Using a GPS SOS Device to Stay Connected in Remote Areas
A gps sos device is a powerful tool that can provide peace of mind to adventurers who venture into remote and hazardous areas. These devices connect to satellite networks, allowing them to stay connected in places where cell towers don't reach. They work alone or pair with smartphones to send messages, dispatch SOS alerts, transmit live tracks, and more. Some also have an SOS button that can be used to request help in an emergency situation. They can be very useful for children who get lost on adventures or for elderly people who wander away from their car.
SOS devices use GPS technology to determine the user's location and transmit it to emergency response teams. The best SOS devices have built-in GPS receivers that are accurate enough to send an SOS signal even if the battery is dead. This feature is especially important for older people who may wander or become lost and can be life-saving for those who have dementia, Alzheimer's or other conditions. These personal SOS buttons can be activated in the event of an accident or a fall, and they can also be used by people who are autistic or suffer from anxiety.
When you press the SOS button on a device, it sends your location to private rescue and assistance services (such as GEOS and Global Rescue) over satellite systems. These service providers are staffed around the clock and can relay your message to local search and rescue teams.
These services are often able to locate users within minutes. This can save valuable time when compared to the 20 minutes or so it takes for a helicopter to arrive on average in the U.S. The best SOS devices are backed by professional emergency response operators and operate on multiple satellite networks, so they're able to communicate with rescuers worldwide.
All of the devices we tested have an SOS button that can be pressed to request help. However, only a few of them can send non-emergency messages as well. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 and the SPOT Gen4 both offer this capability, as do the Bivy Stick and ZOLEO. The Garmin GPSMAP 66i and the two-way SPOT X have the added benefit of being able to transmit pre-programmed "OK" messages from their app or from the device itself.
We recommend choosing a PLB if you don't need to send non-emergency messages and just want the ability to press an SOS button in an emergency. The Ocean Signal rescueME and ResQLink View are both excellent options for this purpose, though they don't have as many features as the inReach Mini 2 and SPOT X. If you're primarily interested in a SOS-only device, the SPOT Gen4, ZOLEO, and the Somewear Global Hotspot are all good choices. They're all easy to use, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive. The only drawbacks of these models are their limited range and the fact that they require a separate subscription for voice communication.
