so i wound up ordering the inreach se and it will be here next week. got it from rei as i had a gift card and they have a $50 mail-in rebate currently in effect 'til 6/30. Here's the reason I chose it:
- 2 way communications
- month to month subscription plan
- better reliability to make connections (from empirical reviews)
- the time seems to be right
I have been toying with the idea of getting a spot over the last several years but every time I looked into it I decided not to get one due to negative reviews, and pricing plans. After reading this thread earlier this week i learned of the Delorme Inreach SE. It seems to have the right combination of features for what I was looking for.
I generally prefer to hike solo and on trails without much people around or utilize popular trails to get to a junction then head off trail. I used to scoff at the idea when family members suggested that i carry a spot or something like that. Maybe its me getting older or I've just read about too many people going missing here in the sierra since living here that I've started changing my way of thinking.
Over the next few weeks I'll figure out how best to utilize this tool, but I'm thinking it's really just an in case emergency tool. Most likely i'll just use it to send a txt message to my wife if my plans change, i.e. took a different route for what ever reason, taking longer to get back, etc. the rule we've been operating under is to give me 24 hrs to get back if i'm late to return. think that will still be the rule with the inreach.
I think these are a cool thing to have for dire emergencies and the tech doesn't have to overwhelm a person or over shadow a wilderness experience. Just depends on how you choose to use this new tool. YMMV
my $.02
