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Garmin InReach Map

Is the map that is built into the the Garmin InReach Explorer + the same map that is in the Earthmate app? I would like to upgrade from the Delorme Explorer and thus dump my Garmin 62st GPS, but having no field experience with the quality of the maps in the Garmin InReach kind of worries me.

As an aside, I assume there's still been no word on Garmin creating a new InReach device with the ability to load maps? I haven't heard anything. I guess I'm willing to do my part by buying a new Garmin, so that 2 weeks later a new device will come out making me have major buyer's remorse :D

0 twolpert over 6 years ago

The topos in the inReach Explorer+ are actually inherited from the DeLorme products. They are not related to Garmin topos, except in so far as they are based on the same 1:100000 DEM data as everybody else. The DeLorme maps are referred as Topo North America on the web site. These cover only North America and are the ones that are built into the Explorer+. TNA does include detailed roads.

The inReach also offers additional maps, including Open Street Maps and Digital Atlas of the Earth. Coverage varies by location, but is close to global. These can be downloaded from the inreach.garmin.com web site, Map tab. Look for Get More Maps, just to the right of Map Filters in the upper left corner. Subject, of course, to available memory on the unit.

At least in North America, the Earthmate app has TNA, OSM, and Digital Atlas. It also offers USGS 7.5 minute quad sheets and color aerial imagery. I am unsure of the provenance of the color aerial imagery, but it is likely same public domain imagery used on the old DeLorme GPS units. The USGS quads and aerial imagery are not available for the inReach Explorer+ AFAIK.

We'll see if I get moderated for mentioning D too many times :-D

0 Russ1409 over 6 years ago

Thank you twolpert, for your answer. My concern is not having the USGS quads with me. I use the GPS and the Explorer for Search and Rescue, and the quads and NM Topo are my default map. I need to borrow a new Explorer and see if they are comparable to what I use. I never remember to fire up the earthmate app paired with my older Explorer, so I don't even know how it compares. I would really like to combine the three units into one.

There isn't a Get More Maps button on my website, I assume because I don't have the new Explorer.

Hope I didn't get ya in trouble with The Man ;-)

0 twolpert over 6 years ago

The only way you're going to get the USGS quads for use in conjunction with an inReach is via the Earthmate app on the phone. Assuming you've downloaded the tiles in advance, you don't need a cell connection to use them in the field. You do need a Bluetooth connection between the unit and the phone, which sucks batteries on both ends.

IMO, neither the TNA topos nor the OSM maps are comparable to the USGS quads. Scale is only 1:100000, contour lines are almost always farther apart, and contour shapes are only rough approximations (because the contour lines are vectors). This is not to say that they can't be used for navigation. But they are not in the same league with the 7.5 minute quads.

0 Russ1409 over 6 years ago

Thank you, Tom. As always, your help is much appreciated.