GPS Trackers

Has anyone here used gps trackers so the folks at home know you haven’t died? I’m planning on using my garmin for the routes and recording trips but my mother and gf both want something more instantaneous than the daily uploads or less with loss of 4g.

I’ve seen stuff like inreach and spot but just wondered what other options there are as those are pretty pricey with the subscriptions that realistically I only need for a couple months. Tbh I don’t think I need the communication side of it, just something that pings off a location once every so often.

Have you checked if you can just do this through your Garmin?

https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/?faq=HbqxxbiBGA3mDhlLX4GUw8

wahoo elemnt does this although it uses the phone app so you do need a phone signal for it to update

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/386397

I do a lot of solo off road riding sometimes in very remote spots with no phone coverage at all and solo kayaking.

I have a satellite Spot tracker, you can set it to send position updates every few minutes, it will also call emergency services if you press SOS.

Downside is increasingly expensive monthly subscription as you have mentioned.

I fucked my SPOT tracker off.

My plan is to get a Garmin InReach but so far this hasn't happened.

You can get very cheap GPS trackers off ebay that use a 2G SIM to phone your location or you can use things like Garmin LiveTrack or apps on your phone that update specific people with your location at set intervals.

I have been tempted to cancel my subscription a few times but it does give peace of mind in places like the Welsh mountains where I can ride for several hours without signal.

It depends on your risk appetite, how remote you are, on road or off road, who can actually do anything if you're fucked, etc.

On road I'm not that bothered. Off road, well, mostly on the remote stuff I'm tracked. Training, not so much. That was why I was toying with the idea of InReach. I'll be in the mountains more often I hope so will more likely brain myself in the bush.

I dunno, I've survived this long, I figure, fuck it, I'll crawl out of most situations.

Mine is dual use and hopefully never need it but it could be a lifesaver in the sea if I ever get into grief. Having that guaranteed connection is a real reassurance on the water on your own.

If I'm in the water something has gone wrong enough that a tracker would be nice :D