Beacons

Recent Beacon Reviews

SPOT Personal Tracker

This company sucks. I have lost two trackers and they cannot trace them. Imagine that, a tracker that you cannot track Full review

Best option on the market for a cross between a locator beacon and a cell phone when cell coverage is not available. GPS features aren't great for typical Garmin products, but still serves its purpose. Overall it's a great product and I feel it will serve its purpose well for my upcoming solo backpacking trip in Alaska where cell coverage is non-existent. I don't really need the mapping ability, but it was a nice plus. The primary reason I bought it was for the SOS capability, secondary was to… Full review

SPOT Personal Tracker

Decent product, crooked company. Got the SPOT secondhand. Activated at about $150, which was decent. It was great to have for communicating with my wife regarding my trip status and whereabouts. One year later, SPOT charges my CC $230 for the exact same service with absolutely no warning. Apparently, if you use their device you agree to their terms and conditions. The terms and conditions include: auto-renewal, increase in fees, no refunds, and negative credit reporting if you fail to pay. Oh, and… Full review

Garmin inReach Explorer+

If you're looking to combine your messaging and GPS needs into one device, this is it. I've acquired this GPS for a solid price of $300 through incentives of my workplace, and its the best $300 I've spent on gear. This GPS has accompanied me on any challenging hike, backpacking trip, backcountry skiing, or any trip into the mountains. Communication (Requires subscription) As shown in some pictures I've uploaded, this GPS doesn't anything special in terms of features. But what it does do it does… Full review

DeLorme inReach SE

The safety of an SOS button connected via satellite to a monitoring response team combined with features you can use on every trip. Those features include two-way texting including localized weather reports, live updating of your personal online map and others you can choose or ignore as desired. The device and subscription service are not cheap, but for those venturing far afield, especially those who go alone, it gives a good return on the investment. Lots of function packed into a pretty small… Full review

Pieps DSP Sport

This beacon worked amazing for my first few tests and practices. Intuitive arrows, large screen, the beacon itself feels manufactured of high grade plastic. In my fourth practice session the safety leash broke out of the housing. This is a serious safety concern. A lost beacon could result in a lost life. Full review

DeLorme inReach Explorer

I use my inReach in Alaska where there is no cell service. When boating or cross-country skiing I can post my location to Facebook every hour or every 4-hours and restrict this information to specific users. I can also text to cell phones or email accounts to let folks know about my trip. The InReach also has an emergency SOS button in case emergency help is needed. Full review

DeLorme inReach Explorer

This is a must have item on a backcountry thru hike! GPS satellite communication device with tracking and text messaging capability and SOS. I bought this device at a recent REI Garage sale for a steal! I've been wanting one for a long time and now I own one! I activated it immediately, which was easy to do. There are multiple different plans to choose from. I have loaded more than 50 trails and routes to the device and it is amazing! I'm super excited to have this device for my upcoming JMT thru… Full review

ACR ResQLink+

Lightweight, small, and has the reliability of ACR behind it (I trust ACR locators). The ACR ResQLink+ is a replacement for my old heavy ACR TerraFix 406 PLB. The ResQLink+ is 1/4 the size of the old PLB and about 1/6 the weight of the older model. I had to use my old old PLB when I tore my right quad tendon while hiking White Oak Canyon in Shenandoah NP. Help did not arrive until I reached the parking lot. I got help from some ice climbers and a father and daughter out for the day. At that time,… Full review