Had both and currently running the Garmin. Haven’t noticed a difference in service or “usability” with one mode over the other.
Spoke with Garmin about the continued support for the Delorme model and they told me it should be supported for “quite a while” and didn’t have any admin directives they were gonna stop supporting the Delorme models any time soon.
Id save the $150 if I were doing it all over again.
I’ve never once almost had the sos button on the delorme accidentally activate, be pretty hard to do really.
I thought so too......apparently it happens a bunch. Being that mine got trigger while attached to my pack, I’m at a loss for words on how. The new is way more protected, I can’t image why they would redesign it that way.
Oh wow, so what happened? Did SAR start to get ready to come to you? I’m assuming in text you were able to tell them it was an accidental activation.
Oh wow, so what happened? Did SAR start to get ready to come to you? I’m assuming in text you were able to tell them it was an accidental activation.
I was coming off the mountain to restock, move spots, and out run a storm. I have a carabiner on mine. A lot of time I just clip it to my pack shoulder strap and let it slide down close to belt. Any way long story it was a 3 hour hike out. Didn’t realize I had tripped it until I got to truck and dropped pack. It’s was blowing up with red alerts, at that point I realized what had happened and canceled it. They where just about to head my way. They saw I was moving and headed back to the trail head, also wife informed them I was also with hunting a friend, so they thought it might be false alarm.
Once cancelled I hauled arse to get to cell phone range to calm wife down. I will say hats off to them, my wife was pretty shaken up but she said they did a hell of a job explaining my location, my movements and keeping her calm. They had me honed in on. Speed, distance to trail head Etc. Already knew the ranches to cut through whole 9 yards. Fact I was moving and with a friend they figured it was a false alarm(apparently happens a lot per them).
I’m a customer for life now,
Hindsight I don’t know how I triggered it, only thing I can figure is rubbed in belt, doesn’t seem plausible though.
Garmin Buys DeLorme: Differences between the Garmin InReach and DeLorme Inreach
Differences
- Garmin version has a much larger screen — 1.75" x 1.5" vs. 1.4" x 1.2"
- Delorme power button is easy to accidentally press — must press another button to turn on, this makes it mostly safe from accidentally being t- urned on
- Same on-screen menu, Delorme has a social media button instead of a weather button
- No weather forecast on Delorme
- Garmin inReach Explorer+ can get a 3-day weather forecast that is updated via GPS location
Similarities
- both use the same app
- both should be supported for many years to come
- both use the same operating system
- both acquire satellites and send messages at the same rates
This comparison from Outdoor Gear Lab: Best Satellite Messengers and Locator Beacons | OutdoorGearLab
Their standalone review of the InReach is here: Garmin inReach Explorer+ Review | OutdoorGearLab