Delorme InReach Model Differences

[PuttingDoctor]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an InReach. I see Defender Marine doing a closeout and wonder from your personal experience if I should spend another $70 on the Explorer or just go with the lower model.

I'll be cruising the Caribbean.

Thanks for your thoughts and input.

[Cotemar]

You should be good to go for that price.

[PuttingDoctor]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

You should be good to go for that price.

Thanks but what does it offer more than the one $70 cheaper?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by PuttingDoctor

Thanks but what does it offer more than the one $70 cheaper?

Sorry. I got ahead of myself. Maybe this comparison will help. I like the route sharing on the Explorer. Used route sharing for our Atlantic crossing this year. Everyone loves to follow the journey.

[PuttingDoctor]

Thanks, I had only noted the last category so it seems worth the little bit extra to go all the way to me.

[Dulcesuenos]

My understanding from a call with delorme last february is the Explorer routing and mapping abilities are really only land based.

[David Hughes]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

My understanding from a call with delorme last february is the Explorer routing and mapping abilities are really only land based.

I think this is correct. I have the InReach SE, and it's great...

[CarlF]

I have the cheaper SE and wouldn't go offshore without it.

There's really nothing in the Explorer that's of use to a sailor who likely has better navigation tools available. It's really aimed at someone like a back country hiker who wants to carry a single device for navigation and communication. The InReach screen is extremely small.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

My understanding from a call with delorme last february is the Explorer routing and mapping abilities are really only land based.

You can create waypoints and routes... goto waypoint and all that. It doesn't care where you route. There are no paid garmin charts available, only topographic maps and NOAA charts. You can't transfer those charts to the device - they remain on the device you pair with the InReach. So its kinda wacka-doodle. I suspect they are planning on releasing a marine version of the Explorer soon.

"Routes

Routes provide navigation on the inReach Explorer and let MapShare viewers see where you're headed. Draw a route by selecting the New Route and then selecting a starting location on the map. Continue selecting points to create a line and select the last point a second time to complete the route. Select the route again to make edits.

When using your inReach Explorer, you can select a Waypoint or Route and choose navigate. When navigating, the Explore and MapShare sites are updated to show where you are and where you are headed."

[puffcard]

Get the SE. If you're going to use an inReach to navigate, save your money and buy a GPS. No sailor is planning trips with an inReach. Your phone is a better navigation device.

[John Holbrook]

Why is Defender closing these out? New model coming?

The InReach is good gear when used via the app on your phone or tablet because the keyboard and screen on the InReach is very fiddly and difficult to use.

[Symphony]

I have an SE paired with my iPhone 6 and iPad Air. Fantastic device for text messaging and leaving tracks on a web page. Friends and family love following my deliveries.

You won't use the Explorer's routing at sea. It is for hikers.

Garmin only recently acquired Delorme, so there may be new models coming out, or it may just be that Defender clears out inventory in December. Defender is very good about refreshing its inventory with clearance sales.

[01kiwijohn]

I also use the SE and it worked fine across the nth Pacific. Family tracked me ok. Now they offer Marine Weather, making it more useful still. I'd highly recommend it.
Text is a bit fiddly, but does all I need.

[apacit]

Other vendors have it on sale too, I'm guessing new Garmin version is on the way, but a marine version sounds better. I read the Explorer was technically better, RAM or something. Has anyone used weather on an SE?

[SeeMonstrEd]

+1 for the SE. I bought mine last year for the trip South to the Caribbean. It works great and friends can follow your track on the website with it too. None of the stuff on the more expense model will help a sailor.