GPS and emergency response beacon
 

so I am taking a solo trip this summer and need to get a gps. I might get an emergency response beacon for the "just in case". I found one beacon that had gps in it, but I wonder if there are any gps units that double as a beacon. The gps in the beacon wasnt interactive as far as i could tell.

Two basic types of beacon - older analog (cheaper but won't function beyond 2009) and the newer digital ones. Th enewer ones must be registered, you ma=ust have acontact number (or more than one) where someone who knowns your plan can vouch for your beacon being real .. not acidental.

As far as the gps thing goes ... you pay more for the one with the gps - this will localt the beacon more precisly. There were stories of beanons that could take and external gps input.. don't know if that ever came to market.

Me? - I'd take a gps and a sat phone- much more versitile than a beacon - you can talk to them directly and get the hepl you need rather than an exploratory.

and how much does a satelite phone cost?

About the same as a epirb with gps inside. But the sat phone is a lot more usefull. Unfortunately is does have an ongoing cost.

I did a quick google search on sat phones and came up with quite a few options. Some places rent them for about $40 a week but I dont know what that includes for service....Although I would only plan to use it in an emergency....Or maybe just one call to someone to be like hey, this is cool I am talking to you via satellite. but prices seem to be from the $400's for "refurbished" phones on up.