One of the best tech comparison videos I've ever watched! No "unboxing" or studio shots. Just devices in action in an environment where they belong.

I am a hunter and have been hunting public lands out of state. My family worries about bear attacks and injury a great deal. I have been looking into these devices and found your video. I appreciate all of the detail and work that you have put into your video. I will be subscribing, liking, and sharing.

I love that you showed these literally side-by-side and highlighted that the Garmin gives you feedback as to whether its message got out. Also that both struggle to get messages out sometimes. That helps my decision tremendously.

Such a big help to see real world side by side test. Thanks for taking the time to put this fine presentation together. So helpful!

Great review and comparison! Thanks for taking the time and also doing the research (eg number of satellites each uses etc), calling Garmin for details on the Mini. Very generous of you to share all this! I’m on Spot Gen3 and looking to upgrade. Leaning to Garmin. Here in Canadian Rocky Mountains the Spot is, well, spotty. Some messages never get through and I never know when or why. Fortunately haven’t had to rely on it yet for an SOS, just updates to the Mrs from my solo hikes. Again super helpful - many thanks

In the past, I always thought that I would never need something like that, until I had an acccident in a National Park in Italy. My BMW SOS button didn't work because I had no access to the rescue service. So I was laying on the ground with no cell access. I was lucky that a colleague was there and got help. Today I bought a Spot X. NEVER ride alone.

Just got the InReach Explorer+... This was great to highlight some of the features. Thanks for sharing!

Really good practical review that is clearly not just payed advertising. Thanks mate, was having trouble deciding.

Thank you so much for this test I will be getting the Garman but it’s nice to see the review head to head Thanks!!

Thank you so much for this review! Really great real world information that makes me a lot more confident in my purchasing decision.

Nice, balanced review. I have used the Garmin InReach for a few years now while deep sea fishing up to 70 miles out. It's an excellent way to let my family know where we are, what we caught, and when we'll be home. It is expensive, but our safety is worth it. Also, I really like being able to review my trips with the Earthmate app and to share my trip info in real time with my family and friends. Of course, the downside is that they now know all my favorite fishing spots. If you go places where there is no cell coverage, then you need to carry one of these devices. Garmin is my first choice.

Excellent comparison and “real world” issues. Love to see your take on the InReach Mini.

Great review. Thanks for taking the time to explain some important differences!

I was looking at these two devices and your review really helped me out. Thanks for posting.

Good review! Your first test proves that in the summer time when trees have all there leaves satellite signal can be blocked if your in heavy foliage. I remember back in the 1990's when satellite TV was the big thing, you had to be careful where you put your dish just for this reason.

Very helpful real world review. Appreciate the time you took to produce this.

Fantastic job! This review has made my choice easier to pick the Garmin InReach. Thank you.

Really well made review. Thanks for taking the time to do this, 🍺

Been using a spot gen 1 tracker for years, LOVE IT, was headed the spot x way...but your real world demo showed not only the expanded feature set of the Garmin, but it just works better. Great use of a video media to show that, otherwise in written reports its often difficult to parse that reality from reviewer bias. I'm off to buy the Garmin, and I hope you healed fast after that truck pulled in front of you...I had a similar thing happen ~15yrs ago and still have the scars :\

David, That was an outstanding review / comparison. Thanks!!

Lots of detail and a great review. Lot of work to put that together. And thanks to the Mrs. 🙏

Nice comparison! I bought an Inreach this year and the Spot X was released just a few weeks later and I worried that I made the wrong choice. The Inreach has worked great for us and your comparison just helped solidify that choice. Also worth noting that Garmin does have an extremely limited 'cheap' plan for just $12/mo, and I do love the ability to pause the subscription so I am not paying during months that we do not expect to use the Garmin.

Thank you for the review. The demonstration was very helpful. It makes choosing a device that will fit my needs "real" world clear. Thanks again

This is the first video I've seen from your channel. I have watched so many that left holes in the info needed to make well educated choice. This comp was the best I've seen for this type item. I very much appreciated the "side by side" real life comparisons. Most manufacturer videos are all flash and optimal claims that fall apart in a rainstorm, under heavy interference from veggies, or city buildings. Thanks for a truly revealing comparison. It has helped me make a good decision for my needs.

Thanks for all the great info. I already have the InReach, but you taught me about a feature I didn’t know about before. Keep the rubber side down!

