DeLorme inReach

[Sodbuster]

Man, a bunch of good info in this thread. Thanks.

 

[PaulBunyan]

Josh, that is great info. I was ready to buy an InReach but I figured with Garmin buying them the GPS features will become much more refined. Are there any target dates for integrating into Garmin GPS?

Also, when you are in "suspension" of your monthly plan, does everything BUT the messaging and SOS still work? Will it still track you on the home computer? Can you still access the info from the new hunting platform? Can you still send routes and waypoints between the unit and the home computer?

Also very interested in both of these questions, might be picking one of these up soon.

 

[Trial153]

I am trying to hold off to see what the Garmin up grades bring ..however I don't see it happening before my fall hunts.
I think I am just going to pick a unit up and then upgrade when a new model is released

 

[id450]

I am trying to hold off to see what the Garmin up grades bring ..however I don't see it happening before my fall hunts.
I think I am just going to pick a unit up and then upgrade when a new model is released

I think I'll rent a SAT phone again this year and see what comes out the next year or two. I bet what ever is in the works is gonna be much improved. I've used the Inreach and its way cool but for sure has the first generation type feel to it. It's way better then spot for sure. Thanks for post. Good info guys.


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[Steve O]

I think I'll rent a SAT phone again this year and see what comes out the next year or two. I bet what ever is in the works is gonna be much improved. I've used the Inreach and its way cool but for sure has the first generation type feel to it. It's way better then spot for sure. Thanks for post. Good info guys.


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That is exactly the plan I've gone with for my Kodiak trip this fall.

 

[joshmo]

I have the SE model, and have Earthmate. Does the hunting map upgrade (39.95 upgrade) work on this unit? I have checked my Earthmate App and have the topo maps on there but can not figure out how to get this upgrade.

Don - The upgrade does in fact work with the SE customers. Obviously the SE unit itself won't have the navigation like the Explorer does, but the paired phone/app will. To get the upgrade, go to your explore.delorme.com portal. Select "Account" and scroll down a bit and look to the left side of the screen. You should see a place to upgrade for Earthmate Hunt there. Basically it ask for a code to put in there. This code can be purchased at several outdoor retailers or through the direct link right there.

It is also sold as a stand alone unit so customers can use the navigation features, but they wont have satellite comms/sos until they pair an inReach.

Josh

 

[joshmo]

Steve O - I dont have any target dates that I know of yet, but it will definitely not be before/during this coming Fall hunting season.

To answer your second question, when you are in "suspension", the device becomes a brick. From my understanding, this is due to legal reasons, so there is absolute clarity that it WILL NOT save your life when in suspension. We did not want anyone using the device to navigate, get injured, hit the SOS, only to find out their device really wasn't active. It either all works or none of it works. Obviously there is some downside to that, but at the time, i believe they feel that is the correct route to go. I do believe you can still access your past maps on the computer, but I may be wrong.

Josh, that is great info. I was ready to buy an InReach but I figured with Garmin buying them the GPS features will become much more refined. Are there any target dates for integrating into Garmin GPS?

Also, when you are in "suspension" of your monthly plan, does everything BUT the messaging and SOS still work? Will it still track you on the home computer? Can you still access the info from the new hunting platform? Can you still send routes and waypoints between the unit and the home computer?

 

[joshmo]

check out below Paul Bunyan - Just responded to Steve O

 

[joshmo]

I am trying to hold off to see what the Garmin up grades bring ..however I don't see it happening before my fall hunts.
I think I am just going to pick a unit up and then upgrade when a new model is released

Definitely nothing before fall...to give you peace of mind, even our gen 1 device still holds a decent resale value! ;-)

 

[Steve O]

Steve O - I dont have any target dates that I know of yet, but it will definitely not be before/during this coming Fall hunting season.

To answer your second question, when you are in "suspension", the device becomes a brick. From my understanding, this is due to legal reasons, so there is absolute clarity that it WILL NOT save your life when in suspension. We did not want anyone using the device to navigate, get injured, hit the SOS, only to find out their device really wasn't active. It either all works or none of it works. Obviously there is some downside to that, but at the time, i believe they feel that is the correct route to go. I do believe you can still access your past maps on the computer, but I may be wrong.

Makes sense. Thank you.

 

[hoytmedic]

Hey guys...any input on battery life of the Explorer model? Id be using it basically only for the texting feature. I would turn it on a few times throughout the day to send or receive messages and then turn it back off. Thanks in advance!

 

[weaver]

Hey guys...any input on battery life of the Explorer model? Id be using it basically only for the texting feature. I would turn it on a few times throughout the day to send or receive messages and then turn it back off. Thanks in advance!

This is basically how I use mine. I've used it on back to back 7 day hunts with plenty of battery left.

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[colonel00]

From my Alaska rafting trip on the first page, it was in tracking mode for the whole trip, even at night. I maybe sent a couple messages. After I guess two and a half days it was close to drained.

 

[TXCO]

I have an older model; any major reason to upgrade now vs after garmin gets done? Doesnt sound like it.

 

[colonel00]

If by older model you mean the yellow SE, then I would say no, there is no reason to upgrade. At least for me, the Explorer just didn't have enough to warrant the additional cost. Some do like the limited navigation it provides but I'm fine with the SE until a new model comes out.

 

[Kevin Dill]

The one thing which has kept me from springing for an Explorer is the inability to simply change batteries while out on a long (weight restricted) hunt of maybe 2 weeks. I have no desire to carry a solar charger and storage battery. AA lithium batteries weigh next to nothing by comparison. Even on a 9575 Iridium I can bring an extra battery and be good for 2 weeks with some talking and texting. I very much like the concept of the Inreach but it's not quite there for me yet....and especially if Garmin is going to bring out something related which offers an updated platform. I think I'll hang out a year and stick my PLB and a 9575. Great info in this thread.

 

[IdahoElk]

Kevin,
The way I do it is by only turning the unit on when needed,I've gotten over a week out of a charge and that was multiple texting home everyday.
I look at the unit as an emergency item and the ability to text is a luxury.

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, it's all about usage. As I mentioned, I let mine run constantly tracking for 4 days. If you only turn it on to check in every once in a while, it will last quite a long time.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Appreciate your insights guys. Usage is definitely a key. The thing about my situation is that I will likely always be carrying a sat phone regardless of any other device I bring. That's because I usually need to verbally talk with/to a pilot regarding kill, meat pick-up, weather, end-of-hunt pickup, etc. Texting can do that but is clumsy in comparison to a verbal conversation. Then there is the occasional (yes) need to address something r/t my business while I am away. I don't have the luxury to be out of good communication for weeks, and again nothing gets asked and answered faster than a phone call.

For my uses the Delorme unit would be more of a position update - text - SOS unit. If it is my primary SOS unit I want a fresh fully-charged battery in there in order to get max transmission time. That is one of things I like best about a true PLB. No battery drain until activated.

 

[colonel00]

Hmm, I guess I'm a little confused on what you are wanting. If you want to use it for position updates, texting and SOS, how can you expect it to have a fully charged battery all the time? If it took AA batteries, would you change them every day to maintain this fully charged status that you seek? That would be a lot of batteries you'd be changing on a 2 week trip.

if you already have a Sat phone and PLB then an inReach probably won't give you anything more aside from tracking. To me, the inReach is a bridge device that gives people a way to communicate when they just can't quite justify the cost of a Sat phone and the minutes/subscription. It's a step up from a Spot or PLB but probably not to the same level as a Sat phone for sure. For me, I just can't justify the cost to purchase a Sat phone as I rarely have the need for one. If I did need to communicate with a transporter, renting or borrowing a sat phone works for me.