inReach explorer SE users - couple questions

[goathunter]

Hi guys, I did try searching for this but couldn't find the info I was looking for.
I'm going to buy an inreach explorer SE and plan to get the freedom plan - http://inreachdelorme.com/freedom/ - since I will just need it the end of OCT thru NOV this year, and SEP - NOV next.

1. Say I get the cheapest plan - 10 texts. What if I go over? Are there overages, or does it just step you up to the next plan?
2. How is battery life? Is it worse when paired with a smartphone?

Any other input would be appreciated!

 

[bates]

I rented one to try out and will be buying one

Can't comment on data.

Battery life was excellent. it will outlast your phone

I sent messages and checked a few time a day for 5 days. Still had over 90% battery, I didn't mess with the tracking

I will be buying one of these, wife was happy to have it and keep in communication, I was initially looking at a sat phone vs. the inreach, thus why I rented to try out. to me with the features and cost, Im going to run an inreach

 

[Ceby7]

They have a $0.50 per message overage so you can actually go quite a bit over your plan and still not pay what the next higher plan would cost. FYI they do have a $25 annual fee so if you're going to use it only say 1 month a year you're basically still going to have to pay for two months.

Battery life is excellent, your phone will die long before the DeLorme.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I just downgraded my plan to the safety version you are talking about - I noticed when I synch'd it they only let you go over by 10 messages per month, so you'd be limited to 20.

The nice thing is you can custom preset check in messages and they are unlimited. And every message will shown the recipient where you are at on a map. It's awesome.

The battery life on them is great, when I do day hunts I just leave it on all the time so it tracks me - it'll tell you how far you went for the day.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I just downgraded my plan to the safety version you are talking about - I noticed when I synch'd it they only let you go over by 10 messages per month, so you'd be limited to 20.

The nice thing is you can custom preset check in messages and they are unlimited. And every message will shown the recipient where you are at on a map. It's awesome.

The battery life on them is great, when I do day hunts I just leave it on all the time so it tracks me - it'll tell you how far you went for the day.

Same here...I find I really don't send a lot of messages...like none really. When I hunt I am hunting, nothing else. It's cheap insurance in case of injury for me.

 

[weaver]

After using mine for a few months now I recommend this device. Much cheaper to buy and use than a sat phone and its plenty capable for me.

Has been 100% reliable sending messages and battery life is excellent.

 

[Ironman8]

And do yourself a favor and sync it with your phone via Bluetooth if you're going to send custom messages. Hands down easier to text the message out on your phone than the keyboard on the device. You would still send the preset messages straight from the device.

 

[norsepeak]

had mine for over a year, works excellent. Nice being able to send and receive texts just in case something goofy happens.

 

[IanF.]

Battery life is decent, about 10% per day with tracking at 1/2hr and say 5 two way texts. Literally the more data coming and going he lower the battery life. I carry a small Duracell recharge battery to top up if needed. 5 days no issue, haven't used it longer in the field but tested in the truck and got 7 no issues.

My wife and my buddies wives love it, nough said

 

[striker3]

I used mine over the weekend. Turned it on with tracking sent at 30 min interval starting on Friday at about 4pm. Turned it off on Sunday about 7pm. Had it connected via Bluetooth the entire time. Battery was about 70% remaining. I sent 8 texts total, and received one. Overall, I was very pleased with the Inreach's performance, and like how intuitive the Earthmate app is on the phone. I never even had to pull the GPS out as the phone app was sufficient to accomplish everything that I wanted. I like being able to send my wife my base camp coordinates. if something does happen to me, at least she can give the search teams more than just a general vicinity.

I pay for the 40 message per month plan on an annual basis. My family and I try to be out in the mountains at least one weekend a month, so having the plan active all year makes sense for us.

 

[colonel00]

To the OP or anyone, I'm currently travelling in Boston and I stopped by the Cabela's and they have an SE in the bargain cave for $231 I believe. I just saw it in the case and didn't really look at it so I can't really speak to its condition or what all it comes with. I haven't really followed the prices of these units lately so I can't say if that is a really good price or not. However, if someone wants, shoot me a PM and I can make arrangements to pick it up for you.

 

[zman]

Hi guys, I did try searching for this but couldn't find the info I was looking for.
I'm going to buy an inreach explorer SE and plan to get the freedom plan - http://inreachdelorme.com/freedom/ - since I will just need it the end of OCT thru NOV this year, and SEP - NOV next.

1. Say I get the cheapest plan - 10 texts. What if I go over? Are there overages, or does it just step you up to the next plan?
2. How is battery life? Is it worse when paired with a smartphone?

Any other input would be appreciated!

Very happy with the battery life when paired with my phone. If you set tracking to the least often option you can get five days out of it. Pair it with a cell phone and download the maps and you have a serviceable gps unit as well. Not as good as a standalone but good enough. I went over on my elk hunt... they hit my CC for $7.00 or something like that.

 

[Colberjs]

I have one but have a quick question about the text plans. Do they count just sent texts or sent and received toward your monthly allotment?

BTW I've been on one trip since my plan renewed and after a couple days it said I have used 4 of my 40 texts and the only texts I sent were my preset that are supposed to be unlimited.

 

[colonel00]

It counts incoming texts. I had one of my preset messages setup to remind people to be aware of that.

Check your web portal thing to see all of the messages that have been sent just to be sure. Then contact their customer support if you need to.

 

[LaHunter]

fyi, if you are going to pair the InReach SE to your I phone, then you will need to download an app first, is the way I understand it. I tried to pair mine with my I phone via bluetooth, and I got a message on the SE saying that I needed to have the app on my phone before I could complete the pairing. Using the up and down arrows to key in messages is tedious, but other than than the device is awesome.

 

[kodiakfly]

Yeah, gotta get the app, but it's free. In the app, it's just like normal texting and your phone rings with incoming texts and all that. They really did it right. I love mine. It's awesome being able to give the Wife a "good night honey, love ya" to let her know I'm safe.

 

[striker3]

Found out that there is a gentleman who made a weather service for the inReach. It is free and gives you the weather for the specific cords that you send the request from, not just the nearest weather station.

Instructions on use are on his page. http://wx2inreach.weebly.com/details.html

I used it this weekend when we were camping and it worked great

 

[Trial153]

I am buying one, I need to keep my wife happy... My standard line to her of no news is good news has worn out with her.
Anyway ...any thoughts of the SE vs the Explorer? Is there any functional difference between the units? The cost is much more for the Explorer vs the SE.....thoughts?

 

[colonel00]

The Explorer has some tracking and waypoint capabilities where the SE does not. However, I don't think the Explorer's features would equal that of a stand alone GPS or even a GPS app on your phone. So, I had an SE and didn't see the value in paying more for the Explorer. I sold my SE hoping that they would roll out a new model that surpassed the Explorer. If that doesn't happen, I will be more than content going back to an SE.

 

[striker3]

I bought the Explorer. For the extra $80 you get navigation capabilities with the device, plus the full featured Earthmate app is free. With the SEyou have to pay $30 more.

I do use my phone for most all of my navigating in the backcountry. Either on the Earthmate app paired with my InReach, or on my OnX app. I still want my InReach to have the ability to navigate because I have seen too many of the big screen phones get broken in rough country. I would never trust my life with one.

I don't carry another GPS because I don't see the need. In the areas I have used my InReach the standard maps are more than accurate enough, even down to the primitive roads.