Garmin Inreach Explorer

[Ron.C]

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

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/95329/garmin-inreach-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

[porthunter]

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.

[Dannybuoy]

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 .

[pg83]

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.

[allan]

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!!

[boxhitch]

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

[35rem]

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.

[Ron.C]

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

[alpinedust]

How much are the subscriptions roughly?

[Harvest the Land]

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.

[twoSevenO]

i run the mini. Basic plan costs me $16.50 or something like that per month. I have it on every month.
During hunting season, i go over on my messages, so it's likely an additional $20 for oct/nov. Its nice to have, especially now that i'm a dad. I can get updates on what my daughter is doing.

The only thing i do not like .... it has issues sending messages when in the timber. The thick canopy can affect most GPS units, but still, be nice to see this fixed with a slightly stronger sensor or something.

That looks like a great price!!!

[boxhitch]

.............. 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. ..............Suspend the sub and pay the $5 minimum, or de-activate completely and pay the activation fee again when you want to re-activate. You have to weigh the costs to decide which works

[Ron.C]

So, my Gen 1 SPOT service is $295 per year. It has been great, never failed but the inreach technology is a massive improvement.

As a start, I opted for the Inreach Freedom Recreation Plan over the basic safety plan. Gives me 40 text messages and has unlimited tracking points and location pings. When I use my spot and am hiking into or out of an area, I like the track feature as it gives my loved ones a location if something happens and I just stop sending a daily "OK" message. I nearly fell to my death several years ago on a solo goat hunt when a massive rock let go and nearly took me down the mountain with it. The track mode would of given them my location to find what's left. And my wife is well aware of that missing Spatsizi hunter and I wouldn't want her to have to endure what that poor family has and is still going through.

But I like the flexibility to be able to start and pause the service and change plans types which may happen after I get some actual field use.

Anyhow, took all of about an hour to create my account, activate, create my preferences/contacts/custom messages, pair my in reach with my cell phone and test everything.

I really like that you get visual and audible indication when a message is successfully sent. Like allot of hunters, my parents are getting up in age and my young grandson has changed my perspective on some things.


So knowing that my wife can now contact me and let me know of something like a family emergency is huge because some things are more important than finishing a hunt.

[IslandWanderer]

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

Can you link us to another place where they're the same price? I just bought one from a store in Quebec for $502 and it was over $80 more everywhere else.

Edit: I checked and they are now on sale for $479 all over the place. That is still$100 off from a week ago.

[bross]

When they drop the price right across the country it's because they are clearing out old models before the new ones come in.