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Thread: Garmin Inreach Explorer

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    4,368

    Garmin Inreach Explorer

    So the Garmin Inreach Explorers are on sale for $479 at Cabelas right now.

    https://www.cabelas.ca/product/95329...reach-explorer

    My Gen 1 Spot has served me well over the years, and never failed to send a message (used it this weekend while bear hunting). But my annual subscription is up for renewal next month and I think having 2 way communication ability would be great.

    Ideally, I only send a preset "I'm ok" message to my wife at the beginning and end of day and set to track mode when I'm hiking into new areas. I don't think I'd be using the text message function too much, but would be nice to give a short update on how I'm doing every other day.

    Don't really need the mapping function, but a nice backup I guess.

    For those of you that use this unit, which plan do you prefer and have you had any issues with your unit or dealing with Garmin?

    thanks

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Lower Mainland
    Posts
    343

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    Never had any issues with mine.

    I tend to change my subscriptions a couple times a year. Most of the year I run the 40 message one and that suits me just fine. When I do my multi day backpacking trips, I upgrade to the unlimited messages option as a just in case.

    It's pretty sweet to be able to switch it up as well as connect it to your phone via bluetooth and use the map on there or just message directly from your phone.
    Life begins where your comfort zone ends

    WSSBC Monarch; RMGA; 2% for Conservation Certified; WSF; BCWF

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    B.C CANADA
    Posts
    4,804

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    I use the 10 message plan as there are still unlimited pre set messages and if i go over it's only 50 c per .. the mapping isn't that great and it costs extra to use the tracking feature which isn't very good either .

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Penticton
    Posts
    1,526

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    Quote Originally Posted by porthunter View Post
    Never had any issues with mine.

    I tend to change my subscriptions a couple times a year. Most of the year I run the 40 message one and that suits me just fine. When I do my multi day backpacking trips, I upgrade to the unlimited messages option as a just in case.

    It's pretty sweet to be able to switch it up as well as connect it to your phone via bluetooth and use the map on there or just message directly from your phone.
    All of this.
    WSSBC Monarch Silver Member
    WSF Summit Life Member
    RMGA Life Member


    The mountains are calling and I must go - John Muir

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Chilliwack
    Posts
    719

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    Once you learn to use msgs, you won’t go back.
    we carry them goat hunting. Buddy shot goat 5 km away and was able to msg us to come help him pack out .
    worth a whole years subscription right there!!

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    N. Okanagan
    Posts
    14,182

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    Thats not a sale price when it is the regular price as elsewhere
    Inreach has benefits, but are they worth the new cost+tax to you
    I found a 1st gen. model used for $200, it does all I need plus

    Allans right about the convenience, we don't need two-way radios now if everyone has an inreach, no talking just thumbing
    Never say whoa in the middle of a mud hole

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    677

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron.C View Post
    which plan do you prefer and have you had any issues with your unit or dealing with Garmin?
    My first Inreach died while I was on a winter camping trip and had snowshoed in for +/- 30 km. They replaced the unit and the new one has never failed me. The 2-way communication is very useful as it allows you to give quick updates to the home front. I switch to the Discover plan when on a trip; 100 included messages and unlimited tracking is all I need. My buddy has on too and I was tracking him on a camping trip up north. One day I noticed they stopped moving when they were supposed to do 15 km that day. I contacted him and it turned out his wife had broken her ankle and he had not been able to get in touch with the pilot for an earlier pick up. I made some calls and in the end they were heli-vacced out by S+R as there was no place close enough for a plane to land.
    I have used mine all over BC, Iceland, Africa and always been able to communicate.
    I like the Bluetooth option as it allows you to use your phone to compose messages rather than the tiny keypad on the unit.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    4,368

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    thanks all,

    did a little more research and decided the Inreach mini best fits my needs. This one particular review was quite comprehensive.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMU8xVeHARo

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    243

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    How much are the subscriptions roughly?

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Surrounded by Socialists
    Posts
    7,931

    Re: Garmin Inreach Explorer

    Not sure what the plans I use are called, but I use the basic plan that allows a few messages per month and I think its around $20 + tax per month. In the off season you can simply essentially deactivate the plan and pay somewhere in the $5 per month range when you're not using it. Ya it kind of sucks that you can't just completely deactivate and pay $0 per month in off season, but you'll get over it. Download the Earthmate App on your phone and you can connect your phone to the Inreach and can type messages way faster on your phone. Wouldn't go anywhere out of cell range without my Delorme Inreach. Well worth the investment. I paid $400 + tax for mine at the Valhalla in Abby a few years ago and its just as good as new.
    "It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." - Benjamin Franklin

    "The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it" - George Orwell

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