. The best satellite messenger and trackers have come a long way in just a few years since we last looked at them with Pip Hare. (12 yacht trackers compared)
\nHere\u2019s the latest bunch of easy to use and affordable satellite messengers and trackers with typical price plans for comparison.<\/p>\n
Garmin InReach Mini 2
\nReasons to buy
\ntiny device fits into any compact gear set up, easy navigational experience via the app
\nReasons to avoid
\nsome may find the interface fiddly, might be a bit small for some to handle
\nSee the review for the Garmin Inreach Mini 2
\nThe smallest tracker currently available on the market the Garmin Inreach Mini 2 is a wearable device. Clip this to a bag or belt loop and you\u2019ll virtually forget it\u2019s there.
\nIt can store 100 waypoints or favourite locations and has a battery life of up to 90 days, but this will be much less if you set the tracker to a short interval of say 10 minutes.
\nYou can hook up to it via the Garmin App and send and receive texts using bluetooth connectivity with a smart phone. If your phone battery dies, you can still send pre-set messages directly from the unit.
\nA typical subscription cost for an average frequent user would be:
\n\u201cRecreation Plan\u201d
\nActivation Fee: \u00a325.00
\nMonthly Fee:\u00a0 \u00a332.00*
\nMinimum Term 30 Days
\nSuitable For \u00a0Frequent users sending regular messages\/track points
\nInclusive Allowance \u00a0Unlimited SOS, Up to 60 Text Messages or 600 Tracking Points
\nOverage Charges : \u00a35.80 per 1,000 Bytes Used, Text Message: \u00a30.50 +\/- , Track Point: \u00a30.05
\nSpecification
\nDimensions: 5.17 x 9.9 x 2.61 cm
\nWeight: 100g
\nWaterproofing: IPX7
\nSOS button
\nVoice calls: No
\n2 way messaging: Yes
\nBuy from Global Telesat Communications<\/p>\n
ZOLEO SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR
\nReasons to buy
\nhandy built in clip, rugged outer, simple interface, useful accessories for multiple ways to mount the device
\nReasons to avoid
\nneeds a smart phone and app to send messages, doesn\u2019t support voice calls
\nSee the review for the Zoleo satellite messenger
\nA smart little satellite messenger, the Zoleo relies on your mobile phone to function fully using an app.
\nWith the app you can message others with the same app on their phone. The Zoleo will use your phone signal if it has one first rather than use your satellite credit\/allowance, only using it when your mobile phone is out of range of any land signal.
\nI like the fact the Zoleo gives you an assigned number that doesn\u2019t change for receiving SMS texts and there\u2019s a dedicated email address too which the Zoleo can check periodically for you.
\nAs with all of these satellite messengers, this one has an SOS button which Zoleo the company have specified as being monitored 24 hours.
\nYou can control how often ZOLEO checks the Iridium satellite network for new messages. Choose a shorter interval for a better messaging experience or a longer interval to extend battery life of the device.
\nWithout a mobile phone you can still press the check in button (the tick button seen in the picture above) which notifies a designated person of your GPS coordinates and you can of course use the SOS button if there\u2019s a genuine emergency with imminent threat to life.
\nTypical costs for subscription
\nMonthly Fee for a mid range user \u00a332
\nSatellite Messages Included: 250
\nAdditional Messages \u00a30.55\/ea
\nSatellite Check-in Messages: unlimited
\nMobile Network & Wi-Fi Messages: unlimited
\nLocation Share+ is an additional \u00a34.50 per month
\nSpecification
\nDimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 2.7 cm
\nWeight: 150grams
\nWaterproof: IP68
\nSOS button: monitored 24 hrs
\nVoice calls: No
\n2 way messaging: Yes (via a smart phone and app)
\nBuy Zoleo from Amazon<\/p>\n
Garmin InReach Messenger
\nBest satellite messenger for those on a budget
\nReasons to buy
\na low cost way to stay in touch via satellite, easy to use Garmin app
\nReasons to avoid
\nmay be a little too basic for some users, this doesn\u2019t do tracking
\nThe Garmin inReach Messenger switches automatically between standard mobile land signals and satellite signals when out of land network signal range.
\nThrough the Messenger App, you can communicate with other people who have the same app.
\nExtended battery life of up to 200 hours, plus reverse charging from another device, means you can stay connected for longer.
