Cant trust my Spot device!!!

[TBoschma]

So I’m in the market for a new way to communicate while I'm in the backcountry. In the past I’ve always used Spot devices but I have grown to not trust them. I'm going in on a Solo Elk hunt and only really need it for emergencies and to tell the packer where I am at and that I have a bull down.

Any ideas on what is new and effective?

Also looking to stay pretty light, I looked in some of the old threads but couldn’t find much stuff and was hoping something has come out recently that is pretty sweet.

 

[Carlin59]

I'm guessing you are going to get a lot of votes for one of the DeLorme inReach devices. Having the capability for 2-way communication and confirmation that your messages have been delivered are invaluable in my book (I have and really like the SE model). Good luck, I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback on this.

Cody

 

[colonel00]

I really liked using the Delorme inReach SE. Two way communication lets you know that it's working.

Out of curiosity, what about the Spot was making you not trust it?

 

[COlineman78]

DeLorme InReach hands down. 2 way communications and a screen for confirmation that your message went out. There are at least 2 long threads in the last month or 2 discussing them. Also have bluetooth connectivity to your phone for faster texting and a different interface.

 

[COlineman78]

Out of curiosity, what about the Spot was making you not trust it?

A lot of people don't like that they don't have feedback that the message actually went out. I have had that issue once with my InReach once where it was super overcast and I just threw it back in my bag without waiting for it to get sent and it never actually sent the message. That has taught me to always wait for verification before throwing it back in my bag.

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

I was on a solo sheep hunt a few years ago, 3 or 4 times a day I would send out the " check in " signal or so I thought. About 4 days into it I went to a mountain top where I knew I would get service and phoned my wife to see how things were at home. To my surprise she was getting ready to notify search and rescue because she had not received a single message. Spot replaced my device for free but I didn't trust the system anymore and have since switched to Delorme. The two way communication is comforting to my wife and well worth the more expensive service plan imho.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Lovin' the Delorme InReach Explorer.

 

[White Wizard]

Bought a new version spot the end of last year. Used it on 2 wilderness camping/training trips in some mildly remote areas and never missed a lick. Checked when I got back and it pinged me everytime it should have and everyone got the messages I sent. Haven't used it in the mountains yet though. I guess we'll see this sept.

 

[Frosty82]

Another vote for the Delorme Inreach.

 

[IdahoElk]

Another vote for inreach

 

[White Wizard]

Do you guys use the inreach for a gps unit or just messaging/rescue?

 

[Archerm]

Same here been using mine for three years in all types of back country situations and all messages received by recipients. I don't now why people say that there is no way to tell if a message gets out or not with the spot. There is a ok led that tells you if the message sent successfully.

Turn the unit on, wait 2 seconds and press, do not hold, the OK button and the light above it should begin blinking together with the ON/OFF button.
The lights should blink together for the entire 20-minute cycle. If at any time the lights begin blinking alternately, move the unit to a different location because it is telling you that it cannot obtain a GPS fix. The unit will not send an OK message if it does not have a GPS fix.
You must let SPOT complete the 20-minute OK cycle outdoors in the open to ensure best message delivery success. At the end of the 20 minutes, the light over OK will stop blinking to indicate the cycle is complete. If it is still blinking after 20 minutes, then you have put the unit into tracking mode.
Making sure you can send an OK message is a safe way to test your message delivery system from end to end.
Since they share the same button, if your SPOT is in Tracking mode, you must cancel tracking before you can send an OK message. A good rule of thumb is if the OK light is already blinking then you cannot start something new.
OK cycles do not have a cancel function. To terminate an OK cycle before it’s natural 20-minute end, you must power the unit off.
If you do not receive your OK message on the first try, move the unit to a different location since something may be blocking the signal where you first tried.

.

Bought a new version spot the end of last year. Used it on 2 wilderness camping/training trips in some mildly remote areas and never missed a lick. Checked when I got back and it pinged me everytime it should have and everyone got the messages I sent. Haven't used it in the mountains yet though. I guess we'll see this sept.

 

[colonel00]

Do you guys use the inreach for a gps unit or just messaging/rescue?

The inReach (even the Explorer model) is not a replacement for a GPS. However, as many are using their phones as a GPS anymore, an inReach really works well in conjunction with a phone aside from just using it standalone.

 

[COlineman78]

Don't use as GPS; I use Backcountry Navigator for my Android Phone.

 

[bobhunts]

Spot works just fine for me and one of my friends. Now I know where they hunt! Joking but really no problems with the little unit. I always get the check in message on my e-mail while my friend is in another state. Gonna have to do the same for my own unit this weekend.

 

[land cruiser]

Just get a sat phone. Your life is worth it.

 

[COlineman78]

Just get a sat phone. Your life is worth it.

Don't understand what you think a sat phone gets you that the InReach doesn't; they use the same satellites. For emergencies they provide the same amount of protection, in fact IMO the InReach gives you more due to the single button SoS and the fact that it onlys need a moment of signal to get a signal out (for example breaking your leg at the bottom of a deep canyon). The advantage of a sat phone is for non-emergencies IMO.

Also, forgot to mention that SPOT is worthless at higher latitudes due to it's use of the Globalstar network. If you live or want to use it in Canada, Alaska or maybe even PNW you will be better off with an InReach, which uses the Iridium network.

 

[TBoschma]

Okay I’m going to go with the Delorme Inreach

I have had hunts were I checked in every day and when I got out of the backcountry my wife had only got a couple of the messages with my Spot. It’s not the first time its let me down I almost got a coast guard mission scrambled on Kodiak Island because I wasn’t checking in!!!


Thanks for all the replies guys, I’m just stoked that I have one more shot at a big bull in NM with all the moisture they’ve had down there this year.

Hope I do everyone proud

 

[colonel00]

You will be happy with an inReach. Also, I would suggest getting an SE model as you can get them at a better deal than the Explorer and what the Explorer adds really doesn't justify the extra expense, to me at least.

 

[COlineman78]

It’s not the first time its let me down I almost got a coast guard mission scrambled on Kodiak Island because I wasn’t checking in!!!

Makes sense. The satellites that spot uses don't have a very high inclination, so service in Alaska requires a view of the southern horizon.

Good luck, you will like the InReach. Only negative thing I have heard is a button going out, which can be a big deal if you don't carry your phone. Delorme took care of them though if I remember right.