187 replies to this topic

[Freebird]

In the PNW there can be a HUGE difference between 99 road miles and 99 mi radius.
I expect they use road miles, but stranger things/interpretations of fine print have surprised me in the past.
It is best to know what you have, but fine print is everywhere these days.

[BILL98388]

DeLorme has posted their holiday rebate on the inReach system.

 

http://www.inreachdelorme.com/

 

I believe that I saw a $100 price reduction at the NW Overland Expo last fall.

 

Bill

[BILL98388]

Just realized that REI members may be holding a recent catalog mailing with a 20% off coupon.  REI has inReach.  My coupon expires 11-23-2015...on my way.

 

Bill

[Bosque Bill]

Just realized that REI members may be holding a recent catalog mailing with a 20% off coupon.  REI has inReach.  My coupon expires 11-23-2015...on my way.

 

 

Hold your horses, Bill.

 

I thought the same thing a couple of years ago, but I was pointed to the fine print which excluded this device. See http://www.rei.com/coupon which says: Discounts not valid on ... any item with GPS technology, activity trackers, personal locator beacons....

 

I bought it there anyway, because with my member annual rebate that was the best price then available.

[BILL98388]

I looked, you are correct.  Thank you.

 

I'll probably go ahead with purchase too.

 

Do you still use it and is it a valuable emergency tool?

 

Bill

[Bosque Bill]

Do you still use it and is it a valuable emergency tool?

 

I use it every day while traveling and camping to send out what I call "breadcrumbs" using the unlimited pre-set messages function. Thankfully, I've never had to test the SOS function.

 

My 3 preset messages equate to "I'm OK" and 1) I'm traveling in my truck, 2) I'm hiking from here, and 3) I'm camped here for tonight. Since I travel alone and often take backroads and jeep trails, leaving a trail gives those who care about me some comfort. Plus they can click the link in the generated email and see precisely where I am on the DeLorme topo map webpage.

 

I subscribe to the Safety Plan, since I only use it during camping season - $30 annually, plus $15/mo of use. I've just deactivated my plan for the year and will start it up next spring. I also buy the rescue "insurance" for $20/year, if I remember right. This provides 2x $50,000 in case of air lift, S&R, etc costs.

[craig333]

Ah crap. REI. One more address I need to update /sigh

[Vic]

Well took the plunge and just cancelled my SPOT that was going to autorenew next week and plan to pick up an inReach this week.  The big factor was the ability to 2-way text - seems like a cheap insurance for vehicle breakdowns and non-emergency accidents.

 

 Probably will just get the SE model and probably will just get the Safety Plan.

 

By the way, I assume its pretty easy to turn on/off the location pings and tracking points?  At a dime a piece that would add up.  

 

Thx - Vic

[Advmoto18]

I've been using the InReach for over a year.  I like it, but, then never owned a SPOT so nothing to compare to.

 

2-way TM is not instantaneous and may not occur during a cup of coffee.   On my IDBDR trip this past August, it took as long as 20 minutes for my TM to uplink.

 

More importantly, the device works as advertised.  Further, I like the ability to alter my plan to a less expensive plan if I am not traveling to remote locations or out of cellular coverage.

[Bosque Bill]

Probably will just get the SE model and probably will just get the Safety Plan.

 

By the way, I assume its pretty easy to turn on/off the location pings and tracking points?  At a dime a piece that would add up.  

 

Vic, the SE model is a good device; the fancier model that tries to completely replace a hiking style GPS does not quite do the job, I've heard. I like the ability of the SE device to connect to my phone or tablet via Bluetooth using the inReach app, primarily for non-emergency texting on a better keyboard.

 

The functions of your device, including pings, etc. is controlled via the website at explore.delorme.com, as I recall. You set the addresses for emails and compose your pre-set messages there, too. You connect to your computer via cable and sync your device. They occasionally update the device firmware using this method, too.