Delorme

[ltlacorn]

Thinking of getting a Delorme for my Wyoming elk hunt. Has anyone used these? Are they worth it? I will only use it the 2weeks a year when I'm on a hunt. Thoughts? Thanks

 

[colonel00]

I have one for this year but I have only really played around with it for a couple weeks activated. For me, I got it because I will be waaaaay off the grid in Alaska and I wanted some way to communicate with the outside world without having to rent a sat phone. I like the Delorme much better than a Spot too. For Wyoming an just two weeks a year, it really depends on what you think you need. I have been to Wyoming several times and usually I can get some sort of cell signal with a little work. I would suggest posting a thread with general info about where you plan to hunt and see if anyone is familiar with the area and if it gets any cell coverage.

 

[IanF.]

2 way texts with a 20min delay - very happy with mine. Make sure you get it with enough time to play and learn

 

[colonel00]

2 way texts with a 20min delay

What do you mean by a 20 minute delay? I was out on a little hike around the neighborhood tonight and I was playing with my InReach SE. Texts seemed to come in and out fairly quickly.

 

[Trr15]

I picked one up for this season too. Before suspending my plan (until September that is) I tested it in June/July on some scouting and atv trips. Seemed to work well. I like the fact that it syncs with my iphone and can serve as a gps if my garmin takes a crap. Really only got it because I want to be able to check in on the wife and kids while I'm gone. Never liked going several days without knowing what's going on at home. This should fix that.

 

[Frosty]

I have had nothing but problems with mine. I have sent it back twice, been on the phone numerous times. Guys on the phone made it seem like it was weird I was having problems, until one day a girl on the phone kind of broke down a bit and admitted that they were indeed having problems with them. Goat hunting last fall, my track was all over the map, I would put down a way point and it would be no where near my track. I can t depend on it and have no faith in it. Its not that I just don't trust the product, I also don't trust the people behind the product which was made apparent by the girl that "spilled the beans". Mine is '11 era so maybe they've made inprovements? The spot portion of it works and the tides section, thats all i use it for.

 

[colonel00]

I have had nothing but problems with mine. I have sent it back twice, been on the phone numerous times. Guys on the phone made it seem like it was weird I was having problems, until one day a girl on the phone kind of broke down a bit and admitted that they were indeed having problems with them. Goat hunting last fall, my track was all over the map, I would put down a way point and it would be no where near my track. I can t depend on it and have no faith in it. Its not that I just don't trust the product, I also don't trust the people behind the product which was made apparent by the girl that "spilled the beans". Mine is '11 era so maybe they've made inprovements? The spot portion of it works and the tides section, thats all i use it for.

Perhaps you could share which unit you have? Since you mention waypoints and tides in your last comment, I am guessing you have the PN-60, correct? Does that one even have messaging capabilities?

 

[colonel00]

Oh, here is a link to my mapshare page. You can see a couple test outings on there. Since it only transmits tracks every 10 minutes, it doesn't show the exact path taken but you can get the idea.

https://share.delorme.com/BradSimmons#

As far as subscription plans go, I am doing the Freedom Plan and doing the Recreation Plan under that. So it's basically a $25 yearly fee and then must a monthly subscription. The Recreation Plan is unlimited tracking and only limited to 40 messages per month for $35. I am doing three months this year as I wanted a month before my trips to learn how to use it and all that jazz. Then from the middle of August to the middle of October, I am covered on two Alaska trips and a Wyoming mule deer hunt. In the future, without needing the extra month at the beginning, I can be covered for two months for under $100 total which is well worth the money to me.

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

I've been pretty happy with my inReach SE so far. Went with the basic plan because of year round use and it sure does provide great peace of mind. I would definitely buy one again

 

[Screamrider]

No problems at all with my inReach SE . Super reliable, great piece of mind, and pretty decent topo maps included.

 

[dotman]

Oh, here is a link to my mapshare page. You can see a couple test outings on there. Since it only transmits tracks every 10 minutes, it doesn't show the exact path taken but you can get the idea.

https://share.delorme.com/BradSimmons#

As far as subscription plans go, I am doing the Freedom Plan and doing the Recreation Plan under that. So it's basically a $25 yearly fee and then must a monthly subscription. The Recreation Plan is unlimited tracking and only limited to 40 messages per month for $35. I am doing three months this year as I wanted a month before my trips to learn how to use it and all that jazz. Then from the middle of August to the middle of October, I am covered on two Alaska trips and a Wyoming mule deer hunt. In the future, without needing the extra month at the beginning, I can be covered for two months for under $100 total which is well worth the money to me.

My spot costs me $100 for a year . Texting is overrated.

 

[ol490]

Just bought the inreach explorer yesterday and activated it today. I hope it works well. I never have cell where I hunt and am excited to be able to check in with the wife and kids while away. Activation and setup was very easy including adding contacts and setting up the iPhone app with maps.

 

[ltlacorn]

Thanks for all the info. Still on the fence on what I'm going to do.

 

[IanF.]

I have mine set for a 20 min listen, if you track too much or listen too much you burn data and batteries - leaps and bounds above a spot, I have the se. In my tests I got 10 7-9hr days with it running full time to discharged the battery.

 

[Carlin59]

Really like mine. Very easy to use, and love the peace of mind of two-way communication. I love the bread-crumb safety aspect as well. My dad can follow my hunts in CO in real time from WI with the tracking turned on, and if something bad ever happened (knocked unconscious or in a position where I can't reach the device), he would have a very accurate last reference point to send SAR. At least that way, even if it is too late for me, he can recover all my gear!