Originally Posted by gauvins

Yes your point is relevant, and there are circumstances where you might want to consider a sat phone. But they will cost $30/week + $2+/min. All I am trying to say is that SPOT works as a rule (there are exceptions to all rules).

But no point in being argumentative. It might be useful to sum things up. If you want to broadcast your whereabouts:

o smartphones work sometime, some places. Will cost 0$ in hardware and some difficult to forecast network charges. May be reasonable depending on where you go. Assume it will not work as hoped.
o SPOT works essentially everywhere but is one way. Will cost 150$ in hardware and a $99/year subscription. Assume it will work as expected
o deLorme Explorer works essentially everywhere in and out. Will cost $360 in hardware and, say, $50/month. You'll know for a fact when it works.

Makes sense?