[HitTheTrail]

I just upgraded to the new safety plan with unlimited pre-set messages. It warned me before I hit the button that once I committed I could no longer go back to my basic 'grandfathered' safety plan. That sort of implied that you cannot down grade to any plan below the new safety plan once you jump there. But maybe I misunderstood what I read. That has happened in the past! I figure for a couple more bucks a month it would give me a bit more flexibility. Also, with our daughter now living in northern Arizona we will be spending more time driving around down in remote areas of the SW so we could use it to check in with the kids when out of cell range.

[tigermn]

Remember when text messages cost so much per message on cell phones? Now everyone has unlimited texting/it is pretty much the standard. Wonder how long it will take it to get there? Have a hard time personally with the nickel and dime marketing approach.

[Traildad]

Not to add further complexity to this topic but when I was working on converting my subscription to the new Freedom plan today I discovered that Delorme has announced their new Delorme Explorer which is fundamentally the InReach SE with navigation capability added. So now we get to debate the relative merits of carrying the InReach SE plus GPS of choice vs the InReach Explorer only

[HitTheTrail]

For some reason I keep getting Backpacker magazine even after letting the subscription lapse. Anyway, I was flipping through the latest edition today and saw their full page ad for the InReach Explorer. I did not notice the explorer name and thought the screen icons looked a little different but assumed it was just a software update. Now I know, but am not posed with much of a dilemma. I use it as a communicator and my smart phone as a GPS since I take it with me anyway. Edit: also since the price is $380 it is a no-brainer for me to not get the unit. I like gadgets but also have some limits on throwing money around unless something is a real game changer. And this is not by my estimation.

[ranger rock]

I just got my invoice and see that Delorme now charges 50 cents for text messages. When I signed up for the service the cost was 10 cents. Unless I missed something they just upped the fee by 5 times and I am supposed to have an annual contract. Has anyone else had the problem?

[HitTheTrail]

When you send a message from Delorme it is either sent as a txt to a mobile number or to a computer email address. If this is the kind of txt you are referring to it should just get charged against your allowed number of messages. Unless you have gone over your plan maximum. If not contact their support people. Every time I have done that I find them responsive and helpful.

[ranger rock]

[boot up]

[ranger rock]

Well my Delorme Inreach Broke after just a few months but Delorme rushed me a new one, no questions asked. I hope that the Inreach units do not turn out to be as fragile as the SPOT units. I've carried the same GPS, DSLR Camera and IPod on all of my hikes without breaking any of them. But I seem to have terrible luck with Satellite messengers. At least the Delorme told me it was broken. A screen came up that said the device was damaged and could not longer send of receive messages SPOT would just refuse to send messages when it broke. It said to contact customer support... Great.. I was 23 miles into a 56 mile hike, so no way to contact support and of course my spouse got worried after receiving no messages. Now he knows that maybe the Delorme is just as fragile and not to worry when messages from it suddenly stop. The Delorme is a big reason why I ended my most recent PCT thu hike after just one section. That and the Olallie store not stocking Imodium, was enough to make me bail. I used up my ten allowed message last month trying to get a ride home after bailing from the PCT the first time.. OH well a new month is here.. Oh and I got double charged for a message if I sent it both to my spouses email and his phone at the same time.. lesson learned..

[tigermn]

Again the nickel and dime marketing approach. No thanks...

[dla]

[Randito]

[tigermn]

[dla]

I'd love to, but I don't live near any old growth like that. But it would be a good test to try sending a HELP message from down in a ravine. SPOT will transmit a HELP regardless whether or not it can receive a GPS signal. Although the SPOT usage model kindof precludes needing to be able to signal from the bottom of a ravine.

[Doppelganger]