GPS and Personal Locators Question

[appleseeds]

Another vote for the delorme inreach. I'm usually solo, for both hiking and backpacking, so the 2-way messaging and location lookup is reassuring for my wife. It's also nice for providing more detail to SAR should that be necessary. I don't use the constant tracking, so Delorme's safety plan is perfect for me. It's about the same cost as SPOT service, and it's cheaper if you only activate it for part of the year via the freedom plan options. The device itself is more expensive, but it'll balance out in a few years since I expect to suspend service for part of the year.

[Nelson]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to import GPX Tracks to the device? Is it easy to import tracks from 14ers.com?

Nelson

[Sean Nunn]

I use the ACR. No monthly/yearly fee, and since I don't PLAN to use it, that is fine with me. It is a once per 5 years insurance policy to me.

Rob,

Can you elaborate on what the ACR is for the benefit of us uninformed? It sounds exactly like what I need. I cringe at the idea of spending $150/year for something that I don't plan to ever use. But I would like some type of emergency locator if I was ever really in trouble or I happened upon someone in dire straights.

[acidchylde]

I use the ACR. No monthly/yearly fee, and since I don't PLAN to use it, that is fine with me. It is a once per 5 years insurance policy to me.

Rob,
Can you elaborate on what the ACR is for the benefit of us uninformed? It sounds exactly like what I need. I cringe at the idea of spending $150/year for something that I don't plan to ever use. But I would like some type of emergency locator if I was ever really in trouble or I happened upon someone in dire straights.

Probably referring to one of these PLBs: https://www.acrartex.com/products/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

REI has one model at $270 and another at $500: https://www.rei.com/product/843146/acr- ... tor-beacon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LoveThisSite]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to import GPX Tracks to the device? Is it easy to import tracks from 14ers.com?

Nelson

It is possible to import a gpx file for the inReach. Head over to the "Map" in your online account, and there should be a button to import a gpx file.
You next sync the device and the tracks and waypoints should appear on the device.

Note, however, that inReach does not have a base map, so all you'll see on the device is a track. Probably only useful as a backup option in case your primary GPS fails.
I pair my iphone running GaiaGPS with the inReach (turn blutooth on, keep phone in airplane mode), and have been very happy with the usability and battery life.

[scottaskinger]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to import GPX Tracks to the device? Is it easy to import tracks from 14ers.com?

Nelson

Note, however, that inReach does not have a base map, so all you'll see on the device is a track. Probably only useful as a backup option in case your primary GPS fails.
I pair my iphone running GaiaGPS with the inReach (turn blutooth on, keep phone in airplane mode), and have been very happy with the usability and battery life.

Reviving this thread as I'm trying to make a decision on a device(s) to use. My goal is to have GPS for mapping/waypoints (secondary navigation), basic contact with wife to check in and SOS availability in case of emergency. I also want to go as light as possible. In the past I've used the following:

1. Garmin GPS and SPOT. Worked pretty good. Only weakness was lack of specific communication with wife and confirmation that she received messages.

I almost always hike alone on more obscure routes/ridges so to satisfy my wife's insistence on a partner I told her that I would use a Sat phone for better 2 way communication in case of emergency.

2. So I switched to GPS and Sat phone. Works pretty good. The downside is that the Sat phone has very spotty signal, almost always cuts out during conversation and I don't necessarily need voice communication. In addition, I'm paying $50/month all year when I only use it 3 months, it adds 10 ounces to the pack. I'm not overly happy with it.

So then I read all of the praise about the InReach Explorer and got excited. One device, that will provide SOS service, texting with wife and provide mapping/GPS.

3. I was hoping to switch to the InReach Explorer, take advantage of the Freedom plan and replace my Garmin GPS and Sat phone. However, it is looking more and more like it won't provide the same level of functionality as my Garmin.

Does anybody use their Inreach in place of their GPS? I would like to import detailed topo maps (i.e. http://abovethetimber.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), create routes, upload/transfer my routes to the Inreach, upload GPX files from 14ers, mark waypoints, etc. I think the big question is whether or not the Inreach can have detailed topo maps uploaded to it.

Any feedback is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[martinleroux]

Does anybody use their Inreach in place of their GPS? I would like to import detailed topo maps (i.e. http://abovethetimber.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), create routes, upload/transfer my routes to the Inreach, upload GPX files from 14ers, mark waypoints, etc. I think the big question is whether or not the Inreach can have detailed topo maps uploaded to it. Any feedback is greatly, greatly appreciated.

