Oh yes, I forget the latest SPOTS have a message facility. Very handy.

Delorme Inreach... it's a two-way spot
 

I used to have a spot, but the problem is that it is a one-way communication, so not very usefull except in an emergency..... and then you hope the message went out.

Now I use a Inreach from DeLorme (now Garmin).
It is a spot that can send AND receive txt-messages. So, if you have an emergency and press that big red button (well, you actually have to slide it) you do not have to wonder if help is comming... The response center will reply and ask you what kind of assistance you need.

It costs about the same as spot (I pay 12 U$ per month) and it has more flexible plans that you can stop and start when you want.

Check it out.:D

I agree with the DeLorme/Garmin InReach. I have used one for the last four years and it is a great little item. Always have message comms and my family enjoy the online map where they can follow my progress in real time. I haven't had to use the emergency button yet but if I do need, glad to know it is there.

As this thread has come alive again, I'm wondering if I could use your knowledge to assist our organisation.

We're looking for a cheap tracking device for our motorbike(s) to know where employees have been on it. They have to note the kilometres but we know they're often not on the route they should be on, if you get my drift.

When I say cheap, I really do mean cheap, it's for a NGO and it has to work in Cote d'Ivoire (via a telecoms provider perhaps??)

Searched all over google without much success!

Thanks

try ebay.fr and type in "Waterproof GSM GPS GPRS Tracker Localisateur Voiture Traceur"

Someone I’m travelling with right now has a little blue box called a Holux tracker.
It may be what you’re looking for.

Ah yes, I have to look into this again. I still have the very first Spot (without the messaging) device, which I guess we could still use. Just taking a new service for one year.
I have to check how it is with the "live tracking" options of that one, versus just pressing the button a few times.

When carrying a satellite phone I think the other (messaging) features are not really relevant?

Hey Des, and others :-)
Maybe interesting for you guys to know that Polarsteps works completely offline. Content will be synced once you hit a wifi spot or when you wish to push it through 3G/4G. Also, on Android it uses a combination of GPS and triangulation (cell signal) which means that you'll be able to get a lock on your location 99.9% of the times :-). I have tracked all my travels with it from crossing the Atlantic to riding to Cape town, etc.

Hope this helps!