Solo hunters: do you use an inreach device?

STEELCITYSLICKER said:
Not sure why you responded with the eyeroll.

I have zero first hand experience with these units so it was an honest question.

I didnt realize that they will go weeks or months with no charge. I assumed that they would he similar to a phone, where the battery gets eaten up real quick, especially in the cold. I was assuming a 1-2 day battery life. I tend to plan to go out for a week or 2 at a time.

So thank you for the info saying that it will last months on a charge.

That said, I'll stick to my compass and map. Neat devices though.
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You can still use your compass & map SteelCitySlicker!
Having an InReach GPS unit with you is just an "emergency parachute" that you really only need to use if your having a bad day and things go really south on you. Honestly, I don't usually even turn on the InReach as I don't need it but I like knowing that I have it in my backpack and can pull it out and use it if need be. It gives me peace of mind especially when I'm out hunting by myself.
 
i use a PLB , it cost $299 and is just a little green thing- KTI brand, no messages just a free helicopter ride out
no sub fee either,
 
I'm going to look into getting a Spot after an 11 km hike through the bush because of a vehicle breakdown. You will never have a vehicle problem when it is convenient for you. It was a nice night for a walk but with a history of heart problems, it wasn't on the top of my list of things to do. ....... but I made it!
 
kc34 said:
You can still use your compass & map SteelCitySlicker!
Having an InReach GPS unit with you is just an "emergency parachute" that you really only need to use if your having a bad day and things go really south on you. Honestly, I don't usually even turn on the InReach as I don't need it but I like knowing that I have it in my backpack and can pull it out and use it if need be. It gives me peace of mind especially when I'm out hunting by myself.
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Thank you. I like the way that you put that.

I thought that it was something that was on the whole time you were out, letting others know where you are.

My takeaway from this is that I need to do some reading on them. :)
 
Everytime I see someone rescued by search and rescue I think why were you not properly prepared? Was it inexperience / lack of grey matter or just a bad day?

I got mine after I was snowed in for 5 days, 25 kms back in the bush away from the nearest civilisation. I knew a storm was coming in, but misjudged how severe it would be at the elevation I was hunting. I was under canvas with a pick up truck nearby, so relatively safe but no easy way to let my wife know that I was okay.

I hiked through deep snow, without snowshoes to a high spot on the mountain to send a text message every day to confirm I was still good. It was a 4 1/2 hour exhausting hike, but others rely on me to be around, so it had to be done.

Frankly, if you hunt / go out in the bush alone and you have others relying on you it makes sense to have one of these devices. I carry one every time I'm out there now, so if there is a problem I am found quickly and not cause the entire SAR team to be inconvenienced because I was unprepared. They could be saving someone elsmore deserving?:)

Candocad.
 
In the past I have never bothered or been overly concerned with having a satellite communicator, I was always content to have my GPS and compass/map but recently my employer bought me a satellite phone because they want me available on call so I may start packing it with me if think it likely that I'll find myself out of cellular reception. I'd not have bought a sat phone myself though, possibly an Inreach but never really felt uncomfortable without one.
 
kc34 said:
You can still use your compass & map SteelCitySlicker!
Having an InReach GPS unit with you is just an "emergency parachute" that you really only need to use if your having a bad day and things go really south on you. Honestly, I don't usually even turn on the InReach as I don't need it but I like knowing that I have it in my backpack and can pull it out and use it if need be. It gives me peace of mind especially when I'm out hunting by myself.
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STEELCITYSLICKER said:
Thank you. I like the way that you put that.

I thought that it was something that was on the whole time you were out, letting others know where you are.

My takeaway from this is that I need to do some reading on them. :)
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There are a number of important things you need to think about before getting a GPS Satellite communication device as there are different types and they can perform multiple functions, maybe some things that you don't care about, won't use or need.
I bought the basic and cheapest Garmin InReach Mini as I'm using it only as a communication device when and if i need it for that purpose. Some of the high end and expensive Garmin InReach units can do everything for you: GPS, color mapping, satellite imagery, real-time tracking, position updates to folks back home, cameras, etc., etc.
The thing to keep in mind is if you get one of the do it all high end units you then really need to have the nicer and more expensive monthly service subscriptions or it kind of defeats the purpose of getting the flagship device. I don't need all that or want to pay the monthly cost but I'm sure some folks do, to each their own.
I could enable tracking updates on mine if I wanted to have it turned on all day but i don't. If you have a significant other that wants to know your exact position at any given moment well then that can certainly be done if needed. If they are happy enough with just getting a message and position update once of twice a day, that can be done instead. It is really up to you how you use the device.
 
