Tracking a route

I just got a Garmin Explorer+ and am looking over the billing plans. I want this to be a back up for my phone/SOS (IDC about texting) so I was looking at the tracking points being a paid thing. Does this not track where I'm going? I have to pay extra to have it track me? I wanted this so if my phone dies, I could pull this up and follow my path back, but will it truly not have like a route I go down or do I have to pay .10 for each "bread crumb" (else go for a higher costing plan)? I don't care about the function where it sends it to some site that others can see but this explanation under the tracking settings "Log Interval (not available on the inReach SE):Determines how often the inReach records your GPS position." Does this cost every time it records our position?

0 twolpert over 3 years ago

Yes, on iR devices, track points sent via the Iridium network are charged against your plan. This is because of the cost of the satellite air time.

Typically, an iR device can record two types of track points - “sent” and “logged”. Sent points are transmitted via the Iridium network in more or less real time and are charged against the plan. Logged points do not leave the unit until you sync. You can sync via a wired connection with a PC or via a mobile app (Earthmate app for legacy devices).

Typically, the unit allows you to control sending and logging intervals separately, including disabling them. I do not have an active legacy device, so I cannot check. IF you have separate controls, the ideal thing for your scenario would be to log but not send. You would see the logged track on the device map and could use that to back track. You could also see it in the Earthmate app if paired with a phone.

From a safety perspective, there IS a downside to not “sending” points. If you become disabled to the point of not being physically able to send the SOS, SAR will not have anyplace to start (when somebody eventually reports you overdue). If you are sending, they at least have your last known position.