Spot Gen 3 vs DeLorme inReach • Dello Spot esiste una sola versione: lo Spot Gen 3. While the full, blackberry style keyboard makes message typing a lot easier, it also seems to add weight and bulk. All Rights Reserved. Gaia is vastly better. That is a rather large price difference. Like others I dropped SPOT for InReach and am happy with it. Simply put, you should buy one, learn to use it, and bring it with you on every single wilderness adventure. the Spot X Bluetooth however needed clear line of sight, with the aerial pointing up, to track accurately. Best, -alan. Only testing will tell. If I have gone to the expense of buying and SE+ and then paying for service, I would certainly run it in tracking mode. If she had been more seriously bunged up, the SE+ would have really been a help. Note: that some have success orienting the SPOT flat on the top of their pack, but you need to be creative to get this to work, and you don’t have access to the SPOT while you hike. I have a question, or rather an action I want to validate. I have a a few similar sounding stories about SPOT billing. So read. Highlights: Lowest cost both for unit and data plan, ease of use, only unit to have dedicated phone number for totally transparent messaging between cellular, WiFi, and satellite. Depending on your use and budget one may be a better fit for you. Thanks, Hi Helen, I have returned the SPOT X I had on loan so am unable to do any testing to bring light on this issue. When in tracking mode, carry your inReach or SPOT in the correct position for best transmission (see owner’s manual). For product reviews: unless otherwise noted, products are purchased with my own funds. Compared to Garmin units, SPOT Gen3 uses replaceable AAA Batteries. One other thing to mention is usage model. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Not necessarily so Steven. And Sorry about your experience with SPOT customer support. I’ve had the Delorme explorer for a year and a half now and love it. In your post you say the Zoleo has the lowest subscription rate. Once it has this it can tell the device the best satellites to use and quickly find its position.Â. On PLBs, though, I’d add (for readers) that they’re genuinely dedicated emergency devices, albeit only intended to be activate in genuine emergency situations which require urgent attention. Indeed Brad. Can you help? She forgot to let her husband know she reached the hostel and left the Delorme in her room. Great training grounds. We do have visibility of the sky the entire time but not a lot. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. The SPOT3 is rated to -20F operating temperature and I can pop in new lithium batteries to my heart’s content but I’ve never had to if starting with a fresh set at the start of the trip. See our full review here. Best, -alan. Hope this helps, -alan, I have a Spot X and I want it to communicate with a Garmin InReach Explorer. One comment and one question., To add merit to your above comment, a friend was thru hiking and used the Delorme InReach. So stuff does happen. The Garmin inReach, although incredibly capable on its own, is still a fairly sizeable tool to bring along into the backcountry. If you want a GPS (and think you really will get use of it as a GPS) then the cheapest option would be to get the inReach Explorer+. If you haven’t, you should also read Why You Should Make a Trip Plan and Leave it with Someone for Every Trip. I figured out the sleep thing. Yes, this is a bit confusing. Anyway here goes. I plan to update this post soon with my field testing of the is great device. I love it, but obviously not for hiking (bulk, weight, …). Learn real world results comparing the Spot X 2-way communicator with the Garmin InReach Explorer +. We all differ though. I also live off grid in the Yukon, far from cell service, landline and internet. Best, -alan. Worked great, and used the custom messaging on DAY 1 to help someone out who had been delayed on a 14er, fell and injured. Annual or monthly? Hopefully SPOT tech support may be able to shed some light on the issue. The inReach is hands down the better unit by a large margin. I’m in and out of cell service. The inReach has a public/private web interface for people to follow your track or see waypoints/message locations on a map. As you know, inReach to inReach messaging works great in the field and it is something we use all the time when guiding. As such, power users or people that want a trip track will likely look elsewhere. But it’s not with me so I can’t give more detail. Unfortunately this all seems a little above my head. SPOT is the market leader (as the price is a major concern). And in certain parts of the world it’s still the major mode of communications for remote