Delorme Inreach SE vs Garmin

[Stein]

I need to pick up one or the other for 2-way comms with the homestead during scouting and hunting this fall.  I will only use it for text, I use my phone exclusively for GPS in conjunction with paper maps and compass.

The older Delorme is $270 and the newest Garmin versions are $400-450 depending on the model. 

In my research, it looks like the old units work great and Garmin says they are honoring the warranty as well as service support.  Further, most people are guessing that Garmin will come out with a much better unit in the next year or two that has increased GPS functionality and maybe map chip ability.

So, my thought is to save almost $200 and get the older unit.  Anyone have any insight that I am missing?

[ghosthunter]

I use a spot.
$100.00 year.

[kselkhunter]

The new Garmin versions have improved the map GPS functionality and more features.  I have the older InReach, and carry a separate Garmin GPS.  If I didn't already have those and was first time buyer, the new versions would appeal to me.  But if the GPS doesn't interest you, the InReach works well.

I turn off the service for the months I don't use it, but am about to turn it back on in a few weeks through Novembers hunts.  The breadcrumb feature is nice for my family/friends to keep track of me, as I'm usually solo on most of my hunts.  It's well worth the expense given how many days I'm in the backcountry solo every year.  It's nice to have the SOS button, and the SAR/Medivac insurance is pretty cheap (compared to not having it and something happen) on the InReach....hopefully I never need it.

 If you don't need the GPS the old InReach works fine.  I like it. 

[Stein]

Good info, thanks.  I am also in the solo backcountry group, so the breadcrumb and text is what I need.  I have and carry an epirb, but my wife doesn't like the "I'll call in 7 days" plan.

[Stalkin Prey]

Tagging along. Majority of my hunting is solo. I've been thinking about getting something to keep the home updated. The wife's never liked the 7 days plan either. Prob cause she's a little jealous she can't be out there too though.


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[Magnum_Willys]

Get the cheap one now, when they add txt to the Rhino get that.

[Stein]

Get the cheap one now, when they add txt to the Rhino get that.

That's what I figure, the next generation will be quite a big step up in features that will be worth the money.

[Reidus]

Get the cheap one now, when they add txt to the Rhino get that.

the delorme inreach works just fine for texting.

[kselkhunter]

If I'm not mistaken there is a phone app to pair with the InReach as well for GPS, and I think for texting on phone.  Honestly, I just use the unit stand alone.  Didn't want to mess with another app (not much of an app guy).  So for all I know there is probably a more slick way to use the device than I do.  :-)

The carry case is handy, and worth it.  I just clip mine to the outside of my pack so that it has better reception while dropping breadcrumbs.  To preserve battery, I took the breadcrumbs down a few settings so I'm dropping less frequently and using less battery.   

And it includes your GPS coordinates with your texts.  So if I drop an elk 6 miles in I can text my friends to get off their rears and come help.  :-)

[Magnum_Willys]

Using the ap is just like txting.  Just get it. Using standalone is a pain.

[Okanagan]

I've used the Delorme for several years, texting from anywhere, Yukon, deep canyons in Cascades and Olympics, east coast, anywhere.   I'm a non app guy as well.  The original is clunky to write text but I don't do all that many and each is short.  No biggie to me and not worth carrying anything but the InReach unit.  I keep it turned off except to check for messages and send.  Batteries last a week or more that way.

A friend we texted re a down bear used his GPS to walk exactly to us in heavy timber and brush a mile and a half off of a road. 

Best wilderness communication device invented in my lifetime, easier and more reliable than sat phones I've used.

 

[kselkhunter]

Best wilderness communication device invented in my lifetime, easier and more reliable than sat phones I've used.

 

 
I've had to rent sat phones on multiple trips before to keep in touch for business purposes.  And I would concur.  My InReach has been more reliable in terms of signal.  Maybe it was the quality of the phones I was renting.  But the InReach messages get queued up and send when they get a signal.  Sat phones have their purpose, don't get me wrong.  But they can be finicky sometimes. 

I looked at the Iridium Go instead of the InReach when I was researching the purchase, as it can act as a wifi hub, and also make VoIP calls using your cell phone. It's a more expensive purchase, as well as monthly plan.  But another good option.

[Stein]

Just picked up the Delorme from GPSCity through Ebay for $225 shipped free, new in box.  Should be here next week.

I'll include reviews when I get a chance to try it out, but I expect it to work great based upon everything I have read.

[Jayfire83]

Get the cheap one now, when they add txt to the Rhino get that.

I've been waiting for them to do that, I love my Rhino!

[Cab]

The gritty Bowmen did a podcast and Aron Snyder talks about about what he uses. I think it was an early episode maybe 10 could be interesting to take a listen to for the future. For now go cheap and with what works.

[dan11011]

I use a Delorme Inreach for texting and in case of an Emergency.
Then I also use a Garmin GPSMap64s for my onx maps.

