Anyone have one? DeLorme InReach™ SE Satellite Communicator

[vandeman17]

Spending more and more time off the grid, I have been looking at picking something up to communicate with people back home in case of emergency or to send updates. I came across this and it looks pretty cool and has a $75 mail in rebate. Wondering if anyone has one or something similar?


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Handheld-GPS-Accessories/Handheld-GPS%7C/pc/104791680/c/104729580/sc/104373180/DeLorme-InReach8482-SE-Satellite-Communicator/1924980.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhandheld-gps%2F_%2FN-1100153%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104373180#BVRRWidgetID

[ghosthunter]

I have had a SPOT for four years now. Works great.

[X-Force]

rokslide had a review of the Inreach but i cant find it now.

I know that their plans are getting better for seasonal use but you are still paying a pretty good penny every year.
I plan on getting one between now and archery elk season.

If you get one write a review and let us know what you think.


Whenever you get yours let me know your login info so someone can keep track of you while your in the backcountry 

[netcoyote]

I bought that exact device for the same reasons. I was taking a trip down to Utah in April and would be exploring a lot of back roads and would be by myself so I thought it would be a good thing to be able to both communicate with people at home as well as have a rescue signal capability if I got into serious trouble.

I practiced with it before my trip and would suggest anyone trying it out to do the same. Once you get used to the clunky interface, it's a very handy tool. I would send my wife and others a notification in the morning of when and where (GPS lat/long) I was starting from. It would send periodic data points of my location based on how I had it configured. You can set it for sending a lot of points, I think it will go to as low as 10 minute intervals, or a few if you set it for 2 hr or more intervals. I had it set for half hour increments which would usually send about 16-20 points in a day. The recipient can get the messages by either email or text message or both. They can even follow your progress if they want. They can access a topo map using the DeLorme web site tool that displays the location of the points that are sent.

You can also sync the unit with a smart phone which will acts like a GPS with a map that shows your location (which the basic unit cannot do). You can also edit a text message with the synced phone and send it through the SE unit.

I like the feature that gives you a lot of options for paying for the service. You don't have to buy a whole year subscription, just buy for what you need. You can also get unlimited texting service or a standard minimum for a lower fee.

All in all I'd rate it very high, the only issue I have is the interface. I've been dealing with computers most of my adult life so I can roll with that, but I can see where some may have some issues with it. If you get one and would like some help, just drop me a PM.

[vandeman17]

rokslide had a review of the Inreach but i cant find it now.

I know that their plans are getting better for seasonal use but you are still paying a pretty good penny every year.
I plan on getting one between now and archery elk season.

If you get one write a review and let us know what you think.


Whenever you get yours let me know your login info so someone can keep track of you while your in the backcountry 

I will let you know if I do get one and what I think about it. I can't find what the yearly plans cost but if they are reasonable I will probably buy one. I like the idea of texting versus sat phone because I can use it as a log of what was said back and forth. Also don't have to worry about it breaking up or something during a conversation, or worse, breaking up during a distress call. If the text is sent, it will be there in full context.

[vandeman17]

I bought that exact device for the same reasons. I was taking a trip down to Utah in April and would be exploring a lot of back roads and would be by myself so I thought it would be a good thing to be able to both communicate with people at home as well as have a rescue signal capability if I got into serious trouble.

I practiced with it before my trip and would suggest anyone trying it out to do the same. Once you get used to the clunky interface, it's a very handy tool. I would send my wife and others a notification in the morning of when and where (GPS lat/long) I was starting from. It would send periodic data points of my location based on how I had it configured. You can set it for sending a lot of points, I think it will go to as low as 10 minute intervals, or a few if you set it for 2 hr or more intervals. I had it set for half hour increments which would usually send about 16-20 points in a day. The recipient can get the messages by either email or text message or both. They can even follow your progress if they want. They can access a topo map using the DeLorme web site tool that displays the location of the points that are sent.

You can also sync the unit with a smart phone which will acts like a GPS with a map that shows your location (which the basic unit cannot do). You can also edit a text message with the synced phone and send it through the SE unit.

