Spot Gen 3 alternative?

What do you want to use the Spot for? If only for emergencies then a PLB can be hired. A satphone could be hired as well.

Wouldn’t be without the spot gen ! We have our family track us when we go remote, check in at the end of the day and if we are in real trouble ; help is just a button away. We use it not only 4 wheel driving but also hiking eg: The Overland Track. The question is : how much are your lives worth ? Just some thoughts ??

The subscription cost is part of the total cost of the holiday. If you cannot justify the subscription cost for only the month you use it don't use it. Another way to put it is the subscription covers the month you use it and all the other months are at no cost.
Chris

Hey guys....
Not sure if this will suit but Garmin has bought out a device (or bought the company) called "Inreach" which u can get monthly subscriptions - Maybe this may suit. Check the following website out:
https://explore.garmin.com/en-AU/inreach/
Garmin Inreach

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I'll look into purchasing a sat phone, I know I'll need one of them every now and then. Maybe now is the time to bite the bullet & get one.

Thanks again.

Was out walking and thought, I don't go anywhere without a winch, it's one of my essential recovery items. That got me to thinking, I don't use my winch much, but when I do I'm bloody glad I have it. That made me think, so what's the difference between a winch and a sat phone? They both cost roughly the same, you use both not very often, but they are both extremely important recovery items, in my eyes they are anyway.

So I've made some enquiries on a satphone and think I'll get myself one and just buy prepaid access when needed, just as you mentioned Macca.

Thanks all for the help.

The exchange rate and the single-level sub to Spot have made the cost painful.

You used to be able just to get just a msg sub and last year we were told that the formerly optional tracking was now required at an additional USD 50, plus a 'network fee' of USD 15.

Some of us challenged this added slug for tracking and were excused it.

This is where I went today- using my SPOT ver1- I've used it almost every day for almost 9 years

https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=2d464de362759825a