OFF GRID GPS Tracker recommendations

I'm looking for a simple GPS tracker. Not a map, not a communicator. Just a simple beacon, that doesn't require a subscription. It cannot rely on mobile phone networks as there is no service in most of the places I go. So far I haven't been able to find anything. Is there anything like this that anyone knows of?

 

They all require subscriptions. That's the business model.

But many of the subscrip. plans can be "suspended" indefinitely. I've been looking at used Garmin inReach Minis on eBay but in the spring/summer season the prices on those go sky-high.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/592606

If you look in late fall/winter a used Garmin inReach Mini on eBay can be had for $100 to $120ish.

When you consider the cost of say, a $35-a-month subscription vs. dying of exposure, injury, etc. in the back country somewhere it's pretty obviously a good deal. Also far, far, far better than hauling around an HF radio + antenna set hoping to make contact w/ SAR folks.

 

I’m confused as to why this is difficult to find?

$255 McMurdo FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon - US Programming

https://www.amazon.com/McMurdo-Fast...personal+locator+beacon&qid=1714796600&sr=8-8

 

If that's true, I'll be relying on Life360, as that does what I want using my phone. I was just hoping to have something I could leave in my tackle box.

 

Probably because I'm Canadian.

 

Read the description. They will reprogram to your country

 

“This PLB listing includes a free reprogramming service. Simply contact us after your purchase and we will reprogram the device with your required country code free of charge before shipping to you. If you wish to register in the Rest of World please purchase our separate listing, 'McMurdo Fast Find 220 PLB - Programmed for Rest Of World'.”

 

I see that. I mean why I was hard to find. Also, It doesn't do want. It send out a SOS alert when activated. I want a constant signal to track.

 

I see.

If you want constant signal, that will cost you.

 

https://shop.landairsea.com/products/landairsea-54

 

That won't work; it uses cellular networks to transmit updates, not satellites.

The "uses GNSS networks" tag line in the product description might be misleading to those who aren't aware that GPS / GNSS itself is strictly one-way broadcast only. GPS / GNSS helps billions of devices locate themselves on the globe, but they need some other method of transmitting that location data elsewhere, i.e. Iridium or similar bi-directional satellite services in cases where the device is deep/far off grid.

The reason that device is so inexpensive is, of course, that it relies on ultra-cheap LTE/cellular hardware, but of course is only useful when at least periodically and pretty frequently in-range of a cell tower/network.

 

So far the Garmin option looks the best. IMO

They actually don't require a subscription for the tracking, only for the advanced features.

 

To me the Garmin is the obvious choice because the brand is well-known and pretty well respected, i.e. very likely to work as intended if/when needed. I'd have bought one already this season but I hate paying seasonal surcharges. Winter skiing gear is 40% off at Sports Basement now ... in 6 months used Garmin InReach Minis will be back down to $100 a pop on ebay. (At present they're going for $225+ during the spring/summer rush period.)

Not that other lesser-known brands won't, it's just that Garmin™ has potentially more to lose in public image & reputation from PLB failures, & one would assume they work very hard to prevent that from happening.

 

They do require a subscription for tracking to be transmitted to anyone. You can use it as a standalone GPS to know where you are but it won't do anything else.

 

Oops.

 

Which means someone needs to provide that service, and no one's going to provide it for free. There's low cost asset tracking tags, but those aren't free.

ex:

https://www.globalstar.com/en-us/products/spot-for-business/spot-trace

but that's not that far off from the price of a two way communicator, though.

...

I use a classic inreach on the freedom (suspend) plan, and fire it up only when I'm on a trip. Also, I carry a PLB, since the authorities will respond if one of those go off.