NZMaule wrote:So if I understand this correctly the InReach can report a track but only communicates this externally at 10 minute intervals? If that’s the case what’s the point (in the aviation environment) of having 1 minute logging only to send the data so long afterwards?
For example if you go down and your unit is destroyed 8 minutes after the last download/upload of tracking data, your last position report for anyone to find you is 8 minutes in any direction, (although the previous track may give some indication of the direction you were intending to travel). Or am I interpreting this wrong?

I like the InReach (I have multiple units for work) but for some reason we don’t use them as an aircraft tracking device but perhaps we should if they can genuinely update every 1 or 2 minutes like the Spidertracks and TracPlus units we currently use.

With the proper plan the inReach will send track points up to the satellite at as little as 1 minute intervals. I have one of the Enterprise plans. Some plans only allow 10 minute tracking. Do not get confused by the internal bread crumb trail. This is not what is transmitted to the satellite. The inReach only sends one point at a time at what ever interval you designate. The 2nd gen and newer SPOT will send the current location plus the last 2 or 3 because the SPOT has no idea if the satellite received any transmission. The inReach knows the satellite got it because the satellite tells it.

Great info thanks, been using these for several years funny how you don’t explore their full potential when only using them in a specific role.

I have the normal plan and 10 minute bread crumbs and find it's plenty good enough. If I'm in trouble I can hit the button, if I don't get to the button, then some simple math combined with the last three points should give someone a very good idea of where I am. Also I have a 406mhz elt that is gps fed.

Works great for me.

rw2 wrote:

Alaskan Tin Can wrote:You can set the inReach to record as low as 1 second log intervals of your location but it will only send that data out every 10 minutes for my recreation plan. It sure eats up the battery quick though

Unless they have changed things, the 1 second (or indeed anything less than 10 minutes on the 10 minute plan) only gets logged locally. It never gets sent to the satellite. You can only access that data once you get back to civilization and sync your InReach with the cloud.

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't ever/ haven't ever synced mine except for plugging it in when I first bought it.
I initially set it to 1 minute log intervals with 10 minute reporting for a few trips and it showed the 1 minute trail on the internet tracking page my wife watches. It consumed too much battery though, so I leave it at 10 minute log intervals.
I roll with the AKSCHU philosophy.

Alaskan Tin Can wrote:I'm not 100% sure, but I don't ever/ haven't ever synced mine except for plugging it in when I first bought it.
I initially set it to 1 minute log intervals with 10 minute reporting for a few trips and it showed the 1 minute trail on the internet tracking page my wife watches.

Run the experiment and tell us what you see. I'll do the same for the sake of precision, but I'm at a 90% confidence level that when I did approximately the same thing a few days ago that the additional points didn't show up until I tether to USB

Alaskan Tin Can wrote:It consumed too much battery though, so I leave it at 10 minute log intervals.
I roll with the AKSCHU philosophy.

100% on the multiple layers approach. The InReach will show where I was, and as was previously noted, the vast, vast, vast majority of the time where I end up on the ground is gonna be pretty much inline of flight with the previous breadcrumbs. Absent that, I have three "touch" items that are always in the same place and always easy to grab.

1) Batteries for the ANR. Pure comfort item. They are in a zippered pouch that contains only fresh batteries. The dead ones collect in the bottom of the flight bag.

2) Handheld radio. I've actually lost comms and used light gun signals. Now I have a handheld that works (i.e. not the Sporty's POS) and can find it by touch next to the battery bag.

3) PLB. In the pouch behind the passenger seat. Of the three, the easiest to grab. It's part of the S in the ABCDs emergency checklist when I practice it. Airspeed, Best Field, restart Checklist, Declare an emergency, Secure the plane.

My Secure checklist is: Crack open the door(s), Power off the electrical, Cut off the gas (if engine is totally dead), Tighten the seatbelts, Grab the PLB.

I've got the Inreach Plus and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I've carried a PLB since the little GPS-enabled ones came out. I've been on the fence about getting SPOT or In Reach. Now that I'm about the bite the bullet on installing a 1090ES ADS-B system, I'm wondering if SPOT or In Reach tracking systems add any value. This article from Avweb suggests not: https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Aireon-Clarifies-GA-Services-231456-1.html.

One of the commentors on the article says "I think the US should eliminate the requirement for an ELT for 1090ES ADS-B equipped aircraft. The huge network of amateur 1090ES receivers, the official ones operated by the FAA, and the satellite receiver array operated by Aireon make having an ELT unnecessary. An ADS-B derived crash detection algorithm would do far better and have far less false alarms than ELTs, even the new 406 MHz ELTs, and there is no search any more."

Does anyone know if SPOT or In Reach type tracking systems provide more accurate fixes than 1090ES ADS-B? ADS-B should be receiving Lat-Long positions, just like the other systems. Are the satellite networks different?

CAVU

I have the inreach mini and have used it frequently over the past 3 weeks. It is perfect- small enough to always have it with you regardless of your method of travel and works as a stand alone unit (no cell phone) just fine. I typed several messages due to a medical emergency at another location and it works well. Just remember , if you are so far off the grid that a cell phone won’t work, you probably have the extra 30 seconds it will take you to type a message on the device. Battery life has not been an issue at all, and I have been on foot for all of my recent travels. Messaging is a fast as a cell phone text message, way better than expected. Have fun.

CAVU wrote:I've carried a PLB since the little GPS-enabled ones came out. I've been on the fence about getting SPOT or In Reach.

If the only reason to get an InReach is for SAR then you're probably fine. For me, the day to day convenience of being able to communicate is easily worth the price of admission on its own. Add to that the ability to organize help in the event of a disabled aircraft (which happens far more than wrecks and doesn't require SAR to be sending out helicopters) and the case is even stronger.

You do not have to tear her the inReach via usb to update the 1 min pings. I know this cause only feathered mine a total of maybe 3 times. I think it will send the tracking points if you are on Bluetooth and you have service.

AK_Logan wrote:You do not have to tear her the inReach via usb to update the 1 min pings. I know this cause only feathered mine a total of maybe 3 times. I think it will send the tracking points if you are on Bluetooth and you have service.

So not via satellite, right? Tethered via Bluetooth?

rw2 wrote:

AK_Logan wrote:You do not have to tear her the inReach via usb to update the 1 min pings. I know this cause only feathered mine a total of maybe 3 times. I think it will send the tracking points if you are on Bluetooth and you have service.

So not via satellite, right? Tethered via Bluetooth?

I think so yes. 10 minute updates to space. And the one min updates are uploaded at a different time via cell phone, Bluetooth, magic?

AK_Logan wrote:

rw2 wrote:

AK_Logan wrote:You do not have to tear her the inReach via usb to update the 1 min pings. I know this cause only feathered mine a total of maybe 3 times. I think it will send the tracking points if you are on Bluetooth and you have service.

So not via satellite, right? Tethered via Bluetooth?

I think so yes. 10 minute updates to space. And the one min updates are uploaded at a different time via cell phone, Bluetooth, magic?

I'll see if I can validate that. That would be an interesting feature that I wasn't aware of...

I've got the SpotX unit, and I don't like it. It looks like a Blackberry. The buttons for text and other functions have crappy contacts so it is hard to make them register. I like the idea of being able to send and receive text messages, but the reality of using this little unit had been immensely frustrating.

I have had the Inreach SE for a few years and have been very happy with it.
One thing that might have been mentioned but I did bot see here is that prerecorded texts are unlimited and free.
When I am off the grid in a favorite landing area in Northern Maine I will send a preset text that I have landed safely and the fishing is either great or not so good. Its a handy tool to have and not add up the text message costs.