After using the inReach device extensively last month, I thought I would post a review here for the "brats". I was able to test the me
I have the inReach for smartphones device http://www.inreachcanada.com/inreach-for-smartphones/ which uses bluetooth to connect to android or iOS phones and tablets with the Earthmate app.
I used the device while mostly out of cell and wifi range while in Kyuquot Sound and the Broughtons. For the month of August I chose the expedition plan ($50/month). For the rest of the time I plan to leave it on the suspended plan ($4/month) until I am on another big trip out of range.
For me, the big benefit of this device is two way text messages. I was able to communicate easily with family and with Bob Austin (thataway) with it,and he was able to pass updates onto the forum.
You can see the result of the messages and track I used during August at the mapshare page: https://share.delorme.com/e0c37e380a224f938d54c7db580c0c5a. You can filter dates and types of messages, and choose whether you want a topo, aerial or road map. I found the tracking feature to be pretty nice, but you can pretty much only plan to use it extensively with the expedition plan. I wish I could turn off "connecting the dots" since the 10 minute interval often has me crossing land!
The service can also post messages to facebook and twitter. If you use a blog, it can post a brief message and location to the blog via email. You can also request a location from the mapshare page.
Another bonus is that all the data is saved (unlike SPOT) and I have data from over a year ago. You can also export the data to KML or GPX file formats...
I still have and plan to keep my SPOT messenger. It is a first generation one and the plan costs me $100 per year, so I feel it is a good backup safety device.
Let me know if you have questions.
I have the inReach for smartphones device http://www.inreachcanada.com/inreach-for-smartphones/ which uses bluetooth to connect to android or iOS phones and tablets with the Earthmate app.
I used the device while mostly out of cell and wifi range while in Kyuquot Sound and the Broughtons. For the month of August I chose the expedition plan ($50/month). For the rest of the time I plan to leave it on the suspended plan ($4/month) until I am on another big trip out of range.
For me, the big benefit of this device is two way text messages. I was able to communicate easily with family and with Bob Austin (thataway) with it,and he was able to pass updates onto the forum.
You can see the result of the messages and track I used during August at the mapshare page: https://share.delorme.com/e0c37e380a224f938d54c7db580c0c5a. You can filter dates and types of messages, and choose whether you want a topo, aerial or road map. I found the tracking feature to be pretty nice, but you can pretty much only plan to use it extensively with the expedition plan. I wish I could turn off "connecting the dots" since the 10 minute interval often has me crossing land!
The service can also post messages to facebook and twitter. If you use a blog, it can post a brief message and location to the blog via email. You can also request a location from the mapshare page.
Another bonus is that all the data is saved (unlike SPOT) and I have data from over a year ago. You can also export the data to KML or GPX file formats...
I still have and plan to keep my SPOT messenger. It is a first generation one and the plan costs me $100 per year, so I feel it is a good backup safety device.
Let me know if you have questions.