Solo hunters: do you use an inreach device?

kc34 said:
No worries hawk-i, we here on CGN will have a Celebration of Life for you if the "experience of pitting yourself against nature" goes bad for you kind of like it has for many fearless folks over the years......:nest:
I'm sure there are worse ways to go then dying cold and alone in the bush.......:stirthepot2:

Anyhow, have a great hunting season!
Click to expand...

E.g. A heart attack at home on the sofa watching a hunting show on TV.
 
Yes, for back country trips. I’m slowly getting better at bringing it on most all trips, even local hunting (rattlesnakes). I have the inreach mini (Weight) and paired it to my phone for contact lists, quick texting, drop points (vehicle, dropped pack on stalk, shot location, animal location, water supply, etc.) . The basic plan is $15.70(AB) a month for Unlimited SOS/preset messages and 10 texts. It’s $0.75 a text after but who cares for the odd time that may happen, you probably needed it and you would have to spend $21.74/month in overages just to reach the same price plan as the next level (- tracking coverage). The inreach is two way communication which is key. It does take up to a few minutes to send a message but a minimum three satellites have to pinpoint you if I remember correct. As kc34 said, that’s the technology not the device. It’s pretty cheap life insurance! Have a check-in schedule (24/48/72hrs) based on trip length vs. battery capacity; I also carry a back up power bank for extended trips and the only time I turn the inreach on is to check-in every 72hrs. I use my phone (Earthmate app) to drop any way points and then it to gets turned off. Another thing I’ve started to do before trips is take broad range and detailed screen shots of trip locations on google earth to have on my phone (my camera) as well as carry a TOPO map. Having both to look at side by side is great.

I also have my contact send me the next 72hr weather report as the reply to my check-in. Huge help.

As far as cost on SOS trip, I don’t believe there’s a charge in Canada (don’t take my word!!). They don’t want people to die over costs as they do in the states. This is also another reason two-way communication is key. For non life threatening situations you can still use the SOS function and they can just talk you through without sending the Calvary without knowing your specific situation. You will also have comfort knowing someone received your SOS. These devices will also save your local emergency services a hell of a lot of time and money by knowing exactly where to go instead of spending three days grid searching a general area that you probably wandered out of. Everyone will be much happier should you ever use it. The inreach (probably spot as well??) is good for using for third parties without having to worry about costs falling back on you for helping them out.
 
Last edited:
Nashville said:
As far as cost on SOS trip, I don’t believe there’s a charge in Canada (don’t take my word!!). They don’t want people to die over costs as they do in the states. This is also another reason two-way communication is key. For non life threatening situations you can still use the SOS function and they can just talk you through without sending the Calvary without knowing your specific situation. You will also have comfort knowing someone received your SOS.
Click to expand...


Actually that is a good question .... I heard that In the US they will call whatever private SAR helicopter they can get and it leaves you with a very hefty bill.

I have asked Garmin who they call in Canada and they have refused to answer ... One would hope they call regular SAR which should only cost whatever it normally cost...

still beats dying somewhere but I do wonder what surprise awaits upon return ...
 
The states, you will pay big time! Canada I believe not. It’s been a while but I believe communication goes to a central command center which relays to the nearest emergency services to your coordinates. They will then take it from there and based off your needs get you the help you need (SARS if SOS). An easy option is to look up the nearest SARS group covering your location before you go and get their number. Bypass the SOS (unless otherwise unable) and directly contact the nearest group. You can also have your emergency contact do this for you, they need to be just as prepared to react to any situation as you do.

SOS is last case scenario, you have no other option.


http://download.garmin.com/InReach/inReach_Field_Experience_Webinar-SOS.pdf (Pg22/23 of 46 for info on SOS costs)
 
Last edited:
We need more electronics in our lives and especially when we enjoy our freedoms and connection to nature while we're "out there".

Let's all wear face masks (pfffft..), GPS transceivers, put the latest gizmos on your dogs and have your accompanying kids and grand kids bring all their cell devices. Oh, and don't forget to get rid off camo clothing. Wear bright colors all the way!

Big brother will keep you save after all.....f:P:
 
riversrest said:
We need more electronics in our lives and especially when we enjoy our freedoms and connection to nature while we're "out there".

Let's all wear face masks (pfffft..), GPS transceivers, put the latest gizmos on your dogs and have your accompanying kids and grand kids bring all their cell devices. Oh, and don't forget to get rid off camo clothing. Wear bright colors all the way!

Big brother will keep you save after all.....f:P:
Click to expand...

This thread has absolutely nothing to do with face masks.....:rey2.....it's about solo hunters and InReach devices as indicated quite clearly in the thread title......your veering way, way off course!
f:P:2:

Try and stay focused on the thread topic!

:HR:
 
riversrest said:
We need more electronics in our lives and especially when we enjoy our freedoms and connection to nature while we're "out there".

Let's all wear face masks (pfffft..), GPS transceivers, put the latest gizmos on your dogs and have your accompanying kids and grand kids bring all their cell devices. Oh, and don't forget to get rid off camo clothing. Wear bright colors all the way!

Big brother will keep you save after all.....f:P:
Click to expand...


I can give you a long list of people (including hunters) who have met a painful and lonely death and would have wished to have had one of those latest gizmos.