\nA typical subscription cost for an average frequent user would be:
\n\u201cRecreation Plan\u201d
\nActivation Fee: \u00a325.00
\nMonthly Fee:\u00a0 \u00a332.00*
\nMinimum Term 30 Days
\nSuitable For \u00a0Frequent users sending regular messages\/track points
\nInclusive Allowance \u00a0Unlimited SOS, Up to 60 Text Messages or 600 Tracking Points
\nOverage Charges : \u00a35.80 per 1,000 Bytes Used, Text Message: \u00a30.50 +\/- , Track Point: \u00a30.05
\nSpecification
\nDimensions: 7.8 x 6.4 x 2.3 cm
\nWeight: 114g
\nWaterproofing: IPX7
\nSOS button
\nVoice calls: No
\n2 way messaging: Yes (via a smart phone and app)
\nBuy from Global Telesat Communications<\/p>\n
ACR Bivy Stick
\nBest messenger and tracker to retain same phone number
\nReasons to buy
\neasy app interface, roll over credits, you keep the same number
\nReasons to avoid
\nnot ruggedized, no built in screen,
\nSee the review for the ACR Bivy stick satellite messenger
\nThe Bivy Stick and Bivy App from ACR transforms your smartphone into a fully-functioning piece of satellite communication equipment.
\nThere are no activation fees; simply connect your phone to the Bivy Stick via Bluetooth to access the Iridium satellite network.
\nFeatures including two-way SMS messaging, SOS calls, location sharing, one-touch Check-in, and in-depth weather reports sent to your smartphone.
\nOn activation you are assigned a dedicated phone number and email allowing you to maintain the same contact details throughout, unlike some other systems that assign a new number with each message making it impossible for outsiders to initiate contact. In the past I have used a sat device that gives me a random number which can be confusing when contacting friends and family initially. The bivy stick does away with that.
\nThe Bivy App gives stats including current pace, mileage, altitude, as well as offline maps.
\nTypical mid range user contract might look like
\nPLUS plan based annually (monthly plans are also available)
\nAnnual*
\nCost Per month \u00a324.99
\n80 Credits
\nOverage Charge Per Credit: \u00a30.50\/Credit
\nDedicated Phone Number & Email
\nIncludes Tri-Network Coverage
\nSatellite, Cell, or Wifi
\nUnlimited Check-In Messages
\nCustomisable preset messages with GPS coordinates
\nSpecification
\nDimensions: 11.35 cm x 4.7 cm x 2.11 cm
\nWeight: 100grams
\nWaterproofing: IP67
\nSOS button: 24\/7 monitoring provided by Global Rescue
\nVoice calls: No
\n2 way messaging: Yes (via a smart phone and app)
\nBuy now from Global Telesat Communications<\/p>\n
Yellow Brick
\nBest Satellite tracker for simplicity of use
\nReasons to buy
\nrugged unit, long battery life, simple airtime plans
\nReasons to avoid
\nbulky for what it is, the YB3 is long overdue an update
\nThis tracker has been around for over 10 years now and has gone through a few changes along the way, but fundamentally it has remained the same. The Yellow Brick tracker is seen widely used across a range of organised marine events as a way to plot whole fleets of boats onto a map and track their progress relative to each other.
\nBut the Yellow Brick is a really simple tool for anyone going off adventuring who wants to track their journey on a viewable map. You can send messages via the Yellow Brick too either by pre-setting them in the menu or by connecting up using your smart phone and bluetooth.
\nPredominantly this is used as a tracking device and less so for messages. It has some great value packages for tracking purposes.
\nTypical cost of tracking package
\nMonthly Line Rental \u2013 \u00a312 per month per device
\nYou only need to pay line rental for the months where you wish to use the YB3. There are no annual contracts with a YB3.
\nCredits are used each time you transmit
\n1 credit is used per position report.
\n1 credit is used per 50 characters sent or received.
\n1 extra credit is used for delivery to a mobile phone \/ SMS destination.
\n1 credit is used per \u2018mailbox check\u2019 (this feature is turned off by default, since whenever the unit sends a normal position report it will automatically check for new messages at no extra charge.)
\nCredits do not expire unless you do not use your account at all for 12 months.
