Inreach or Spot X

[S.W.A.T.]

Have seen the inreach work and like what I see. Just wondering if anyone is using the spot x

 

[Grinder]

My spot and trackers up for sale.




Spot gen 3 and 2 spot trackers,
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-snowmobile-...ampaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android

 

[ferniesnow]

Please explain the Spot X.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Please explain the Spot X.

https://www.findmespot.ca/spotx/lander.php

Really the only way I know how is to say it's like a BlackBerry that has spot technology built in

 

[skegpro]

Imo the spot x is the best 2-way sat tech out right now short of a full blown sat phone.

That full keyboard will be very valuable.

I will be picking up one of these spot x and testing it out this winter.

Maybe drop my sat phone if I am 100% comfortable with it.

 

[whoDEANie]

While the InReach works well for me. Unless I'm just using one of the preset messages, I find it brutal to send messages with unless I pair it to my phone so that I can use my phone's keyboard. Now that I know the spot x has a built in keyboard, I'd definitely go that way.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

My issue with spot is that everyone tells me the further north you go the worse it works. Anyone confirm or deny this?

 

[skegpro]

My issue with spot is that everyone tells me the further north you go the worse it works. Anyone confirm or deny this?

How far north are you talking?

I used my spot sat phone around the fort Mac area and it worked good.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

How far north are you talking?

I used my spot sat phone around the fort Mac area and it worked good.

I have friends send messages off the old spots that didn't go out for 3 days on hunting trips. North as far as the Yukon/Territories, maybe further. Add in mountain cover and I have heard it can be iffy. Something to do with how the satellites rotate the earth or something. I have not heard any issues with the inreach system.

 

[skegpro]

I have friends send messages off the old spots that didn't go out for 3 days on hunting trips. North as far as the Yukon/Territories, maybe further. Add in mountain cover and I have heard it can be iffy. Something to do with how the satellites rotate the earth or something. I have not heard any issues with the inreach system.

How long ago was this?
Both Globalstar and Irridium have updated their networks in recent.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

How long ago was this?
Both Globalstar and Irridium have updated their networks in recent.

Last couple years. The way it was explained to me is globalstar satellite orbit the equator and iridium satellites orbit the polls. I haven't looked into that information just going off the word of the salesman and the fact many other retailers in my area either dont recommend the spot or have dropped the lineup all together. Either because of the coverage issue or because globalstar is hard to deal with. Keep in mind I have zero experience dealing with them and my experience is only second hand, which is why I posted the question here. On another forum my above comments seemed to be echoed. I really did like the idea of the spot x. One less item to carry and if I drop it in the snow it looks rugged enough to survive or at least I'm only out $300. Drop your phone in a puddle or snow and your out 1k these days. Liked the idea of the keyboard and the features but it's all for not if the coverage is spotty.

 

[skegpro]

Last couple years. The way it was explained to me is globalstar satellite orbit the equator and iridium satellites orbit the polls. I haven't looked into that information just going off the word of the salesman and the fact many other retailers in my area either dont recommend the spot or have dropped the lineup all together. Either because of the coverage issue or because globalstar is hard to deal with. Keep in mind I have zero experience dealing with them and my experience is only second hand, which is why I posted the question here. On another forum my above comments seemed to be echoed. I really did like the idea of the spot x. One less item to carry and if I drop it in the snow it looks rugged enough to survive or at least I'm only out $300. Drop your phone in a puddle or snow and your out 1k these days. Liked the idea of the keyboard and the features but it's all for not if the coverage is spotty.

Hmmm


https://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=108

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Hmmm


https://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php?cid=108
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180906/ced836dc23d7cd2a7ed5cb8abfc2d375.jpg

Same map in the brochure I picked up. Couple links here that kinda helped me with my decision

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?147231-SpotX-messenger-review

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/05/garmin-inreach-mini-satellite-tracker-in-depth-review.html

There was a professional review on the spot but I can't find it.

