Inreach advice please

[LK2HNT]

I have the Inreach Explorer and really love the texting capabilities and sense of security of the S.O.S, however the actual GPS functions, although work, are in my opinion leaving a lot to be desired. I dont want to drop another $400 on a GPS so I was wondering if guys are just using their smartphones and apps primarily like GAIA and OnX by downloading the area maps before going in. Have these proven to be accurate and useful?. Thank you.

 

[corncob]

I got an inReach Mini specifically because I use my iPhone and Gaia for mapping. I find it's much, much better using that as a mapping platform, and then I'm only using my InReach battery for the emergency purposes. Plus I can readily use the Gaia web version on my computer for scouting and review.

I also bring a small (smaller than my iPhone) Anker charger with me so I can charge my iPhone or InReach if needed, just in case.

 

[LK2HNT]

I got an inReach Mini specifically because I use my iPhone and Gaia for mapping. I find it's much, much better using that as a mapping platform, and then I'm only using my InReach battery for the emergency purposes. Plus I can readily use the Gaia web version on my computer for scouting and review.

I also bring a small (smaller than my iPhone) Anker charger with me so I can charge my iPhone or InReach if needed, just in case.

Gaia huh, Ive only ever used the onX hunt. Whats the general consensus, onX or Gaia is better?

 

[corncob]

I strongly prefer Gaia, a lot more options and layers. Plus way cheaper, maybe by half. I think there's a recent thread on ditching onX for Gaia that lists some good thoughts - it's a few pages.

 

[LK2HNT]

I strongly prefer Gaia, a lot more options and layers. Plus way cheaper, maybe by half. I think there's a recent thread on ditching onX for Gaia that lists some good thoughts - it's a few pages.

Thank you for the info, I'll check it out!

 

[LK2HNT]

One more question, are you guys getting the Gaia Premium for $39.99 or do you just run the free app?. Id imagine the premium would offer best functionability

 

[corncob]

One more question, are you guys getting the Gaia Premium for $39.99 or do you just run the free app?. Id imagine the premium would offer best functionability

I definitely use the Premium. And I have a Google Maps satellite custom layer - either google "gaia google maps reddit tms gone" or shoot me a PM if you need help with that.

 

[LK2HNT]

I definitely use the Premium. And I have a Google Maps satellite custom layer - either google "gaia google maps reddit tms gone" or shoot me a PM if you need help with that.

Ok, I just got the premium Gaia

 

[LK2HNT]

Only thing Im unclear of because Ive never done it is to download area maps for offline use. I am in Alaska and where I hunt is 99% of the time no service

 

[Jethro]

LK2HNT, you can access a great tutorial right through the app. Click settings, help, user manual and support. Allows you to browse or search help tutorials. There is one specific to downloading maps for offline use.

 

[Researcher]

Another vote for phone plus inreach mini

 

[AG8]

Phone plus inReach for sure. The garmin earthmate app will pair the inReach to your phone so you can text from it, if need be, through the inReach system without ever having to touch it. And run your mapping platform simultaneously. It was a real game changer for me

 

[bayoublaster7527]

iPhone with OnX for mapping/navigation assistance. Inreach explorer stays in top flap of rucksack with garmin Earthmate app running. Worked great for me last season.

 

[LK2HNT]

I have Earthmate and it works good. I did go with GAIA premium and over the weekend played with it a little and its pretty awesome, I think its gonna be great. Id rather just use my inreach for texting and for if things ever go real bad AND will serve as a backup to the GAIA as far as leaving a cookie crumb trail back to camp or the truck if for some reason my cell phone gets lost or damaged.

 

[AK_Skeeter]

I have Earthmate and it works good. I did go with GAIA premium and over the weekend played with it a little and its pretty awesome, I think its gonna be great. Id rather just use my inreach for texting and for if things ever go real bad AND will serve as a backup to the GAIA as far as leaving a cookie crumb trail back to camp or the truck if for some reason my cell phone gets lost or damaged.

I am also in Alaska where cell service is uncommon.
Do you have a preference (Earthmate vs GAIA) for areas with no cell service?
Thanks.

 

[corncob]

I am also in Alaska where cell service is uncommon.
Do you have a preference (Earthmate vs GAIA) for areas with no cell service?
Thanks.

Unless Earthmate has significantly different mapping capabilities than I can find, I think Gaia blows it out of the water with mapping. I only use Earthmate to pair with my Garmin inReach Mini so I can more easily send custom messages (doable with the Mini alone, but very slow because you have to select one letter at a time by up/down).

Gaia you can download tons of maps for areas without cell service (most of the mountains here in Southern CO) and layer/shade/adjust at will.

 

[corncob]

Here’s an example so you can see what I mean by map layers. You can download each of these for a certain area, or all of them for a certain area. And then layer and adjust transparency on the fly. That allows you to see halfway transparent sat imagery on top of a great topo map. And then view more topo details or more clear sat imagery by shifting a slider without having to change all your layers. I’m a huge fan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doddse1]

I have the Inreach Explorer and really love the texting capabilities and sense of security of the S.O.S, however the actual GPS functions, although work, are in my opinion leaving a lot to be desired. I dont want to drop another $400 on a GPS so I was wondering if guys are just using their smartphones and apps primarily like GAIA and OnX by downloading the area maps before going in. Have these proven to be accurate and useful?. Thank you.

I am in the same boat. I don't think that the extra 400$ is worth another purchase. Have you used basemap with it?

 

[elkhntr]

I'm a huge fan of GAIA, I use it all the time. I pre-download the maps I want to use ahead of time. Works terrific and economical.

 

[MTJake]

I have my inreach for emergencies only. I use OnX on my iphone, and have the earthmate app. Earthmate is the way to go to use the inreach, but after reading about Gaia I am considering making a change from onX this coming season.