\nBundle per Credit Bundle Price
\n50 Credits \u00a30.14 \u00a37.00
\n100 Credits \u00a30.13 \u00a313.00
\n200 Credits \u00a30.11 \u00a322.00
\n500 Credits \u00a30.10 \u00a350.00
\n1000 Credits \u00a30.09 \u00a390.00
\n2000 Credits \u00a30.08 \u00a3160.00
\n5000 Credits \u00a30.07 \u00a3350.00
\n10000 Credits \u00a30.06 \u00a3600.00
\n20000 Credits \u00a30.045 \u00a3900.00
\nSpecification
\nDimensions : 144 x 76 x 36mm (plus antenna)
\nWeight: 303grams
\nWaterproofing: IP67
\nSOS button
\nVoice calls: No
\n2 way messaging: Yes (via a smart phone or computer plugged in)
\nBuy Yellow Brick<\/p>\n
Spot messenger
\nReasons to buy
\nmessage directly from the device, built in compass, good value
\nReasons to avoid
\nBulky, Globalstar doesn\u2019t have full global coverage, keyboard buttons might be too small for some people
\nSee our review from 2020 on the SPOT X messenger
\nThe Spot X messenger resembles a large blackberry phone from the early 2000\u2019s, but don\u2019t let that fool you. There\u2019s no tiddly scroll wheel to clogged with fluff on this one. It\u2019s ruggedised and waterproofed to IP67.
\nThe device can be connected via bluetooth to your smartphone for a fuller user experience.
\nThe Spot X can be pre loaded with a bunch of messages that are unlimited to send, as are check-ins.
\nThis messenger averages the lowest price per SMS message compared to other devices above on a similar price plan so it\u2019s certainly one to consider if you\u2019re on a budget.
\nThis is the only device in our lineup that uses Globalstar satellite network, which unlike the all of the others above using Iridium, doesn\u2019t give you coverage near the poles or around India etc, but the coverage is suitable for most users around Europe, North America, South America and Australia. If you\u2019re crossing the Atlantic, cruising the Caribbean or the East Atlantic and Med , you should be fine. You can see the coverage map here
\nThe Spot X doesn\u2019t support voice calls (despite it looking like a phone) as per all other messengers in this messenger category above. If you want voice calls then your only budget option other than a dedicated sat phone is the product below, the Iridium Go.
\nTypical usage costs
\nADVANCED plan
\n\u20ac24.95 per month (12 Month Term Applies)
\n100 custom messages
\nOverages: 25c per msg
\nCheck In Messages: Unlimited
\nTracking: 5, 10, 30, 60 minutes
\nActivation Fee: \u20ac29.95
\nIncoming Messages: Free
\nSend pre-defined messages: Free
\nSpecification
\nDimensions : 16.61 cm x 7.37 cm x 2.39 cm
\nWeight 198grams
\nWaterproofing: IP67
\nSOS button
\nVoice calls: No
\n2 way messaging: Yes (via a smart phone or directly from the device)
\nBuy Spot messenger<\/p>\n
Iridium Go
\nBest satellite messenger for unlimited text deals
\nReasons to buy
\nunlimited texts, connect 5 devices at once, make calls using your own mobile phone
\nReasons to avoid
\nyou need to connect this to a phone to use it, not particularly fast data, pricey
\nRead the Iridium Go review here
\nConnect your smartphone or tablet to the Iridium Go and access voice calls and data connections via satellite. Essentially this works like a little wifi dongle, albeit a very expensive one that you\u2019ll not be streaming tv or videos through, but you can send pictures to social media and receive data too, such as weather forecasts and emails.
\nYou\u2019ll need to be careful with your smartphone settings to avoid burning through all of your allocation in 5 minutes flat, but with care you can have the full range of communication modes with this smart little device. Voice, text, data message, GPS coordinate ping, tracking and SOS alerts.
\nThe unit is battery-powered and can be charged via USB.
\nAs a hot spot you can connect up to 5 devices at once, so your tablet and phone can both be hooked up at the same time. See the note above though about the data issue, apply caution and switch off all background data use.
\nTypical usage costs:
\nIridium Go pre-paid bundles and monthly packages vary widely.
\nSee info\u00a0 here at GTC about the Iridium Go tariffs
\nSpecification
\nDimensions 4.5\u2033 x 3.25\u2033 x 1.25\u2033
\nWeight 305g
\nWaterproof: IP65
\nSOS button
\nVoice calls: Yes (via smart phone connected with bluetooth)
\n2 way messaging: Yes (via a smart phone connected)
\nBuy Iridium Go<\/p>\n
To read more about communications onboard we have other articles that you might find interesting
\nIf you\u2019re looking for a portable satellite phone then have a look at our tried and tested buyers guide
\nFor handheld VHF marine radios we have a handy tested buyers guide here too.\u00a0
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\nThe post Best satellite messenger and tracker for heading off the beaten path appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fox Morgan takes a look at some of the best satellite messenger and tracking devices on the market to see how they compare against each other for usability, functionality and cost of use. The best satellite messenger and trackers have … <\/p>\n