Inreach on outside of pack. Why?

[Jethro]

All joking aside, I find it interesting how many people have their Inreach on at all times. I turn mine on rarely. One of the main reasons I do such remote hunts is to be as disconnected as possible. Seems like so many people are afraid to be disconnected and maybe get a some security having their messenger so close to them at all times.

In the lifespan of this thread, you have spent more time thinking about where/how I attach my inreach than I have in the 6 years I’ve owned it.

 

[LongWayAround]

Mine is accessible but rarely "on," unless I'm checking the weather or really want to communicate.

 

[mtnbound]

I have carried mine both inside a pocket and outside. The new EXO pouch is very nice for outside carry. If I am in the backcountry, my unit is always on. It limits one's ability to be found if the unit is off and you cannot turn it on for some reason, like an avalanche, bear attack, motorcycle wreck, or whatever might render you unconscious or dead. My wife has access to my account, and if, for some reason, I have not moved for a predetermined time frame, she will send me a message, and if I do not respond, she calls the Sheriff's Office.

 

[OutHeavy]

All joking aside, I find it interesting how many people have their Inreach on at all times. I turn mine on rarely. One of the main reasons I do such remote hunts is to be as disconnected as possible. Seems like so many people are afraid to be disconnected and maybe get a some security having their messenger so close to them at all times.

You know what's really funny? You put up a post asking for peoples input and then you judge them for their responses. Now that's what's funny!

 

[jazzturkey]

I keep mine on the outside of my pack for easy access and turned on although with tracking turned off. I don't carry it because I'm worried about me but because I don't want search and rescue out putting themselves in harms way for longer than needed trying to find me.

 

[The Guide]

I pay for the service, I'm going to use the service. I hunt solo often and in places most won't go. I turn mine on when I leave the house and turn on tracking so my family can see where I'm at if they are worried or just curious about where I'm at. I broke my leg a couple of years ago and saw how vulnerable I was even in my own driveway at my own house. I keep it on in the field and use the tracker so I can see what my vertical gain or drop was and how far I hiked. There is a lot more that you can do with an InReach than just SOS and text.

Jay

 

[Windigo]

You know what's really funny? You put up a post asking for peoples input and then you judge them for their responses. Now that's what's funny!

I was thinking the same thing…

 

[flyfisher117]

I carry mine on my bino harness or my pack shoulder strap so that its easy to access. That way worse case scenario its right there ready to go. There is no guarantee I will be able to get my pack off and get it out.

I do carry it in a little pouch that protects it but leaves it easy to access.

In-Reach Mini pocket

Stealth Ranger and Stealth Coyote are back in stock and all InReach Pockets are shipping same/next day! The Garmin inReach Mini has become a staple for hunters to keep in touch with one another, update family back home, or contact emergency services in a disaster. The problem has always been...

catamountog.com

I have the first stealth model he ever made. Minute I saw his original I knew I wanted one but I wanted the screen covered.

 

[bowkill]

Not sure if others have experienced this, but the first experience I had with an Inreach was with my stepson carrying it from a carabiner on the front of his shoulder strap. When we would stop, that thing would blind me from the reflection of the sun. Maybe something to think about if you are worried about scaring off any animals you are stalking. Not saying it should be in your pack, but probably have the screen covered somehow.

 

[dirtshooter]

Not sure if others have experienced this, but the first experience I had with an Inreach was with my stepson carrying it from a carabiner on the front of his shoulder strap. When we would stop, that thing would blind me from the reflection of the sun. Maybe something to think about if you are worried about scaring off any animals you are stalking. Not saying it should be in your pack, but probably have the screen covered somehow.

That's like saying your watch will scare an animal off

 

[mtnwrunner]

Jeez, each to their own i guess but why would you EVER have an SOS device somewhere where it wasn't easily accessible? Emergencies don't have a schedule........it will happen when you least expect it. AND you best be able to operate it blind.
And how do I know this?? From first hand experience which occurred this year.
I was solo in a wilderness area packed in and when I woke up in the morning I couldn't see out of my left eye and vision in my right was minimal. Didn't know what the hell was going on but packed up and hiked the 2 miles to my base camp where I stayed for another day. Didn't improve so I got out.
Ii ended up being shingles which is no joke. But it got me to thinking about having your SOS device accessible and being able to activate it without being able to see. You never know.

Randy

 

[foamantelope]

I keep my 67i on my shoulder strap so I don’t have to stop to take off my pack and check that I’m on course.

I do a lot of solo backpacking, and my family follows along with the shared location “pings”. I get more reliable reception when the device is out in the open.

 

[FAAFO]

In the lifespan of this thread, you have spent more time thinking about where/how I attach my inreach than I have in the 6 years I’ve owned it.

To all the RR’s who feel they HAVE to have it on display, do you do the same with your first aid kit?

wait that’s in the pack but not the Inreach

It’s life or death not having your Inreach on display but the first aid kit can be in the bag? Not acceptable!

 

[dirtshooter]

To all the RR’s who feel they HAVE to have it on display, do you do the same with your first aid kit?

wait that’s in the pack but not the Inreach

It’s life or death not having your Inreach on display but the first aid kit can be in the bag? Not acceptable!

I have a TQ on my bino harness, the rest is in the pack but what's in the pack isn't going to stop the bleed as fast as quick as a TQ.

 

[fngTony]

To all the RR’s who feel they HAVE to have it on display, do you do the same with your first aid kit?

wait that’s in the pack but not the Inreach

It’s life or death not having your Inreach on display but the first aid kit can be in the bag? Not acceptable!

I think the idea is to have it tethered to spot so your not fumbling around looking for it or it falling out while grabbing something else. Most packs have a car key tether which might work for the inreach too. Personally I like having it in the same place for any activity so shoulder strap it is.

 

[taskswap]

Not that this thread needs another voice, but here's mine anyway LOL. I keep mine in a mesh pouch on the outside of my pack because a) I always forget to turn it off when it's inside my pack, so this gives me another chance to see the flash of orange and remember to do that, and b) I want to, and don't care at all what others think of me for doing it.

 

[IDVortex]

For backpacking it'll be on my backpack strap, hunting on my bino harness. The name inreach is a odd name, as if they're telling you that the device should probably be left in the truck at the trail head...


After a incident at work this past fall, I am going to having a tourniquet on my bino harness this year, and the top pouch of pack will have my first aid kit. Keeping my inreach and first aid items all in one location and won't be moving anything around. Wanting to have muscle memory of where things are if SHTF. Stabbed myself in the eye this fall and scratched it terribly bad, lost eye sight for about a week, and caused my opposite eye to act odd or blurry. Don't want that to happen in the back country and I kind find shit in my pack because that morning I decided to load my gear up fast and tossed everything in.

 

[kpk]

Maybe it was already mentioned, but if you're in a group, it's easy for everyone to know where it's at if it's clipped externally and visible.

If the guy carrying it has it stuffed in a pocket somewhere - and then he gets a head injury it could be chaos trying to find it in a pack you're not familiar with.

 

[ElkArcher918]

I keep my inReach in a side pouch attached to my Marsupial bino harness at all times. In the event of a medical emergency, truck breaks down, or if I take off my backpack for a final stalk it's there if I need help. Shit can happen in the backcountry even if you are prepared, experienced, and level-headed.

 

[eddielasvegas]

Garmin Support always says for most reliable functioning (tracking, send & receive texts) of my Explorer+, it needs to have a clear view of the sky.

In a pack, is not a clear view of the sky so I clip it on the outside of my pack and ensure it's secure.

Good luck all,


Eddie