sat phone or inreach

25contender · Jul 8, 2015

Been intrigued with the Inreach but haven't heard much about it. I have used a SPOT messenger for the past few years and send pre-programmed messages with it. I haven't had any issues with the spot and all messages sent go through very fast.

mntnguide · Jul 8, 2015

I've heard great things about inreach and that's probably the direction i will go when i get a messenger for solo trips. ..sat phones are just damn expensive. .you can always rent one if you want it for just a single trip though. ..ive used sat phones for years in the wilderness. ..and their have been many days where i was cussing them waiting for signal.

ScottR · Jul 8, 2015

Brandon Mason just did a fairly comprehensive review in the latest EBJ, this should be pretty helpful.

Umpqua Hunter · Jul 8, 2015

Does the Inreach graphically track on a map online? I like that about my SPOT since at any time my wife can actually see where I am at and that I am "alive" and on the move, even if I am not sending messages.

So to tell a quick story about using a SPOT...when I was sheep hunting in Wyoming in 2009 my wife (fiancee' then) woke up early and was watching my progress online on the SPOT website, she then began to see I was making circles and prayed I would find what ever I was looking for. On my end, I had shot my ram at first light from an elevated pinnacle as he was crossing a small opening in the timber. I wasn't even positive the shot had connected. When I got over to where he was at, I was making circles trying to locate some sign and becoming more and more concerned and discouraged. I sat down by a tiny patch of melting snow and began eating some snow. from ground level, about 80 yards ahead I could see my ram down. It was a huge relief and in a way, my wife got to "experience" it with me.

The Inreach intrigues me since I would like two way messaging capabilities.

25contender · Jul 8, 2015

Good story!! My wife watches my progress as well. I always like to come home and look at all the tracks I put down. It is neat to look at after the hunt.

Umpqua Hunter said:
Does the Inreach graphically track on a map online? I like that about my SPOT since at any time my wife can actually see where I am at and that I am "alive" and on the move, even if I am not sending messages.

So to tell a quick story about using a SPOT...when I was sheep hunting in Wyoming in 2009 my wife (fiancee' then) woke up early and was watching my progress online on the SPOT website, she then began to see I was making circles and prayed I would find what ever I was looking for. On my end, I had shot my ram at first light from an elevated pinnacle as he was crossing a small opening in the timber. I wasn't even positive the shot had connected. When I got over to where he was at, I was making circles trying to locate some sign and becoming more and more concerned and discouraged. I sat down by a tiny patch of melting snow and began eating some snow. from ground level, about 80 yards ahead I could see my ram down. It was a huge relief and in a way, my wife got to "experience" it with me.

The Inreach intrigues me since I would like two way messaging capabilities.

AKaviator · Jul 8, 2015

I've rented a SAT phone for most of my extended trips and have always been satisfied with them. If you don't spend a lot of time chatting, the batteries last plenty long enough. (I always have 2 batteries).

I have been looking into the Inreach lately. I like how small they are and all of the functions that they are capable of. The thing that worries me the most is the battery life. The Inreach has an internal battery that they claim has 100 hours of life. That may be in perfect world scenario, it could be less. It can be hard to charge an internal battery out in the field. With all the tracking and GPS functions that use the power, I would hope that a person could have a couple spare batteries that could be changed in the field.

I'll probably get one before this Fall though.

Umpqua Hunter · Jul 8, 2015

I am assuming that you could carry a spare battery with a USB cable, the kind used to recharge mobile phones and tablets. Not sure about that though.

AKaviator · Jul 8, 2015

It looks as though you can. I may have to give it a try.

Don K · Jul 8, 2015

I bought a In-reach and used it for two weeks in the Colorado Wilderness last year. I used to use a Spot, and IMO the In-reach leaves the Spot in the dust.

Two way communication is awesome. Being able to get a hold of your packer, your wife being able to to get a hold of you if there's a emergency, and being able to let your partner know you have something down is priceless. Is it perfect? No, but its darn close and better than my Spot was, cheaper and smaller than the Sat phone I have rented, and I love having to pay for only the months you need it

I picked up a small solar charger off Amazon and used that to charge my In-reach when needed.

If one is going to buy one you can get them at a discount if you look around. I picked up mine with at a 100 bucks off last year with a rebate, and a online site that was having 50 dollars off a purchase over 250.

Matthoek21 · Jul 8, 2015

Haven't used a Spot but have rented a sat phone every year I've been out. The sat phone was real handy when my dad broke his leg at the top of Ute Peak. We were able to communicate with search and rescue to get my dad off the mountain. This happened on day 1 of our hunt. We were able to stay and hunt and then communicate with my dad for our pickup.
Sat phones with case and extra battery are definitely not light and probably not on Cameron Hanes list of lightweight backpack hunting, but it sure saved our hide in this instance.

ore hunter · Jul 8, 2015

I just purchaced my in-reach as there is a $50 rebate if you bought it in june,,,and sign up to it by july 15th?,,,Im just getting that under way now.the freedom plan minmum like im gonna do allows you to activate by the month needed ,so it appears affordable now.havnt tried it out yet though.

Retterath · Jul 9, 2015

im ordering the delorme inreach explorer which has a compass, waypoints u can put in and also two communication with anyone u want Plus the plans u can buy month to month and you dont have to sign no contract. Im going solo bow hunting in wyoming this year so my wife is buying me the inreach so she can follow me on the computer and also text back and forth. Have never used one but the people that have that i talked to really like it. Also when u hit the SOS button the search and rescue with commuicate back and forth with you and give u eta and they have all your condinates.

Umpqua Hunter · Jul 9, 2015

Is the InReach Explorer worth the extra $80 or so over the InReach SE? I would carry my Garmin for my navigation needs. I really like the idea of two way communications so my wife and others can keep me informed of things on their end.

kiddwinner · Jul 9, 2015

Umpqua Hunter said:
Is the InReach Explorer worth the extra $80 or so over the InReach SE? I would carry my Garmin for my navigation needs. I really like the idea of two way communications so my wife and others can keep me informed of things on their end.

I bought the inreach explorer on ebay brand new for less than the SE. shop around abit!

Don K · Jul 9, 2015

The SE will do what you want you will not need the explorer if your carrying a GPS around. As mentioned look around a bit and you can get a decent deal on one.

Umpqua Hunter · Jul 9, 2015

kiddwinner said:
I bought the inreach explorer on ebay brand new for less than the SE. shop around abit!

Kidd, did you buy new or used?

Umpqua Hunter · Jul 9, 2015

Umpqua Hunter said:
Kidd, did you buy new or used?

Duh...you said brand new didn't you Kidd. I'll keep my eyes open!

sat phone or inreach

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