I like the feature that gives you a lot of options for paying for the service. You don't have to buy a whole year subscription, just buy for what you need. You can also get unlimited texting service or a standard minimum for a lower fee.

All in all I'd rate it very high, the only issue I have is the interface. I've been dealing with computers most of my adult life so I can roll with that, but I can see where some may have some issues with it. If you get one and would like some help, just drop me a PM.

Thanks for the review. That is just what I was looking for. 

[netcoyote]

This is a sample of the website that someone would be able to see from the signal that you send from the InReach. Each blue dot is a location sent at half-hour intervals. The messages can be seen by clicking on the blue boxes. You can zoom in to get more detail of the location.

[JackOfAllTrades]

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/subscription-plans.php

-Steve

[skagitsteel]

I have been using one for a little over a year now.  Works well for what it is IMO. Its not an instant text to send and receive, it takes a few minutes but very reliable for me so far.  Ended up coming out of the backcountry three or four hours later than expected due to packing out animals a couple times last year, it was really nice to be able to send my wife a text and let her know what was going on.  Also makes me more willing to hunt way back there alone with no cell signal.  It does send your coordinates with every text, so don't text your buddies from it when you get something down 

[High Climber]

I got one before last season... I also am happy with it. My wife appreciates it more than I do because I can send a nightly text or receive an urgent message if she has one. It's also a nice feeling to have a safety net if I broke a leg or something.

[CAMPMEAT]

Maybe not what you're looking for but, the most important thing to me is getting help first in case of emergency and contacting family second. I bought a $250 PLB, personal locator beacon. It's registered to you only, in case you need some serious help in the backcountry.

[luvmystang67]

Can you use it to send texts from unit to unit if you each have one and are both in an area with no cell service?

[CAMPMEAT]

Can you use it to send texts from unit to unit if you each have one and are both in an area with no cell service?

If you're asking me, I don't know. Mines a ACER (?) I think. I'd check out there website.

[High Climber]

I'm pretty sure you can send device to device, but don't quote me. None of my buddies have one so never tried it.

[Okanagan]

I have used the DeLorme InReach SE for nearly three years and recommend it.  It sends and receives text messages directly via satellite to and from any smart phone or e-mail address and works anywhere on earth except polar.   Along with the message is a link to a satellite earth photo with the precise location marked from where the message was sent.  Most have been accurate to within 6 feet, but one time from inside an office building it was off by 40 feet.

I had a SPOT before the InReach and the DeLorme has replaced it.  It adds custom texting composed at the moment while retaining the SPOT type emergency button to call Search and Rescue.

It has worked for me in WA State Paysayten wilderness, Olympics, Canadian Rockies, northern Vancouver Island, northern Saskatchewan and along the eastern seaboard of the US. 

It has worked in a deep east west canyon in the North Cascades under big trees loaded with over a foot of snow.  Ditto in forest rain and rain on snow conditions.  It sometimes takes several minutes to get out but has been far more reliable than my experience with satellite phones. Apparently the text goes out in a burst and does not require a long uninterrupted connection like voice needs.

I have the cheapest plan, $9.99 per month for ten messages sent or received, and it costs fifty cents extra (I think?)  for messages above that.  I went in a day early to scout a north Cascades backpack hunt and texted my son that I was camped two miles from where we'd planned, and to bring an item I forgot.  I can let my wife know I am staying out an extra night, say that my vehicle is stuck, ask someone to bring a specific tool, ask my wife to meet me at a restaurant, and even spent an extra fifty cents on a message to say my sleeping bag was lonely.

I bought mine at REI.  When I could not figure out how to use it I took it back to REI and a manager went outside to the parking lot with me and figured out how to use it himself as I took notes.  No problem since.

It has tons of bells and whistles like tracking, Twitter, Twinkies (just kidding) etc. that I never use.  I only use it for text messages, and I like having the emergency button.   As said, the keyboard is cumbersome and slow, and the messages are limited to 160 characters including e-mail address of recipient(s).