Backcountry Communication

[The_Franchise]

Hi All,

I'm planning my first 7-10 day backcountry hunt and wondering what everyone uses for communication in case of an emergency. I've been looking around online for electronic devices, but am not sold on what I've seen. I'd like to know what y'all use as a bare minimum (emergency situation) and also if there's a reliable device that is worth the $$ for communicating with family.

Thanks!!

- Josh

[marky_mark]

Inreach

[KyleSS]

I'm debating between the InReach Mini, InReach Explorer+, and the InReach 66i

I have very little experience with any of them.
Will be paired with a phone and will have a power bank that is good for 15 phone charges.

Will only be out 7 days at a time max.

Not sure what one will fit the bill.

Also have iHunter with cashed maps but I'm sure the GPS birds eye on the 66i is better.

[Big Grey Wolf]

$40 Koodo flip cell phone with $30/month plan. It even takes pictures!

[KyleSS]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

$40 Koodo flip cell phone with $30/month plan. It even takes pictures!

We are obviously hunting different back country if you have cell service where you hunt

[arcticcathinda]

Another for for inReach and will attest to immediate emergency response time. Will never leave my pack

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

$40 Koodo flip cell phone with $30/month plan. It even takes pictures!

He said “backcountry” not downtown Calgary or Edmonton.

[wildwoods]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

Inreach

Hands down

[dave99]

I have had the inreach explorer since 2013. It has served me well, and has always been reliable. When it is paired to my cell phone via the Earthmate app, it truly is an excellent tool.


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[freshtinov]

Inreach mini Bluetooth paired to my iPhone. Whatever you pick make sure it has message confirmation

[The_Franchise]

So inReach seems to be the majority here. How are they with subscriptions? I see it's $20/month for the freedom plan and another "program fee" pf $30 or so dollars. So I'm looking at around $50 to use it for a couple weeks? Is it easy to activate for a month here or there?

Thanks again for the feedback!

[marky_mark]

Suspend it when your not using it
Like $2 a month

[Red Bullets]

Used to be that a person left a map circled with where they were going to be. If they weren't back by a certain day or time then send in the troops. Didn't cost more than the map.

I know it is re-assuring to have a help button but it takes the adventure out of things in a way. Know your first aid, be alert, cautious & smart, hope for the best weather and prepare for the worst.

[bigbaddad]

Originally Posted by The_Franchise

So inReach seems to be the majority here. How are they with subscriptions? I see it's $20/month for the freedom plan and another "program fee" pf $30 or so dollars. So I'm looking at around $50 to use it for a couple weeks? Is it easy to activate for a month here or there?



Thanks again for the feedback!

Yes, you can suspend it when you aren't in need of it. And it is by far the best option..

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[abhunter8]

Originally Posted by The_Franchise

So inReach seems to be the majority here. How are they with subscriptions? I see it's $20/month for the freedom plan and another "program fee" pf $30 or so dollars. So I'm looking at around $50 to use it for a couple weeks? Is it easy to activate for a month here or there?

Thanks again for the feedback!

Plus the $500 initial purchase price. I don't think anyone has mentioned that.

[Lefty Bryan]

InReach 100%. Use them both for adventure and for work globally. Way more reliable than a sat phone and you can cache imagery in the Garmin Earthmate app which pairs your phone to the device. You can email and text cell phones from it plus get weather updates etc.

I ran the startup of a drill program in the Arctic last summer with an inReach as our satellite internet provider had a few pieces go missing enroute.


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[35 whelen]

Been using a spot since they came out will be upgrading to the Garmin 66 I this year why not where I hunt even though it's within a couple miles of Roads you'd need a hound dog to find me if I broke my leg somewhere

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[Ncameron]

I purchased a Garmin inReach last year and I love it. We strongly considered the mini but it's nice to use the screen on the full size inReach and not HAVE to connect to your phone all the time.

The Garmin 66i came out right when we purchased the inReach. If you don't need one right away I would see if you can find a sale on that model. It has map functonality that the inReach does not and is actually a Garmin designed product (unlike the inReach series which is a Delorme product bought by Garmin).

We use the basic plan and turn it on/off as required through the year. For us it saves money but you can do the math.

I did use way more text messages to communicate with our hunting party in the back country last year so this year I might upgrade plans for hunting season.

[35 whelen]

Yes I've been waiting for the Garmin maps to come out for two years that's why I didn't buy an inreach

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[Springer]

The price of I-spot has not seemed to come down , yet it seems like most have moved on to the in reach and sat phones. also if you could just sign up Spot for a shorter time period than paying for the whole Year.
I know mine sits in the drawer in my shop now , haven't used it in years. Switched to the Garmin Mini.

[sanjuanworm]

I will have an inreach for sale. The yellow one.

[cphunter]

Inreache has been a game changer
Amazing system and device

[Little fish 89]

I use the inreach mini for all my backcountry hunts and fishing trips. It has been awesome, good battery life and easy to use features. Best of all it weighs nothing.


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