Odinson said:
I'm going to look into getting a Spot after an 11 km hike through the bush because of a vehicle breakdown. You will never have a vehicle problem when it is convenient for you. It was a nice night for a walk but with a history of heart problems, it wasn't on the top of my list of things to do. ....... but I made it!
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With the spot X, you have the option of pushing SOS if the #### has hit the fan, or messaging your contacts for assistance.

Grizz
 
I like the email function too. My plan only has 10 free messages a month and I just used up three testing the darn thing, but it's only 75 cents per extra message so no big deal.

So if I break down 60 km down some road or even 5 km up some brushy side road and there is nobody else around (which is unlikely, but it is possible) at least I can email my wife to call an offroad tow truck in Williams lake or Kamloops to head out to km xx on Zippermouth creek FSR to get me out. I mean that doesn't warrant an SOS call does it?
 
caramel said:
A satellite phone provide you with great versatility and comfort. It's good on both side.
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Sure, but they're much heavier/bulkier, and I can't imagine they're any cheaper to run? (or buy for that matter)

kc34 said:
There are a number of important things you need to think about before getting a GPS Satellite communication device as there are different types and they can perform multiple functions, maybe some things that you don't care about, won't use or need.
I bought the basic and cheapest Garmin InReach Mini as I'm using it only as a communication device when and if i need it for that purpose. Some of the high end and expensive Garmin InReach units can do everything for you: GPS, color mapping, satellite imagery, real-time tracking, position updates to folks back home, cameras, etc., etc.
The thing to keep in mind is if you get one of the do it all high end units you then really need to have the nicer and more expensive monthly service subscriptions or it kind of defeats the purpose of getting the flagship device. I don't need all that or want to pay the monthly cost but I'm sure some folks do, to each their own.
I could enable tracking updates on mine if I wanted to have it turned on all day but i don't. If you have a significant other that wants to know your exact position at any given moment well then that can certainly be done if needed. If they are happy enough with just getting a message and position update once of twice a day, that can be done instead. It is really up to you how you use the device.
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In addition to that, the more expensive/feature rich models are going to be heavier, bulkier, and use more battery power.

Personally, I've switched to using my phone for GPS purposes (location, tracking, sat imagery, topo maps are all available for very cheap, the iHunter BC App cost me $5.49 I think, and has multiple map layers of the entire province, plus things like whats in season, MU boundaries/LEH zone boundaries, sunset/sunrise time... They also have a $10/year paid feature for a series of layers that include private property and other useful info, although I haven't tried that out yet) as my GPS was just another thing to carry before. Thus, I am interested in things that are lightweight/compact, can connect to me phone, and provide the ability to message my wife.

MD said:
I like the email function too. My plan only has 10 free messages a month and I just used up three testing the darn thing, but it's only 75 cents per extra message so no big deal.

So if I break down 60 km down some road or even 5 km up some brushy side road and there is nobody else around (which is unlikely, but it is possible) at least I can email my wife to call an offroad tow truck in Williams lake or Kamloops to head out to km xx on Zippermouth creek FSR to get me out. I mean that doesn't warrant an SOS call does it?
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Thats my primary reason for wanting one too. A few years ago I blew a tire up East Harrison, 40+km up the main road and then 2 or 3 km up a side road. I was able to get out of the washout and get the spare on by myself, but if I had a bigger problem it would have been extremely useful to be able to message a buddy, let him know where I'm at, and that I need assistance.
 
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MD said:
I like the email function too. My plan only has 10 free messages a month and I just used up three testing the darn thing, but it's only 75 cents per extra message so no big deal.

So if I break down 60 km down some road or even 5 km up some brushy side road and there is nobody else around (which is unlikely, but it is possible) at least I can email my wife to call an offroad tow truck in Williams lake or Kamloops to head out to km xx on Zippermouth creek FSR to get me out. I mean that doesn't warrant an SOS call does it?
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That is a very good question MD.
What needs to happen to you to make you push the SOS button....:confused: Probably different things for different people.
For me it would need to be a serious medical of life threatening emergency.
If I had a vehicle breakdown I would 1st try and contact a friend and get a tow truck dispatched as you say.

