Blazman234":190mvevh said:
.....anyone with expirence good or bad with the inreach? Thanks in advance nick
The Delorme Inreach is GREAT! I paid the 80 bucks more and got the Explorer model, although I subscribe to the "Cheapie Charlie" 11.95/mo. plan. This allows me unlimited "pre-typed" messages of unlimited recipients, of the 3 pre-stored messages it can hold. Overages to that plan are 50 cents per "ad hoc" typed e-mails or texts. That 11.95 plan however, does allow 10 free typed on the spot, messages per month. The LCD screen allows "2-way" interaction as well with First Responders when using the SOS button. Hands down superior over the SPOT product. Just remember that with your unlimited messages of 3 "pre-stored" (canned) messages, that they can only go to e-mails. If you want to go as texts to cell as well (SMS), pre-store the phone # in this format....
[email protected] (for Verizon) recipients. In this case you would have to know your recipients provider. This is not the case if you have a more expensive monthly plan, or are willing to pay the "per message" overage.
Another great feature is that someone you allow can "ping" your position without you intervening. You can also set up to automatically send recipients your position, as frequent as set up as frequent as every 2.5 minutes (10 cents per point, or needs more expensive plan), or hours between intervals. Your position (coordinates) go out in your messages too. The recipient can click an included link to pop up a map of earth, showing where you are. When zooming in close enough on that map, shows real images of maps, such as Google Earth" images.
My 3 preset messages are adequate to let my wife know I'm "Out of the boat & in the water', or " I'm OK and IN the boat. 3rd message I use for " I'm Ok but having difficulty/delay". Messages limited to 160 characters.
InReach allows you also to stop & start service on monthly intervals, or upgrade/downgrade your plan. 9-1/2 months seems to be the break-even point on the 11.95 plan to do this, so I save slightly by using annual plan. Some plans go to $80/month. Many "home page" screen icons allowing you to do much. Packed with features but works fast and flawlessly. I love it!
Edit... When configuring preset messages, recipients, account preferences, etc. online on their site, there is a large field for paragraph of "comments" that I use as a "float-plan" in the event I have to use the SOS function. The GEOS monitoring center monitors 140 countries (out of Texas), and contacts 1st responders in your area. I remark on the local Coast guard base. I update this paragraph on the night before a dive, with the current date. This way they take an SOS more seriously without confirming through your contacts if is false alarm. (I also update the coast guard's database this way for my MMSI # for VHF DSC functionality). InReach uses the most reliable Iridium satellite network of 66 low orbiting satellites. 100% global coverage. When your messages go through, you hear an audible tone seconds later, unlike an EPIRB that you wonder & hope for hours that it went through. (plus 2-way interaction with responders on-screen).