Thanks for putting up with those mosquitos for us, they were in a frenzy! Great review!

Great review. I have the Inreach Explorer by Inreach the older version before Garmin bought them out. I live in the NW and spend alot of time in the outback far away from people and cell towers. Great to communicate as I have and needed assistance with our declaring an SOS emergency.. Best thing is family and friends can communicate if there is a need to. Perfect device for my needs and I always have it on my person.

Great comparison. I owned the Spot: ver 1 & 2. The ver 1 model didn't prevent accidental 'Help' messages from going out (different from SOS). They corrected it in the ver 2 model. There were a few times when the SPOT "I'm OK" message didn't go out. Never knew it. Also, the batteries went weak on my on the Ver 2 model and I didn't know it. Eventually, my wife told me on the phone that she was no longer getting messages. I simply changed the batteries & it worked again. I did once have to use the SOS button in NZ. It did work. (Helicopter picked up the M/C rider but I never knew if he survived or not) But, I never knew if it went out or not. I now own & use the DeLorme InReach (before Garmin bought them out). Love it. I know when messages go out. I get audible signals when messages come it. The weather forecast option really comes in handy. Using the phone app in conjunction is really nice. All in all, it is more costly but worth it when you spend as much time in the backcountry as I do.

Great review. I went with the Spot X. They did some firmware updates, the SOS has been removed from on on screen interface, as well as the social media icon. I will be using this on rail trails, and some hikes, nothing super remote.

Thank you for your review! I've been looking at different satellite trackers and this just helped me pick one.

Spot has now updated their plans to support flex plans with a yearly $25 fee. Allows you turn the service on and off as you need it.

Thanks for the comparison. I’ve just ended my subscription to my Spot Gen 3. Now I am choosing between Spot X, InReach Explorer & the Mini. Leaning towards Mini. You’ve helped me pretty much decide against the X. 😎

Thank you for this excellent and needed detailed revew!

That was an excellent review. I have been looking to upgrade my old SPOT and this clearly helped me choose over the SPOT X. I like what my SPOT stands for, it just lacks in execution.

Thank you, David, for your in-depth and real case scenario video.

Yeah this basically just made my mind for me. Garmin it is. Thanks for the video!

Fantastic review! I am currently researching both devices for our Jeep adventures. You have confirmed "you get what you pay for".

GARMIN IN REACH!! ☺️🙌🏻 just got myself one, and can’t wait to take it on my thru hike of the PCT next year! Thanks for the great video

Thank you for this insightful comparison of these two communicators!

Great video review I like the way they were side bye side and that it didn’t work as well as you would think in the woods at least . I for one thought as long as I was outside anywhere in the world you were good to go . Thanks for making it 👍👍

Good video that didn't waste 20 minutes of my life! Good job on comparing the two. It would be great to do a followup to see how they've both matured.

Wow this is a fantastic And thorough review!!! Thank u for the info!!!

Great information/comparison on these two devices. GREAT presentation. Have a Spot Gen 3 that I've used for basic check-in for years but wanted a way to send more in depth non-emergency information. Received the Spot X for Christmas this year but toying with it for the past couple of days I don't find it very user friendly (ie; the keyboard and no alert saying the message didn't send OR that the message went through OR I received an incoming message). You provided all the answers I need. Spot X goes back and the Garmin InReach is my pick thanks to you! Garmin should hire you as a PR rep. Happy New Years to you and family ... Stay safe!!!

You testing and trouble shooting skills is amazing.

Excellent real-world review. VERY helpful. Thank you!

Good test cases and logic to assess the benefits of each device.

Great review. I just ordered the Garmin. I Alaska Cabin Rentals Kenai Peninsula mountains

Great job on the video and comparisons... taking the Spot back to Sportsman Warehouse tomorrow and getting the Garmin.

Spot X DOES give you a sent message confirmation. This review should be updated, because that almost convinced me NOT to get it, however it absolutely will let you know the message was sent. You go into the view all messages or view check ins and on the right side it will show an icon if it was indeed sent or if it failed to send with an icon. This is written in the manual of the Spot x as of this date. Maybe when you posted this originally it wasn't an option, but with the current firmware it does do this.

The Garmin is also providing coverage in both North and South of the hemisphere using Iridium not the Spot since using Globalstar for North America

thank u for the great honest review. just got the garmin inreach mini to conect to my overlander. hope it works out well

great review!! you covered everything i wanted to know.