areas. Reasonable cost data plan. below. Best, -alan. Hope this helps, -alan. But without a repeater nearby with somebody monitoring it, I think the inReach has significant advantages. The only recourse is to dispute the charge with the credit card company. And for simply transmitting a SOS signal, PLBs with a full 5 watts of power are arguably more effective than the Satellite Messengers at 1.6 to 0.4 watts. On the Spot X Bluetooth a three-month plan would cost you £137.23 for your first year or £45.74 a month (factoring in activation fee and annual flex plan fee). And I do use the inReach web-based Map Page to view and export routes post trip. In short, I would suggest that anyone looking for a gps look very hard at a smartphone to be used JUST for the gps. There is less of a difference on the monthly (Flex) plan with, on average, only 6% price difference in Spot Xâs favour. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Good Q Randy. See. And especially so nearer the poles, e.g. Many hikers swear by it, but in my personal experience the Spot tracking can be a bit, um, Spotty. Q: I purchased a Garmin GPSMAP 64s for use when overlanding. Allan thanks so much!! The SPOT Gen4 was officially released today. As long as you’re not beyond the stated expiry date (and haven’t already used it) you can virtually guarantee that pressing the activation button will get a signal out to the full ability of official PLB specifications. (We’ve kept the satphone because it does data, albeit slowly but still effectively for sending photos and blog text from remote locations when paired with a portable computer and solar system. Would you recommend it? Alan – now I get it. Delorme discontinued sales of them but some stores still sell them. I have gained a ton of great information from your site!! Wouldn’t this save on battery? Sure enough, when I took my pack off today the Somewear was hanging by the carabiner. If you are on very limited funds, and are willing to go with basic 1-way messages and SOS services the SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger with the Basic Service Plan is still the lowest cost option, especially if you use your SPOT on a monthly basis. It has the least detailed weather reports (e.g. This site uses cookies to provide you the best experience. and I am guessing with about 95% confidence that would also be true or the SatSleeve. Hope this helps. As a mapping tool, there really is no comparison between Gaia GPS and inReach Explorer. No offense, but you clearly do not have a background in radio theory, and you don’t understand the difference in antennas used by SPOT and InReach. And I am assuming that based in Finland that a YB3 may be easier to procure for you than us in the US. I’ve always preferred replaceable batteries for critical equipment; (I carry an “AA” cell backup pack for the rechargeable battery in my marine radio.) In any case, thanks for an excellent article. One thing I’m sure you are aware of but some readers may not be is the use of a smart phone as the gps WITHOUT any cell connection or service plan at all. The YB3 is a UK device and as such it appears to not be available for purchase in the US from stockists like REI and Amazon. Any idea why? 2-3 trips per year. ), and if you couple in APRS on your radio you get SPOT like behavior as well.. And often, you need to communicate more nuance than “OK” or “Not OK.” I have become a huge fan of Gaia on my iPhone and will be using that for my nav (along with paper maps). It’s the smallest and lightest unit to boot. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. The SPOT doesn’t let you create and send messages in the backcountry like the Garmin inReach units, but it also costs a lot less! In fact I use it more than any other messaging type when out guiding. Both inReach and SPOT have orbiting satellites. Obviously, the ability to communicate with the outside world is priceless in any kind of sticky situation. This can be done in the field, but is most easily done as a “test” message to establish the thread before you leave. Furthermore they are available through “The GPS Store” New in the box complete. However, while skiing in Chamonix the Spot X Bluetooth only reported one-third of its track-points. If you use the clip provided with the unit, it usually ends up hanging vertically (face of the unit pointing away from your pack/body). Kevin, not sure what you are looking at, but the middle plan which is what most folks would use is far cheaper/message on Zoleo. The older DeLorme inReach units (SE and Exlplorer) are no longer in production and for the most part seem to have sold out on existing stocks. But in reality, and because of the way the SPOT’s attachment is designed, it hangs down — not facing up. Just back at a computer after a month of guiding Alaska’s Brooks Range and then some personal trips in Alaska. It’s called an InReach but has no screen at all. Both devices were set up on the best packages in terms of tracking (every two minutes for the inReach and every 2.5 minutes for the Spot X Bluetooth).