I'm glad to hear you say "As you get older," as I'm 57 and I still think I'm invincible yet at times. I haven't pulled the trigger to get a device to track me but I've been thinking about it and you bring up a lot of good points. Thanks Mason. Don
My wife and I always used to run on the rule of no news is good news. If I call you bad things have happened. When we had kids that changed a bit and as they got older and I started doing more riding on my own again it really changed. Since I really don't ride a ton on my own I wasn't sure I wanted to invest big money on a tracking device but also know that it is money well spent. I ended up buying a Zoleo. It is a pretty basic unit, it will track you though I don't have mine set up to track me. It works with your phone so you can have conversations back and forth. Low buck easy to use and great piece of mind! Also I am not a fan of the GPS/tracker combos. Chances are if I need that sucker I am not likely going to be attached to my bike, so I damn well want the beacon attached to me!
I am lucky in that the snowmobile club I am involved in has trackers for the groomer operators and in the summer I use the spot trackers and pay the service fees. It can get expensive for a device that you don't need until you need it. I am lucky in that I now have a great group like you to travel with but sometimes safety is safety. Thanks for sharing this with us adventure riders. Love the channel and keep the shiny side up!
I decided recently to get the SPOTGEN 4 as I too am getting older and run across the moors here in the UK and have had a few close calls so this unit covers me completely.
I picked up a Zoleo last year and it's made all the difference to my wife's peace of mind. I'm a new rider and spend most of my time in Central Frontenac which has next to no regular cell service. To be able to send a receive texts and SOS no matter where you are as well as the new tracking feature on the Zoleo was great value for money at the time. The fact that we can use at our cabin which has no cell service is also a great bonus.
I have used the Spot Get 3 for many years and will probably upgrade soon. Had a spill this year on a road trip that required medical assistance but it was my Apple Watch that saved the day by giving me the option to ask for EMS. It also notified my emergency contacts and sent them the coordinates on a map where I crashed. Fortunately I was within cell service range for this to work. Redundancy is a good thing!
have been using my gen 3 for years and years and i love it. maybe ill get the gen 4 in a few years. remember if you don't have it attached to your body, might as well have left it at home. at least that's what my mother tells me. safe riding! cant wait for next season.
This tech is not optional….it is essential. Never mind the significant pros and cons betwixt the brands of units, when you need it, you need it. Three years ago a backcountry ride with my riding buddy resulted in a serious accident which gifted him with a seriously broken leg (and a destroyed new VStrom 650. I immediately pressed the S.O.S. button on my inReach and within 2 hours we had 2 RCMP members, 2 local paramedics, a forester, and eventually a helicopter with 3 sky medics. The country was very rough and the copter could not land so the police had to use their 4x4 to exit the bush to bring the personnel inland. I have also carried the inReach on. a 2 week fly/in hunt in northern BC, which gave me the ability to send and receive texts (both directly from the device and/or from my linked cell phone even though we were in the heart of the Rocky Mountain Wilderness Park where there is no cell service). And given these experiences, I carry it on all day trips while in more civilized environs……because you just never know when that “red” button will be needed. My contract costs me $3.09 monthly in it’s deactivated state off season and then whatever plan I choose in season. And I can switch plans and either activate or deactivate same as often as I like. Essential!!!
A generous friend let me use his this year when I went north. Very nice unit and the peace of mind it gave was invaluable. Definitely a must for a single rider who tends to ride alone most of the time.
I pretty much always solo adventure so a Spot was a no brainer piece of kit for me. I’ve had the Spot gen2 for quite a few years now. Last year I picked up the Garmin InReach for the ability to send custom messages. Been happy with both.
I just recently picked up a Garmin 700i InReach... I thought it would be a good idea since it's all in one and like you now that I'm older and in this day and age it's something I wouldn't want to be without... plus since I ride one up pretty much all the time.
Thanks for sharing, Mason. I’m like many of the commenters as I’m 56 ride my KLR usually by myself. Like the examples yiu and others have cited, I lost an “argument” with bike in some sand last year and went down. Got my ankle twisted and trapped while face down. Barely got my ankle free then barely got my bike off of me. Incidents can happen and having a device like this can be of help. Don’t have one but am strongly considering something like this. Thx again !
thanks for the great review. I am excited to use it. We are trying to figure out how to set up the messages and people to send to, and we are still looking for that.
I think that you said it all about the safety factor especially when riding alone (2013 KLR). Now that my riding buddy has moved away, I recently purchased a Zoleo unit (as you mentioned, it pairs with the cell phone for typing messages) so that I can still ride the logging roads & FSRs on Vancouver Island. I have not activated the unit yet as the riding season has slowed right down and a bit too icy at higher elevations.
