InReach

[leftfield]

Hi guys, looking to get an inreach this year but not sure on which one to get....mini or not. Which one will allow me to send real time texts? If you haven't used one before are they pretty easy for a newb to use. Any tips or tricks? What could I end up paying for service each month and can it be put on hold when not in use? And what should a guy expect to pay if getting it on sale? Thanks

[Huntingtyler123]

I have the mini and love it. I have a subscription where I can suspend it when not during hunting season or whatnot. 29$ a month when activated I think. I like the mini because it pairs with your phone and you use your phone for all the functions and to send out texts. I think I have 10 preset texts I can send for free then after that it cost so much per text. Most I’ve seen is 50$ off regular price when on sale.

[Sharpish]

I have the mini for a couple years now. Works great. The mini sends texts but not real-time. Depending on where you are and the weather conditions it can take 5 min or 5 seconds to send a message.

[todbartell]

I'm a happy inReach user for years but this new product from Zoleo looks as good, and more affordable

https://www.zoleo.com/en-ca/

[RackStar]

I have the mini, it’s great for my use, can sync to your smart phone if needed for maps and such.

[jlirot]

I've had my 66i for about a month now and it's the cat's meow.

That Zoleo looks interesting.

[trowt]

have the se for a long time now. great unit. connects bt to smartphone and also can be used on its own.
many different plans. $20/ month in service or $3/mo suspended.
if the mini was available, i wld have got that one. the zoleo looks pretty good too. cant go wrong with any garmin/inreach.

[KBC]

I have the bigger one. Explorer SE? Can’t remember. I get a good discount at Garmin through work so I’m thinking about upgrading to the new one that will take the backroads map book SD card. If you didn’t want the SD slot I would get the mini for sure. There’s decent phone apps that I like better for GPS than what the plain garmin maps give you.
The Bluetooth thing lets you send texts easy through your phone on either though.

[revyhunter]

I have been using the Garmin Inreach Explorer+ for several years. It's been great. It's nice that I don't have to carry my phone and rely on the battery of my phone. The GPS is pretty good, not so great in thick woods but that's to be expected. I got mine $100 off and through a promo at the time the first 3 months of service were free.

[SF2020]

The mini is perfect... I run it with my iPhone and another gps app (Gaia and hunt buddy). I figure that i will have my phone most of the time and with the mini and the gps apps I haven't missed my old garmin Map60 at all... I get good sat imagary and the text messaging with the mini

[ThinAir]

I'm a happy inReach user for years but this new product from Zoleo looks as good, and more affordable

https://www.zoleo.com/en-ca/


This looks very interesting....anyone running it?

[MB_Boy]

This looks very interesting....anyone running it?

I'd be interested to know as well.

This clause makes me wonder. $5 a month to suspend.

Cellular and Wi-Fi messages consume data similar to other messaging applications. You are responsible for these data costs; they’re not included in your ZOLEO monthly plan.

[whitlers]

Hmm seems alittle janky. When my life could be on the line I'll stick with my InReach

[corywilson13]

I upgraded to the 66i last year from one of the original de Lorme units. As far as I know there is no longer an option to suspend your plan for the 3-5$ a month with the Garmin units as it was with the de Lorme units. The cheapest monthly plan in Canada is $15 if you purchase annually, or $20 per month if you want the ability to upgrade during during the hunting season. I use the $20 plan, and upgrade on months I have mountain hunts. The gps/inreach unit was on sale for about $800 after tax.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7808&stc=1

[leftfield]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the info. Keep it coming

[Jrax]

I am using the 66i for both work and hunting with a lot of days on it. It has the functionality of a very good GPS unit, communication with those in your group, outside communication and emergency situations. Can be paired with phones for texting. My plan is about $35 a month after paying about $850.

This GPS unit is alot less buggy than the last run of garmin GPS's and they even added some features but still very user friendly - you just need to take it out and use it/test it before you head out for hunting or whatever so your comfortable with it.

I would recommend a battery pack for recharging if going for multiple days. I bought a solid battery pack that also charges phone and headlamp too which replaces all batteries.

[ryanb]

I have the inreach Explorer +. Works great. If I was to buy again today I'd get the mini because I am starting to carry my phone for pictures and maps anyhow.

As far as plans, I have found buying the most basic annual plan to be most cost effective. On months where I'm in the mountains I just go over my minimum messages with little regard to cost. You can send a LOT of overage messages if you annualize the cost of the higher plan. Only makes sense if you use it every month of the year.

[Avalanche123]

I have the same one however like others have said, because I work remotely for long periods of time with no ability to recharge, I appreciate the fact my Inreach can function quite nicely without having to rely on my phone. My phone will die long long long before my InReach whereas just having the mini would make messaging impossible.


I have the inreach Explorer +. Works great. If I was to buy again today I'd get the mini because I am starting to carry my phone for pictures and maps anyhow.

As far as plans, I have found buying the most basic annual plan to be most cost effective. On months where I'm in the mountains I just go over my minimum messages with little regard to cost. You can send a LOT of overage messages if you annualize the cost of the higher plan. Only makes sense if you use it every month of the year.

[todbartell]

My phone will die long long long before my InReach whereas just having the mini would make messaging impossible.

You could still send preset messages and use SOS without the cell phone being paired

[bcshadow]

Like a few others who have posted, I have the Garmin inreach explorer +
I really like it... had it for about two years.

[S.W.A.T.]

Have the explorer. I wanted the topography maps as in the real world the fastest route isn't always a straight line. Weather updates, unlimited messages and you don't have to use your phone if you don't want to.