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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736 |
My recent trip to Alaska exposed me once again to the array of communication devices beyond cell phones. As always, there are pros and cons for everything (text vs. verbal) but I want to get the opinion of others. Primarily I saw: In Reach Explorers and SE models in use plus Iridium Sat. phones. So what are your thoughts?
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,661
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,661 |
I like my first generation InReach. Uses the Irridium satellite network. Allows me to send and recieve messages. Helps with my wife's piece of mind. Doubt I'll never not have one.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,252 |
I use the garmin Inreach and it works awesome. The maps are pretty easy to read when paired with my iPhone. Easy to text to anyone in my contact list on my phone as well. I agree with Pointer, I'll probably never not have one. It replaced my garmin Rhino. Additionally I use OnX maps on my phone to delineate private/public property boundaries and I'm all set.
I would consider the in reach mini too if you don't already have a device.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736 |
Ok thanks for those comments
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,736 Likes: 11
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,736 Likes: 11 |
Do you have to pair with a cell phone with the inreach? Or are they a stand alone text machine?
Last edited by Jackson_Handy; 09/14/18.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,252 |
Definitely works stand alone. The key pad is just terrible slow. Think texting in a flip phone. But it pairs easily through Bluetooth to a smartphone if you have one. Then through the inreach app it works just like you are texting on your phone.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,106 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,106 Likes: 3 |
I like my first generation InReach. Uses the Irridium satellite network. Allows me to send and recieve messages. Helps with my wife's piece of mind. Doubt I'll never not have one. Why would you want her to be able to give you a piece of her mind while you're out having fun? inReach good.
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,736 Likes: 11
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 8,736 Likes: 11 |
Definitely works stand alone. The key pad is just terrible slow. Think texting in a flip phone. But it pairs easily through Bluetooth to a smartphone if you have one. Then through the inreach app it works just like you are texting on your phone. Man I used to be hell on wheels with a razor flip phone...I'm sold now.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,349
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,349 |
A lot of the trollers up here use Inreach to swap info on where the fish are. Keeps the info from being broadcast over the radio.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,736 |
Garmin has two models, the Explorer and the SE. The Explorer also has GPS capability whereas the SE does not. Any thoughts on that difference?
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,252
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,252 |
SE has gps grid navigation and allows you to mark waypoints. Iβve never found it lacking or wished I had more capability in the field. But maybe Iβm missing something.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
I got an inReach mini this year. Tried to rent a sat phone, but there were none available, and so went that route at the last minute. Random thoughts:
It works really well. Takes a few messages to get used to.
Battery lasts supposedly 50 hours of standby, which seems accurate. Easily made it 2 weeks of use, but I don't leave it on all the time.
Garmin's app developers need to step their game up a bit. There are a few things that are just annoying.
You can't message another inreach with just the number. You need to have their garmin account (email). That would be a nice thing for them to advertise a little more so you don't find out when you are in the middle of nowhere....
They are not cheap. $350 for the unit, $25 for the privilege of not having an annual account, and then 30-something for the service per month (there are cheaper options).
Combining with a GPS would make some sense.... my phone GPS kind of blows. But I already had a gps that I like, so wasn't really interested.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12 |
After Garmin bought out DeLorme, they jumped the price of an Inreach SE by $100. I was able to find one of the remaining DeLormes.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,661
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,661 |
I like my first generation InReach. Uses the Irridium satellite network. Allows me to send and recieve messages. Helps with my wife's piece of mind. Doubt I'll never not have one. Why would you want her to be able to give you a piece of her mind while you're out having fun? inReach good. LOL! Guess I'm just used to being told what to do and when... Yes, InReach is good. If/when they upgrade the background mapping feature of the InReach I may spring for a new one. Until then, I just pack it and the PN-60/
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,393
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,393 |
I hunt & pack solo a lot so I have an inReach. I use the preset messages "I'm going to be late", "back at camp for the night", "I'm just headed down off the mountain". I flip on the tracking so my wife, brother and a couple buddies can see where I'm at.
What would Porter Rockwell do?
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 115
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 115 |
How do the inreach's maps compare to a dedicated GPS? Seems like aheider and cwh2 had different takes.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 17,982 Likes: 17
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 17,982 Likes: 17 |
Combining with a GPS would make some sense.... my phone GPS kind of blows. But I already had a gps that I like, so wasn't really interested.
Have you tried Gaia gps app on your phone? Iβm a fan of the Inreach but I donβt rely on their maps. Gaia is superior. Always trying to reduce weight so anymore all I take is my iPhone, inreach, light battery, and backup map/compass. 13 oz for that combo with the mini.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,462 Likes: 2 |
Frankly, from the perspective of someone who is comfortable in the woods, someone who has been lost plenty but never uncomfortably so, the price of these devices / services far outruns their value. The only thing they do in my world is "enable"/placate the hand-wringing worry-warts in my life who are exactly the misery I'm trying to get away from by going to the woods. Putting an electronic leash on myself devaluing my time alone for their comfort? Screw that garbage. Repeat: screw that garbage.
I don't know if that's the sort of "thoughts" bigwhoop was after or if he wants product comparison, but worded as the question was .. yep, those are my thoughts.
Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a MοΏ½bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 22,736 |
While I appreciate the point T O M is making, I value those in my life and would like an opportunity to communicate my situation. I am willing to have an "electronic leash" to keep them updated. I don't consider it a hindrance to my experience.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,420 Likes: 12 |
Last weekend I took a troop of scouts on a llama pack trip to some lakes 6 miles back. My InReach went along and we had a short training session on how to use it if necessary. It's a great assurance having a way to get help in a hurry if something happens to one of the boys.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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