Garmin InReach, or?

[kenl]

Hi. I tend to go into the hills solo a lot, where most of the places are outside of cell phone range. I'm thinking about getting a Garmin InReach for general texting and emergency comms. It works on the iridium system, and does require a monthly fee.

Does anyone have any experience with these, or other satellite communication units, such as the Spot x or the ARC ResQLink?

Thank you for any info

[kenl]

This is probably teh wrong place for this. Moving it to the off topic forum

[outdoorman]

I have been using the Garmin InReach since it first came it as I am often solo deep in the back country

It works very well, I always send tracking links to several people and text them status updates throughout my trips

[mfj93444]

Kenl: Garmin InReach is outstanding! Great product from a great company! They have an economical plan that's just over $12 per month that gives you 10 messages a month. If you go over, it's not bad for your wallet. Last Oct, used it while solo near Wishon Reservoir to check in with the wife and family. My sister and BIL live in Belize, Central America so I got them a unit and communication with them is effortless. SOS function works here and Belize.

[REDHORSE]

I've been eyeing getting one also. I dirt bike and do spirited street riding also. I don't usually go solo, but cell signal is spotty in a lot off places @ mountains/canyons.

I also travel to southeast asian every year and do some adventure riding/ island hopping. Cell signal also very spotty and even if you got into an accident and had cell signal, it'll be very hard to tell emergency responders where exactly where you are.

Just trying to decide if I want the Garmin Inreach Mini or the larger Explorer model.

Mini is nice because it's small (Pro), less features, no GPS mapping, 50 hrs battery life (OK). It will fit in your pocket easily and has the necessary features. You can buy refurbished models from Garmin Outlet with the full 1 yr warranty for $50 less.

Where as the Garmin Inreach Explorer is 2x larger (Con), more features, GPS mapping and color screen, 100 hrs battery life (Great!) and is only $50 more than a new Mini.

I do have a Garmin Zumo GPS on my motorcycles, but the Explorer GPS feature would be nice for hiking and mountain biking also.

[NorCalBusa]

While much improved over the years- Spot is a consumer/toy.

InReach (now Garmin, bought the line from DeLorme maybe 2 years ago) is the real deal. Nothing else comes close and they have various models- stand alone or tie (WiFi) to your cell, and various subscription plans. Catch them on sale if you keep an eye out- West Marine, REI and online houses.

[GeeZer81]

I've got a Garmin 66i with the inreach service. I use it for backcountry excursions and mountain biking. It's truly a full-featured device with included maps, unlike other garmin etrex devices that require additional map purchases. Like other mentioned, the tracking function is nice to keep the family feeling good while you're out. Depending on the garmin device, you can set the livetrack intervals too. Preserving battery life in the backcountry.

The text function is solid. There's also a preset text function that can relieve the *included* text messaging, based on your subscription.

It's a piece of mind when you're really out and about.

[Casual_Shooter]

I've been using an InReach Explorer+ for a couple years. I generally always hike solo. I bought it to communicate with my wife and for the SOS capability. If I only wanted SOS capability, I would have bought a ResQ etc.

The interface with my iPhone is very good and makes writing messages much quicker than using the device.

I pay the subscription yearly so I don't have to remember to activate it before a trip, but they have pay-as-you go plans.

There is also the Mini, but I don't think I'll switch because I like having the capability of the larger unit in the event my phone died (which it did on my last trip).

[Flying Sig]

I use the ACR ResQLink+. You can’t beat 406MHz/121.5MHz/COSPAS-SARSAT for reliability., so a real PLB is a must in my opinion. The texting with rescuers is a cool feature on the Garmin, but there is no way I would bet my life on those Garmin/Spot/Delorme products. The ACR also has the capability to send out “I’m ok” emails with GPS location to several email addresses with the push of a button so that’s enough for me, and the battery lasts for over 5 years.

[Creeping Incrementalism]

While much improved over the years- Spot is a consumer/toy.

It is interesting that you say this as I have been wondering if I was the only one to think this. I have a Spot first generation and while it usually works, it has not been reliable enough to really depend on. I only keep it because I already own it and don't go too far off jeep trails to begin with.