Standard disclaimer...I am not very tech savvy, but trying to reform.

A few months ago I retired my SPOT locator in favor of a INReach Explorer Plus.  We played with it enough before our September trip, that at least we could sent texts home.  I have waded through a number of YouTube videos trying to understand the big picture of what it is capable of doing, and how to make it do it? .  Never felt like I got the whole story.

Can someone suggest a good tutorial that might help.

Also, the Garmin folks sent me a notice that now my plan will give me 2 minute tracking at no extra cost?   What reason would anyone need 2 minute interval tracking if they were on foot?  Thanks for the help.

Regards,

MossBack

I don't have either unit BUT somewhere down the road, I might want such a device?

I also know from reading trip reports that many people tie this device to a SmartPhone, which I don't have either. 

I remember when SAT phones were very expensive but now they are much cheaper.

My question is if you just want it for emergency times or a quick call to loved ones, does something like this make sense vs either of your two devices?

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ST,  We do not always take a SAT phone, depending on the durability of the folks back home, if any members are currently dealing with any health issues or sick kids?  The purchase price  of phone you posted is the equivalent of 6 1/2 weeks of daily rental fees for what we rent.  The Imarsat does not come with any airtime and you have to call for plan details??  I do not think there are any bargains with anything that has the word satellite in it. 

The InReach has some other interesting features which I do not fully understand, which is why I am seeking info here. 

When I first started going North, we could not even call home without a payphone involved, now the family expects regular contact by some means.  The downside is that we also have to hear the current drama that we tried to leave behind for a week or so.

Regards,

MossBack

Thanks for your insight on the SAT phone idea MB

  I'll have to give it alot of thought IF I decide to have a emergency communication device?

At Copia I had planned to bother everyone who would talk to me, with questions about my In-Reach.   But that did not work out, so I am back at my ongoing education here.

Standard Disclaimer…I am a digital Illiterate.    I purchased a new Garmin InReach Explorer + last September.   We used it on a trip to the Quetico, mostly for text messages home and at least one weather forecast.  After the trip it went home with me to Indiana and was not used until this week.   The GPS works correctly, but the compass only shows direction, and not speed.  I tried to acquire a BASIC weather forecast and got nothing after 30 minutes and a clear blue uncluttered sky.
Using the instructions, I reset the device, but that did not help.  Then I reset the factory default settings, which helped, but only after about 45 minutes of "on" time.
I still cannot reliably receive BASIC weather, and it will not produce PREMIUM weather no matter how long it is on.
Are there regular updates, or something else I am missing?
Thanks for your help.