Opinions on Delorme-Inreach

[stever121051]

Hey Folks looking for comments on Delorme's inreach devices.

anyone have or use one and your feelings on the devices.

I was in REI today and picked up some literature on them .

Better than Spot? and will it can it replace a Garmin as far as GPS?

From what I can tell it will provide GPS

Let the debate begin!!

thanks

Steve

[Wyatt72]

I purchased a Delorme in reach thinking it was going to be everything I wanted. I'm sad to say it's not but it could just be me. Let me state for the record that I'm not a tech savy guy. It can do gps stuff but it's not a very friendly piece of equipment to use. It can be paired with your smart phone and the maps downloadable on your phone are of desent quality but the unit it self has sub standard maps in my opinion. I like the idea of being able to send text messages but the key board I awful to use. I purchased a garmin etrex 30 that I just used on the coconino trail race here in Arizona and for purpose of navigation worked great and the maps are awesome. I used the Delorme for a tracker which Matt Lee was able to get online and working for the race but at this point I wish I would have just purchased the spot. I do believe if you're good with tech stuff it has great potential just not my cup of tea. If your thinking you want one let me know if be willing to trace for a spot. Mine is practically brand new.

[dh024]

I have an SE unit and love it. Used it for a chunk of the the TransCanada trail solo this summer, and it was great to be in the middle of nowhere and still be able to text family to let them know I was OK and to receive their messages. Also used it on a trip through the Rockies with a buddy who does a lot of back country hiking-he borrowed it for a trip and liked it a lot better than his Spot G3.

I got the SE version because I didn't need the gps functionality of the InReach Explorer, but it is a weight savings to just carry the one, integrated device, if that is important to you.

[RonK]

I have an Inreach, and I'm very satisfied with it.
But it's not a GPS, it's a tracking and messaging device and an emergency beacon, and as such I believe is superior to the Spot tracker.

[stever121051]

hey thanks

[MTBIKEDROID]

I have an inreach se and inreach explorer as well as various Delorme and Garmin hand help GPS. Comment below ref the explorer which has some handheld gps capabilities.

First I'll say two weeks ago I was riding alone on a remote rocky trail and had an expected crash and fractured my leg, couldn't standup, was in an area of no cell phone coverage and saw no trail users for four hours. I was able to drag myself out to a road, used the explorer to text back and forth with my wife's cell phone and give her information on where to come pick me up and take me to the ER. I'm sure glad I had the inreach.

Second, the inreach is a great TWO WAY communications device. You can send out location messages which permit the receiver to pull up a map with your location. You can store an internal track log, transmit track point. You can upload gpx tracks to follow. You can create tracks on their website and load to inreach to follow. You must sync with a phone to get a background map.

Ask if you have specific questions.  Delorme devices tend to have a bit of a learning curve compared to Garmin for the more difficult functions.