Anyone using an inReach 2-way Satellite Communicator?

In the PNW there can be a HUGE difference between 99 road miles and 99 mi radius.
I expect they use road miles, but stranger things/interpretations of fine print have surprised me in the past.
It is best to know what you have, but fine print is everywhere these days.
 
Just realized that REI members may be holding a recent catalog mailing with a 20% off coupon. REI has inReach. My coupon expires 11-23-2015...on my way.

Bill
 
BILL98388 said:
Just realized that REI members may be holding a recent catalog mailing with a 20% off coupon. REI has inReach. My coupon expires 11-23-2015...on my way.
Hold your horses, Bill.

I thought the same thing a couple of years ago, but I was pointed to the fine print which excluded this device. See http://www.rei.com/coupon which says: Discounts not valid on ... any item with GPS technology, activity trackers, personal locator beacons....

I bought it there anyway, because with my member annual rebate that was the best price then available.
 
I looked, you are correct. Thank you.

I'll probably go ahead with purchase too.

Do you still use it and is it a valuable emergency tool?

Bill
 
BILL98388 said:
Do you still use it and is it a valuable emergency tool?
I use it every day while traveling and camping to send out what I call "breadcrumbs" using the unlimited pre-set messages function. Thankfully, I've never had to test the SOS function.

My 3 preset messages equate to "I'm OK" and 1) I'm traveling in my truck, 2) I'm hiking from here, and 3) I'm camped here for tonight. Since I travel alone and often take backroads and jeep trails, leaving a trail gives those who care about me some comfort. Plus they can click the link in the generated email and see precisely where I am on the DeLorme topo map webpage.

I subscribe to the Safety Plan, since I only use it during camping season - $30 annually, plus $15/mo of use. I've just deactivated my plan for the year and will start it up next spring. I also buy the rescue "insurance" for $20/year, if I remember right. This provides 2x $50,000 in case of air lift, S&R, etc costs.
 
Well took the plunge and just cancelled my SPOT that was going to autorenew next week and plan to pick up an inReach this week. The big factor was the ability to 2-way text - seems like a cheap insurance for vehicle breakdowns and non-emergency accidents.

Probably will just get the SE model and probably will just get the Safety Plan.

By the way, I assume its pretty easy to turn on/off the location pings and tracking points? At a dime a piece that would add up.

Thx - Vic
 
I've been using the InReach for over a year. I like it, but, then never owned a SPOT so nothing to compare to.

2-way TM is not instantaneous and may not occur during a cup of coffee. On my IDBDR trip this past August, it took as long as 20 minutes for my TM to uplink.

More importantly, the device works as advertised. Further, I like the ability to alter my plan to a less expensive plan if I am not traveling to remote locations or out of cellular coverage.
 
Vic said:
Probably will just get the SE model and probably will just get the Safety Plan.

By the way, I assume its pretty easy to turn on/off the location pings and tracking points? At a dime a piece that would add up.
Vic, the SE model is a good device; the fancier model that tries to completely replace a hiking style GPS does not quite do the job, I've heard. I like the ability of the SE device to connect to my phone or tablet via Bluetooth using the inReach app, primarily for non-emergency texting on a better keyboard.

The functions of your device, including pings, etc. is controlled via the website at explore.delorme.com, as I recall. You set the addresses for emails and compose your pre-set messages there, too. You connect to your computer via cable and sync your device. They occasionally update the device firmware using this method, too.
 
We have used both the Explorer and SE models. Although the Explorer does not replace a handheld GPS receiver by a long stretch, I find that its added functions are worth the price especially the ability to set and load waypoints and tracks, and to see them on the device relative to current position. It can be used for simple navigation and trip planning. The phone app provides excellent topo maps with current location and a much nicer screen, but there's the inconvenience of pairing and having two devices running down their batteries.

Actual use in the field is a mixed bag. A computer is needed for setup, updating and loading data which can be a problem if away from good Wi-Fi or cellular coverage. The subscription model is convoluted and can add up quickly if the confusing settings are wrong. The screen, buttons and audio alerts suck. Communications can be slow or nonexistent (it uses a different and weaker satellite system than GPS). The receiver, phone app and computer website are inconsistent and do not always work in harmony. But, hey, it's technology so we don't expect it to be perfect.
 
if you use active junky they have 10% cash back now so almost $40 off the explorer. with the $75 rebate on top of that, no tax free shipping at backcountry you could get the explorer for $266 to your door. here's my invite link if you don't use active junky yet, full disclosure i'll get $5 if you sign up and make a purchase. - http://activejunky.com/invite/61541
 
Just a note for you folks considering an Inreach because of the rebate.... You may want to take a minute to read through the conditions. The Inreach must not only be purchased by 12/31 but must also be activated by that date to qualify for the rebate. Also, it's only available in US, PR, and EU (I assume that means to account holders with home addresses there). And note if you don't check the box at the bottom, the rebate will be issued as a credit to your account.

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/assets/pdf/inreach-holiday-rebate.pdf

Also- a $20 activation fee will be added to your first month's bill (that's not a rebate thing, that's how it always works)
 
Also they are a stickler for whatever information is ON THE BOX it came in. I threw it away and saved the directions, but later when I activated it I didn't have whatever they needed so NO REBATE.
My fault, but, learn from my bad.

Reason for tossing box was it arrived right before we were we leaving on a trip south for the winter, and I was getting rid of anything excess, planning on activating at my destination, since no time to mess with it during pack out.
 
This just in:

Dear inReach Subscriber,

We are writing to inform you that DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc. and DeLorme inReach, LLC have been acquired by Garmin, a global leader in navigation and communication. We are excited to help leverage our expertise into enhancing our combined product line.

As a current subscriber to DeLorme's inReach service, you will keep your current subscription under the same terms and for the same duration, and there will be no change in the services that inReach provides.

Going forward, your billing invoices will originate from InReach, Inc. instead of DeLorme inReach.

Thank you for your business. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care

InReach, Inc.
 
Bosque Bill said:
This just in:

Dear inReach Subscriber,

We are writing to inform you that DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc. and DeLorme inReach, LLC have been acquired by Garmin, a global leader in navigation and communication. We are excited to help leverage our expertise into enhancing our combined product line.

As a current subscriber to DeLorme's inReach service, you will keep your current subscription under the same terms and for the same duration, and there will be no change in the services that inReach provides.

Going forward, your billing invoices will originate from InReach, Inc. instead of DeLorme inReach.

Thank you for your business. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care

InReach, Inc.
Bill,
It was on their web site also. I'm going to buy one before our June trip so we can get use to it before we head to Wyoming and Montana in late September. Also will be getting a table so we have a bigger screen to view. jd
 
I hope Garmin can smooth out the wrinkles in the system, PLUS make it more intuitive (user friendly) for us techno-retards.... For we are legion. :)
 
I guessed a year ago that Garmin would buy this out and they did. I am going to wait to see what they make. I am like you I think it will be more user friendly.
 
We're getting older and the long stretches of no cell coverage is a worry. We bought the Explorer December 31 for the rebate and peace of mind.

Now that we have used it we like it. The two-way communication with family at home while we travel in remote (read no cell coverage) areas is the main benefit. It adds a level of security that we want.

Looking forward to the summer camping/exploring season.

Bill and Linda
 
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