On Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 6:32:47 PM UTC-7, Mike N. wrote:
Reviewing In Reach VS Spot, seems the same, however the In Reach service fee looks to be significantly higher.

Comments, or am I missing something.

I've used ELTs, PLBs, SPOT 1, SPOT 2, InReach and APRS over 2m band.
It's evident thst the new SPOTs (3?) do not report altitude as predictably as InReach. Many tracking reports will show zero MSL.
I don't know if you can send and receive text messages to any number by coupling a phone via bluetooth to a SPOT. It may be possible. The InReach does that with their Earthmate app. Download an offline language for the phone and you can use text to speech.
Do the new SPOT units have rechargeable batteries, or still alkalines? InReach charges by USB Micro.
Jim