Thread: Inreach Explorer

Hey Ryan
Yeah I just bought one, the SE model. I've no need for the extra functions on the Explorer model as I have a separate gps. I think they are fantastic. Basic, but great.

The beauty of them is that you can send SMS text msgs or emails to another phone using the satellite network. Every text etc you send contains a clickable link so the receiver can use that to open a google earth type map to see where it was sent from. You can also drop markers so people can follow you. Also has a SOS function like a PLB.
Other features like send me a weather forecast are cool too. You can even set up a "follow my trip" on Facebook if you're that way inclined lol

Like scottrods said I've had one on trial and ended up buying one as I do quite a bit of hunting solo and the ability to send a text back home to say "don't worry, rivers high. Will be a day late" etc is worth a million bucks.

Downsides? Well the input screen is very basic. Cursor to each letter of your msg and press select etc. but you can Bluetooth it to your phone instead and then the Unit just stays in your pack and you use your phone to send etc via a clever free app. It's not too bad to be honest. It needs a clear line of sight to sky to see the satellites so doesn't send under a tin roof but does work through a windscreen or in the top of your pack.

There's a one off cost for the unit and then a monthly subscription. The basic sub which I went for is $26 ish per month which buys you so many texts and pin drops etc, then you pay on top if you go over. Nice touch is that you can suspend your sub if you like say over winter when you may not use the unit (reduces the sub to $6USD per month)

Internal rechargeable battery via USB cable. I set it so that everything was draining batteries as hard as poss on a recent trip and got a weekend out of the battery (dropping markers every 10 mins continuously)

Hope that helps , Stu
PS Tony kiwigps is the man for these

PPS the funny dots on the screen on my photo are just my camera, you don't see those on the unit