I wish it was one unit but for now it works fine. And the Delorme comes out of its holster twice a day tops, whereas the Garmin is used frequently for navigation.

Cell Phone is just used for photos.

[Stein]

I used the Delorme Inreach out in the wilderness and it is awesome.  It doesn't get signals in thick brush quite as well as my gps, but I didn't have any trouble getting or receiving messages.  My plans changed while I was on the trail, so it saved me having to back out and call my wife.  Bluetooth to my phone was flawless, that was my one big worry.  Battery life was much better than expected.
 
Overall, I couldn't be happier.  It is one of those things that once you get it you can't figure out how you got along without it.  I hunt solo all the time and keeping my wife updated all the time really helps me get more time out in more places.  I get to hunt more and she knows I'm not making my way through a bear's intestine.

[Craig]

Thanks for this thread. I was going to rent a Sat phone for my upcoming High country buck hunt in Colorado. It would have been about $270 for a 10 day rental. Went ahead and bought a InReach new off eBay for $225 with free shipping. Will be a nice way to communicate when needed.

[Stein]

You will like it.  Make sure to go through the registration process and test it out at home, there are a few minor things you need to know how to do.  You can also set up any three standard messages that you can send for free, I changed ours to match what we need.

I set mine up to not automatically send waypoints to save on cost, I will send a standard message at the trailhead, a few "all clear" type messages during the day and then the third standard message is "camping here" to show where I end up.

I also use the same charger I use for my phone just in case I need to charge the InReach, make sure you have the right cable.

After my first day using it I had it down pat, just practice at home.

[DJ_Mack]

You will like it.  Make sure to go through the registration process and test it out at home, there are a few minor things you need to know how to do.  You can also set up any three standard messages that you can send for free, I changed ours to match what we need.

I set mine up to not automatically send waypoints to save on cost, I will send a standard message at the trailhead, a few "all clear" type messages during the day and then the third standard message is "camping here" to show where I end up.

I also use the same charger I use for my phone just in case I need to charge the InReach, make sure you have the right cable.

After my first day using it I had it down pat, just practice at home.

How long can you make your 3 standard messages?  Definitely looking at getting the garmin. My wife and I have a 2.5 yr old and a 10 mo old. She wants to be able to get a hold of me if something happens with my boys. But also wants to be able to hear from me.


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[Jayfire83]

Make sure you get the Explorer+ if you do.

[RB]

Another vote for the Delorme Inreach I bought one for my Goat hunt last year and it worked flawless.

[BDildine]

Looked into getting one, with everything going on this year, really didn't look to be feasible, but low and behold, found an excellent used one on offerup, gentleman sold it to me for $100, came with everything, told me to call if I had any questions or issues. Just another route for those on a tight budget like me

[Saltdiver]

The DeLorme is great! Loaned mine to a friend running a small boat from Whittier Ak to Juneau across the Gulf of Alaska. First text he sent was 'can I use hydraulic fluid instead of engine oil in an emergency?' Then, 'can't get ahold of the coast guard or anyone on VHF'. So I called the coast guard for him, gave them my login information for the unit so they could track his location and send and view messages. Got ahold of a class A guy in yakatat to run out 85 miles to deliver more engine oil, while the CG sent a cutter from Valdez. Without this thing, nobody would know where they were. Just a small boat adrift in a big ocean. Literally a lifesaver. I'm gonna have this thing surgically attached to my body

[Stein]

You will like it.  Make sure to go through the registration process and test it out at home, there are a few minor things you need to know how to do.  You can also set up any three standard messages that you can send for free, I changed ours to match what we need.

I set mine up to not automatically send waypoints to save on cost, I will send a standard message at the trailhead, a few "all clear" type messages during the day and then the third standard message is "camping here" to show where I end up.

I also use the same charger I use for my phone just in case I need to charge the InReach, make sure you have the right cable.

After my first day using it I had it down pat, just practice at home.

How long can you make your 3 standard messages?  Definitely looking at getting the garmin. My wife and I have a 2.5 yr old and a 10 mo old. She wants to be able to get a hold of me if something happens with my boys. But also wants to be able to hear from me.


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160 characters, but there are only three preset messages.

I used mine quite a bit last scouting trip including pulling a weather message just to see what they looked like.  Grand total for the extra texts was only $9 extra for 27 texts, 10 presets and one weather message.

[Tbob]

I just searched the App Store and can’t seem to find an app to use with my inreach? Anyone have the name or a screen shot of what it looks like?? Thanks!

[grimace]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/O4yXC6-BcVdcrPRJDn0MC8D7X9amIUa-jQG7RTrgRQbXNfgqBiCCMMchfyjS-7Wx9DM=w300

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delorme.earthmate

[Tbob]

Awesome!  Thanks!

[wendigo]

The map function on the new one leaves a lot to be desired. Get the cheap one and download onx for your phone and you will be way ahead.


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