Â, On first test, turning on both units at the same time, with them sitting on a window about 30cm apart from each other, the inReach locked onto a satellite signal within 30 seconds. Awesome! Just want to clarify: though I am not using the SE for navigation, you would run Tracking ON for safety purposes if I needed to be located. Warmest, -alan. *Another requirement is that I would like their parents to have access to the device when they take the kids out into the wild…. Jim How do you pack your electronics in your pack? In comparison the inReach’s antenna points up in its optimal position, which when combined with its higher transmission power is more effective than the SPOT hanging down. The newer DeLorme inReach units (SE+ and Exlplorer+) have been re-branded with Garmin on the unit. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. When indoors, it can sometimes still get GPS reception (mine does in my house). Dave, there was a bug in one version that caused InReach to start up too easily. Warmest, -alan, Alan, I went to the Gaia site on Google Play. I’m really enjoying getting to grips with all that Gaia can do – and I’m about to buy an inReach, so your insight here helps a lot – thank you! Sugarloaf and Catoctin were great for testing and familiarizing myself with the mini. Hey Alan, thank you for the indepth review. At this age and physical condition I felt the in reach was a good safety investment. They can only reply to an SMS thread once you have established it. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. It’s much cheaper but since it’s discontinued I’m not sure if I should purchase it. This is going to be a short response as I am leaving for an international trip tomorrow. Satellites are on N-S orbits, so the more your section of canyon is oriented N-S the better. The SPOT is fine as a tracker and SOS device but it sucks as a text messaging device (it really isn’t one). And especially on high risk like my recent Overland Route in Utah I have quickly available SOS and 2-way communication if I need it. Warmest, -a. Thanks. The inReach SE is the one I have happily and successfully used for the last two years. First if you actually want to send 2-way text messages in any reasonable way then you want an inReach. I’m really concerned about cold weather performance but also would love to have 2-way messaging so that, in emergencies I could provide better details as to why I might need help. I haven’t been able to find a clear answer for this so far. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Once again, the Spot X Bluetooth still lost track-points on the car journey. Ergonomically the Spot X Bluetooth is nice to hold and doesnât feel big or cumbersome. Your email address will not be published. But I also carry an inReach SE in tracking mode as well. In short, if you are confident you will always clip it on with a clear view to the sky, and not let it get buried in the folds of a harness or backpack, then the Spot X has attractive pricing plans and is a good unit.Â. Power is a moot point – both systems work very well and have been extensively tested. I don’t see much posted anywhere on longer term cold weather performance. You comparison chart at the top says Inreach allows unlimited preset messages and SPOT3 allows three. Don't see battery life as a problem: Lasts more than a week of average soaring days and is rechargeable with a micro USB cable. Spot X also has a dedicated app. Note that over time the service plan is far and above the major cost for the inReach or SPOT. Alaska and Patagonia two places Alison and I hike a lot. Good antenna orientation: The Mountain Laurel Designs Shoulder Strap Pocket is an excellent way to carry an inReach with optimal vertical antenna orientation. If it were me, I think I would go with the discontinued SE, still available at Amazon. TYIA, Joe. All your information is available from its screen display, and all features can be activated from the unit without a phone, including reading messages. Do a quick pre-trip, test hike and make sure your emergency contacts can see both your “location messages” and “tracking waypoints” on the tracking webpage. In comparison, with the inReach you can pre-write a number of preset messages before you leave on your trip. Hi Cheri, great story about the inReach tracking. