gahi wrote:On the inreach, if its wired to a switched power supply, will it turn on and start tracking automatically? If so, that would be a huge advantage for me.

Neither my first-generation Delorme nor my current Mini has that capability. It would certainly be nice, though, along with an external antenna jack so I wouldn't have to carry my Inreach outside from my metal-roofed cabin every time I want to send a text.

gahi wrote:On the inreach, if its wired to a switched power supply, will it turn on and start tracking automatically? If so, that would be a huge advantage for me.

When I had an "Enterprise" plan through Delorme, my original Inreach would begin tracking on power up. It also allowed for 2 minute tracking intervals. I have not been able to do the same through Garmin.

Dang, i thought I saw that capability mentioned somewhere. I guess the bandwidth would be used up a lot more if everyone had it set to auto. Yes, the external antenna would be nice too.

I have the in reach mount wired into my Cub. It turns on and off when I start and shut down the plane.
DENNY

DENNY wrote:I have the in reach mount wired into my Cub. It turns on and off when I start and shut down the plane.
DENNY

When you say "inreach mount", what is that, and how does it connect power from the plane to the Inreach?

Edit: I Googled it and see that it will work with the SE model but don't know if the mini will sense a power signal at its USB port.

I still have the Enterprise plan with my inReach and it powers up and goes into tracking mode automatically when I turn the planes master on. When I turn the master off it automatically stops tracking and shuts down. It's a true hands off device. As for power I have a cig lighter plug installed under the panel. I have a USB bug plugged into that and a standard USB cable I had laying around to power it. No inReach specific cradle needed. For the plane I have it set to two minute points while moving and 4 hour points when stopped.

I feel as though the spot would work well for what you want. I have had amazing success with my gen3, use the 2.5 minute interval tracking. I would like a Garmin Inreach for the texting functionality, but don't want to pay the price. Despite what many say, the SPOT works great in the southern half of alaska and have used it up to fairbanks no issue. The Garmin is a higher end product, but the spot can be uber cheap.

There is a reason its "Uber Cheap"

asa wrote:I feel as though the spot would work well for what you want. I have had amazing success with my gen3, use the 2.5 minute interval tracking. I would like a Garmin Inreach for the texting functionality, but don't want to pay the price. Despite what many say, the SPOT works great in the southern half of alaska and have used it up to fairbanks no issue. The Garmin is a higher end product, but the spot can be uber cheap.

Having owned a Gen 3 SPOT, a SPOTX, and an inReach Mini, I think the Gen 3 SPOT is the best bang for the buck by a wide margin. The SPOTX does a good job of texting, if that’s important. I bought the Mini because the RAF was selling them in a promotion and, frankly, I wanted to have what the Cool Kids had. [I’m awfully old for FOMO, but there it is. . .] It’s fine as long as the cell phone is working.

SPOT does deserve its reputation for bad customer service. If you want to cancel, you just have to remember to do it well in advance.

I just have a simple bare bones, no fees, PLB. I don't feel the need for more. I am afraid of altering my inflight decision making process ( ), by knowing I have an electronic babysitter to save my bacon if I make a dumb decision. The basic PLB does enough of that already....but damn it IS nice knowing it's in my pocket.

It's the same reason I don't have a full coverage insurance policy, if I wreck my plane it's going to be all up to me to rebuild it, the money and the time. That knowledge helps me fly safer. The fact that it also has saved me quite a bit of money over the years is irrelevant, but a welcome byproduct.

InReach is great for the Pacific Islands and Australia where there is no cellphone communication. Nice to be able to text back home and get updates etc.. I carry a couple of PLBs also.

I remember once camping ⛺️ at a very remote beach on Frazer Island, QLD, AUS and getting a call on my Iridium 9500 there was a family issue (my mother in-law broke her hip). My wife and I could then coordinated how we could return to Hawaii quicker. Without Iridium based communications it could of been several weeks until we were informed.

And for ocean sailing InReach is a literally a mandatory item. Would be insane without one.

Carry on men...

I bought my inReach because I lived and flew in Alaska and Spot was unreliable up there.

I still have it for a couple of reasons:
-The Explorer plans are affordable and easy to start/pause as my flying seasons change
- I've never once had a signal drop-out
- My wife can send me a message when I'm beyond cell coverage, letting me know literally anything she thinks is important enough to take the time to send

I thought about downgrading to a Spot a couple of years ago, then I had a kid. I want to be in reach (get it?) no matter where I am.

gahi wrote:On the inreach, if its wired to a switched power supply, will it turn on and start tracking automatically? If so, that would be a huge advantage for me.

Auto power: yes (https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... 9AA3B.html)

Auto tracking: yes (https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... E3C35.html)

SPOT must be getting desperate; they offered to send me a Gen 3 for free if I agreed to continue my service (as of today). I didn't have any serious issues like needing to get rescued and it didn't work, but there were plenty of times my messages wouldn't go out like the canned "I'm ok" texts you can send home; and the tracking didn't always work, so It's questionable if and when I really needed it, that it would work. I originally got the Spot years ago as a piece of mind as I'm solo out in the Backcountry often where there's no cell service. My coworker uses the Inreach and raves about how good it is and will be making the switch to Garmin.

To all who participated in this discussion: Thank you very much for your opinions and insights on the various products. It has been extremely informative, and (as you'll see below) very beneficial!

I am in the process of acquiring an airplane that is located about 1000 miles away from "home", with some pretty large mountains and some really remote desert areas that have to be crossed to get it home. I casually mentioned this discussion to my wife the other day, telling her that I thought the InReach Mini might be a good "peace of mind" tool.

She asked a few questions about how it worked, and then told me that I WOULD purchase one before I would be "cleared" to go pick up the new-to-me airplane... That's how much "peace of mind" it will bring to her.

I had been eyeing the RAF "package" including the InReach Mini, and pulled the trigger on the order over the weekend. Today, I received word today that it's on its way to me. Another "just in time" delivery!

So thanks again for this timely (for me) discussion!

rw2 wrote:Auto power: yes (https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... 9AA3B.html)

Auto tracking: yes (https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... E3C35.html)

Thanks!

rw2 wrote:

gahi wrote:On the inreach, if its wired to a switched power supply, will it turn on and start tracking automatically? If so, that would be a huge advantage for me.

Auto power: yes (https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... 9AA3B.html)

Auto tracking: yes (https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... E3C35.html)

Note that this applies to the OTHER InReach devices, but NOT to the Mini... (At least per the Garmin website.) It does NOT appear that the InReach Mini has this capability. If it's important to you, you might want to go with the Explorer or SE...

There's an explorer for sale on the SC website.