The other thing to keep in mind is what cost is associated with hitting the SOS button? I don't actually know off the top of my head if there is any?
As I understand the emergency folks on the other end will txt you back ASAP to find out what your emergency actually is if you push the red button. They will also try and contact your Emergency Contact list which you set up before hand. Do you need a helicopter extraction...??? What does that cost...???? I can't imagine it is free!
I have read on the internet that some people have hit the emergency button for stupid reasons, usually because they got out to far into the sticks and were woefully unprepared..... " it got dark & I didn't have a flashlight!" type of dumb stuff......f:P:2:

That is why it is a good idea to have some solid "go to people" in your list of contacts on your device that you can count on to help you out if need be in an emergency. Then maybe you don't have to go Nuclear and hit the SOS button as I really don't want to go that route if at all possible.
 
kc34 said:
That is a very good question MD.
What needs to happen to you to make you push the SOS button....:confused: Probably different things for different people.
For me it would need to be a serious medical of life threatening emergency.
If I had a vehicle breakdown I would 1st try and contact a friend and get a tow truck dispatched as you say.

The other thing to keep in mind is what cost is associated with hitting the SOS button? I don't actually know off the top of my head if there is any?
As I understand the emergency folks on the other end will txt you back ASAP to find out what your emergency actually is if you push the red button. They will also try and contact your Emergency Contact list which you set up before hand. Do you need a helicopter extraction...??? What does that cost...???? I can't imagine it is free!
I have read on the internet that some people have hit the emergency button for stupid reasons, usually because they got out to far into the sticks and were woefully unprepared..... " it got dark & I didn't have a flashlight!" type of dumb stuff......f:P:2:

That is why it is a good idea to have some solid "go to people" in your list of contacts on your device that you can count on to help you out if need be in an emergency. Then maybe you don't have to go Nuclear and hit the SOS button as I really don't want to go that route if at all possible.
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I was trained in the marine industry and I refer to that:


Sécurité Sécurité Sécurité is the least urgent call. It usually issues navigational warnings, meteorological warnings, and any other warning needing to be issued that may concern the safety of life at sea, yet may not be particularly life-threatening.

Pan-pan: This is the second most important call. It is a situation that is urgent, but for the time being, does not pose an immediate danger to anyone's life or to the vessel itself.

Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice-procedure radio communications. It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by aviators and mariners, but in some countries local organizations such as firefighters, police forces, and transportation organizations also use the term.

I heard a Mayday call once when the boater ran out of fuel. Not cool.

I would think that the SOS button should only be used in a "Mayday" type situation ie. threat to life.
 
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kc34 said:
That is a very good question MD.
What needs to happen to you to make you push the SOS button....:confused: Probably different things for different people.
For me it would need to be a serious medical of life threatening emergency.
If I had a vehicle breakdown I would 1st try and contact a friend and get a tow truck dispatched as you say.

The other thing to keep in mind is what cost is associated with hitting the SOS button? I don't actually know off the top of my head if there is any?
As I understand the emergency folks on the other end will txt you back ASAP to find out what your emergency actually is if you push the red button. They will also try and contact your Emergency Contact list which you set up before hand. Do you need a helicopter extraction...??? What does that cost...???? I can't imagine it is free!
I have read on the internet that some people have hit the emergency button for stupid reasons, usually because they got out to far into the sticks and were woefully unprepared..... " it got dark & I didn't have a flashlight!" type of dumb stuff......f:P:2:

That is why it is a good idea to have some solid "go to people" in your list of contacts on your device that you can count on to help you out if need be in an emergency. Then maybe you don't have to go Nuclear and hit the SOS button as I really don't want to go that route if at all possible.
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This is a very good question. From my limited knowledge, volunteer groups like Coquitlam Search and Rescue do not charge for their services, however I'm really not sure who would be responding in the middle of BC far from any town big enough to have a volunteer SAR team.
 
Grizzly Adams said:
With the spot X, you have the option of pushing SOS if the #### has hit the fan, or messaging your contacts for assistance.

Grizz
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I've been looking at the spot x after the last adventure ...... wife was pretty upset with me. I really don't know why, I knew I was ok. Just tired. We were a long, long way from cel service.
 
Definitely carry one. One you get past the purchase cost the monthly sub is pretty cheap. The device is lightweight and my InReach, for example, can substitute for my Garmin for all basic GPS duties. The SOS function alone is worth the dollars, but to have reliable TWO WAY text messaging out in the bush is extra icing on the cake! You can tell a buddy "bring more beer and ice" or you can let the home team know you're going to be 2 days early for the pickup point with meat. You can get basic and detailed weather updates for your area. If you're doing something really intense, or for work or charity you can turn on breadcrumb tracking and the device will ping your network and update a map with your location every 5 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. for safety reasons or for your sponsors. I sometimes have to drive all over Western Canada for work and I've taken to slipping it in to my bag as a Just in Case item. It weighs less than my .50 cal bottle opener/corkscrew I carry in the same bag ;-)

When I'm out in the bush it's just off, clipped somewhere handy.
 
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