Aldaron
Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2012
- Messages
- 1,487
I got the original Spot when they first came out, and I really liked it. But recently Delorme dropped their partnership with Spot and created the inReach using the Iridium satellites. I wondered why Delorme would drop their partnership with Spot after just a year, so I started watching Spot's website and noticed that they almost never updated anything or even added any new news stories to the site. This got me worried that they weren't remaining as committed to the product as they used to be.
So I started researching the inReach, and I really liked what I saw. Like you, Nick, I wanted the option to send text messages over the system, but I didn't want to give up the option of using the unit as a stand-alone device...the Connect can only send SOS messages without using the phone. It seemed very risky to me to tie my daily check-in messages to the batteries of two devices: the Spot and the phone. If the phone battery died, then I wouldn't be able to check-in while on a solo trip, and people back home would probably get worried enough to send out SAR...I mean, isn't that what I want them to do if I don't check in? Which would mean that if my phone battery died with the Connect, then I would probably have to cut my trip short to avoid an unnecessary SAR.
But the inReach eliminates that problem. It connects to the phone for sending AND receiving text messages, but it can also send three different canned messages in stand-alone mode. People with the link to your inReach web page can send you messages, and they can also "ping" your device to find out where you are. The inReach also receives confirmation from the system that your message is delivered, so you don't have to leave it running for 20 minutes just to be sure the message went out. The inReach app on the phone also comes with the Delorme topo maps...which are very nice. And, of course, the Iridium system is truly worldwide, while the Globalstar system used by the Spot isn't truly worldwide.
The inReach device and the service plans are more expensive...that was the biggest drawback.
But I splurged anyway and deactivated the Spot. So far, I've only used it twice, but I really do like it. Since it gets confirmation of message delivery, it only takes about 1-2 minutes to send a message...that's the part I like the best so far. It grabs a signal very quickly, which is nice. I like the idea that I can send typed text messages, but I suspect I won't use the feature that much, simply because I'm too lazy! I especially like that I can receive messages...I mean, if I'm on a trip and an emergency happens in the "real" world, then it's nice to know my family can get in touch with me.
I'll keep you posted as the summer moves on and I use it more.
Keith
So I started researching the inReach, and I really liked what I saw. Like you, Nick, I wanted the option to send text messages over the system, but I didn't want to give up the option of using the unit as a stand-alone device...the Connect can only send SOS messages without using the phone. It seemed very risky to me to tie my daily check-in messages to the batteries of two devices: the Spot and the phone. If the phone battery died, then I wouldn't be able to check-in while on a solo trip, and people back home would probably get worried enough to send out SAR...I mean, isn't that what I want them to do if I don't check in? Which would mean that if my phone battery died with the Connect, then I would probably have to cut my trip short to avoid an unnecessary SAR.
But the inReach eliminates that problem. It connects to the phone for sending AND receiving text messages, but it can also send three different canned messages in stand-alone mode. People with the link to your inReach web page can send you messages, and they can also "ping" your device to find out where you are. The inReach also receives confirmation from the system that your message is delivered, so you don't have to leave it running for 20 minutes just to be sure the message went out. The inReach app on the phone also comes with the Delorme topo maps...which are very nice. And, of course, the Iridium system is truly worldwide, while the Globalstar system used by the Spot isn't truly worldwide.
The inReach device and the service plans are more expensive...that was the biggest drawback.
But I splurged anyway and deactivated the Spot. So far, I've only used it twice, but I really do like it. Since it gets confirmation of message delivery, it only takes about 1-2 minutes to send a message...that's the part I like the best so far. It grabs a signal very quickly, which is nice. I like the idea that I can send typed text messages, but I suspect I won't use the feature that much, simply because I'm too lazy! I especially like that I can receive messages...I mean, if I'm on a trip and an emergency happens in the "real" world, then it's nice to know my family can get in touch with me.
I'll keep you posted as the summer moves on and I use it more.
Keith
Moderator Note: this discussion began in the Spot Connect thread but I split it into it's own discussion.