They say that the Garmin inReach is the best SOS locator out there. Since I don't have an inReach I can't say whether it is or isn't. I do know that there is no way I'm going to pay the high price for an inReach. I chose the ACR Bivy Stick for my Locator. I've had it now for two months and have used it a lot. Where many people go wrong is that they buy something like this and then go out off-grid and expect it to work perfectly. That is a reasonable expectation. But the problem is that they don't take the time to really learn the device and practice with it a little. When I received mine I took it out and sent and received several messages to my sister, and to my own cellphone.On my last 5 day camping trip, I sent and received daily TEXT messages to my sons more ... MoreThey say that the Garmin inReach is the best SOS locator out there. Since I don't have an inReach I can't say whether it is or isn't. I do know that there is no way I'm going to pay the high price for an inReach. I chose the ACR Bivy Stick for my Locator. I've had it now for two months and have used it a lot. Where many people go wrong is that they buy something like this and then go out off-grid and expect it to work perfectly. That is a reasonable expectation. But the problem is that they don't take the time to really learn the device and practice with it a little. When I received mine I took it out and sent and received several messages to my sister, and to my own cellphone.On my last 5 day camping trip, I sent and received daily TEXT messages to my sons more or less just to test the device and really get to know it. I did learn that you really do need a pretty clear shot of the open sky for best signal strength. But that is true no matter which device you use. I am very happy with the Bivy Stick. Even if money was no object, I still think I would buy the Bivy Stick over the Garmin inReach. I am not knocking the inReach! I just can't see where the inReach will give me that much more in reliability and features than the Bivy Stick. The bottom line is, practice with it and learn to use it.

I was excited to get away from Garmin billing so I bought this but it just isn't easy to use. The instructions are too simplified- you can't even tell which way to orient the unit for the best signal. The lights on it are confusing even though they have a guide on the back because it doesn't tell you all the light status indications. The app often requires reconnection and even connected often says 'checking account' when you have an active account. You never know if anything is going through. I tried using the app to activate tracking but I couldn't make that work so I started to hold the 'check' button for 5 seconds and that only worked sometimes. The messaging seems to work OK and I did get weather reports but even the premium one is very basic. They show the ... MoreI was excited to get away from Garmin billing so I bought this but it just isn't easy to use. The instructions are too simplified- you can't even tell which way to orient the unit for the best signal. The lights on it are confusing even though they have a guide on the back because it doesn't tell you all the light status indications. The app often requires reconnection and even connected often says 'checking account' when you have an active account. You never know if anything is going through. I tried using the app to activate tracking but I couldn't make that work so I started to hold the 'check' button for 5 seconds and that only worked sometimes. The messaging seems to work OK and I did get weather reports but even the premium one is very basic. They show the current temp and wind (which I can see with my eyes) and a plot of temps and cloudy or sunny by hour over 6 days with premium weather. Good for the beach I guess but without wind direction and wind speed, the weather report is useless for sailing. I know ACR recently acquired Bivy but you'd think they'd make it work smoothly before offering it. Hopefully they improve it. I'm on the hook for 3 more months and if not improved, I think I'll try Zoleo- at least they show wind direction and speed on their weather app.

I purchased this a year ago for a solo trip I was planning and it's been the best decision I ever made! I take this on every hiking, camping, backpacking trip I do. The original trip didn't happen because of weather, but I've been on many trips since. The bivy stick gives me and my family the peace of mind know that I can get help when I need, can communicate with them while on the trail when there is no cell phone coverage. The basic check in message I can send from the click of a button on the device sends my loved ones the pre-set message and my gps locations.I've used the hyper detailed weather forecast on the trail which has been helpful in determining if I was going to continue or head home when I see the clouds rolling in. I get the weather forecast at the ... MoreI purchased this a year ago for a solo trip I was planning and it's been the best decision I ever made! I take this on every hiking, camping, backpacking trip I do. The original trip didn't happen because of weather, but I've been on many trips since. The bivy stick gives me and my family the peace of mind know that I can get help when I need, can communicate with them while on the trail when there is no cell phone coverage. The basic check in message I can send from the click of a button on the device sends my loved ones the pre-set message and my gps locations.I've used the hyper detailed weather forecast on the trail which has been helpful in determining if I was going to continue or head home when I see the clouds rolling in. I get the weather forecast at the start of every hike or trip I take just for that extra level of safety before I start hiking. I've gotten to a trailhead, hit get forecast and saw the weather was going to turn bad so went back home.I live in the Phoenix, AZ area where flash flooding, monsoons, sand storms, and rain storms can come out of nowhere in the wilderness. Having a better idea of the forecast of what might be coming is a game changer out here!The dedicated phone number for the device is also amazing. Means my family and friends can text me and I them from the same number, not through a website or app. It gives everyone that piece of mind.Also, the low monthly rate to keep the Bivy Stick active is worth the piece of mind as well. I pay for the basic plan (currently $17.99/month) that includes 20 credits each month. The credits I don't use roll over so you can bank them up for those longer trips where you might want to use the breadcrumb tracking option or just want to have a conversation with family and friends late at night by the campfire ;)On the technical side, the battery life on this thing is amazing. I can leave it on 24/7 on my camping trips and the battery will last the entire 3-4 day trip no issues at all (I'm not using the breadcrumb tracking). I believe it will last 10 days before it needs to be charged, and with the solar panel it came with, charging it and my phone on the trail is so easy!Bottom line, if you spend anytime outside hiking, camping, backpacking, you need to get this! Well worth every penny, service plans are so reasonably priced. Give yourself, your loved ones peace of mind while you're out enjoying nature!