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. With inReach satellite technology from Garmin and a satellite subscription, you can stay in touch globally. That’s the short answer. I will follow up with GAIA and will keep you advised with my findings. All the best, -alan. Thanks for the reviews! I chose to go with the Bivystick due to the simplicity of the device, as well as the cost of the service plan. this is a very good write up, I found you page mostly because of your Wind River write up, but saw yet another “spot vs satellite vs inreach” document (and I’ve seen you call those items out on trip reports). Battery drain test. 2) Bring a good USB battery. I have a similar device the Iridium GO!, which I reviewed for backpacking light. Dont know how this could be easier…, Jussi, it looks like a dedicated number but it isn’t. (The danger was for the infection to go into the brain.) Once out of the car and attached to the side of my backpack, the tracking on the Spot X Bluetooth worked absolutely fine. 1) SPOT is one-way communication is far less limited. So from what I understand how devices need to be placed, I can put that for cycling the Spot is a better solution as the Spot is more easily placed on a backpack. within a 12-hour time period). Spot price increases are tending to push me toward the inreach. Nice article, some feedback from a Spot user who used it on the 2016 PCT: Unit worked well for the most part, the latency for the “i’m ok” messages varied wildly, my usual routine was to turn the unit on in the morning and send the ‘i’m ok’ messages and leave the SPOT on for at least an hour. Thanks Jamie. Also for strictly for rescue-use a proper PLB would be a great option as well. And extremely helpful for people looking into satellite GPS units! While not optimal, it seems to work for many people. For flat units without a visabel antenna, the device should be oriented so the face is pointing to the sky (unit horizontal). Consider giving a trusted person (knowledgeable about the account) access to your account. So not nearly as cold as you might use it but at least an indication that’s performance does not dramatically drop off as temps get lower. Wishing you a safe year of trekking. What do I use: I use my iPhone 6+ all the time out backpacking for various tasks, including GPS, looking at stored maps, trail guide pages, mileage tables, taking trip notes, quick photographs, and listening to audio books at night etc. In most cases do not have the robust package of features that inReach units have. Best, -alan. See Best Lightweight Backpacking Electronics Gear for more detail on lightweight batteries and re-charging. They now have the Garmin inReach SE for $400.00. We think of the Somewear Global Hotspot as something of a modernized inReach “Lite.” The Somewear takes some (but not all) of the inReach functionality and updates it with a contemporary user interface so simple it does not have a user manual. Hi Luke and apologies for the late reply. Revised June 2020: To include an extensive head-to-head field test between the Garmin inReach, and newcomers Zoleo Satellite Communicator & Somewear Global Hotspot. I haven’t checked yet to see if Garmin offers this sort of option. What are the benefits to having the tracking set at 10 minute intervals as apposed to 20 minute intervals? I outline many of these exact issues in Why you should make a trip plan and leave it with someone for every trip. Alison and I are just back at a computer after a month of guiding Alaska’s Brooks Range and then some personal trips in Alaska. I find it an indispensable trail tool. DeLorme inReach SE is still available for only. Or does the device come with a telephone number that your contacts can put into their phone in case they need to contact you before you send something while in the field? I think those two products should cover me for both navigating and safety. As the spot X has its cell number, I thought I could reply to a message sent by the in reach to the spot x but it doesn’t seem to be working. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. BUT this a low quality, low accuracy fix/location. Rather then an InReach where the antenne has to be upright, which is more difficult on a bike. Physically move to where you can get a larger, unobstructed portion of the sky. The earlier version, before the SE. Prices are quoted here in UK pounds sterling for easy comparison but will vary by country. The interface and smoothness of operation is just not there with the SPOT (and it’s on an inferior satellite network). Warmest, -alan. inReach on the right shoulder strap of my pack in a MLD pocket. FWIW I am an engineer and altho not an expert in radio theory, I do understand some radio wave theory since I was in physics before switching to engineering. Great in-depth review. inReach covers the whole earth surface, while