Garmin In Reach SE - Costco sale Now to 1/21/20 (not a group buy)

[DannyLlama]

This isn't a group buy

Just helping out friends.

Costco has a sale through 1/21... $60 off the Garmin In Reach SE..

https://www.costco.com/garmin-inreach-se%2b-satellite-communicator.product.100419295.html

Enjoy

 

[Bumbo]

Nice. If anyone is on the fence about it, just do it.

I use the Garmin InReach Mini and the service is absolutely fantastic. Iridium satellite constellation is quite impressive.

I have the month to month safety plan so I enable service only when I need it. My favorite thing about the device is that you can connect via Bluetooth to your smart phone, and using the Garmin app, use the inreach device as a SAT modem. You can text thru satellite using your smartphone in addition to all the other stuff it can do.

 

[DannyLlama]

I do have an older one that will be for sale once i get this new one.

 

[Bumbo]

I do have an older one that will be for sale once i get this new one.

I highly recommend the mini, but that Costco unit is a good deal.

I really just want a small compact tracking / communicator, but the larger unit does have better battery life as well.

Either way, can't really go wrong.

 

[jdm11]

These things are great tools and everyone should have one in the backcountry IMO.

Just a heads up though, this model does not have a compass, barometer, or accelerometer. It also doesn't have topo maps or have the ability to load other maps on it as far as I know.

But this is a great price for even just the texting capabilities and SOS button.

 

[Draggin]

These things are great tools and everyone should have one in the backcountry IMO.

Just a heads up though, this model does not have a compass, barometer, or accelerometer. It also doesn't have topo maps or have the ability to load other maps on it as far as I know.

But this is a great price for even just the texting capabilities and SOS button.

Per the description...
inReach Explorer+ device adds preloaded DeLorme® TOPO maps with onscreen GPS routing plus built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter and accelerometer

 

[jdm11]

Per the description...
inReach Explorer+ device adds preloaded DeLorme® TOPO maps with onscreen GPS routing plus built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter and accelerometer

This is for the SE+ though. Not sure why they would include that when they aren't selling the Explorer+ as far as I can tell. I bought one and ended up returning it to get the Explorer+.

 

[DannyLlama]

This is for the SE+ though. Not sure why they would include that when they aren't selling the Explorer+ as far as I can tell. I bought one and ended up returning it to get the Explorer+.

You find the advantages of the explorer to be worth the extra 150 +?

 

[jdm11]

You find the advantages of the explorer to be worth the extra 150 +?

Depends on what you need it for, but for me yes it's worth it.
I plan on using it for western big game hunts so having a topo map is important to me.

 

[nglayton]

You find the advantages of the explorer to be worth the extra 150 +?

Depends on what you need it for, but for me yes it's worth it.
I plan on using it for western big game hunts so having a topo map is important to me.

I don't own an InReach product, but according to Garmin all of the InReach products will allow you to load maps. The subscription is for the emergency SOS, texting and sharing location features, not the GPS/Maps functionality.

Something you might look into if you haven't already purchased an InReach......We use the Garmin Rino units for our game hunts and all of our outdoor adventures. GPS with topo/city maps can be loaded easily. The ability to communicate and pinpoint each others locations via the 5w GMRS radios with GPS and no subscription is almost priceless. I prefer the older units (530Hcx) but the newer units work just as great. They aren't cheap either, but all 10+ in my hunt group couldn't get by without them. If anyone new joins our group it's basically the first piece of gear we tell them to get. We use them alot on a daily basis sometimes talking with other hunters 25-50 miles away from us.

Sadly, cell service is creeping closer and closer to every square inch of our hunt areas. With such a big group, One of us always has a decent cell signal, with high elevations, multiple carriers, etc. it helps out in case of emergencies.

If you have a smaller group or go out alone I could see getting the Explorer. In my case having "invested" in a Garmin Rino well over 10 years ago an InReach Mini would be sufficient to supplement my Rino.

BTW the prices might seem insane on these units, but if its a tool you use regularly over the next 5-10 years and it provides peace of mind it's worth it.

 

[Bumbo]

You find the advantages of the explorer to be worth the extra 150 +?

I read that the mapping and topo on the Garmin InReach units leave a bit to be desired. I think there better tools to consider buying instead. I still like their traditional higher end GPS units better.

I think the InReach mini is the best option… its size and shape is very convenient. You can just clip it on your pack for tracking, or just leave it powered off and safe the battery for communications use only. The fact you can message directly from it or from a smart phone via sat makes the larger form factor a lot less usable.

 

[Bumbo]

I don't own an InReach product, but according to Garmin all of the InReach products will allow you to load maps. The subscription is for the emergency SOS, texting and sharing location features, not the GPS/Maps functionality.

