Inreach or Spot X

littlehoe

Active member
Joined
Nov 14, 2009
Messages
118
Reaction score
77
Location
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
I bought the spot x last summer and we used it up north here in Saskatchewan. It seemed to work really well, not nearly as quick as a cell phone but all the messages went through and I was able to receive messages back as well. We went with the basic plan and there was a promo when I bought so we paid $140 with the initial fee and taxes included.... I am hoping they will be like Sirius when it comes time to renew and I can get a better price than what they show, but if I do have to pay full price it won't be the end of the world for peace of mind.
 

Attachments

  • spot.PNG
    spot.PNG
    26.4 KB · Views: 238

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
Using the app on his phone and contact list. I assume as much. Either way, it soured my experience with spot.
Well, spot x never had Bluetooth on last year's model so there was no way to use the spot app.
Might have been part of your buddies problem.

Something you can do with this year's new model.
 

LMLCHEVY

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
465
Reaction score
682
Location
The Rockies
I bought the spot x last summer and we used it up north here in Saskatchewan. It seemed to work really well, not nearly as quick as a cell phone but all the messages went through and I was able to receive messages back as well. We went with the basic plan and there was a promo when I bought so we paid $140 with the initial fee and taxes included.... I am hoping they will be like Sirius when it comes time to renew and I can get a better price than what they show, but if I do have to pay full price it won't be the end of the world for peace of mind.

You won’t get it for cheaper. I already called and complained about paying the same for two way as one way subscription. They don’t care.
That’s why I’m dumping my og spot.
 

Dawizman

Active VIP Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
2,821
Reaction score
9,991
Location
Cold Lake, AB
Well, spot x never had Bluetooth on last year's model so there was no way to use the spot app.
Might have been part of your buddies problem.

Something you can do with this year's new model.
Never said spot x, was a spot 3 IIRC. Either way, only takes one negative experience to turn a guy towards something else, especially after having such positive results with the inreach.
 

Quicksand

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
638
Reaction score
1,434
Location
Eagle Hill
Yeah I bought it just to see what it was all about. It's a good device. Nothing like the old spots.

You guys really shouldn't be dettering guys from buying a spot x unless you have some first hand kind of experience with them that is negative.

The inreach is nice but is just about 3x the price.
As are the plans.

If guys are not willing to spend on the inreach I would still rather them have a spot x than nothing.

But hey I guess everyone just wants to be a brand ambassador.


Show me where the plans are more than spot. looks pretty comparable to me

Spot $11.95USD/month, yearly plan + $19.95USD activation fee
Garmin $14.95CAD/month, yearly plan + $19.95CAD activation fee
 
Last edited:

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
Never said spot x, was a spot 3 IIRC. Either way, only takes one negative experience to turn a guy towards something else, especially after having such positive results with the inreach.
Yeah as long as you have something and know how to use it, all that matters.

I hated the old spots too.
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
Show me where the plans are more than spot. looks pretty comparable to me

Spot $11.95USD/month, yearly plan + $19.95USD activation fee
Garmin $14.95CAD/month, yearly plan + $19.95CAD activation fee
Inreach you don't get the tracking until you go up one service plan.

Spots 10min tracking is included in the basic plan. Family can wat you on the app or website.

If your not comparing features then yes they are the same price, basic to basic but the features are not.

Both work good, get what your more comfortable with.


520a3bf66e3d2386898c58dcdd9ad486.jpg
5517d5cbeccfdb31a0b65622c58fcde5.jpg
f748b374b0665ad00906cd17c4254e04.jpg
8da62afe117e5838351f068bd4f94b30.jpg
 

Quicksand

Active VIP Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
638
Reaction score
1,434
Location
Eagle Hill
I agree something is better than nothing and get whatever you feel is right for you. My spot has worked flawlessly for the 6-7 years I've had it. (other than it never sent out messages when turning it on momentarily to send one then turning it back off again, don't do that, it needs to stay on for a while EVEN AFTER the message says it's been sent) I just feel it's not worth the money I'm paying for the service I'm getting.

