Awesome, thank you! I'm working on my new Garmin inReach Mini 2 review and additional field tests now. I should have the first one uploaded this weekend. Rick
I did allot of research on all these devices as you suggested and it appears the the ACR Bivy Stick is the best way to go in regards to cost. While the SPOT Gen 4 is about $50 less to purchase, the Bivy Stick has no activation fee, and you can cancel at any time and reactivate at no extra charge when planning for the next trip. I really dislike activation fees or paying a reduced cost like a flex plan when not needed. This is a game changer for me. Thank you
Thanks for letting me know what you found out. The other nice thing about the ACR Bivy Stick is that it's right up there with the best satellite messengers. It's a great device and one of the smallest. Good choice. Rick
I like the fact that the helping hands button keeps sending messages. One message is easy to miss. Thanks for the review, looking forward to see the Zoleo review.
Thanks for watching! I agree with you that the helping hands needs to get people's attention. Thank you for the feedback and I'll plan on getting the Zoleo review up soon. Rick
Agreed! I never go into the mountains without one. The SPOT Gen 4 is one of the least expensive and smallest, but you will be glad you took action on buying one. It is the first thing I think about putting on my pack when preparing to head outdoors. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help direct you to the right satellite messenger for you. Rick
I was interested to see how the Spot did with a full forest. The location you're in looks pretty open with scarce trees. Have you used it in a full on forest with practically no open sky? If so, how did the Spot do with sending messages? Were they delayed? If so, how long were the message delays? Thanks.
I have tested the SPOT Gen 3, Gen 4, SPOT X and SPOT X Bluetooth, and many times I traveled through dense forests. I have never had any difficulty with the tracking or messaging, but the time it takes usually takes between 2 to 5 minutes. My personal experience with all of these satellite communicators is that the Garmin devices send tracks and messages between 1 to 3 minutes and have been faster than the SPOT devices. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick
@@outdooremergencytech UPDATE: Well, just used the inReach mini for the first time on my 3 day camping trip and I am NOT impressed. Battery life is absolutely terrible. Lasts only about 18 hours and that's with me only sending about 2-3 preset messages a day. No tracking. Nothing else being used on that battery. Just my 2-3 preset messages. What the heck. The listing said it would last 90 hours! Wow I cant imagine how long the battery life would last if someone were to actually use all of the other features on it, including tracking. Sheesh, maybe like 8 -12 hours? LOL Also, all of my presets to my emergency contacts (3 people) were sent WITHOUT my GPS coordinates, even though I have it set to send with coordinates. Kind of pointless if my emergency contacts can't even find me if something were to go wrong. There was no cel service where I was so I depended on this gadget and it was not what I had hoped for nor worth the price AND the yearly price I just bought into. I'm also pretty pissed to learn after receiving and playing with it, that you can't change your preset messages to be what you want them to be. They come factory set. Never heard of this. I guess Garmin wants even more money from us to upgrade in order to be able to change the presets? Odd since these gadgets and their monthly/year plans arent cheap in the first place. Anyway, I just wanted to give you an update that I wish I had bought something else and hadn't paid for the entire years subscription. Kind of stuck with it for at least a year.
I would call Garmin and let them know about the battery life on your Mini because I have never gotten those kind of results on my Mini or Mini2. It could be your settings but I have pushed mine to the limit but the battery would still last about 1 week and much longer if your in low power mode settings. As far as the messaging and presets, this is one of the reasons I mention in many of my videos to get out and test your device several times in advance of any trip. If you want out of the annual subscription, it's possible that Garmin may work something out with you. It's to bad you have had this experience, but I would make sure you don't have a faulty device, and if not, I would spend more time testing it before heading out on another trip. Rick
That's great. The Gen 3 was my first satellite messenger that sold for $150 in 2019, but I also found it on sale for about $100. Thanks for leaving the comment for how much you found it for. Rick
I bought a used gen 4 device ,when activating a message in red rectangle appears saying that "ESN is in use " so what could i do to activate this device on my account
It looks like someone still has that account registered. I would call SPOT and give them your information on the device. Since you have the IMEI number or other information on your Gen4, you shouldn’t have a problem.
