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I mean, satellite communication is why you spend $400 on this. Any modern smartphone can run topo maps for $30. This on the other hand can save your life.
For integration with other Garmin gear, for those who want better maps (InReach models use Delorme maps, 66i uses the better Garmin maps), and don't want to pay a subscription (has InReach capability for those that do) but still want to have navigation features, Garmin's top-of-the-line 66i for the win (also on sale for $525).
Great top review comparing all models including InReach:
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I am a big Garmin user from gps to fishing. I've given them thousands, almost $5k this year for their livescope imaging underwater.
I needed a satilite communication device. I really wanting to get the SE+. I don't want to mix mapping with my life saving device. I handing my mapping device more at times when I am going and marking locations.
The s8 plus is really hard to find and what I think to be an average price of it by 280. The explorer plus was not a candidate because I didn't want the mapping. As another user posted, with the explorer plus it might have mapping, but it doesn't have an SD card slot and you cannot use othee maps. I use onx maps when I'm on the field. The Garmin mini was a candidate but like all three Garmin devices, you need to take a cell phone with you in order to use it realistically.
I'm not a texter, but I don't want to have to use my cell phone. My cell phone is usually for photographs to save battery. Good morning. my Garmin etrex is my mapping device, and it gets great battery life and has replaceable batteries. None of the Garmin satellite communications use replaceable batteries. Pairing the Garmin devices with a cell phone in order to communicate, you using Bluetooth. The battery life on a Garmin devices is not as long as you would think.
I ultimately decided against the Garmin devices and bought the spot x. This was the first gen spotx, but it had the new buttons and directional pad. I recently returned that one back to REI and I just received my spot x with Bluetooth.
despite any negative reviews I read on the spot x, it is never let me down. I've used it in the mountains, forests, and rivers in California and in Arkansas. This device track me exceptionally well. All of my communication to and from were received.
Smilax has a flex plan where you can pay $15 a month. You have 20 messages that you can send and receive, but you get 14 predefined messages that are free. Predefined messages or 140 characters and the way I have my setup... I have just about anything I will say in a text message. So I am rarely if ever using five text messages. Text messages are .25 each when you go over. With Garmin you're paying around $15 a month, but you only get three predefined messages. Additional messages are .25 to $0.50 apiece.
as the one user posted to get the best Garmin satellite communicator where you can use your own maps, is going to be the $500 one, normally $600. that unit you can use on x maps, and any other topographical maps. All other inreach devices are DeLorme and are just a little bit limited.
for some people you were just wanting to have satellite communicator, they all are going to do the same. You make sure you put it somewhere where it can see the sky. is not just like a cell phone or a GPS mapping device where you can hold it or pocket it. This team needs to see the sky. spot x now has Bluetooth so just like with the Garmin devices, you can hang it in a tree and use your phone to send and receive messages if you need to be in a different spot than where you actually have coverage to the sky.
And finally not to prairie crab too much, the spot x is on sale for $200 right now. Sportsman's Warehouse, and findmespot.com has it for two hundred bucks.
I'll be posting a review later today where I show setup, and actual map tracking of me in two different states. I never had an issue with my spot x, I think people are thinking it's a cell phone and then send the message and put it in your pocket. the new spot x does not have any of the issues with a button or directional pad that you might find in a lot of the post-it reviews online. That's the reason why I'm posting a review because I don't know how are people having a bad experience when mine is not been that at all.
I was to the point I was going to buy the Garmin $600 device, but again I don't want to put my mapping and my satellite communication in the same device. Also don't want to have to be tethered to a cell phone. I'm one of those people who cell phone is always dying. D spot x battery life last 10 days with tracking every 10 minutes, even if I got lost or hurt, that device is going to be with me.
I ultimately went with the 66i after much deliberation. I'd like to be able to use navigation features for the months when I don't want to pay for the InReach subscription. I don't mind having satellite communication and navigation in same device, and the 66i is a very recent device (Q2 2019) that should hold it's value pretty well.
For those considering the Mini, their resale value is pretty strong as well, going for $275+ on fleabay pre-owned. Worthy investment that might save your life.
Last edited by itsarectangle November 16, 2019 at 12:01 PM.
