Compare Personal Locator Beacons and Messengers

ACR, Spot 4, Spot X, Garmin inReach Mini 2, Messenger, Messenger Plus, Montana 710i/760i, Iridium GO!, Iridium GO! exec, ZOLEO & Motorola defy Comparison

When you're off the beaten path, there are more and more options available to get help in an emergency, or keep in touch with loved ones.

Which system will be the best for you, though? Have a look at our handy comparison chart to help you with your decision!

Product	ACR – 406 Link	SPOT 4	SPOT X	Garmin inReach Explorer+	Garmin inReach Mini 2	Garmin Montana 710i & 760i	Garmin inReach Messenger	Garmin inReach Messenger Plus	ZOLEO	Motorola defy satellite link	Iridium GO!	Iridium GO! exec
Satellite Constellation	LEOSAR-GEOSAR maintained by NOAA	34 LEO satellites maintained by GlobalStar	34 LEO satellites maintained by GlobalStar	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi	Inmarsat and Echostar geostationary satellite networks	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium
Coverage	Global	Virtually Global – mostly inland, some off shore	Virtually Global – 2-way messaging is Americas, Europe and most of Africa	Global	Global	Global	Global	Global	Global	Virtually Global – View coverage map here	Global	Global
Where does your distress signal go?	Cospas	FocusPoint International, Inc.	FocusPoint International, Inc.	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	Global Rescue	FocusPoint International, Inc.	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC
Annual or Monthly Fee	Not mandatory – annual fee is only used for advanced self tests. Beacon testing can be done without the 406Link service.	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory
SOS	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Help – send for help to predetermined contacts	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	only if GEOS Service is declined in the initial setup
Check-in/OK	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Custom Message	✅ (pre-determined messages only)	✅ (pre-determined 120 character messages only)	✅	✅ (160 character type & send messages either used alone or when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅ (160 character messages when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅	✅(160 character messages when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅ (1,600 character messages, photos, voice messages, group messages, when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅ (950 character type & send messages when paired when paired with iPhone or Android)	❌	✅	✅
Tracking	❌	✅ (additional fee)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅
2-way Communication via Text/SMS	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Make and Receive Phone Calls	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌ but can send and receive voice messages	❌	❌	✅	✅
Email Access	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌ but can send text messages to email	❌	❌	✅ via Iridium Go! app	✅
Weather forecasts	❌	❌	❌	✅ (additional service)	✅ (additional service)	✅ (additional service or Active Weather when paired with cell phone)	✅ (additional service or Active Weather when paired with cell phone)	✅ (additional service or Active Weather when paired with cell phone)	✅	❌	✅	✅
Mapping	❌	❌	❌	On mobile devices using the free Earthmate® app for access to downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery and more	Sync with the Garmin Explore website or the mobile app on your compatible smartphone for navigation, waypoints, courses, activities and collections. Also get access to trip planning and topographical mapping.	Preloaded Garmin TopoActive maps of North America. Compatible with other Garmin mapping, BirdsEye, U.S. NOAA charts and more either via the Garmin Explore App or pre-loaded microSD cards or downloads (depends on map and usage).	Sync with the Garmin Explore website or the mobile app on your compatible smartphone for navigation, waypoints, courses, activities and collections. Also get access to trip planning and topographical mapping.	Sync with the Garmin Explore website or the mobile app on your compatible smartphone for navigation, waypoints, courses, activities and collections. Also get access to trip planning and topographical mapping.	❌	❌	❌	❌
Pairs with IOS or Android devices via Bluetooth	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Keyboard for on-device message construction	❌	❌	✅	No. Use up and down toggle buttons or pair to smartphone for easy typing.	No. Use up and down toggle buttons or pair to smartphone for easy typing.	✅ Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard to pair to smartphone	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing. Built-in speakerphone and microphone functionality.