The Gen4 can operate about 8 degrees colder to -22F. It's also 1 oz. heavier. The battery life seems to be the same. Honestly from the specs and my field tests, it's the same device, just re-packaged a little. The biggest benefit may be the colder operating temperature, other then that, the Gen3 will do the same for everyone until they stop manufacturing it, which has probably already happened as the availability seems to be low. I hope that helps. Rick
What is interesting about the company that sells this device is that there is no mention in the user manual on how to cancel the subscription someday if you wish to discontinue using it, say 3-4 years from now. Am I missing something here?
Under "My Devices" on SPOTs website, you can suspend the account or change subscription plans. I have called and talked to the SPOT customer service several times and they have always been extremely helpful. My SPOT Gen 4 shows as "Suspended" right now as I am not currently using it or comparing it to other satellite messengers. Rick
@@outdooremergencytech Thanks for answering my question. I have ordered the SPOT GEN 4 and it will be here next week. Looking forward to having it in the back country and knowing this is a reputable company with a good product.
That's great. Let me know how you like it when you test it out. I believe you'll feel better when you know you can message family and friends and call for help if needed. Rick
This is useless it’s cover protecting the sis button failed immediately / broke in two. Made almost of wax!!!! They refused to repair replace or replace the part without a $50 fee!!!! Terrible don’t buy
Outstanding job! I have subscribed and look forward to watching your other reviews.
Awesome, thank you! I'm working on my new Garmin inReach Mini 2 review and additional field tests now. I should have the first one uploaded this weekend.
Rick
great review thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Rick
I did allot of research on all these devices as you suggested and it appears the the ACR Bivy Stick is the best way to go in regards to cost. While the SPOT Gen 4 is about $50 less to purchase, the Bivy Stick has no activation fee, and you can cancel at any time and reactivate at no extra charge when planning for the next trip. I really dislike activation fees or paying a reduced cost like a flex plan when not needed. This is a game changer for me. Thank you
Thanks for letting me know what you found out. The other nice thing about the ACR Bivy Stick is that it's right up there with the best satellite messengers. It's a great device and one of the smallest. Good choice.
Rick
I like the fact that the helping hands button keeps sending messages. One message is easy to miss. Thanks for the review, looking forward to see the Zoleo review.
Thanks for watching! I agree with you that the helping hands needs to get people's attention. Thank you for the feedback and I'll plan on getting the Zoleo review up soon.
Rick
I have the ZOLEO now and will be field testing it this weekend. I should have the video up tomorrow or Sunday, February 18th or 19th.
Rick
im always alone trail riding in Baja.... need to get one
Agreed! I never go into the mountains without one. The SPOT Gen 4 is one of the least expensive and smallest, but you will be glad you took action on buying one. It is the first thing I think about putting on my pack when preparing to head outdoors. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help direct you to the right satellite messenger for you.
Rick
Good to hear your thoughts on this one. Just orderna it! 😀 Thanks.
Hope you enjoy it! Let me know how you like it and if you have any questions about it.
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech thanks Rick!
I was interested to see how the Spot did with a full forest. The location you're in looks pretty open with scarce trees. Have you used it in a full on forest with practically no open sky? If so, how did the Spot do with sending messages? Were they delayed? If so, how long were the message delays? Thanks.
I have tested the SPOT Gen 3, Gen 4, SPOT X and SPOT X Bluetooth, and many times I traveled through dense forests. I have never had any difficulty with the tracking or messaging, but the time it takes usually takes between 2 to 5 minutes. My personal experience with all of these satellite communicators is that the Garmin devices send tracks and messages between 1 to 3 minutes and have been faster than the SPOT devices.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Rick
@Hiking Emergency Beacon very helpful. Thank you. I just ordered the inreach mini 😃
Great to hear. Let me know how you like it when you start using it and if you have any questions.
