[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Doesn't solve the battery charging issue, but probably much cheaper than a sat phone if your going 'off grid'

http://www.findmespot.eu/en/index.php?cid=116

[Paul B]

apart from the device, does it cost? (I'm just curious as I have no need for one)

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Sounds like $150 for the device then $99 a year for service. However there is a rather large flaw with it in that it can only send messages not receive them, so pretty limited in terms of emergency use.