Something you might look into if you haven't already purchased an InReach......We use the Garmin Rino units for our game hunts and all of our outdoor adventures. GPS with topo/city maps can be loaded easily. The ability to communicate and pinpoint each others locations via the 5w GMRS radios with GPS and no subscription is almost priceless. I prefer the older units (530Hcx) but the newer units work just as great. They aren't cheap either, but all 10+ in my hunt group couldn't get by without them. If anyone new joins our group it's basically the first piece of gear we tell them to get. We use them alot on a daily basis sometimes talking with other hunters 25-50 miles away from us.

Sadly, cell service is creeping closer and closer to every square inch of our hunt areas. With such a big group, One of us always has a decent cell signal, with high elevations, multiple carriers, etc. it helps out in case of emergencies.

If you have a smaller group or go out alone I could see getting the Explorer. In my case having "invested" in a Garmin Rino well over 10 years ago an InReach Mini would be sufficient to supplement my Rino.

BTW the prices might seem insane on these units, but if its a tool you use regularly over the next 5-10 years and it provides peace of mind it's worth it.

The Rino units were super cool when they came out, but they don’t compare well with the InReach. Rhino is a peer to peer coms device, the InReach is going off a modern satellite network and has not limited by radio coverage / distance.

I personally think the pricing is pretty reasonable considering what the alternate option are, that being a satellite phone. Airtime cost a pretty penny for a sat phone, $1 min or more at times depending on how much you buy. The InReach Mini is like a modern day equivalent 2-way pager to me, and the costs are pretty good all things considered being a satellite coms device.

I am also a licensed HAM radio person, but I dare not give up my InReach device. I have been in areas before where even radio coverage was not good enough. In a true emergency, it’s hard to beat the quality, reliability, and speed of InReach sat coms and the GEOS service.

Another thing I like about the InReach service is you can pay for insurance if you know you are going on a big or risky trip. I have included with my plan 100k GEOS Search and Rescue coverage in case I ever need to invoke that SoS. You can even pay for MediVac transport insurance. Both were pretty comprehensive and affordable if you need it.

After doing a couple solo road trips / overland style travel… my mind has since been made up regarding my minimums for safety equipment.

Its an option you select when signing up or managing your account.
GEOS | Travel Safety Solutions

 

[DannyLlama]

I have read similar negative reviews of the maps function of the in reach products.. Therefore I will stick to phone apps and other independent maps.

For those eyeing the Inreach Explorer, B&H is having a sale
Garmin inReach Explorer+ Satellite Communicator 010-01735-12 B&H

 

[nglayton]

The Rino units were super cool when they came out, but they don’t compare well with the InReach. Rhino is a peer to peer coms device, the InReach is going off a modern satellite network and has not limited by radio coverage / distance.

That was my point, different technologies for different needs.
I believe the Rino's can also relay transmissions between units for greater distance.

After doing a couple solo road trips

This is the perfect reason to choose an InReach product. Thanks for the info about the insurance, that's good to know should my needs ever change.

 

[ramonortiz55]

the yellow one does not have maps preloaded, but from my understanding you can load maps but you pretty much have to buy them.

the orange one has the maps preloaded

I have the orange one.

If I was to do it again, i would get the MINI.

You can use either with your phone for ease of functionality. The phone will "tether" off the Garmin's GPS when you're in the backcountry. If you don't like Garmin's maps, just use GAIA. It will work.

BUT the Garmin APP MUST run concurrently with the GAIA app.

To use:

Pair the device to your phone and DOWNLOAD the APP.

Turn on your bluetooth and pair the Device

Turn on the Garmin APP to "link" the Device

Turn on GAIA and use as needed.

Note that BOTH apps must run at the same time since your phone uses the Garmin APP to "tether" the GPS signal.



Common misconception - that you NEED to pay for a subscription. You dont.

You can use the GPS without the subscription.

BUT you need to pay for the texting/sos services.

 

[DannyLlama]

the yellow one does not have maps preloaded, but from my understanding you can load maps but you pretty much have to buy them.

the orange one has the maps preloaded

I have the orange one.

If I was to do it again, i would get the MINI.

You can use either with your phone for ease of functionality. The phone will "tether" off the Garmin's GPS when you're in the backcountry. If you don't like Garmin's maps, just use GAIA. It will work.

BUT the Garmin APP MUST run concurrently with the GAIA app.

To use:

Pair the device to your phone and DOWNLOAD the APP.

Turn on your bluetooth and pair the Device

Turn on the Garmin APP to "link" the Device

Turn on GAIA and use as needed.

Note that BOTH apps must run at the same time since your phone uses the Garmin APP to "tether" the GPS signal.



Common misconception - that you NEED to pay for a subscription. You dont.

You can use the GPS without the subscription.

BUT you need to pay for the texting/sos services.

Good info and deserves to be in a sticky somewhere.. not sure where