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech UPDATE: Well, just used the inReach mini for the first time on my 3 day camping trip and I am NOT impressed. Battery life is absolutely terrible. Lasts only about 18 hours and that's with me only sending about 2-3 preset messages a day. No tracking. Nothing else being used on that battery. Just my 2-3 preset messages. What the heck. The listing said it would last 90 hours! Wow I cant imagine how long the battery life would last if someone were to actually use all of the other features on it, including tracking. Sheesh, maybe like 8 -12 hours? LOL Also, all of my presets to my emergency contacts (3 people) were sent WITHOUT my GPS coordinates, even though I have it set to send with coordinates. Kind of pointless if my emergency contacts can't even find me if something were to go wrong. There was no cel service where I was so I depended on this gadget and it was not what I had hoped for nor worth the price AND the yearly price I just bought into. I'm also pretty pissed to learn after receiving and playing with it, that you can't change your preset messages to be what you want them to be. They come factory set. Never heard of this. I guess Garmin wants even more money from us to upgrade in order to be able to change the presets? Odd since these gadgets and their monthly/year plans arent cheap in the first place. Anyway, I just wanted to give you an update that I wish I had bought something else and hadn't paid for the entire years subscription. Kind of stuck with it for at least a year.
I would call Garmin and let them know about the battery life on your Mini because I have never gotten those kind of results on my Mini or Mini2. It could be your settings but I have pushed mine to the limit but the battery would still last about 1 week and much longer if your in low power mode settings.
As far as the messaging and presets, this is one of the reasons I mention in many of my videos to get out and test your device several times in advance of any trip.
If you want out of the annual subscription, it's possible that Garmin may work something out with you.
It's to bad you have had this experience, but I would make sure you don't have a faulty device, and if not, I would spend more time testing it before heading out on another trip.
Rick
just picked up a spot gen 4 for $99.99 yesterday 06/11/2023
That's great. The Gen 3 was my first satellite messenger that sold for $150 in 2019, but I also found it on sale for about $100. Thanks for leaving the comment for how much you found it for.
Rick
After being still for 5 minutes or more do you have to push the track button again to activate the tracking feature?
No, it will automatically begin tracking again once you start moving.
Rick
I bought a used gen 4 device ,when activating a message in red rectangle appears saying that "ESN is in use " so what could i do to activate this device on my account
It looks like someone still has that account registered. I would call SPOT and give them your information on the device. Since you have the IMEI number or other information on your Gen4, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Did you get this resolved?
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech no sir . Got no solution
В чём отличие версии 4 от 3?
I'm sorry but I cannot understand the language you're using. Can you translate it to English?
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech What is the difference between version 4 and 3?
The Gen4 can operate about 8 degrees colder to -22F. It's also 1 oz. heavier. The battery life seems to be the same. Honestly from the specs and my field tests, it's the same device, just re-packaged a little. The biggest benefit may be the colder operating temperature, other then that, the Gen3 will do the same for everyone until they stop manufacturing it, which has probably already happened as the availability seems to be low. I hope that helps.
Rick
What is interesting about the company that sells this device is that there is no mention in the user manual on how to cancel the subscription someday if you wish to discontinue using it, say 3-4 years from now. Am I missing something here?
Under "My Devices" on SPOTs website, you can suspend the account or change subscription plans. I have called and talked to the SPOT customer service several times and they have always been extremely helpful. My SPOT Gen 4 shows as "Suspended" right now as I am not currently using it or comparing it to other satellite messengers.
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech Thanks for answering my question. I have ordered the SPOT GEN 4 and it will be here next week. Looking forward to having it in the back country and knowing this is a reputable company with a good product.
That's great. Let me know how you like it when you test it out. I believe you'll feel better when you know you can message family and friends and call for help if needed.
Rick
This is useless it’s cover protecting the sis button failed immediately / broke in two. Made almost of wax!!!!
They refused to repair replace or replace the part without a $50 fee!!!!
Terrible don’t buy
Thanks for letting me know of your experience with them. I have not had that issue but it's good to know about the $50 fee.
Rick
Thank you for sharing this. It helps to hear other people's experiences.
Rick