Great review in real time and being outside in the trail .

Great review and comparison. This was both informative and helpful. One point that might be of interest is that when comparing two transceivers, do not have them in close proximity as that may de-sense the devices. With that being said, the front end on the Garmin or the technology for that particular satillite system (or both) may be much more robust and was not effected by the de-sense. (SWAG) Thanks Again.

This was great information and very well done. My usage would primarily be in the appalachians. Thanks. This is why I love KZfaq.

well done! Glad I went with the garmin

Great review - best I have seen

I will keep my Garmin. Thanks for the comparison.

Garmin it is... The new Garmin InReach will be replacing my old Delorme - GREAT Review!

Good Comparison Thank you. My Spot Gen 3 stopped sending when I was very remote , tried several things to change that but it turns out that Spot Gen 3 is now not functioning any longer and Spot advised me to purchase a new unit....As I go remote regularly I want a simple and effective SOS system...bottom line! With this review I will go Garmin inreacdh mini 2, from now on. Many thanks

Nice review! Thanks!

Awesome review, thank you so much.

Good review, thanks!

Nicely done. Thanks!

Excellent thorough review! Thanks. Really rethinking! I spend sometimes 9 days alone out of cell range deep in the adirondacks woods. It has to work for me to invest! I'm going back to Africa and need reliability in the Bush!

Thanks for putting the summary together - good job. I used SPOT when these devices first came out, then to InReach (We use about 5 devices throughout the year). I just bought a SPOTX - my first use of the device was a bit disappointing - poor screen/keyboard etc - looks like it is 10 yrs behind the times. Jury out on coverage... At the end of the day though - EVERYONE should have one of these type of devices for back-country recreation or work - simply too cheap of a lifesaving tool not to...

This is a great informative video .... If when making individual comparisons about features, etc., it would help clarify those comments, if instead of saying "this one" or "the other one", you could state the name of the device "SPOT" or "Garmin" ... the video otherwise helped me make a buyers choice

Subscribed! Great video! Thank you.

Fine job on the review

great video, lots of good information. thank you.

Great review has helped me make a decision on what to buy for my trip to alaska on the motorcycle. One thing would like to see is a comparison of the new Garmin Mini

I'm a private pilot and intend to fly across oceans later this year. After researching both these brands I found the the SPOT devices only work within tens of miles of ocean shorelines, while InReach works everywhere on planet earth. For pilots like me... and obviously for anyone who travels by ocean vessels... the *ONLY* viable option is the Garmin InReach Explorer+.

I used the previous generation SPOT, it works on all landmasses except Southern Part of Africa (Namibia) and I was in Namibia. Just get an Iridium phone. I used that one in Africa as well, works really well and SpaceX is busy launching hundreds of Iridium 2 satellites.

Saludos desde Costa Rica. Excellent video, Thanks a lot

Great review. I bought the Spotx and I will return it back to the store and get the Garmin. I tried to download the latest firmware on my spotx and got constant error messages. Spent 40m waiting to talk to a tech support who ended up not being able to help. Terrible customer service!

I find the Garmin great. You can also leve it outside in the rain while sitting inside out of the weather and use your phone. In New Zealand the spot 2 did not work at all in some places.

Thanks David I took will go with the Garmin 👍🏽

Very useful review. Thank you.

I think Garmin's use of the Iridium network is enough reason to choose it, and the other features make it a clear winner. I have used various versions of Spot devices for work as a trail builder and wilderness ranger, and although they always worked, they were never ideal. Quite often I wished I could send a message that said "I'm going to be late, but I'm OK", or "changing itinerary to plan B", etc. Spot is great for an entry level SOS button, but anyone who spends a significant amount of time in remote areas should something more capable. I'm currently using the inReach Mini for mountaineering and hunting.

Great review 👍🏻

Very useful video, thank you ... I am not a fan of GARMIN products and except for an Edge cycle computer, I generally avoid GARMIN... in my opinion not user friendly and bulky ... was looking at the SPOTX ... but you provided useful information...

