Delorme InReach vs Garmin InReach

[mrbillbrown]

Anybody that changed from the Delorme InReach SE to the Garmin InReach SE+ version have some feedback for us? (Better, worse, same etc). I've run the Delorme model without issue for 2 seasons now. Any reason to change to the Garmin SE+ model?

 

[Gorp2007]

I haven't run either, but I was looking at both. The Garmin will run as a standalone GPS even without the monthly subscription, so if you only use the messaging capability a few months each year, you can still use it as a GPS the rest of the time.

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[Zoo Keeper]

I haven't run either, but I was looking at both. The Garmin will run as a standalone GPS even without the monthly subscription, so if you only use the messaging capability a few months each year, you can still use it as a GPS the rest of the time.

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If it is the same screen as the original, then it is worthless. I use my iPhone with their app for any detailed GPS use.


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[Gorp2007]

If it is the same screen as the original, then it is worthless. I use my iPhone with their app for any detailed GPS use.


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You're right, as a standalone GPS the screen is certainly lacking. But it's manageable if you want a messenger and a backup GPS in case your phone dies. I was looking at the InReach to act as a messenger and a phone backup, but decided to go with a Spot and a Garmin Foretrex. I figure I'll upgrade once Garmin adds the InReach capability to some of it's nicer GPS sets.

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[Zoo Keeper]

I've never used a Spot, but between the Inreach & my phone, it gives me everything I need in communication (which seems much better than Spot from what I can tell) & more detailed GPS (better screen & detail than most GPS?) & interface for communication on my phone.


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[mrbillbrown]

Wonder how long Garmin will support the older Delorme units before they "force" everyone to buy a new model due to software updates and changes.

 

[LASTINLINE]

if they do away with older unit support they will loose me forever as a customer. i bought an Explorer and its less than a year old.i understand with technology things have to change at some point but if i cant get a few years out of a couple hundred dollar unit i will buy or rent something else down the road. let them make faster, smaller, bigger screen units but why doom the current units given the monthly/yearly plans are still making them money. like the older flip cell phones lol... they still work. just not feature packed.

 

[Beendare]

With garmins purchase of delorme, you can bet there will be bigger montana in reach units in the pipeline

 

[CrzyTrekker]

I've used the InReach SE for the past year. Great messenger. About half the weight of my old sat phone. I will not upgrade until Garmin comes out with significant new features. Not worth a dang for navigation so I pair it with paper maps and a Garmin Foretrex. Don't carry my smart phone into the bush - too heavy as a GPS.

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Wonder how long Garmin will support the older Delorme units before they "force" everyone to buy a new model due to software updates and changes.

It's already happening. I have an old Inreach. The little black one with no screen, it will not accept the new updates. When I called I was told that it was out dated & eventually it will just be obsolete. So far it's still doing what I need it to do but it's time is limited.

 

[Gorp2007]

With garmins purchase of delorme, you can bet there will be bigger montana in reach units in the pipeline

That's what I'm holding out for.

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[Beendare]

That's disturbing that the older in reach units are going to be obsolete.
Garmin really needs to do something to take care of those people on an upgrade

 

[Tbob]

Wow, I was just about to drop some coin on one of these as my new wife isn't so keen on me being in the backcountry by myself. Guess I'll have to wait just a bit longer..

 

[Grady.J]

I haven't run either, but I was looking at both. The Garmin will run as a standalone GPS even without the monthly subscription, so if you only use the messaging capability a few months each year, you can still use it as a GPS the rest of the time.

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I'd heard otherwise. I contacted Garmin to ask if the Explorer + could be used just as a GPS without the monthly subscription, and was told no, that you need a subscription to use anything on the device.

From Garmin on April 6th(so things may have changed since):

Thank you for contacting product support. At this time you would need to have a subscription plan to use anything on the device. This is something that could change in the near future that would allow you to use the device just as a GPS without a plan. *You would want to sign up for the Freedom Plans as this would allow you to suspend your service when you are not using your device.*

If you need to use the device at this time you would need to have an active plan. I do apologize for any inconvenience.*

If you should have further questions feel free to reply to this email.*

Have a nice day!*

Thank you for choosing Garmin,

Allyson
Product Support Specialist -Outdoor
InReach, a Garmin Brand

 

[Gorp2007]

I'd heard otherwise. I contacted Garmin to ask if the Explorer + could be used just as a GPS without the monthly subscription, and was told no, that you need a subscription to use anything on the device.

