Geek love at first sight - the Delorme InReach Explorer - YOU NEED THIS!

rookhawk

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Just set up my device today, the Delorme InReach Explorer.

Before I explain what it is and why you want one, let me explain what I wanted but could not afford.

For being in the bush during 911 emergencies I thought you needed a Sat phone ($1400) and a rate plan ($250) and a data plan ($250) to call the outside world. For $2000 I decided I didn't need emergency contact THAT badly.

Enter the Delorme InReach Explorer GPS unit. MSRP $389. Street price when on sale $299. This is your typical small color screen GPS device that does most of the things that most people want GPS devices to do. It has a few other features that make it incredible, however.

1.) It is a SMS text device. Via satellite, you can send and receive text messages to any phone or email globally and for cheap. Not $5 a message cheap, but REALLY cheap (or free). More on rate plans later.

2.) It has SHTF button. You can slide a switch over on the device and it sends out an SOS to air rescue globally letting rescue teams know that SHTF and you need help.

3.) It integrates with your mobile phone for purposes of typing messages quickly, sharing contacts, etc. It also integrates with Facebook, twitter, a webpage that your friends can view for trip progress, etc.

Rate plans can be the usual annual type, or they can be monthly. For a $24.95 per year base charge and a $64.95 per month cancel-whenever-you-wish no-contract charge, you can send unlimited SMS text messages via Iridium satellites.

The limitations:

A.) You have to have a view of the sky. Don't try it in the jungle.

B.) Iridium satellites are virtually over the entire world. There is a dead zone in the middle band of Africa it appears (not in safari areas). There is a dead zone in Antarctica. Places like Moz, Bots, Nam, RSA, Zim are all fine, as is Europe, Asia, Oz, North and South America.

C.) Satellites are slow. There is a published 20 minute delay on messages. Real world it appears that the iridium satellites push out all your messages on a 5 minute basis. So don't plan on texting back and forth real time like a teenager but you certainly can carry on a casual conversation with loved ones or important contacts like bush pilots, PHs, operators, parks officials, etc.

What's bad:

1.) First, you can't play with it or use the GPS without first activating. That means paying for services. I had to pay $15 for an ultra basic plan to set the system up and program the device before I leave for my trip.

2.) Second, they will continue to charge you month to month until you log into their website and cancel service.

Overall, highly recommended.
 
Interesting alternative.
 
Have one myself, used it in Alaska last fall and Zim. Worked great as long as the sky is available. Got it on sale and even got the setup charge for free. You can suspend the service between trips. My wife absolutely loved the ability to text and with mapshare can even see where I am. I will probably never go on a trip without it. The battery life is about 6 days with the features running, but charged up easily on about an hour's electricity. Well worth the money.
 
I have the Inreach explorer SE. I use it in the mountains of Alberta every year to keep in touch with my family. It can be synced to your cell phone so sending a message is as easy as sending a text. I will be taking it to Namibia next May as well. Two thumbs up from me, it's a great unit.
 
The unit itself is very text unfriendly but as Albertaguy pointed out, it can be paired with a smart phone to make it very text friendly. Unfortunately that means carrying and charging a second device. A real keyboard on the Inreach would be a big advantage. For emergency use and the occasional text it is a great option but if you need to be in real time communication with people then it's no replacement for a sat phone. I just sold my sat phone in favour of the InReach. I hope it wasn't a mistake.
 
I took a spot gen3 to Greenland last year. It didn't have texting capabilities as such, but it's incredibly reassuring knowing that you can call in a rescue at the push of a button.

My family liked the reassurance that I was safe and where I was at any given time.

The inreach will be my choice in future I think.
 
SPOT relies on Globalstar satellites which are spotty at best in Northern Canada but not certain about Greenland. InReach utilizes Irridiun satellites which are much more reliable at least in Canada and Alaska.
 
SPOT relies on Globalstar satellites which are spotty at best in Northern Canada but not certain about Greenland. InReach utilizes Irridiun satellites which are much more reliable at least in Canada and Alaska.

It was ok where I was, but further north I'd have had problems.

IMO the main weak point of spot is the coverage.
 

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