If I could cut the features down in the spot and pay $80/year or less, I'd keep it. I cant use custom messages with my spot2, I don't need unlimited predefined messages and I don't need tracking intervals. Yet they make you pay for all of it. The custom message thing really pises me off because my spot doesn't even have the ability to do it. THAT'S THE ONE FEATURE WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY. Try calling them and they basically tell you to pay up or get bent. Done with spot

The basic plan from garmin is more than I'd use until we have an issue on the hill and needed 2-way comms. At that point I'd gladly pay whatever overages were needed. Plus I've heard nothing but good from the customer service side of garmin
 

LMLCHEVY

Active VIP Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
465
Reaction score
682
Location
The Rockies
Show me where the plans are more than spot. looks pretty comparable to me

Spot $11.95USD/month, yearly plan + $19.95USD activation fee
Garmin $14.95CAD/month, yearly plan + $19.95CAD activation fee

$1 more a month and ~$6 more activation so yeah their close.

In-reach mini is $150 more than the spot X though so re-thinking that maybe I’ll just buy a spot X and switching to the $11.95 US plan.

Anyone want to buy an OG spot?
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
Did a firmware upgrade on my spot x after it sat all summer , man did they ever do a good job of upgrading the tracking app/ web interface.

Pretty awesome way for folks at home to keep an eye on you.
815122c9006bfab129e5006626514bb6.jpg
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201204/3eb960ad69278cf255fdacc1e98b662c.jpg

FYI, some new information for anyone comparing between the two. & also a heads up to those with an inReach.

Not sure what value they feel they’re bringing for a 67% increase!?! I just want to hit SOS if needed, send a message if I’m going to be later &/or be able to get a flight out if needed. I guess it’s a necessary evil to be protected in the back country.
Dirty.
I imagine spot will follow suite here shortly.

For that price you may as well get the sat phone.
 

firstdoo

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2013
Messages
721
Reaction score
1,620
Location
Stony Plain
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201204/3eb960ad69278cf255fdacc1e98b662c.jpg

FYI, some new information for anyone comparing between the two. & also a heads up to those with an inReach.

Not sure what value they feel they’re bringing for a 67% increase!?! I just want to hit SOS if needed, send a message if I’m going to be later &/or be able to get a flight out if needed. I guess it’s a necessary evil to be protected in the back country.

What plan is that for? Garmin is still showing annual plans priced at $15/35/65 and freedom plans at $20/45/80 (Canadian) on their website. I just picked up an Inreach Mini. I’m going to sign up for the annual basic $15/month plan.
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201205/ffa2d1fa6b8146d1d03f54106bec30a6.jpg

Alright, so what they’re quoting here is the “Annual Program Fee” for the price change. The monthly & annual plans are circled & in the fine print, regardless of the “Freedom” or “Annual” plan - you’re paying a program fee once per year it looks like. Unless you guys read it differently. Right now, it shows as: $29.95, going up to $49.95 on January 4, 2021 dependent which subscription type you go with. So, you mention you just bought one - I guess you should get ‘er activated before the price increase takes effect.
Or return it and get a spot.
 

firstdoo

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2013
Messages
721
Reaction score
1,620
Location
Stony Plain
Ah. It’s the activation fee that you pay every for being on the freedom plan. My understanding is if you’re on the annual plan you only pay it the one time when you first sign up.
I just activated my inreach mini on the safety annual plan. Won’t be charged the activation fee ever again as long as I keep the subscription up.

Not sure if this video is already in this thread but here’s cost analysis video to help someone pick the fight plan. Annual vs freedom; safety vs recreational vs expedition plan. https://youtu.be/EyCZrQz1FjU

On a side note. I’m not too happy that I can’t get aerial view maps on the iOS Earthmate app.
 
Top Bottom