1st Time Dad - HEEELLPP!!

[BKhunter]

Hey All,

My wife and I are having our first child this September (I know poor planning on my part), and while on a backpack trip this weekend with no cell service, I finally realized I need some sort of communication device as not being connecting bothered me with the prospect of something going wrong and me not being there. While this was never an issue before, with a kid on the way my perspective has changed. I have been looking at the garmin inreach, and was wondering if this is what you would all would go with, or if there are better options you would suggest? Thanks in advance!

BK

 

[ScottinPA]

My oldest was born 9/9/99 so I know what you are dealing with. I bought an InReach a few years ago when I started DIY hunts without cell service. I call or message him every birthday I miss and wife is OK with that. I also try to bring something for both boys that I found on my hunts - a geo, cool rock, feathers, etc. Kinda lets them know I'm thinking about them.

 

[Dos Perros]

This weekend my wife messaged me on my Garmin Inreach Mini to tell me my son scored his first soccer goal of the season. He's 5. And he won the teamwork medal for the week. That series of messages alone was worth the monthly subscription I paid. Get a Garmin, get another brand, just get something. You (and her) will be glad you did.

 

[menhaden_man]

I used to fly my mother in law out to my house every week-long hunt when my three kids were young. Just figured it as part of the cost.

Even if she can contact you, it’s probably likely that you’ll be several hours out at best. Having a family member there always eased my wife’s mind... plus I’ve never missed a hunt raising three kids

 

[Jimmy]

I'm also curious, people have mentioned an app you can get on your phone that works even when you don't have cell service? Is that true?

 

[BKhunter]

I'm also curious, people have mentioned an app you can get on your phone that works even when you don't have cell service? Is that true?

Never heard of that but that would be awesome. Just don't see how that works without cell service.

 

[BKhunter]

My oldest was born 9/9/99 so I know what you are dealing with. I bought an InReach a few years ago when I started DIY hunts without cell service. I call or message him every birthday I miss and wife is OK with that. I also try to bring something for both boys that I found on my hunts - a geo, cool rock, feathers, etc. Kinda lets them know I'm thinking about them.

She must be a saint, my wife would have buried me out back if I even mentioned missing a bday. I will just have to plan around it going forward.

 

[MTJake]

I have an inreach for the same reasons mentioned. I never used to have any communication device, and I live in a part of the country with more areas without cell coverage than with coverage. When I got married, my wife asked me to get a communication device, we went with an inreach. We pay the basic, I think $12 or so a month, and I turn on the tracking when I leave the truck. I send a few presets during the day or when I get something or start to head home, and my marriage is better for it. For safety reasons, and for my wife's peace of mind and the ability for me to be reachable in an emergency for her or our child, it's well worth it. Get the earthmate app to pair your phone to the inreach, it makes typing so much easier!

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

If you set up a check in routine with preset messages DO NOT forget your evening check in because you are engaged in bugle to bugle combat. You will open your inReach to $10 worth of very stressful messages.


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[Paul in Idaho]

Another vote for InReach. I have used one for a few years with minimal problems.

 

[Austink47]

I was in the same boat three years ago. I bought an inReach after coming home three days late and almost getting a divorce. It makes all the difference. My wife takes it when she is out, I take it on all my trips. I even program a preset so my hunting partner can check in with his wife, now she doesn’t hate me.

 

[Dos Perros]

My oldest was born 9/9/99 so I know what you are dealing with. I bought an InReach a few years ago when I started DIY hunts without cell service. I call or message him every birthday I miss and wife is OK with that. I also try to bring something for both boys that I found on my hunts - a geo, cool rock, feathers, etc. Kinda lets them know I'm thinking about them.

My son is 9/9 as well. I mostly hunt around Labor Day now, come home for a couple weeks, then head back out. We have discussed "changing" his birthday to August, which he supports because he would get his presents sooner.

 

[Lark Bunting]

She must be a saint, my wife would have buried me out back if I even mentioned missing a bday. I will just have to plan around it going forward.

My daughter's birthday is 9/8. I have promised her to never miss one until she moves out. I will return from our first week hunt on 9/7, celebrate her birthday and will be back in the woods on 9/10. Easy to do living in Colorado but we're hunting 5.5 hours away so it'll be some long drives. Well worth it for me.

 

[MThuntr]

I'm also curious, people have mentioned an app you can get on your phone that works even when you don't have cell service? Is that true?

It doesn't exist without the use of another device to have a signal. InReach uses the Earthmate App and you can text using your phone's keyboard and contacts. Pretty simple setup and makes sending messages way easier

I know of other devices that use radio signal to send texts to others using the same radio devices but most are lacking power and are often line of sight.

 

[ScottinPA]

She must be a saint, my wife would have buried me out back if I even mentioned missing a bday. I will just have to plan around it going forward.

She's a keeper. Occasionally I have to go to the beach in Maryland or Delaware but it ain't so bad.

 

[BKhunter]

My daughter's birthday is 9/8. I have promised her to never miss one until she moves out. I will return from our first week hunt on 9/7, celebrate her birthday and will be back in the woods on 9/10. Easy to do living in Colorado but we're hunting 5.5 hours away so it'll be some long drives. Well worth it for me.

Yea I am coming from NY a little tougher to swing, but I will make it work. I don't think I would want to miss a Bday anyway.

 

[idelkslayer]

Lucky for me my wife shares my general lack of caring for dates on a calendar.

Birthday celebrations can be scheduled for different days. Our anniversary celebrations have taken place as much as a month or two before or after our actual anniversary date.

As far as the actual birth in September that will happen when it happens there's no way to reschedule it for this year. I highly recommend that you be present for the birth for your sake and for her, but biologically speaking you are kind of unnecessary to the whole endeavor, so ...

 

[BKhunter]

Quick question for all that recommended the inreach, I was reading some reviews and they were saying whoever you are sending messages to needs the app, is that correct? also, how is the GPS function on it?

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

No, the messages come as texts or emails to the recipient depending on how you set it up. You can send to another user inReach to inReach and that will show in your buddies app.

I have the mini and have used it a couple times just for waypoint to waypoint bearing and distance navigation. Worked ok. Reminded me of my old early 2000’s etrex.


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[Eltigreblanco]

I would recommend an inreach as well. I have 2 young kids and I feel much better about being away if I can check in with my wife