In The News

Fall 2020 Backpacking Gear Guide

11/11/2020

One of my favorite things about going backpacking is leaving the day to day bustle behind. I love going where cell service is nonexistent and where I can’t be reached. But as I take kids or go out by myself having a lifeline has become a must. The new SPOT Gen4 gives me peace of mind while in the backcountry that if something went horribly wrong, I would be able to get help. Read More >

Best Satellite Messengers of 2020

11/11/2020

The SPOT X fills a niche. This is a two-way, satellite-linked, backcountry messaging device that works entirely on its own. The built-in physical QWERTY keyboard distinguishes it from any of the competitors.  Read More >

Globalstar Receives Terrestrial Authorization in Canada, Brazil and Kenya

11/5/2020

Globalstar, Inc. today announced that it has obtained terrestrial authorizations in Canada, Brazil and Kenya. Read More >

Fresh Produce: SPOT Gen4 Tracking & Messaging Because Breadcrumbs are for the Birds

9/24/2020

If you’re lucky, you regularly ride somewhere remote and deep that is well out of cell phone range. And being lucky, you probably have somebody back home who, maybe just deep down inside, is a little worried about you when you ride alone.  Read More >

New Gen4 SPOT offers tracking basics

8/12/2020

If you’re on the market for a simple satellite tracker, SPOT’s new Gen4 might be what you’re looking for. It doesn’t have the same flashy features as the Garmin inReach line, but it’s got several small upgrades over previous SPOT devices.

For several years, SPOT has been selling trackers that can broadcast a user’s movements via satellite interface. Some riders use them for tracking rally riding, or to provide some safety on offroad trips. Thanks to the satellite uplink, offsite users can follow the tracker’s progress online, and the tracker’s user can also use the device to send an SOS or other customized message through the satellite system.

Read More >

Turn Your Phone into an Off-The-Grid Communication Lifeline

8/12/2020

Of-the-grid outdoor experiences are one of the few pleasures that have made it through the COVID-19 pandemic relatively unscathed. Spending time in the outdoors with your family or QuaranTeam appears a healthy activity, giving many in Utah a much-needed outlet. With that said, it’s more important than ever to be able to communicate with others which can often be challenging when you’re on a 700-mile bikepacking route in Bears Ears or just doing some stargazing near Capitol Reef State Park. Read More >

Globalstar’s SPOT Gen3 Satellite Helps Firefighters in Spain

8/6/2020

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services has revealed details of a key new deployment of its technology in Spain. The company announced Aug. 6 that its 550 SPOT Gen3 satellite enabled safety devices are being deployed to safeguard and track firefighters across the vast expanse of Andalusia in southern Spain.

INFOCA is one of the largest fire authorities in Europe with 5,000 response personnel. Andalusia is Spain’s most populous region with eight million inhabitants and several million tourists throughout the year. Fire is a major problem in Andalusia, its climate always subject to the extreme influences of the Sahara Desert. With its rugged and mountainous terrain, human exposure to fire risk is very high. Read More >

Deal of the Week: SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger

8/6/2020

We know: You head into the wilderness to unplug and get away from your devices. But sometimes, having a way to stay in touch can keep you safer and let you venture out on solo adventures more confidently. This simple satellite messenger from SPOT is a great solution: A push of a button lets you call for rescue or notify a friend that you need help, while a tracking function (optional) lets you display your location for friends and family at home, but there's no 2-way communication function, meaning you won't feel obligated to check your texts. Read More >

Emerging Gear: Customizable Cooler, Tiny SPOT Satellite, and More

7/30/2020

The Gen4 is the smallest generation of SPOT yet. The new SPOT Gen4 ($150) is designed for those who travel off the grid and has enhanced tracking options, an upgraded mapping interface (with light and dark modes), and an IP68 waterproof rating. The coolest new feature is motion-activated tracking, which lets the Gen4 send tracking data at a chosen rate only when the device is turned on and moving, conserving battery life.  Read More >

How To Backpack With Kids, A Rite Of Passage

7/28/2020

With nature as your teacher, Polaris as your guide, consider testing your children’s mettle through backpacking, giving them an opportunity to grow, mature, and believe that they can accomplish hard things. We want our children to learn how to be self-reliant and independent, full of grit and mental fortitude. 

Depending on how deep you are in the back country, a just-for-emergency satellite tracking device, like SPOT X, will give you peace of mind. Read More >