If it's OK to talk about the Spot-X...Does anyone know if 'unlimited custom messages' on the $30/mo plan means unlimited text messages 24/7? If so I'd probably ditch my phone and get one of these. For what I can tell you get a phone number. This thing kind of reminds me of my old Blackberry but sportier and I'd rather not have tp pair with anything like a phone when I'm off grid.
Here's a screen-cap of the SPOT-X service plans....
(Click to enlarge)
The charts seem a little odd to me. They define messages as Custom, SOS, and Check-In. But when you go to the User Guide, messages are defined as SOS, Check-In, Pre-defined, and 2 Way Messaging.
I had to call Spot this afternoon to get this straight. ...
SOS messages are of course the 911-type message and those are unlimited in all the plans.
A SPOT_X user gets ONE 'check-in message' and you pre-define it in your account and upload it to the SPOT-X before use. You can say OK or whatever you like. It can go to up to ten addresses and there's no additional charge to send them.
'PREDEFINED' messages are very similar. Create them in your account (in a different place than the Check In message) and you can create 14 of them and upload them to the SPOT-X before use. Those too can be sent at no additional charge.
Then there's the 2-WAY MESSAGING category. The manual doesn't use the word 'Custom' but that's what I confirmed today... those are the create-in-the-field messages the Service Plan charts call Custom messages. So, yes, you get unlimited create-in-the-field messages (and incoming messages) on the $30 /month annual plan.
And there's yet another message type: S.O.V. or "Save Our Vehicle". This one is only available if you purchase a separate contract for a 24/7 towing/vehicle-assistance service.
------
I don't know about that ditching-the-phone idea. The Spot-X is assigned a phone number but it's only used for addressing and routing of text messages, not for voice.
Also- the Spot-X needs a view of the sky to send and receive messages.... a perhaps-inconvenient fact when compared to a cell phone.
You also mention pairing with a phone. A phone is optional for operating an Inreach. (Though some might argue it's not an option if you do much ad-hoc texting.)
-------
Also-- a friendly invitation for anyone with a Spot-X.... We'd love to see what your experience has been with this new two-way satellite messenger. It would probably be better to start a new thread on it so comments on Inreach and Spot-X don't get too confused but, again, please help us understand what you do and don't like about it.
.