Good review Mason. As we mature and are still active in the outdoors, this technology does provide a level of comfort. Working with a SAR group locally these units save lives. I use an In Reach, not only for mc trips but on my sled when in the backcountry or ice fishing. Thank you & keep up the good work!
I've been thinking about one of these; I don't know many other riders and other than a safety course I've only ridden alone, so it just seemed sensible. Only ADV trip I've done so far was in PEI, where you can't go very far from other people, but if I'm gonna do the same here in Ontario next year I'll definitely need something for emergencies. I'm just trying to balance price and needs; I think I'll need something that lets me send arbitrary messages, but the service fees on some of them seem really steep when I doubt I'll be able to do more than a couple adventure rides this year. My area's all flat land and straight roads, so there's no real chance of needing it locally.
I have a Spot Gen3 but haven’t activated it in a few years. It’s handy but I didn’t like that they wouldn’t even email you when your account would auto renew. I think this has changed but it was a sneaky way to charge people. I have no idea what the Gen 4 does that the Gen 3 didn’t do. You can find used Gen3 Spots used for pretty cheap. The Flex monthly pricing is appealing. Using Flex for 8 months is about where it makes sense to get the annual account instead.
I switched from a Spot Gen 3 to Inreach. I went on an overnight and told my wife I would send her a pin when I found my spot for the night. I sent the pin and the Spot indicated that the message had gone through. I got home to an angry wife who hadn't received my message! I also had this experience riding with my brother in law in the Lillooet BC area. We both had spots and sent our wives pins some of which didn't go through(Not tracking, "ok" messages). I researched this and found out it was a known issue. I was told a lot of local outfitters switched for this reason. I was told that the Spot runs on a much older outdated satellite system compared to Inreach. Nothing worse than having unreliable emergency safety equipment. Also, these must be kept on your person not attached to your bike!
Mason, thanks for all you’ve shared this riding season. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year !
I ride regularly ride alone, but I'm usually in cell service. However, I have been doing longer rides into the mountains where cell service is sparse. I like the Spot Gen 4, but I might want a full keyboard.
☕️ Good morning. I like it, I ride alone all the time. It would be nice and definitely make my wife feel better when I’m out riding. I have a tracking app on my phone that shows my location. The Spot would work if you get separated from your bike or there is poor cell service. Which is a problem in one of my favorite areas to ride.👍
I have a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) here in Australia. I don't ride every weekend / month depending on what I am up to so a Spot with its subscription price was reasonable when they first came out until they massively increased the subscription price. The PLB gives peace of mind although being able to help mechanical help that the Spot is capable of would be nice. I have seen some people mount their Spot to the bike and this is a mistake. Imagine you have fallen off and are trapped under the bike or the bike is a few metres/yards away and you have broken bones and can't get to the bike. I have mine on my body within easy reach.
I think you're wise to grab one of these smaller units Mason. I've mentioned my lil sleeping on the bike situation. I have the Garmin Montana 700I and the subscription to get help and be tracked. But... I really should get the smaller unit they sell. My Kilm Jacket has a pocket for the lil booger.
I have been considering something like this for a while (getting older myself) but didn’t want to drop $500 on something I may use. This looks like a very good option to consider.
Great review interested to see how it works out in the long run my set up so far is a stand alone plb and uhf radio but once I start looking into longer trip might come in handy even just for the regular check in
I have been thinking about a new GPS and some kind of PLB ever since my DeLorme PN40 died. I'm trying to decide whether I should have two devices, a GPS on the bike and PLB on my person. Or, an all in one. It will probably be one of the InReach devices. Mason, you did not mention in this video what GPS you are using on the bike. Could you enlighten us? BTW, thanks for all the great videos. I'm a subscriber. Brent
Thanks for the info for sure. Just a thought, these units could also be use to track a stolen bike if the bad guys don’t ditch the unit from the bike right away?? Also I have wondered if you were to replace the KLR with something else what would you likely purchase? Great content Mason, always look forward to the new videos! Ken, ( Michigan)
In my opinion, I think the spot is a great idea. I would use one. I live in the high desert of California. You can disappear real easy up in the mountains here. Hey, Mason, what cameras do you use? Also, I’m looking at picking up a 2022 KLR 650 at the first of the year
I'm glad to hear you say "As you get older," as I'm 57 and I still think I'm invincible yet at times. I haven't pulled the trigger to get a device to track me but I've been thinking about it and you bring up a lot of good points. Thanks Mason. Don
My wife and I always used to run on the rule of no news is good news. If I call you bad things have happened. When we had kids that changed a bit and as they got older and I started doing more riding on my own again it really changed. Since I really don't ride a ton on my own I wasn't sure I wanted to invest big money on a tracking device but also know that it is money well spent. I ended up buying a Zoleo. It is a pretty basic unit, it will track you though I don't have mine set up to track me. It works with your phone so you can have conversations back and forth. Low buck easy to use and great piece of mind! Also I am not a fan of the GPS/tracker combos. Chances are if I need that sucker I am not likely going to be attached to my bike, so I damn well want the beacon attached to me!
