As summer approaches, our friends at Iridium have put together a handy, carefully curated list of the best personal satellite communicators. Whether you’re hiking, biking, running, kayaking, backcountry camping, or just relaxing in the woods, these best backpacking satellite communicators will keep you connected no matter how far you are from the grid. All of the products on this list communicate via the Iridium satellite network.
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Best Satellite Communicator for Backpacking
1. Garmin GPSMAP 67i
If you can’t justify the price and size of the Garmin Montana 750i and the Garmin inReach Mini 2 lacks the features you want, the Garmin GPSMAP 67i offers a nice balance of both. It still has a color display, TopoActive maps (including existing trails and roads), helpful point-of-interest (POI) icons for water sources, trailheads, and restrooms, and up to 14 days of battery life when used sparingly.
During my testing, I cranked up the tracking interval to every two minutes (probably overkill for most people), used the navigation and maps for hours straight, and sent the occasional two-way message, and it still lasted four days before needing a charge.
That’s similar to the 3.5-day runtime of the Garmin inReach Mini 2 for the same task. The 240 x 400 vertical display is a far cry from the 480 x 800 screen of the Garmin Montana 750i, but it’s still sharp and readable.
The rubberized control buttons feel thick and sturdy, and the directional arrows and zoom controls make navigating and selecting locations on the map easier than expected. I especially like the ability of the Garmin 67i to adjust the route by minimizing time, ascent, or distance once you’ve selected a destination.
The directional pad also makes typing a little easier than the up and down arrows on the Garmin inReach Mini 2, and when connected to the Garmin Messenger app, it’s an easy solution for those who want to type a lot quickly. The overall ease of use, navigation features, and long battery life make this a fantastic choice for those who want more features than the Garmin inReach Mini 2 offers.
2. Garmin inReach Mini 2
Backpackers need a lightweight, compact satellite device, and the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is just that. Since you can’t make phone calls with this device, Garmin calls it a communicator rather than a phone. You can use it to communicate with the outside world without cellular service.
If you’re going to do anything to lighten your ultralight pack, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is the satellite communicator you need.
This tiny Bluetooth-enabled tracker-communicator weighs just 3.5 ounces and is easy to store. It utilizes the super-fast Iridium satellite network, so you can quickly send an SOS from almost anywhere, even in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
This device is primarily designed for emergencies. It supports IBM’s massive satellite network and features an SOS button that lets you easily contact Garmin’s Coordination Center if needed. It offers two-way messaging and the ability to post to supported social media networks.
Plus, the TrackBack routing feature lets you retrace your steps if lost. The convenient location-sharing LiveTrack enables friends and family to follow your progress.
Unlike more sophisticated and expensive devices, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 only offers basic apps and mapping tools. However, this does limit the device’s intended use as an emergency communicator. That’s part of the reason it’s so affordable, but it has a low ongoing subscription cost.
While many satellite phones charge $50 per month for access to the satellite system with limited talk time, this device’s inReach subscription plan costs just $15 monthly. It’s even cheaper if you sign up for an annual contract.
Overall, it pairs well with a compatible Garmin watch and was useful for getting notifications and messages on your wrist. Simple messaging on the device is easy enough, but if you’re tired of typing out boring text messages one letter at a time using arrow keys, you can also sync it with your phone and use Garmin’s Earthmate app.
Setup is relatively simple, and it tracks for up to 30 days at 30-minute intervals and records standard activity logs with a full sky view.
3. ACR Electronics Bivy Stick Satellite Communicator
The ACR Electronics Bivy Stick is a 3.4-ounce device that turns your iOS or Android phone into a hotspot, allowing satellite connectivity like the Garmin and Spot reviewed above. At $200, it’s affordable.
The Bivy Stick requires syncing with your phone to send text messages, but it has a dedicated SOS button on the bottom that can initiate rescue even if your phone is powered off.
The Bivy Stick has a monthly service plan, but doesn’t require an annual contract or activation fee. The service plan purchases credits for text messaging, weather reporting, location sharing, and tracking.
Our hesitation with the Bivy Stick system is due to reliability. Anecdotally, several of our testers have had issues with messages not being sent and the device itself not charging properly.
4. Garmin inReach SE+
You may be venturing off the grid, but you’ll never be out of reach as long as you carry the inReach SE+ or inReach Explorer+. These handheld satellite communicators are designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want to travel farther and experience more without compromising the peace of mind of their loved ones.
From backcountry experiences to international adventures, the inReach provides communication, location sharing, navigation, and important SOS features for anyone who loves to get away from it all on land, water, or air.
5. Zoelo Satellite Communicator
The beauty of the Zoelo is that it can be used as a standalone device or paired with a smartphone for additional functionality. The two-button interface offers two basic functions on its own: an SOS beacon or pre-edited check-in message, and a tracking feature that lets others track your progress as you make your way home.
When paired with the Zoleo app, which essentially acts as a separate display, you can also use your smartphone to send and receive text or email messages (when set up, Zoleo assigns a phone number and email address that others can use to send messages).
The app also lets you adjust the tracking interval, show weather updates, and provide other information such as location maps and battery levels. The Zoleo also uses the same Iridium satellite network as Garmin, ensuring complete global coverage no matter where you are on the planet.
The device is built for durability, with a thick rubber case, a sturdy cover over the charging port and SOS button, and an impressive IP68 water resistance rating. This rating allows it to be submerged in water up to 2m deep for 30 minutes, slightly better than Garmin’s IPX7 rating of 1m.
I appreciate the relatively low $200 price tag (though for $50 more, the Spot X offers a full-featured screen and keyboard), and the monthly cost is comparable to other devices, depending on which of the three subscription plans you choose.
Those limited messaging features and the reliance on a separate smartphone for texting and email ultimately pushed the Zoleo out of our top rankings, but it’s still a good choice for travelers who prioritize durability and global reliability.
6. Garmin inReach Explorer+
This satellite communicator packs a lot into its small frame. It’s a rugged handheld satellite communicator with two-way text messaging, 24/7 interactive SOS search and rescue monitoring (when triggered), location sharing, and tracking.
It’s also compatible with mobile devices using the Earthmate® app, which gives you access to downloadable maps, US NOAA charts, color aerial photos, and more. The device includes preloaded DeLorme TOPO maps with GPS routes, a digital compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer.
7. SPOT X
Another company that offers a satellite tracker and messenger is SPOT. A two-way device that looks a lot like an old BlackBerry, the , lets users check in and send SOS messages, and lets them track items like cars and bags.
The SPOT X features an easy-to-use physical keyboard, making it a popular choice for those who prefer tactile buttons over a touchscreen. The device is also durable, meeting the MIL-STD-810G standard for shock resistance and boasting an IP67 ingress protection rating. Measuring 166 x 38 x 24mm and weighing 198g, the device is highly portable and can last up to 240 hours.
One of the SPOT X’s most impressive features, however, is its SOS button, which lets you call for help in an emergency. This feature is especially useful for those who are outdoors or in areas without cellular service.
Reviewers on Amazon and Reddit both say that the device’s interface can be a bit sluggish. Think of it as a 10-year-old cell phone. But I would say the backlit Blackberry-style keyboard and screen are a game changer, because you don’t have to rely on a separate smartphone to quickly send a text. And that’s what I really like about this device.
Yes, it’s bigger than a keyboard on the screen or a communicator that uses your smartphone as a keyboard, but it’s a complete piece of kit in its own right.