From Garmin on April 6th(so things may have changed since):

Thank you for contacting product support. At this time you would need to have a subscription plan to use anything on the device. This is something that could change in the near future that would allow you to use the device just as a GPS without a plan. *You would want to sign up for the Freedom Plans as this would allow you to suspend your service when you are not using your device.*

If you need to use the device at this time you would need to have an active plan. I do apologize for any inconvenience.*

If you should have further questions feel free to reply to this email.*

Have a nice day!*

Thank you for choosing Garmin,

Allyson
Product Support Specialist -Outdoor
InReach, a Garmin Brand

Ill trust the experts. I'd read reviews that you need an initial contact to activate, but then could use the map data and GPS without an active subscription. If that's the case, I'm definitely glad I didn't get one.

Preview: New Garmin inReach SE+ and Explorer+

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[Gorp2007]

Wow, I was just about to drop some coin on one of these as my new wife isn't so keen on me being in the backcountry by myself. Guess I'll have to wait just a bit longer..

You can find the Spot Gen 3 on sale for $75 from time to time. It's not 2-way, but you can check in to let your family know that you're fine and also contact if you need help.

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[DIY HNTR]

I was torn on which device to buy to cover all my needs. I wanted an emergency transponder, and a way to communicate with the wife back home. I was ok with just texts but she wanted me to call so she could hear my voice. I also wanted a good GPS and didn't like the In Reach GPS as much as other models. I decided to buy a Garmin Oregon 700 for my GPS because it's the newest GPS and has all the features I wanted. I didn't need the 750 or 750t model. I have a good camera on my phone and I'll be using OnXMaps chip instead of Garmin maps. I managed to find someone who's friend works for Garmin so I think i only paid $250 for the Oregon 700.

I decided to buy the Iridium 9575 Extreme Sat phone because it has the ability to make calls, texts, and SOS emergency transponder built in. I found a good deal on eBay and paid $750 for a new open box. I can pay for just a month of service if I want to when im hunting out West. Incoming calls and texts are free so I'll call or text home and have the wife call me right back. It was more than I wanted to pay, but ive got piece of mind for me and my family. The network Iridium uses is solid.

If you're looking for a pretty good GPS, the Garmin Oregon 650's are under $200 now all over.

 

[muddydogs]

A phone and an InReach is all a guy needs for navigation and keeping in contact anymore. With the paid Earthmate app on the phone it has all the capabilities of a gps as a stand alone unit plus the added benefit of the phone texting capabilities when bluetoothed to the inreach. I prefer to use my phones GPS when laying down a track while in the pickup or on the ATV as the phone gives me a lot more track points as opposed to the InReach only sending track points every 10 minutes. I have no problem with 10 minute track points when hiking. I currently run in InReach SE as I see no need for the InReach explorer with the built in GPS since my phone takes care of my GPS needs but I can see the Explorer as a good option if a backup GPS was needed. Only downfall I can see with the phone as a GPS is planning ahead and downloading the maps that are needed for the area your going to be in but with a big enough SD card in the phone a ton of maps can be stored, I have over 8 GB of maps stored on my SD card. As far a weight goes I use an Android phone that's probably medium to small by today's standard of huge phones but the phone is way lighter than any GPS plus fits just fine in the leg pocket of my pants.

I care take 80 InReach SE units at work which we have been using for 3 years now and out of the 80 units we have had problems with 4 units. 2 battery issues and 2 button issues. Overall the InReach has a good track record considering my units are getting used everyday for tracking, safety checks and a couple false alarm SOS's.

 

[Kevin Dill]

My gut, my heart and my brain all tell me DO NOT buy the current Garmin InReach unless I want to be disappointed in under a year when they introduce a completely overhauled new generation of units. I'll wait and watch. No hurry.

 

[Xfactor]

any updates on this? i love my current Garmin 530 with the 2 way radio capabilities and the ability to track the other guys that have the units on them, but batteries are dying on my 530 and need to be replaced…looking to buy an in-reach with a larger screen for GPS than the current offerings…is there anything new on the horizon from Garmin?