I am lucky in that the snowmobile club I am involved in has trackers for the groomer operators and in the summer I use the spot trackers and pay the service fees. It can get expensive for a device that you don't need until you need it. I am lucky in that I now have a great group like you to travel with but sometimes safety is safety. Thanks for sharing this with us adventure riders. Love the channel and keep the shiny side up!
Always have my Spot X Gen 3 bluetooth anywhere I go..atv,hunting and of course on the Super Tenere 😎
I decided recently to get the SPOTGEN 4 as I too am getting older and run across the moors here in the UK and have had a few close calls so this unit covers me completely.
I picked up a Zoleo last year and it's made all the difference to my wife's peace of mind. I'm a new rider and spend most of my time in Central Frontenac which has next to no regular cell service. To be able to send a receive texts and SOS no matter where you are as well as the new tracking feature on the Zoleo was great value for money at the time. The fact that we can use at our cabin which has no cell service is also a great bonus.
Found your video on UA-cam. Great information and very helpful. I'm planning on getting a tracker this year. Thanks.
I have used the Spot Get 3 for many years and will probably upgrade soon. Had a spill this year on a road trip that required medical assistance but it was my Apple Watch that saved the day by giving me the option to ask for EMS. It also notified my emergency contacts and sent them the coordinates on a map where I crashed. Fortunately I was within cell service range for this to work. Redundancy is a good thing!
I use Inreach mini. Works great. Having any type is important.
have been using my gen 3 for years and years and i love it. maybe ill get the gen 4 in a few years. remember if you don't have it attached to your body, might as well have left it at home. at least that's what my mother tells me. safe riding! cant wait for next season.
I really like that check-in feature. A quick way to send a message like that at a button push is great. Great peice of kit Mason.
This tech is not optional….it is essential. Never mind the significant pros and cons betwixt the brands of units, when you need it, you need it.
Three years ago a backcountry ride with my riding buddy resulted in a serious accident which gifted him with a seriously broken leg (and a destroyed new VStrom 650. I immediately pressed the S.O.S. button on my inReach and within 2 hours we had 2 RCMP members, 2 local paramedics, a forester, and eventually a helicopter with 3 sky medics. The country was very rough and the copter could not land so the police had to use their 4x4 to exit the bush to bring the personnel inland.
I have also carried the inReach on. a 2 week fly/in hunt in northern BC, which gave me the ability to send and receive texts (both directly from the device and/or from my linked cell phone even though we were in the heart of the Rocky Mountain Wilderness Park where there is no cell service).
And given these experiences, I carry it on all day trips while in more civilized environs……because you just never know when that “red” button will be needed.
My contract costs me $3.09 monthly in it’s deactivated state off season and then whatever plan I choose in season. And I can switch plans and either activate or deactivate same as often as I like.
Essential!!!
A generous friend let me use his this year when I went north. Very nice unit and the peace of mind it gave was invaluable. Definitely a must for a single rider who tends to ride alone most of the time.
I pretty much always solo adventure so a Spot was a no brainer piece of kit for me. I’ve had the Spot gen2 for quite a few years now. Last year I picked up the Garmin InReach for the ability to send custom messages. Been happy with both.
I just recently picked up a Garmin 700i InReach... I thought it would be a good idea since it's all in one and like you now that I'm older and in this day and age it's something I wouldn't want to be without... plus since I ride one up pretty much all the time.
Thanks for sharing, Mason. I’m like many of the commenters as I’m 56 ride my KLR usually by myself. Like the examples yiu and others have cited, I lost an “argument” with bike in some sand last year and went down. Got my ankle twisted and trapped while face down. Barely got my ankle free then barely got my bike off of me. Incidents can happen and having a device like this can be of help. Don’t have one but am strongly considering something like this. Thx again !
thanks for the great review. I am excited to use it. We are trying to figure out how to set up the messages and people to send to, and we are still looking for that.