Thanks for the review! very useful. I plan to use the device in areas of the Andes mountain range in Chile, where exposure to the sky can be obstructed, depending on the location, by the mountains themselves. I understand that both satellite systems occupy low orbit, but which one do you recommend for high elevation satellite contacts? from what I've seen I think Garmin-Iridium would work better. Greetings from Chile!

thank you. helped me make a decision

Great comparison. We've been researching various iridium options and were leaning toward the inReach based on other reviews. Price point is an issue for some, without a doubt. I'd be interested in your opinion of the Garmin InReach Mini - seems to be pretty much a safety net text and SOS device, but much cheaper than the Explore model.

I used the inreach explorer plus in the mountains of SW Washington for 5 days this month (July 2018). I must say, it works well. You have to understand, it is NOT a cell phone. You won't get instant gratification for sending and receiving. Trust me, I learned this. Sometimes I would type and send a message and it got acknowledged as transmitted in as little as 10 seconds. Sometimes, it took way longer. I think almost an hour at one time. Keep in mind, this was from the exact same camping location. So, to me it's a busy network issue more than a look angle to the satellite issue but I may be wrong. If it's taking a long time and you get a transmission error, simply reboot the device. This happened twice in 5 days and it was no big deal. It seems the the device is taking a long time to transmit a simple message, it sometimes gives you an error. I always reboot. Not a big deal because the pending message will immediately try to transmit again. So, in 5 days there was only one frustrating occurrence when it took an hour to get a message out. Other than that, I think it the overall average was a minute or two. Just like the video said, you send the message on the Garmin and you get flashing up and down arrows indicating it is trying to send. Then, the garmin gives you an audible tone saying it's sent. Now you just wait for your reply. Overall, I'll give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you can remember it's not a cell phone, you will love this device and it will give you tremendous peace of mind anywhere you go.....

Thank you for this informative vid. Real world test indeed. Do the service providers prioritize on urgency? Will the SMS be slower than the SOS emergency help? Merry Xmas from Canada. I really appreciate your efforts. Thank you.

Another benefit of using the Garmin Inreach Explorer Plus is that if you have to wear gloves, at least the Garmin can be operated as usual.

From what I have read, the gps satellites will be no more than 20 minutes apart from passing overhead close enough to complete a transmission. That should be relativiley the same for each unit. You're correct, they aren't for everyday communication but in an emergency situation I like having one around. I have the Garmin.

Excellent video best I have watched. I spent $800.00 brought a sat phone pay $35.00 a month can cancel anytime. At $1.00 a minute I can talk to people and send my location anytime. Pay a fee to connect go away for 2 months when back home I phone them and cancel. Has worldwide coverage. I brought it purely for emergency use when out of cell phone range. I have used it twice just to see if it worked phoned a friend from the middle of a desert worked fine. I have had it for 7 years never been a problem. I really don't know why these units are so expensive for simply texting units? My outlay was high but saved me a fortune because I only pay when I want to use it.

Great video which also confirms that I made the right choice

excellent review.

Great testing video! My fear is for people who are in places like deep canyons and slot canyons and stuff like that. Try getting stuck in a slot canyon who knows if there is any possibility of signal

Very helpful video thank you. Question: On the Garmin recreational plan you say 40 messages, are they per month? Or per year??? I think I know the answer but just want to be sure. Regards from Mexico.

Great review, I chose the InReach. The biggest con for it you missed; There is no SD slot so it doesn’t support backroad map books and they do not offer a way to upload this info. In my area this is essential information when using the GPS function. Garmin has stated that the next generation will have the SD slot but that doesn’t help current owners... Why I can’t pay to upload this info is beyond me. The communications works great though and battery life is excellent.

The spot device can be paid for on a monthly basis. And then discontinued until the next trip. So the plans must have changed since you filmed this video. I have an older version of spot and not had any issues with it. My old device does have coverage in Africa, it just says that it may take longer to get the SOS out.

I just found your review and it was one of the best. How about remote charging utilizing some of the portable solar powered charging devices?

Great review I need sat link as I sail around Atlantic

My understanding that it can take a little while for the satellites to come in range. It’s not always necessary to relocate. Depending on the urgency of the situation, one could stay put for a little while and possibly it will send once the satellite is closer.My understanding is that it is normal to sometimes have to wait.

What are you using to film this, and how is your microphone connected? The one on your shirt.

I switched from a Spot gen 1 to an Inreach SE when they came out because I was finding message sending to be unreliable, and like you said, there was no confirmation. It's really too bad they haven't addressed the problem, the inreach prices are going sky high with no real competition.