There is legit concern about today's invasion of privacy and electronics and social medias effect of people live's, there is right and wrong conspiracy theories and then there is just plain idiocy
 
Never carried one, but now do a SPOT X and it’s peace of mind for those at home. Interesting those who carry a gps bouncing off satellites , are against basically a gps that can save your life. I carry as needed map , compass , gps depending where I go, but always the spot.
 
riversrest said:
We need more electronics in our lives and especially when we enjoy our freedoms and connection to nature while we're "out there".

Let's all wear face masks (pfffft..), GPS transceivers, put the latest gizmos on your dogs and have your accompanying kids and grand kids bring all their cell devices. Oh, and don't forget to get rid off camo clothing. Wear bright colors all the way!

Big brother will keep you save after all.....f:P:
Click to expand...


What do you think we’re doing with our spot/inreach devices? We’re just out there texting back and forth every 5 minutes with friends and family, sending memes and GIF’s, having a grand ‘ol time wrapped in our down comforters by a bonfire...

For most of us, we don’t care about having the device for our sake (until something serious goes wrong). It’s more for the comforts of others. We’re not afraid to be out there by ourselves or we wouldn’t be out there at all, device or not. I’m sure each and every person here will do all they can to avoid ever even pressing that “inconvenience button” so as not to disturb anyone. All of us here have obviously made it out of every situation alive and well without one of these devices in the past and most would probably continue to without ever needing one. But to take 5 minutes out of every 2 or 3 days to send out a simple “I’m OK” to comfort someone back home or even just to have a button there to turn on and call for help when that one thing goes wrong!? It seems reasonable to me. Perhaps 3.5oz is just too much extra weight to carry!? If foolish pride is worth more than tarnishing your “mountain man image” or even your life, that’s fine. At least let your local SARS group know so they don’t waste any resources looking for you and focus on someone who gives a damn about being there for the next hunt.
 
I deactivated my Spot because I wanted to switch to an I Reach this season. I canceled all my elk, deer and goat hunts in Wyoming and Montana due to COVID so I postponed getting an InReach this year. I have great cell service everywhere I'll be hunting this year and always carry an extra battery pack and GPS.

Hopefully next spring I'll be back bear hunting in the US and will take an InReach (unless I find something else). I loved my spot but my wife hates the fact that she can't track and talk to me when I'm out of cell service. Like mentioned above, a few hundred $ is worth life saving features and peace of mind for loved ones.
 
Teac said:
I can give you a long list of people (including hunters) who have met a painful and lonely death and would have wished to have had one of those latest gizmos.


There is legit concern about today's invasion of privacy and electronics and social medias effect of people live's, there is right and wrong conspiracy theories and then there is just plain idiocy
Click to expand...

You got that right, I mean the thing with "idiocy"!

Just pm that list including hunters or better post it here so we can all smarten up. Thanks in advance.
 
kc34 said:
This thread has absolutely nothing to do with face masks.....:rey2.....it's about solo hunters and InReach devices as indicated quite clearly in the thread title......your veering way, way off course!
f:P:2:

Try and stay focused on the thread topic!

:HR:
Click to expand...

To some, carrying InReach devices is like wearing a face mask. However I'm focused with common sense - on the game to hunt and not the gizmos!

Are you?
 
I started using one this year. I take it with me wherever I go and send my wife a quick message to let her know everything is okay. So far all my messages have gone through unlike my old Spot. It’s very comforting for her and me knowing that we can communicate
 
riversrest said:
You got that right, I mean the thing with "idiocy"!

Just pm that list including hunters or better post it here so we can all smarten up. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Are you seriously doubting here that nobody has ever gotten lost and died because of that? Lets assume that you must be joking and in case you are serious about that, I recommend another gizmo of our times to you .. its called: GOOGLE SEARCH!


And once more, if you feel that those ridiculous gizmos hinder your leisure activities in the great outdoors, then guess what ... you are free not to carry such thing.

For me the decision is clear that I carry my inreach as soon as I hit the mountains and should go something terribly wrong, I push a button and wait for the medivac heli.

But to each their own and please suit yourself.
 
Lost, Hypothermic, atrial fibrillation, leg, arm, head, injury. That $300 dollar electronic device will seem like a bloody good idea, and a great investment.
 
riversrest said:
^ No list yet?
Click to expand...

listen up. I am not wasting my time here to play your little game. if you want to become the laughing stock here by making the claim nobody has ever gotten lost and died, then suit yourself. This is on you.

Will I be wasting my time and play stupid "who is right on the internet games" with you? #### no.

I recommend you find yourself someone else who is willing to play your game though.

Lastly, maybe can you clarify what is your objective? Is your objective to convince us how stupid it is to carry those devices? How impossible it is to get lost and die? Are you just trying to tell us you dont want to use those things? What is it?


How about lets settle on this:

Me:

- believes people have gotten lost and died and would not have died if they had had an inreach
- carries and inreach


You

- does not believe anybody has ever gotten lost and died
- does not carry an inreach


I will continue my life perfectly happy with those differences and it is not my goal to convince you of anything. Please believe what you want and do what you want. This is an (almost) free country and I will do the same.


sounds good?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom