Garmin Inreach Explorer+ question

[huntaholic123]

I currently have a Garmin Rino 650 GPS and been looking at an inreach mini. My thought is if I can sell my Rino and just upgrade to the Explorer+ and double it up as a GPS and sat device it can save me from having two separate devices. Anyone do this? Does the Explorer+ GPS work as solid as a standard GPS? Haven’t had any experience with the Inreaches so fairly green to the devices. Any input is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Archery Bank]

I have the inreach mini. I use it with the Earthmate app on my iphone in order to to have a gps map.
Works well.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

The inReach Explorer is a solid standalone GPS. You can Bluetooth-connect an Explorer to a cell phone (via Earthmate app) to make typing messages easier and to access more detailed maps/satellite imagery, but you don't have to have a cell phone to utilize the Explorer's capabilities. An inReach Mini is more dependent on a cell phone, but if you're carrying one anyway that may be a non-issue for you. I prefer to keep my cell phone tucked safely away in my pack to be used only as a camera and alarm clock and don't like the idea of being dependent on a touch screen device in the field, so the Explorer is a better fit for me.

 

[Johnksully]

I currently have a Garmin Rino 650 GPS and been looking at an inreach mini. My thought is if I can sell my Rino and just upgrade to the Explorer+ and double it up as a GPS and sat device it can save me from having two separate devices. Anyone do this? Does the Explorer+ GPS work as solid as a standard GPS? Haven’t had any experience with the Inreaches so fairly green to the devices. Any input is appreciated. Thanks

Have you looked into the 66i?

 

[kbaerg]

I am currently using the 66i, don't have a ton of time with it yet maybe a weeks actual use, but so far it is working very well for me. Some may not like the idea of everything in one (GPS with onX capabilities and SAT communication) but it's one less piece of gear for me to pack in.

 

[xcrunner805]

I always used a 650 rhino before I got my inreach explorer. Downfall to inreach is lack of 2 way radio capability. I can’t wait til they come out with an all in 1 package (gps,satcom,2way radio). Rhino is too heavy to bring with inreach so I bring a small cobra radio. Haven’t had any other complaints on the inreach. I always have my phone anyway and use onX maps for nav, but the Earthmate app works well also.

 

[Blandry]

I broke down in the pike national forest CO last week.. zero cell. Had to hike 10 miles to JW Green mercantile (oldest store and Conoco station in the state) for a land line. I was stranded for 18 hours. Need the best inreach. is Garmin the best for text/beacon?

 

[aaron600rr]

I am currently using the 66i, don't have a ton of time with it yet maybe a weeks actual use, but so far it is working very well for me. Some may not like the idea of everything in one (GPS with onX capabilities and SAT communication) but it's one less piece of gear for me to pack in.

Do you find the batteries wear out quickly if using it as a dedicated GPS device? My concern would be eating up the batteries and not having enough juice if I need to txt/sos someone.

Sent from my SM-N950W using Tapatalk

 

[muddydogs]

I broke down in the pike national forest CO last week.. zero cell. Had to hike 10 miles to JW Green mercantile (oldest store and Conoco station in the state) for a land line. I was stranded for 18 hours. Need the best inreach. is Garmin the best for text/beacon?

Garmin is the only Inreach unless you purchase an older Delorme unit.

 

[huntaholic123]

Are the OnX Maps GPS chips compatible with the Inreach Explorer+?

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

Are the OnX Maps GPS chips compatible with the Inreach Explorer+?

I don't think the unit has expandable memory (sD card)

 

[kbaerg]

I used my garmin this past week. Basically turn it on the morning and off at night since we had some cell service up on this particular spot. I was getting four days using it this way and still had about 40% battery. I did bring a small battery power pack and recharged the unit on day five.

 

[Northwinds308]

If you want a GPS unit that can take maps just get a 66i, it's what its designed for.

 

[mooster]

I broke down in the pike national forest CO last week.. zero cell. Had to hike 10 miles to JW Green mercantile (oldest store and Conoco station in the state) for a land line. I was stranded for 18 hours. Need the best inreach. is Garmin the best for text/beacon?

Yes. I got stuck in NF in N Ga. was able to text wife to call wrecker and provided him a waypoint. I still got nervous and started to hike out and wrecker met me about 1.5 miles from my truck. So yes, love my inreach as a safety / security device. I tend to use the Earthmate app on my phone but the map & gps functionality works great as a standalone device if need be.

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

Doesn't the Explorer+ also use Delorme maps and not Garmin topo maps?

 

[Dos Perros]

I would not use the Explorer+ for a GPS. Either use your phone or get the new all-in-one InReach.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Doesn't the Explorer+ also use Delorme maps and not Garmin topo maps?

The Explorer+ comes preloaded with a 1:24k DeLorme topo map of North America.

I would not use the Explorer+ for a GPS. Either use your phone or get the new all-in-one InReach.

Just curious, why would you recommend against using an Explorer+ as a GPS?

 

[Dos Perros]

The Explorer+ comes preloaded with a 1:24k DeLorme topo map of North America.


Just curious, why would you recommend against using an Explorer+ as a GPS?

Someone jump in if I'm incorrect here, I only owned one of these for a season before I sold it....

...but I believe the Explorer+ only has topo maps on the unit itself. You can't load other kinds of maps. So like no land ownership. So, to me it seems extremely lacking to be the only GPS on your person. A guy could squeak by I suppose...

If you're also hauling your phone then I think you just GPS on your phone with Earthmate or some other app. I've done that and it's what I do on with the InReach Mini.

If you're looking to leave your phone at home I think the only option is to get the 66i.

 

[Kootenay Hunter]

...or run a inreach mini and a separate GPS with more features

The 66i, at least in Canada, the only advantage is a single unit, because the price is simply additive of a competent GPS unit and an InReach. Personally, I would not want to run the battery down on a PLB for GPS purposes. I like to fire up my mini, send a message, then shut it down again. Battery will last longer than any outdoors trip you take. 66i has internal battery, so you're going to need a way to recharge if you're going to use it heavily.

GPS tends to suck batteries unless you're firing it up, checking the map/waypoints, etc.

then some folks will say, that's okay, Ill pack a battery pack...well then you have two units long so how is that different than a PLB and a GPS?

oh well to each their own.

 

[Dos Perros]

How's messaging on the InReach Mini without a Bluetooth'd cellphone? I have to admit I'm not even smart enough to read messages directly on it but have gotten lucky a time or two. I can't imagine trying to send messages on it.