I've researched them in the past and just ordered a SPOT, mostly to reassure a group I'm taking on a trip that their possibly anxious people back home can track them easily - but also to try the system out.

The real question is whether an rescue infrastructure is in place to quickly come to your aid.

That is indeed the crux, IMO. What will pressing SOS in Nepal or Rwanda deliver? Doubt it will be a dozen abseiling nurses any time soon. And say in UK inshore waters (a place I may use it personally)? Again, better to know who exactly is being alerted.

I contacted GEOS in Texas about who are the 'SAR services' they would contact in my upcoming area if I pressed SOS on the SPOT. It got forwarded to the Head of the Geos International Emergency Response Coordination Center. Yet to get a reply, but if it's the Illinois National Guard, it wont be much help.

To me then, the 'Help' button which can be set up to contact specified individuals by email is much more useful (as is the nightly position marker linked to an embedded Google map, or some such).

My meltdown scenario is an attempted abduction (actually highly unlikely) rather than an RTA. I won't have time to fire up the sat phone - and may not even have time to hit the SPOT, but the speed and ease of jabbing one button is the issue.

My only concern is I hear they dont send off signals so well on the move. Anyone know about that? Seems a bit unlikely - they track and upload onto a Google Map after all, dont they?

For full-on 24/7 satellite tracking I have heard
Yellowbrick Tracking - truly global satellite tracking beacons for yacht racing, adventures, treks, expeditions and challenges
is good. It uses Iridium network but who knows what it all costs.

Chris S

forgot to say, thanks for good summary G'bean

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail