The ACR Bivy Stick Two-Way Global Satellite Communicator Device is a game-changing product for outdoor enthusiasts looking for unparalleled global coverage and safety features. This device uses Bluetooth and the Iridium Satellite Network to allow users to send and receive messages from anywhere in the world.
In addition to satellite coverage, the ACR Bivy Stick offers tri-network coverage with access to cell, wifi, or satellite networks, ensuring that users can stay connected no matter where they are. The device also comes with dedicated iOS and Android apps, making it easy to communicate with others and access important safety features.
The ACR Bivy Stick’s standout feature is its 24/7 monitoring by Global Rescue. The device comes with a dedicated SOS button or app that allows users to communicate with emergency services and share their GPS location for added safety. This feature can be a lifesaver in remote or dangerous locations.
![ACR Bivy Stick - Two-Way Satellite Communicator [4601] – Life Raft ...](https://wearabletech.io/wp-content/media/2023/04/acr-bivy-stick-two-way-satellite-communicator-4601-life-raft-.jpg)
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Don J. –
FINAL UPDATE: 01 Apr 2022: I’ve streamlined my review. I would NOT buy the Bivy Stick again. It does have some good points that I’ll mention, but I decided to move to the Garmin InReach Mini 2, and in comparison I’ve been more than happy with Garmin so far.I bought the Bivy Stick almost a year ago for the original $350, with the $17.99/mo plan. I chose the product because of the free subscription pause/resume, and because unused monthly points roll over. Upon activation, a phone number is allocated to the Bivy Stick unlike some competitors including the Garmin InReach Mini series. Having an attached phone number is both good and bad. Each subscription pause releases that phone number and accrued points are lost, so there is some incentive to keep a subscription active. The points rollover is a real benefit and should not be overlooked. Also, each subscription resume requires notifying contacts to ensure they update to the new Bivy satellite phone number. The current Bivy cost structure is $200 with a mandatory minimum of 4 months on the plus plan at $29.99/mo, or $48 total more than the minimum monthly plan. That’s still a much lower cost than the Garmin Mini 2 initially, including their mandatory $29.95 activation fee. But ultimately I didn’t suspend/resume, as I wanted to always have the service available. The minimum yearly contract for Bivy is $14.95/month, and $11.95/month for the Garmin (with only half the monthly message limit though, and no rollovers); overages are $0.75/msg for Bivy and $0.50/msg for Garmin. So with minimal usage, the Garmin $29.95 activation fee is accounted for in 10 months. For me, message overages aren’t too important: if I really need to get a message in or out, an overage cost won’t matter much.The Bivy Stick hardware is pretty rock solid. But with virtually no UI at all, it relies heavily on the Bivy Stick app. I find problems with the app almost every time I use it. In the first month, I took the Bivy Stick into the backcountry for a few days and checked in multiple times. I had to turn the app navigation options for the Bivy app on my iPhone to “While Using” from “Always” because the app would suck my battery dry. This is really not good when in the backcountry and relying on the app for working with a screenless Bivy Stick. Then I discovered that all check-in locations sent were hundreds of miles away from my real location – for days. I drove out of the backcountry and talked with Bivy customer support. Customer support has always been helpful. Their advice then and now is “avoid the app, use just the device” for check-in, and that worked.Recently, almost a year later, I again took the Bivy Stick into the backcountry. The app still wanted to suck the battery dry on my iPhone, but now I’m aware and kill the app when needed. I again ran into a number of problems, mostly not critical but also still including battery draining issues and too many other problems to document here. Customer support says that the team was aware of most of the problems and is working on fixes to release in the coming weeks or months. I also showed a completely unfinished Bivy app icon on the iPad: I keep my iPad ready to pair with the Bivy in case the iPhone has a problem (like, say the Bivy app sucks the battery dry). Customer support tells me that yes, the icon is unfinished: the app may work but has not been tested on the iPad. Which is apropos for my experience with the Bivy app, and the reason for my overall product rating.
Emilia H. –
Excellant
Mark A. Sikes –
right out of the box charging cable was defective which i find out next day after many attempts to do firmware update and speaking with customer care through amazon there is no dedicated customer service number you have to call it to usa number keep that in mind chat is available on there website The app do have some issues which i chat with support regarding that that can give hard time when we are actually on trail so this product does have to undergo some improvements to be perfect as this is supposed to be life saving device do not build confidence
Brian Meikle –
They say that the Garmin inReach is the best SOS locator out there. Since I don’t have an inReach I can’t say whether it is or isn’t. I do know that there is no way I’m going to pay the high price for an inReach when there are many alternatives out there for far less money and will do the same thing. I chose the ACR Bivy Stick for my Locator. I’ve had it now for two months and have used it a lot. Where many people go wrong is that they buy something like this and then go out off-grid and expect it to work perfectly. That is a reasonable expectation. But the problem is that they don’t take the time to really learn the device and practice with it a little. When I received mine I took it out in the desert and sent and received several messages to my sister, and to my own cellphone. I also sent messages to my email address. At first the email did not work. Or so I thought. I later found out that my email account was putting all messages from the Bivy Stick in a Spam folder. That was an easy fix once I got home. I then sent a test SOS to Global Rescue to see how that worked. They told me that I could test the SOS feature anytime, just be sure to let them know that it is only a test. I did find out that the Android app does have a few minor bugs in it, but nothing that would affect how it worked. Tech support asked me to let them know of any bugs so they could fix them in the next update. Which I am doing. On my last 5 day camping trip in the High Sierra mountains (off-grid) I sent and received daily TEXT messages to my sons more or less just to test the device and really get to know it. I did learn that you really do need a pretty clear shot of the open sky for best signal strength. But that is true no matter which device you use. I am very happy with the Bivy Stick. Even if money was no object, I still think I would buy the Bivy Stick over the Garmin inReach. I am not knocking the inReach! I just can’t see where the inReach will give me that much more in reliability and features than the Bivy Stick. The bottom line is, practice with it and learn to use it. Had I not quickly learned about my email account Spam folder I would have been disappointed with the email feature and would have blamed it on the Bivy Stick.
Mark A. Sikes –
Great product. Really appreciate that credits roll over month to month. Also, no activation fee
RJHamiho –
The Bivy Stick requires study. Like anything you need to learn how to use it and it does a VERY GOOD job. I needed it for my international trips to countries that have political risk and also, I use it for my backcountry motorcycle rides. This simple device gives me peace of mind. I can turn on tracking so if I come up missing I can be found. It also has a SOS button that I can press and get help dispatched right away if I were injured. I used to carry a HAM radio with me on my trips but it requires me and my wife to jump through hoops to get it to work. I love HAM radio but I needed something more simple and the Bivy Stick is it.A bit of advice, you need to take some time to learn about it. Google videos of how to use it and it will become more clear. It is a clever system but education is needed for you and your loved one that will track you. I read the one star ratings and I believe they wanted a no effort system. That simply does not exist. You need to learn about Bivy Stick and practice a little with it. Only then will it be clear.I am happy with my purchase and customer service was the best. I would recommend this to a friend. I am a happy customer!!!!!!
Brian Meikle –
Last year, I lost almost all communication (landline, mobile, internet). Satellite was the only way to communicate with the outside world. During a visit to the USA, I researched the options for satellite message texting and purchased a Bivy Stick. I used it during my travels back to seclusion so family and friends could see my progress. I sleep well at night, knowing I can communicate with others if all other forms of communication fail.
Brian Meikle –
They say that the Garmin inReach is the best SOS locator out there. Since I don’t have an inReach I can’t say whether it is or isn’t. I do know that there is no way I’m going to pay the high price for an inReach when there are many alternatives out there for far less money and will do the same thing. I chose the ACR Bivy Stick for my Locator. I’ve had it now for two months and have used it a lot. Where many people go wrong is that they buy something like this and then go out off-grid and expect it to work perfectly. That is a reasonable expectation. But the problem is that they don’t take the time to really learn the device and practice with it a little. When I received mine I took it out in the desert and sent and received several messages to my sister, and to my own cellphone. I also sent messages to my email address. At first the email did not work. Or so I thought. I later found out that my email account was putting all messages from the Bivy Stick in a Spam folder. That was an easy fix once I got home. I then sent a test SOS to Global Rescue to see how that worked. They told me that I could test the SOS feature anytime, just be sure to let them know that it is only a test. I did find out that the Android app does have a few minor bugs in it, but nothing that would affect how it worked. Tech support asked me to let them know of any bugs so they could fix them in the next update. Which I am doing. On my last 5 day camping trip in the High Sierra mountains (off-grid) I sent and received daily TEXT messages to my sons more or less just to test the device and really get to know it. I did learn that you really do need a pretty clear shot of the open sky for best signal strength. But that is true no matter which device you use. I am very happy with the Bivy Stick. Even if money was no object, I still think I would buy the Bivy Stick over the Garmin inReach. I am not knocking the inReach! I just can’t see where the inReach will give me that much more in reliability and features than the Bivy Stick. The bottom line is, practice with it and learn to use it. Had I not quickly learned about my email account Spam folder I would have been disappointed with the email feature and would have blamed it on the Bivy Stick.
RJHamiho –
The Bivy Stick requires study. Like anything you need to learn how to use it and it does a VERY GOOD job. I needed it for my international trips to countries that have political risk and also, I use it for my backcountry motorcycle rides. This simple device gives me peace of mind. I can turn on tracking so if I come up missing I can be found. It also has a SOS button that I can press and get help dispatched right away if I were injured. I used to carry a HAM radio with me on my trips but it requires me and my wife to jump through hoops to get it to work. I love HAM radio but I needed something more simple and the Bivy Stick is it.A bit of advice, you need to take some time to learn about it. Google videos of how to use it and it will become more clear. It is a clever system but education is needed for you and your loved one that will track you. I read the one star ratings and I believe they wanted a no effort system. That simply does not exist. You need to learn about Bivy Stick and practice a little with it. Only then will it be clear.I am happy with my purchase and customer service was the best. I would recommend this to a friend. I am a happy customer!!!!!!