ACR, Spot 4, Spot X, Garmin inReach SE+, Explorer+, Mini, GPSMAP 66i, Montana 700i/750i & ZOLEO Comparison

When you’re off the beaten path, there are more and more options available to get help in an emergency, or even tweet about your adventure.

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 Explore+	Garmin inReach Mini	Garmin GPSMAP 66i	Garmin Montana 700i & 750i	ZOLEO
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	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi
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
Where does your distress signal go?	Cospas	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC	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
SOS	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Help – send for help to predetermined contacts	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
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 Andriod)	✅	✅	✅ (950 character type & send messages when paired when paired with iPhone or Andriod)
Tracking	❌	✅ (additional fee)	✅	✅ (with select plans)	✅ (with select plans)	✅ (with select plans)	✅ (with select plans)	❌
2-way Communication	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Update Social Networking Sites	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
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)	✅
Mapping	❌	❌	❌	On mobile devices using the free Earthmate® app for access to downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery and more	Preloaded DeLorme® TOPO maps on device PLUS on mobile devices using the free Earthmate® app for access to downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery and more	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).	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).	❌
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.	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.