 

[skegpro]

Same map in the brochure I picked up. Couple links here that kinda helped me with my decision

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?147231-SpotX-messenger-review

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/05/garmin-inreach-mini-satellite-tracker-in-depth-review.html

There was a professional review on the spot but I can't find it.

I guess if you gonna be in the Yukon lots then Irridium may be they way to go.

 

[MarkCos]

I think all of this stuff is a waste of money
all u need to do is just buy a SAT PHONE already.
there as cheap as getting a cell phone
and all u got to do is make every one that u ride with aware of
what pocket it’s in and how to properly use it
with sticky labels on it with all the RCMP numbers on it -(of ur ridding areas)-and after
hours numbers to


so why not just make a call with a phone if there a problem
instead if using a fidget spinner that may or may not work
if ur in trouble the last thing u or ur friends will complain about is how much a sat phone cost$$

 

[skegpro]

I think all of this stuff is a waste of money
all u need to do is just buy a SAT PHONE already.
there as cheap as getting a cell phone
and all u got to do is make every one that u ride with aware of
what pocket it’s in and how to properly use it
with sticky labels on it with all the RCMP numbers on it -(of ur ridding areas)-and after
hours numbers to


so why not just make a call with a phone if there a problem
instead if using a fidget spinner that may or may not work
if ur in trouble the last thing u or ur friends will complain about is how much a sat phone cost$$

I do have a Sat phone, but definitely not as cheap as a cell phone.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I think all of this stuff is a waste of money
all u need to do is just buy a SAT PHONE already.
there as cheap as getting a cell phone
and all u got to do is make every one that u ride with aware of
what pocket it’s in and how to properly use it
with sticky labels on it with all the RCMP numbers on it -(of ur ridding areas)-and after
hours numbers to


so why not just make a call with a phone if there a problem
instead if using a fidget spinner that may or may not work
if ur in trouble the last thing u or ur friends will complain about is how much a sat phone cost$$

No where near as cheap as a cellphone. For me it more because I hunt alone and I'm one of those people that rarely let's anyone know where I'm going or what I'm doing. Wife gets a little upset so I thought this might be a good start. I like how the inreach shows your location when you send a text. I've rented sat phones before and had difficulty getting out so decided it wasn't worth it. Haven't heard much downside to the inreach system

 

[Tchetek]

My spot phone was dead on my first and only test usage after an afternoon ride last season. I’m sketched out if it’s gonna be reliable. It was on the charger for a month before the trip.

 

[skegpro]

My spot phone was dead on my first and only test usage after an afternoon ride last season. I’m sketched out if it’s gonna be reliable. It was on the charger for a month before the trip.

Something wrong there.
My spot phone will hold a charge for a very long time a recharges very fast.

Maybe need a replacement battery?

 

[ABMax24]

I think all of this stuff is a waste of money
all u need to do is just buy a SAT PHONE already.
there as cheap as getting a cell phone
and all u got to do is make every one that u ride with aware of
what pocket it’s in and how to properly use it
with sticky labels on it with all the RCMP numbers on it -(of ur ridding areas)-and after
hours numbers to


so why not just make a call with a phone if there a problem
instead if using a fidget spinner that may or may not work
if ur in trouble the last thing u or ur friends will complain about is how much a sat phone cost$$

An Inreach or Spot X are far more reliable than a Sat Phone. A Spot or Inreach only need a signal for a few seconds to get a message out, Sat Phones need a good signal the entire duration of a call. If you don't have a signal an Inreach or Spot X keep trying to send until they get a signal. Plus they also send your location to S&R in the event of an emergency. How many people when calling for help on a Sat Phone know their exact location? Especially if they are calling because they are lost. A Sat Phone requires a significant amount of user intervention to get the correct help to the right location, if I'm in trouble all I have to do is push the SOS button on my Inreach and someone will find me.

These devices are proven pieces of technology and many people owe their lives to them, and to say otherwise is merely the opinion of someone to ignorant to use one.