I think that you said it all about the safety factor especially when riding alone (2013 KLR). Now that my riding buddy has moved away, I recently purchased a Zoleo unit (as you mentioned, it pairs with the cell phone for typing messages) so that I can still ride the logging roads & FSRs on Vancouver Island. I have not activated the unit yet as the riding season has slowed right down and a bit too icy at higher elevations.
I think they are a good idea, I still don't have one though. Thanks Mason
Thanks for the input great video as usual Mason
Good review Mason. As we mature and are still active in the outdoors, this technology does provide a level of comfort. Working with a SAR group locally these units save lives. I use an In Reach, not only for mc trips but on my sled when in the backcountry or ice fishing. Thank you & keep up the good work!
I've been thinking about one of these; I don't know many other riders and other than a safety course I've only ridden alone, so it just seemed sensible. Only ADV trip I've done so far was in PEI, where you can't go very far from other people, but if I'm gonna do the same here in Ontario next year I'll definitely need something for emergencies. I'm just trying to balance price and needs; I think I'll need something that lets me send arbitrary messages, but the service fees on some of them seem really steep when I doubt I'll be able to do more than a couple adventure rides this year. My area's all flat land and straight roads, so there's no real chance of needing it locally.
I have a Spot Gen3 but haven’t activated it in a few years. It’s handy but I didn’t like that they wouldn’t even email you when your account would auto renew. I think this has changed but it was a sneaky way to charge people. I have no idea what the Gen 4 does that the Gen 3 didn’t do. You can find used Gen3 Spots used for pretty cheap. The Flex monthly pricing is appealing. Using Flex for 8 months is about where it makes sense to get the annual account instead.
I switched from a Spot Gen 3 to Inreach. I went on an overnight and told my wife I would send her a pin when I found my spot for the night. I sent the pin and the Spot indicated that the message had gone through. I got home to an angry wife who hadn't received my message! I also had this experience riding with my brother in law in the Lillooet BC area. We both had spots and sent our wives pins some of which didn't go through(Not tracking, "ok" messages). I researched this and found out it was a known issue. I was told a lot of local outfitters switched for this reason. I was told that the Spot runs on a much older outdated satellite system compared to Inreach. Nothing worse than having unreliable emergency safety equipment. Also, these must be kept on your person not attached to your bike!
Mason, thanks for all you’ve shared this riding season. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year !
I ride regularly ride alone, but I'm usually in cell service. However, I have been doing longer rides into the mountains where cell service is sparse. I like the Spot Gen 4, but I might want a full keyboard.
☕️ Good morning. I like it, I ride alone all the time. It would be nice and definitely make my wife feel better when I’m out riding. I have a tracking app on my phone that shows my location. The Spot would work if you get separated from your bike or there is poor cell service. Which is a problem in one of my favorite areas to ride.👍
I have a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) here in Australia. I don't ride every weekend / month depending on what I am up to so a Spot with its subscription price was reasonable when they first came out until they massively increased the subscription price. The PLB gives peace of mind although being able to help mechanical help that the Spot is capable of would be nice. I have seen some people mount their Spot to the bike and this is a mistake. Imagine you have fallen off and are trapped under the bike or the bike is a few metres/yards away and you have broken bones and can't get to the bike. I have mine on my body within easy reach.
I think you're wise to grab one of these smaller units Mason.
I've mentioned my lil sleeping on the bike situation. I have the Garmin Montana 700I and the subscription to get help and be tracked. But... I really should get the smaller unit they sell. My Kilm Jacket has a pocket for the lil booger.
I have been considering something like this for a while (getting older myself) but didn’t want to drop $500 on something I may use. This looks like a very good option to consider.
Great review interested to see how it works out in the long run my set up so far is a stand alone plb and uhf radio but once I start looking into longer trip might come in handy even just for the regular check in
I have been thinking about a new GPS and some kind of PLB ever since my DeLorme PN40 died. I'm trying to decide whether I should have two devices, a GPS on the bike and PLB on my person. Or, an all in one. It will probably be one of the InReach devices. Mason, you did not mention in this video what GPS you are using on the bike. Could you enlighten us?
BTW, thanks for all the great videos. I'm a subscriber.
Brent
Thanks for the info for sure. Just a thought, these units could also be use to track a stolen bike if the bad guys don’t ditch the unit from the bike right away?? Also I have wondered if you were to replace the KLR with something else what would you likely purchase? Great content Mason, always look forward to the new videos!
Ken, ( Michigan)
If you crash does it Acctivate itself ??
In my opinion, I think the spot is a great idea. I would use one. I live in the high desert of California. You can disappear real easy up in the mountains here. Hey, Mason, what cameras do you use?
Also, I’m looking at picking up a 2022 KLR 650 at the first of the year
👍🏻