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  1. #1
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    Tracking Devices

    I am not sure if this post is allowed, if not please feel free to delete it. I am thinking about using a tracking device, probably a SPOT Gen3. I am curious if they are efficient.
    I have reached a stage where I have a higher than average chance of some sort of event where I might need help. I would hate to have my daughter go through the process of trying to find me.

    Anyway, I want to know what experience other Hangers have had with their locator or tracking devices. Do they work in forests?
    Have the batteries lasted as long as advertised?
    Is the service reliable?

  2. #2
    Senior Member BigE94's Avatar
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    I think Shug uses one if I remember correctly.
    I would rather be in the woods... my dog would rather be in the pool. My wife thinks we are both nuts.

  3. #3
    Senior Member TrailSlug's Avatar
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    Many of us use the Garmin inReach locators. They are releasing a new version currently and the old one works great for a highly discounted price. Do a search for inReach and you should get a lot of recent threads on these. I love mine for the cost.

  4. #4
    After hearing a lot of issues with the Spot devices (yearly plans, no confirmation of messages sent, etc.) I decided to go with the inreach device. They recently came out with a new model so the old one is reduced now. I was mainly attracted to the device because of the two-way communication functionality. You can send messages to phones or email addresses and receive messages back. When I hike I am frequently out of service on the cell phone so this is important to me. It also has the functionality to send tracking points which can be viewed online. This weekend will be the first time I am taking it out so we will see how it goes.

  5. #5
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    I did the same as the others...the InReach device is what I went with. They have options of monthly or yearly plans and the ability to text if necessary...helps rescue know more what they are dealing with to send appropriate response. They also have predetermined texts you can send at no cost but you have to set those up online.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Hobopelican's Avatar
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    InReach for the win. I have an older model and it works great. Occasionally, weather or trees cause a delay in the signals, but it keeps at it until the spot or text message goes through. I credit this device for making the wife feel comfortable with my lone rambles out of cell tower coverage. Couple the unit with my cell, and it's a passable GPS mapping unit (uses the phone battery a lot, so this is not a replacement for a real GPS/map/compass, IMHO.)
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  7. #7
    Senior Member Rphen's Avatar
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    InReach here as well. Works great!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Rick...

  8. #8
    Senior Member Grumpy Squatch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigE94 View Post
    I think Shug uses one if I remember correctly.
    Shug is also an InReach user. I second (or now third? fourth? fifth?) the consensus here. I've had both the original InReach SE and the Explorer and love them. They do work pretty well in forest cover. It may take a few minutes sitting in one place for a message to get out (or in), but I've never been stuck whether in New England hardwood cover in Massachusetts, mixed cover in New Hampshire, or tall pines in Maine.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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  9. #9
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    WOW, InReach it is. I bought a SPOT GEN3, I just do not trust it.

    Thank you for sharing with me.
    Last edited by IRONFISH45; 03-22-2017 at 23:02.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Redoleary's Avatar
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    I say it depends on what you want. If you want absolute certainty that you will be rescued because the unthinkable has happened then get something like and ACR Resqlink with 406, 121.5, and GPS, if on the other hand you want to be to send messages to loved ones and want a system that "with all probability" will work and get the calvary coming, then go with the InReach. If I had my choice I'd get the Resqlink, if my wife gets to weigh in I'd probably end up with the InReach. Just my 2 cents worth.
    Good luck,
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