Who has experience with the Delorme InReach Explorer

[westernarcher]

I have been searching high and low for info on this unit. Who is using this unit? Does it have the UTMs option vs long and lat? Does it have the same satellite locating capabilities as the newer GPS units? I'm not looking for mapping stuff either. I know it doesn't have the same stuff as a $400+ unit. I am just looking for off the grid texting and something to replace my Garmin Etrex. Will this be my answer? Thank you

[netcoyote]

Sounds like you are looking for a GPS unit rather than a PLB. Although they both use satellite location technology, and have some similar functionality, they are completely different units. If you are looking for a device for location purposes, get a GPS. If you are interested in sending limited text messages including your location coordinates as well as the functionality of requesting emergency services, then the InReach is what you should be looking for.
Keep in mind you have to pay a monthly service fee for your InReach service. You will not have that with a GPS. 

There's been a couple threads already on this topic.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,176739.msg2340485.html#msg2340485

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,171633.msg2269197.html#msg2269197

[westernarcher]

netcoyote. Thanx for the links. I already read them. My only 2 questions are does the Explorer version  use UTM for coordinates and does it  pick up satellites as well as the regular GPS? I am already sold on the InReach. Just wondering if the GPS version is worth the extra 80 bucks. Ive had a GPS for 15+ years.

[netcoyote]

netcoyote. Thanx for the links. I already read them. My only 2 questions are does the Explorer version  use UTM for coordinates and does it  pick up satellites as well as the regular GPS? I am already sold on the InReach. Just wondering if the GPS version is worth the extra 80 bucks. Ive had a GPS for 15+ years.

OK, I didn't get that you were focusing on the Explorer only. Can't speak to that since I have the SE. With that, I wouldn't go for the Explorer as a GPS unless I had a hands on demo and was satisfied it met the GPS need. Although I like my SE version, the menu structure is one of the most convoluted I've seen on a handheld device. I figured it out and can use it pretty well now but it isn't very intuitive. I would hope that the Explorer is better but I would want to see it firsthand before I plunked down the extra $80.

[westernarcher]

Nobody using the Explorer?