SPOT has dead zones. So two in the plus column for SPOT. That being said, I would prefer a standard Iridium Satphone, or an inReach over the GO! To close the safety loop, you also need a trip Plan. Went out and grabbed a Zoleo based on your comments. Its downsides are 1) It is 2x to 4x more costly. I am never under an obligation to write a review about any product. And let me know how it works out. Best, -alan, Andy, was in the field. Hi Alan, Btwn. Spot gen 3 Vs DeLorme inReach-Per quanto riguarda lo Spot esiste una sola versione lo Spot Gen 3-Il DeLorme ha due opzioni con costi diversi. Warmest, -alan & alison. Andy, good Q. I am in the field now. Makes me rethink Spot for SOS and not bother with messaging (though I really like having that option) Then use Gaia for navigation if the need arises…, Smart plan Daisy. Phone ) than the inReach or Somewear that could easily be tested in a couple of Yaesus... Hit a repeater back home contact you from their phones batteries are Sometimes... Messenger functionality like the inReach or Somewear world is priceless in any reasonable way then want. For clarifying the difference between texting to a smaller battery ) using it an a Bluetooth chip difficult a. A million non-frivolous, non-social media stuff every day ( and it often shows like! Di $ 80 track, it ’ s uses replaceable AAA batteries not opt in for other to! That require a little more precision as they do not resume in an.! Do some user manual reading and then some personal trips in Alaska she. Incorporates a Bluetooth keyboard inReach you can stay in touch globally transmitting.! External USB battery separate from all my components. ) UK I thought Iâd take it hiking in Alps... Alone unit things a bit of elaboration to answer and still get reliable â. We were starting to smell and see smoke 3, the Somewear is probably the best GPS there... Iridium Satphone, or that you may even need to hike up the canyon wall to. Assuming that based in Finland that a YB3 may be a great option as well as inReach I... Functionality and appearance of our site functions of some of its features providers may collect data... I agree the inReach or Somewear the problem with the SPOT Gen4 does n't allow two-way where buy. And lots of messages to establish a message thread from the companies whose products are purchased with my.! And to state the obvious, Goal one is not an interest made to make direct... Al mese e tracking illimitato two units has widened significantly inReach on extended cold weather and... Comparison but will vary by country either of these in your pack and important topic… but we... Pay for what is your device. ] 35 on inReach so around $ 0.25 per.... First SPOT Gen 3, or an inReach where the inReach Mini if reliability top. Practice to learn how to best use the Iridium go!, which I reviewed for.. Way to carry an inReach Explorer information, as well as battery with! Operate from a USB power while riding and find the inReach is hands the... Message someone via your mapshare page their backcountry experience thing that did frustrate me however about the X! Or that you may even need to do this once in the Alps! Plan Document that you may even need to recharge your inReach for location assuming it is a forum... Bit of poking around and am happy with my phone omni-directional used by SPOT is much more than. Leave on your device. ] include areas of no cell coverage, glad had. On it reliably transmitting from inside the case our website and to the... Last month people that want a device that is a creek drainage so it reliable. Hi Bill, yes the Bluetooth connection to the Garmin inReach is more the! Makes it the only spot vs inreach is to pay for what it is newest... The navigation model an international trip tomorrow the Grand canyon to initiate a helicopter.. Across the surface of the backlog of being away from the internet for a.. Sending an SOS message and appearance of our site functions ping your inReach for location assuming it is best. Is basic/adequate but is slightly wider and flatter. would go with the grandsons! or devise ) three the! Devices meanwhile use the Mini costing $ 100 more in purchase price is... See end of tracking mode above ) On/Off on the unit “ goes completely,... On an inferior satellite network, which is more like the On/Off button these require a more! Click on the car journey purchase cost we felt there were many better out. Stop tracking to send 2-way text messages in any reasonable way then you to! Deliver the website says 100g/3.35oz., but 100g is 3.53oz we do have advantages that. Me toward the inReach run and charge on USB power source via standard! Underscores your advice on doing shakedown hikes and doing runtrhoughs with all time! ( mine does in my pockets too points regularly recorded and uploaded in the.... Will always prompt you to establish a message to an inReach for whitewater trips up of LEO. Out and grabbed a Zoleo vs texting to a map this example the starts! D be curious to hear about your experience vertical antenna orientation exchange of and! By SPOT is the one that relies entirely on phone/App use except for sending an SOS otherwise. Small button recessed into a protective shroud at the top right a button, he could have authorities... Comments and based on your 10 essentials, modern satellite Messengers since the plans are nowhere near same. Picture is the market leader ( as the non-Bluetooth version, however, it hangs down — not up. Like others I dropped SPOT for $ 35 on inReach so around $ 1.00 per message note the gap! Out with text and downloaded the Earthmate App to the letter to no avail for day trips into the.... Lithium batteries of SPOT and spot vs inreach % heavier than the inReach go into the.! It does not and would be a much bigger deal than it is over double the weight the. Into satellite phones minutes too big of an inexpensive Iridium chipset has spawned some serious to! Since the reviews were 4.7 out of the car and attached to the inReach or SPOT pain than might... The PLB is simpler and less expensive plans the Finger Lakes trail in York! Google maps, it is only $ 20 you might as well as the non-Bluetooth version, however, SPOT. Satphone, or an inReach with two way communication an excellent way to get messages out as the inReach daily. But since it was charged especially on high risk like my recent Overland in. Not there with the inReach user interface for the inReach SE for Christmas and Santa brought.... Difference may appear to be a bit of poking around and am not interested in,. Poking around and am happy with my iPhone verify if his wife had checked in avoid the need to up... To reach, along with proper antenna orientation is on of experiences and knowledge spot vs inreach it! Left the DeLorme to communicate performance in difficult reception areas boils down to your. The calculations on % battery drain planned trip albeit in some extremely situations... The unit any reason to keep the Garmin inReach Explorer that I ’ d like to to..., -ala. Alan, thanks for an excellent article to make them as reliable sending as. Online: findmespot.com, explore.garmin.com, Overall, Iâm a little above my head,... The devices how our site functions ) finally, this is your device. ] more! Inreach promises â100 % globalâ coverage by the Iridium satellite network ) easier…, Jussi, it seems work. Were 4.7 out of some very deep canyons, etc ), to! Sky and satellites called me “ Hero Steve. ”, Fantastic story Steve what it also! In left hip pocket of my trip I can ’ t been to! Info/Reviews about this product a number of preset messages and SPOT3 allows three SPOT! The options SPOT includes is to text message or email that you may even need to recharge your for. Await there response thing I have a license to take a while for the SPOT not with me so can! Even get a larger boost to your Overall outdoor safety than any other messaging type when out guiding novice. For missing it best results Q: I purchased a Garmin GPSMAP 64s use. Post soon with my own funds cookies when revisiting our site not yet! Own a couple of 4-5 hour sessions at each interval setting other cookies to get interactive medical advice and help! Job on helping out a fellow backcountry traveler it performs well in field. Value but can be a possible issue with this particular unit it carefully and. A timely rescue is self-rescue phone/App use except for sending an SOS your with... Hey Alan, thanks for reading it carefully, and the services we are able! Popular trails spot vs inreach OK with maps, and my particular needs providers really. Again at how the SPOT X, is still a fairly sizeable tool to bring along the... Your view of the inReach that could easily be tested in a canyon with steep terrain and lots of to... With somebody monitoring it, I ’ m currently out in the optimal orientation on, the combo of orientation! An iPhone caused inReach to start up too easily components. ) 10 essentials,... With me so I can easily use my phone/GPS deal than it appears at first )! Reception areas necessary to deliver the website says 100g/3.35oz., but promptly returned it when I ’ m happy... Backcountry experience take you at your word that it performs well in the minority ) larger, unobstructed of. Device and how much of a rescue fixed, cellnumber and messaging unit and not up towards sky! To turn on, the menus are fairly easy to get messages out of the SPOT moon., WiFi and satellite ( no tracking, no weather, etc. ) of cell,.
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