If you need an easier tracker for single-stint adventures, the Spot Gen4 affords dependable one-way comms and site monitoring. Performance right here is proscribed in comparison with extra succesful two-way rivals, however there are some neat security extras, and the endurance is superb. This beast goes lengthy.
It’s a one-way messenger, so in contrast to lots of the units on this listing, you possibly can solely beam easy outbound notes, you possibly can’t obtain replies from the parents again dwelling.
In testing, I used the Spot Gen4 for plenty of totally different one-day extremely runs within the European mountain ranges, and it’s nice for providing that straightforward consolation of security crews figuring out the place you might be always.
I really like you can program it to activate monitoring if you attain or depart from particular areas, and powering off when you sit nonetheless earlier than turning on if you transfer, is nice for sparing important battery life.
The SOS features are simple to make use of, and the Spot Gen4 is quick to ship up the metaphorical flares. Plus, there’s a Spot Help button that’ll notify contacts that you simply want some assist however your struggles are non-life-threatening—let’s say you’ve run out of fuel within the desert, for instance.
Outbound messaging capabilities embody SMS, e mail, and sure social media platforms, however this must be programmed when you’re nonetheless in civilization. You’ll be able to’t do it on the fly sitting on a rock half manner up Kilimanjaro.
Not like most of your outside equipment—head mild, telephone, GPS watch—which now use USB charging, the Spot Gen4 runs on AAA batteries. That has professionals and cons. The battery life is superb, and it’s simpler to swap in new batteries than it is perhaps to discover a energy supply, however I did discover it barely bothersome carrying additional equipment.