The InReach Explorer is a strange beast. Like the InReach SE it's great for 2-way satellite text messaging, but as a GPS it's like an entry-level Garmin eTrex from 15 years ago. It only displays tracks and waypoints, not maps. On the positive side, you can import and export tracks and waypoints via explore.delorme.com. Personally I use an InReach SE for messaging and a smartphone GPS app for mapping. If you get an InReach you'll probably want to pair it to a smartphone anyway, because composing messages with the InReach's screen keyboard is quite tedious.

For a detailed comparison of the SE and Explorer see http://andrewskurka.com/2015/delorme-in ... mendations.

[TomPierce]

I agree with Martin re: using the Inreach by itself as a GPS isn't so good. Teeny weeny screen, etc. When I use the Inreach in the field I always pair it with my smartphone if I need to send two way messages, but that's typically at night once in camp. When I'm on the move I just use the Inreach by itself to send preset messages (which I can customize at home), e.g. "At the car, starting here," or "I'm OK, just hiking along," whatever. Super fast...30 seconds? But using the Inreach's keyboard for anything more than a short, simple message is very tedious and slow.

OK, the GPS issue. FWIW, because I'm carrying the smartphone anyway (on which I also have loaded a wilderness first aid manual, a star finder, an airplane identifier, a couple of books on Kindle...camping solo in remote areas is pretty boring at night ) I can use the phone's screen for the Delorme GPS app. It's OK, works fine, plenty big enough and I can plot routes on the PC at home. Accurate, etc etc. But when on the move I don't want to fire both units up, and I just use the phone as my GPS with the Gaia app (and I've upgraded to their Pro/Gold level). Very fast, extremely accurate, I can use a variety of maps or satellite photos and can easily plot custom routes at home; I just use a standard topo map 95% of the time. I do not, however, use it on tracking function, that burns too much power and for the life of me I still can't understand why anyone would want to do so. I don't record meticulous tracks to share with others, I just plot a route at home and follow that. I can get a week's use in the field (and others have calculated 10 days) on a single charge, but I've done some simple mods and use common sense practices to extend battery life (turn off power gutting apps, airplane mode, don't leave it on non-stop, etc etc.) I suspect the people who criticize a smartphone as GPS haven't really ever used one in the field, or they are tracking function junkies.

I am a BIG fan of the Inreach, light years beyond a SPOT.

[scottaskinger]

Thanks Martin and Tom, very helpful!

GPS
After reviewing your responses and also reading Skura's post I think I'm leaning towards using the smartphone for GPS, which I have with me anyway for pics, music, kindle and route info. I need to look into battery management though, I can't even imagine getting 7 days of usage out of it. I was already considering a portable charger in the 5 oz. range...I think I will add it.

I'm going to look at the Gaia app but a question for you iPhone/GPS users. How are using the GPS while you're hiking? Is your phone on (screen off) the entire time you're hiking? Is it keeping trip data (i.e. pace, mileage, etc.)? Is it recording your route? Are you marking waypoints? Or do you use it for backup navigation if you REALLY need it? I'm just curious how this type of functionality would work without killing the battery. Can you elaborate a little?

Emergencies
Sunk cost in Sat phone + $50/month ($600 annually) vs. $300 for Inreach + $100/year (lowest freedom plan for 6 months + some fees, etc.). Add in that I think I prefer texting (easier, more reliable) over a sat phone call, which seems to cut out every 2 min and disconnect. I'm probably going to go with the Inreach moving forward.

Overall
Add Inreach at about 7 ozs., lose sat phone at 10 ozs. Lose GPS at about 9 ozs. Keep iPhone for GPS. Add battery charger at about 6 ozs. So, losing some weight in the pack and saving money on the sat phone fees. Win-win as long as gaia app works for me.

Thanks again,
Scott

[Old Hickory]

Scott: What GPS app would you recommend for an iPhone?

[scottaskinger]

Scott: What GPS app would you recommend for an iPhone?

I haven't used GPS on an iPhone yet but TomPierce recommended Gaia and that is what Andrew Skurpa uses as well, http://andrewskurka.com/2015/delorme-in ... mendations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Additionally, it rates well in the app store. I'm going to try it out but I'm trying to figure out the pricing. It looks like $20 for the app for the phone and it looks like an additional $40/year for the mapping data and a lot more. I'm still researching what the "and a lot more" means.

[Old Hickory]

Scott: What GPS app would you recommend for an iPhone?

I haven't used GPS on an iPhone yet but TomPierce recommended Gaia and that is what Andrew Skurpa uses as well, http://andrewskurka.com/2015/delorme-in ... mendations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Additionally, it rates well in the app store. I'm going to try it out but I'm trying to figure out the pricing. It looks like $20 for the app for the phone and it looks like an additional $40/year for the mapping data and a lot more. I'm still researching what the "and a lot more" means.

Thanks!