SPOT announced a new device, the spotX, that not only does two-way messaging, competing with Garmin InReach, but also has a built-in keyboard.
From my brief read, I see the following key pros:
From my brief read, I see the following key pros:
- Finally does true two-way text messaging.
- As a built-in keyboard, which is fantastic.
- Less expensive than InReach.
- Provides a dedicated phone number for SMS. (InReach does not, yet.)
- Seems to have incredible battery life.
- Coverage is not truly global. (InReach on Iridium is global.)
- Use with a semi-obscured view of the sky may be more difficult than InReach, but that needs testing.
- According to the documentation, it does not seem to allow pairing with a tablet or smartphone, meaning you are forced to use its keyboard.
- Lack of external antenna jack. (InReach does not have this, either.)