>>1347793Satphones are expensive. Yes, they usually have a GPS receiver in them, but it's less for GPS-ey uses and more for timing and configuration. As an emergency comm device, they work well (but again, expensive). Iridium's the only network i'd trust (globalstar is awful). Used both.
Most any handheld GPS receiver will log tracks and let you suck them out to a computer over serial/usb. I'd recommend something with USB, makes things easier, but a USB-Serial adapter and interface cable works fine too. Slower for map transfers, but any receiver that doesn't have USB probably doesn't have much internal space for maps anyways.
Commercial two-ways (left) usually include GPS now, but aren't much use except for sending the radio's location to a dispatch console. At least it'll give me lat/long/elev/heading on the front panel.
GPS (76Cx) can be found for $100-150 on ebay. This is my main receiver. USB (power, data), big 4-pin round (ext.power and serial in/out), color, microsd card slot, runs for a day+ on a pair of AA's. 10k track points, can log track points to the card if you're going multi-day (track log will wrap around (or stop, config'able) when you hit that 10k point limit.
Rino 130 I bought for under $200 shipped. GPS with mostly the same specs as the 76Cx, except it's serial and no microsd card. The Rino has a built-in FRS/GMRS radio, and with that, you have the ability to share waypoints and your position to other Rino units. Really slick system, these have definitely earned my seal of approval. Good radio and a good GPS in one unit. This is my backup GPS/radio.
PLB (ACR ResQLink) is my "Someone's gonna die, I need help here now, quickly" beacon. I can fire this off and deal with the situation, stabilize/etc until outside help arrives. Gear I hope I never have to use. About $200, no service fees (Maintenance every 5-yrs, about $100 for that service).
Phone - great tool. I don't typically rely on this. Worth carrying. Has GPS too.
