Considering one of these for my motorcycling and hiking adventures.
On the MC I'm really just looking to have the SOS function and possibly the text function on a VERY limited basis.
For hiking I'd like to be able to use the phone pairing function to see hiking trails etc.. when we are out of cell service. It's my understanding that the app allows Bluetooth to the phone to show the map.
Is anyone using one of these in a similar manner?
If so, your thoughts on the functionality.
What plan are you using?
TIA

I use the Garmin InReach from about 5 years ago that has the little screen, about 1.75" x 2". I don't see it on the current Garmin site.

Good: It works perfectly way out in the hinterlands. GPS location seems superbly accurate. Texting back and forth with my wife always works. The peace of mind for her is priceless, and it does give me some comfort when I am alone away from any people. It can leave periodic gps location updates on a map which you can give access to for your spouse etc.

Bad: I find the website confusing. A route can be plotted ahead of time and downloaded, so you can follow it. I never was able to figure out how to do it easily. The website and instructions use a lot of their jargon, which makes it more difficult to figure out. And, a generic complaint, like many other tech items there is no simple how-to step-by-step instructions for those kinds of things. There is a monthly subscription which isn't terrible, and you can turn it on/off at will, but it's a subscription and easy to forget about and pay for months you're not using it. The breadcrumb function doesn't have great resolution, so you can't really map a hiking trail with any accuracy.

Overall I think it is a good product for the purpose of emergency rescue and to keep in touch with people back home. The mapping stuff hasn't been what I hoped for, mostly probably because the jargon and interface isn't intuitive for me.

Be sure to clip it to your jacket so if you go down it is right there with you. It won't do any good clipped to your bike if you can't get to your bike.

When we went to Utah for a week of hiking in and out of various parks and whatnot, I looked hard at one. All I wanted was PLB functionality and so I went with the less expensive ACR BivyStick instead.

Big mistake. I’m sure it works fine. It’s an ACR beacon, after all. But those bastards bend you over for the satellite subscription fee and don’t use lube.

I deactivated it as soon as they’d allow me to.

The In Reach Mini 2 is what I replaced it with. No complaints.

-Rob

The Garmin GPS67i has satellite connectivity. It is not cheap.

For $30 you can have AllTrails app, download all the trail maps, and look at them without cellular connections.

I have the InReach 2 and use it when on long rides. On my Pan America I also have a Zumo XT for GPS maps, InReach does pair with the Zumo and allows for using the display for sending and receiving messages. Nice and you do not need to have the phone out.

As for plans, Garmin made changes this year and when I'm traveling I’ll set the plan to 5 minute or 2 minute tracking for added details, during the winter I move to suspended plan since I’m not riding.

I’m not aware of the InReach sending GPS back to the phone for maps. Your phone should receive GPS and most mapping apps have “offline” maps that you need to download the region and will update as you move. If you have some details to share let me know.

I carry an Inreach when riding my motorcycle. I’ve never used the SOS feature, but I have used it to text when out of cell range.

It does connect via Bluetooth to the phone, but it won’t help your map situation. Your phone will always have access to the GPS coordinates, but if you’re out of cell range it can’t look up map data.

You’ll need to figure out how to download offline maps for the area you’ll be in. You can do this with google maps. Other nav applications offer similar offline options. Just make sure you do it before you go offline.

Be aware that there are limitations to the signal. If you are in a canyon, heavy tree canopy, or can’t see the sky for some reason it may have trouble getting access. I found this out the hard way, with a busted motorcycle deep into Mexico. I had to hike to the top of a canyon to get signal.

The next issue is keeping them charged. Considering you probably need them most in places where they have no access to electricity, keeping them charged can be a problem if you are relying on them for tracking/weather/coms. Broadcasting to a satellite takes power.

I keep mine charged with USB on the bike. If I were hiking I’d want a big battery bank.

I think they are worth carrying.

I had the original DeLorme in reach that I used for cycling for years. I upgraded to a mini two and reach. It’s amazing. I wouldn’t hesitate to get one and I wouldn’t dream of doing a long motorcycle trip without it.

Also be sure to check the plans and their costs. Some plans you can deactivate if you are not using it for a while, and some do not...or the cost for just leaving it on is negligible.

Also, callphones already have many features you might need. And Elon is launching satellites to facilitate more.

As a side note that may affect your decision tree, most of the cell carriers are going to satellite based when cell towers are not available. This is happening this summer, T-mobile starts tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by alreadydead:
As a side note that may affect your decision tree, most of the cell carriers are going to satellite based when cell towers are not available. This is happening this summer, T-mobile starts tomorrow.

Thanks for this heads up. I need to check in with Verizon (my carrier). Looks like they might have something available.

So, talked to someone at the Verizon store today. Supposedly when I am seeing the SOS letters in the signal portion of the screen the phone will place 911 call but have no other service.
A bit of peace of mind but not sure if that will be enough. Frankly not sure I trust it..

If you have carrier service on a new iPhone 14, 15 or 16, Apple includes two years of satellite iMessage... and it works really well. No group messaging, just one to one basic text. There is also an SOS feature, as mentioned before, that will touch any cellular providers network, but the newer phones will do SOS via satellite if there is NO cellular coverage whatsoever. Details are here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120930

For GPS/maps, also the phone using OnX which my area is downloaded for off network.

I live in north Georgia where my county is over 40% National Forest, so I can attest to the phone working very well regularly for navigation and basic communication via satellite. Nonetheless I have a PLB as a back-up -- personally I like this combination of the PLB and phone.