I currently own an old SPOT unit. And am looking to upgrade.
Have been looking at the Delorem Inreach.
Anyone have some input advice on this or aware of other tested products?
Rod


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I have had the inReach for over 2 years and love it. You can send and receive text messages from almost anywhere. I would highly recommend it.

We've talked about Spot, inReach and Spidertracks quite a few times here. Enter inReach in the Search field and you'll have access to all the previous discussions.

rodhilton wrote:I currently own an old SPOT unit. And am looking to upgrade.
Have been looking at the Delorem Inreach.
Anyone have some input advice on this or aware of other tested products?

InReach is more reliable, capable and expensive.

Spot is a fun device, but lack of two-way and the fact that it's on a much junkier network prevents me from using it as a safety device.

A real PLB is a good backup. Minimal acquisition cost, no fees.

For me: I have two InReach's, that I love and use regularly. https://share.delorme.com/LaNaranjaDanzante (click the + sign next to Rich Wellner to see my flying trips). I also have a PLB that I hope to never use. (https://www.amazon.com/Fast-Find-Person ... t+find+220)

As Barnstormer says, look at previous discussions. I got a SPOT when they first came out.....the device was free when you subscribed.

A couple years ago I switched to In Reach, and I won't go back.

Spider tracks is also a great device, but very spendy compared to the other units, and needs ships power.

MTV

x4 for InReach!


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Another vote for inreach. The device itself is a bit clunky to use, but becomes a breeze when paired with your smartphone or iPad.

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TradeCraft wrote:Another vote for inreach. The device itself is a bit clunky to use, but becomes a breeze when paired with your smartphone or iPad.

Particularly for messaging.

I have a spot and it works fine for my purposes, but it is definitely limited. We went halves with my daughter on an inreach last year when she and her boyfriend took a three month tour through Mexico, Belize & Guatemala.It worked great and from what we could tell flawlessly everywhere they went. It does cost more however. Worth it if it suits your needs.

Pete

X5 or 6 or whatever for InReach. Both my Dad and I have them and love the texting feature. There's no cell service most of the places we go, and sometimes he's going a day ahead of me. It's a great peace of mind knowing that he made it, and SAFELY since he's able to text. Or, if he's had to divert somewhere, got delayed, etc., we're able to get messages out to each other and not have to panic or worry. Great way to keep in touch with family at home if your plans change due to weather or anything else. I can't speak highly enough about the texting feature.

As others have mentioned, once you pair it with your smartphone(super easy) all texting/messaging goes through your phone like a normal text.

Thanks for everyones input.
I will be forcing my children to purchase my christmas gift - InReach Explorer!

Now if my 150 would sell, I can move up to my 172!

rodhilton wrote:Thanks for everyones input.
I will be forcing my children to purchase my christmas gift - InReach Explorer!

Now if my 150 would sell, I can move up to my 172!

I'd be looking for the Inreach SE. The GPS navigation function on the Explorer is pretty archaic and difficult to actually use. Though, maybe for the extra $100 it's worth having just in case.

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InReach also has a $75.00 rebate program on right now, and COPA members save 15% on InReach subscription.
Got it ordered up.
Look forward to receiving it.
Again thanks for the direction and input.
Rod

rodhilton wrote:InReach also has a $75.00 rebate program on right now, and COPA members save 15% on InReach subscription.
Got it ordered up.
Look forward to receiving it.
Again thanks for the direction and input.
Rod

So now you're going to bill your kids for what they would have paid to give it to you for Christmas?

Cary

Cary wrote:

rodhilton wrote:InReach also has a $75.00 rebate program on right now, and COPA members save 15% on InReach subscription.
Got it ordered up.
Look forward to receiving it.
Again thanks for the direction and input.
Rod

So now you're going to bill your kids for what they would have paid to give it to you for Christmas?

Cary

Just finished sending them the text.. I know what I want for xmas, so I ordered it!

rodhilton wrote:InReach also has a $75.00 rebate program on right now, and COPA members save 15% on InReach subscription.
Got it ordered up.
Look forward to receiving it.
Again thanks for the direction and input.
Rod

Great info! I may do the same and bill my wife!

I'm looking at replacing my Spot as well. So those of you that have them, what don't you like? My neighbor got one and he said something about not liking the interface for looking at or clearing tracking records online. Small issue probably but I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around any pros and cons.

Grassstrippilot wrote:I'm looking at replacing my Spot as well. So those of you that have them, what don't you like? My neighbor got one and he said something about not liking the interface for looking at or clearing tracking records online. Small issue probably but I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around any pros and cons.

The online interface is a little clunky. Instead of deleting old tracks, I just taught my family how to filter by newest track (top left of the screen). That way I have a historical record of all my flights in case I want it. It's kind of neat to pull the page up and see little dots and lines all over the country.

Another thing about the online interface is that if you are pulling it up for the first time since the device has started dropping current tracks, it takes 30-45 seconds for the online interface to access the database and start displaying your current tracks. That takes a little explaining so the fam doesn't get mad at you for forgetting to turn tracks on. Also, it drops tracks at regular intervals (get an enterprise plan and you can select your own intervals. Mine are 2 min.). If you turn off the tracks while taxiing to parking, your last track might be in the pattern which, if your wife is as highly caring as mine, might make your family believe that you landed in the woods near the airport instead of on the runway. I just leave mine on until the prop stops now .

Cool. Thanks! I'm trying to find some info in that rebate but I'm not finding any. Anyone have a link to it?

Cam mentioned the enterprise plans. These, for me, are the ONLY way to go with the inreach. You must call them to set it up, even though the instructions that come in the box tell you to set it up online. Here is a link to the enterprise plans:

http://www.delorme.com/library/hardware/inreach/pdf/Enterprise_inReach_SE_Sell_Sheet.pdf

I couldn't find this year's rebates either, but they are on sale at REI right now...

https://www.rei.com/product/877499/delorme-inreach-explorer-satellite-messenger