Advise for first time user of InReach Explorer

Former Member over 8 years ago

As a previous owner of a PN-60w I decided to upgrade to the InReach Explorer ( on order). I realise there is now an Explorer+ but I feel the benefits of a larger screen / mapping are 'too little too late'. Ok so the point of my message is to ask for advise for someone setting up for the first time. I had lots of trouble with the PN-60w and I don't want to go through those issues again. Reading customer comments it would seem that for every positive there is a negative report. Do people just not read the instructions, or is set up and use of an InReach as hard as some suggest? I envision using my device with the cheapest annual contract SAFETY plan. I travel light so expect NOT to carry a cell phone, therefore the InReach will be used primarily for sending OK messages. I plan to create a message to say "all ok can you send weather forecast". My assumption is that with the SAFETY plan i could receive 10 return messages per month from a family member who could see my location and personally send me a weather report. Extra messages would incur a 50c fee whether sent or received.

Please if anyone can spare the time could they offer some advice, just a few do's and don'ts for instance:

What is the latest Firmware (is the InReach likely to have the latest firmware installed from factory.

0 twolpert over 8 years ago

Consider using preset messages. You define the message text and the recipient list for each of 3 messages on the web site. The advantage to preset messages is that they are free on all plans, including the safety plan. Like all messages, the preset messages include your location. Any other message type, including quick text messages, will cut into your plan's allotment.

Note that with the safety plan, any location reporting other than sending a preset message is going to cost extra.

Setup really is not that difficult. It requires Internet access from your PC, as well as the ability to take the unit outside with a clear view of the sky. When you power the unit up for the first time, it will basically walk you through the sign up and activation process. You're going to sign up for a new account on the web site using the IMEI and authorization code displayed on the device. You'll complete some additional information on the web site. Then you'll take the unit outside and wait for activation from the satellite network. This might take as much as 20 minutes or so, although it's usually faster.

Once the unit is activated, you'll go back to the web site to enter additional contacts, your preset messages and recipients, etc. Then connect the unit to the PC using the USB cable and perform a sync from the web site. This sends the contacts, messages, etc. to the unit. You'll need to repeat the sync any time you make changes to the information on the web site. Also, if you log tracks on the unit, the next sync will copy them to the web site so they show up on the map page.

With regard to weather, note that the Explorer includes the ability to request weather information for any location, including your current location. I believe that a standard report is charged as one message. An extended report (and possibly a marine forecast?) is charged at a flat fee of $1 per request. I was able to confirm the additional charge for premium/marine forecasts, but not the message charge for the basic request. Offhand, I don't recall who the weather provider is. I know there was discussion on the old DeLorme forums regarding the quality of the forecasts. Let's just say that opinions varied :D

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Many thanks

Thanks Twopert, I will be using the device in remote mountains so I figured I'd educate a family member to read the relevant weather reports and send abbreviated replies. I'm assuming receiving one message counts as one of my allotted 10 (safety package). I don't much care for endless back and forth messaging so the safety package should do for me. I'll be really careful to go through set up carefully. You use the term PC, I guess I can also use a Mac as well?

0 twolpert over 8 years ago

Yes, a Mac should be fine. The basic interface to the web site is via a browser, of course. But there is a client-side sync program that is used to perform the actual sync. The sync program is available for the Mac as well as Windows.

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Thanks

Yes, a Mac should be fine. The basic interface to the web site is via a browser, of course. But there is a client-side sync program that is used to perform the actual sync. The sync program is available for the Mac as well as Windows.

Thanks i appreciate all the help. Having owned the PN60-w (and Spot) I shouldn't struggle too much.