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https://www.rei.com/product/14011...mmunica
Full-size InReach is currently on sale for $375 as well.
https://www.rei.com/product/11986...mmunica
The standalone GPS works without subscription.
The standalone GPS works without subscription.
The standalone GPS works without subscription.
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Great top review comparing all models including InReach:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S5GK...ZDbSE
and another review: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear...iew-guide/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRZ9A...ZDbX
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
I needed a satilite communication device. I really wanting to get the SE+. I don't want to mix mapping with my life saving device. I handing my mapping device more at times when I am going and marking locations.
The s8 plus is really hard to find and what I think to be an average price of it by 280. The explorer plus was not a candidate because I didn't want the mapping. As another user posted, with the explorer plus it might have mapping, but it doesn't have an SD card slot and you cannot use othee maps. I use onx maps when I'm on the field. The Garmin mini was a candidate but like all three Garmin devices, you need to take a cell phone with you in order to use it realistically.
I'm not a texter, but I don't want to have to use my cell phone. My cell phone is usually for photographs to save battery. Good morning. my Garmin etrex is my mapping device, and it gets great battery life and has replaceable batteries. None of the Garmin satellite communications use replaceable batteries. Pairing the Garmin devices with a cell phone in order to communicate, you using Bluetooth. The battery life on a Garmin devices is not as long as you would think.
I ultimately decided against the Garmin devices and bought the spot x. This was the first gen spotx, but it had the new buttons and directional pad. I recently returned that one back to REI and I just received my spot x with Bluetooth.
despite any negative reviews I read on the spot x, it is never let me down. I've used it in the mountains, forests, and rivers in California and in Arkansas. This device track me exceptionally well. All of my communication to and from were received.
Smilax has a flex plan where you can pay $15 a month. You have 20 messages that you can send and receive, but you get 14 predefined messages that are free. Predefined messages or 140 characters and the way I have my setup... I have just about anything I will say in a text message. So I am rarely if ever using five text messages. Text messages are .25 each when you go over. With Garmin you're paying around $15 a month, but you only get three predefined messages. Additional messages are .25 to $0.50 apiece.
as the one user posted to get the best Garmin satellite communicator where you can use your own maps, is going to be the $500 one, normally $600. that unit you can use on x maps, and any other topographical maps. All other inreach devices are DeLorme and are just a little bit limited.
for some people you were just wanting to have satellite communicator, they all are going to do the same. You make sure you put it somewhere where it can see the sky. is not just like a cell phone or a GPS mapping device where you can hold it or pocket it. This team needs to see the sky. spot x now has Bluetooth so just like with the Garmin devices, you can hang it in a tree and use your phone to send and receive messages if you need to be in a different spot than where you actually have coverage to the sky.
And finally not to prairie crab too much, the spot x is on sale for $200 right now. Sportsman's Warehouse, and findmespot.com has it for two hundred bucks.
I'll be posting a review later today where I show setup, and actual map tracking of me in two different states. I never had an issue with my spot x, I think people are thinking it's a cell phone and then send the message and put it in your pocket. the new spot x does not have any of the issues with a button or directional pad that you might find in a lot of the post-it reviews online. That's the reason why I'm posting a review because I don't know how are people having a bad experience when mine is not been that at all.
I was to the point I was going to buy the Garmin $600 device, but again I don't want to put my mapping and my satellite communication in the same device. Also don't want to have to be tethered to a cell phone. I'm one of those people who cell phone is always dying. D spot x battery life last 10 days with tracking every 10 minutes, even if I got lost or hurt, that device is going to be with me.
I ultimately went with the 66i after much deliberation. I'd like to be able to use navigation features for the months when I don't want to pay for the InReach subscription. I don't mind having satellite communication and navigation in same device, and the 66i is a very recent device (Q2 2019) that should hold it's value pretty well.
For those considering the Mini, their resale value is pretty strong as well, going for $275+ on fleabay pre-owned. Worthy investment that might save your life.
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FREE 2-DAY SHIPPING - Authorized Dealer, USA Warranty...according to them.
Coupon code is PDEALS4U
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-i...2412210854
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