Garmin InReach Explorer Plus GPS Device Review: Why I Carry This Handheld Satellite Communicator

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As I mention in the video, in which we got into a review of some of the specific features and functionality, I carry the Garmin InReach Explorer+ every time I go out into the wilderness. And I found this to be the case both before and after I had kids.

I originally got a GPS plus satellite communicator because the climbing I was doing in the alpine was getting more and more technical, and I wanted a way to ensure that my party (often my wife, Kristina, and I) was able to check in with the outside world in case of emergency. But then as I grew more competent, I began taking solo hikes and scrambles out in the mountains, and the device - again - allowed me to stay tethered to those who cared about my whereabouts as well as providing that safety net of the SOS feature. Then, it was on to expeditions, where the two-way communications allowed me to stay in contact with loved ones while I was away for weeks, or even months, on end. Finally, with the kids now out with me, it is really nice to - again - have that safety net of the SOS feature as just that added bit of security that I want for my kids’.

There are a few nice features of the Garmin InReach Explorer+ that are worth mentioning, here, and which I didn’t mention, or only briefly mentioned, in the video:

Yes, there is a tracking feature - I mentioned this, briefly, but it is worth pointing out that you can track and share your movements every few minutes (the default is 10 minutes) and post those tracks to a social media page (or handle) or set of contacts so that you are regularly “checking in” by doing nothing more than moving. Everyone who cares can see that you are okay and still making progress towards your objective.

It is on the Iridium Satellite network - As opposed to the other two major GPS and satellite communications networks (Inmarsat and Thuraya), Iridium has a constellation of satellites that are constantly moving in relation to the earth’s surface (as opposed to geo-synchronous orbit, where the satellites remain in a fixed position relative to the earth’s surface); this means that - on the plus side - there is basically no place that you can take the device that won’t have coverage. Sitting behind some huge mountain that blocks line of sight to a satellite? Don’t worry, another satellite will be coming over head from a different direction in a few moments. The downside is that, because the satellites move relative to you, you do get a few moments of satellite blackout from time to time. This is never an issue for text or emergency communication, as anything you hit “send” on will store until it can clear your outbox. But can be a hassle for a true satellite phone where continuous and unbroken connectivity is the only way you can have a voice conversation. Bottom line - the Iridium network is the best possible service for this type of device, and is even fine for voice communication (a “sat phone”) in places like North and South America where Iridium has a lot of satellites (I used an Iridium Go for voice calls when I was on Denali). Really, Inmarsat is great for sat phone coverage for southeast Asia and Africa, due to where its satellites are located, and Thuraya is the provider of choice for the Himalaya and much of Europe, again, due to the location of the satellites. Iridium is the best solution for pretty much everywhere else.

Mapping software to support navigation - In addition to the device, you get access to the “Explore” account, which lets you manage your devices, subscriptions, linked social accounts, contacts, and all of that, but also allows you to use a mapping tool through which you can upload waypoints, routes, and tracks as well as download tracks you make while moving in the field. So, you can pre-program important locations and routes, then use the “navigate” feature on the device to follow these routes and/or move to the next waypoint.

Pre-programmed messages and contact lists - You can build a library of preset messages and contacts from within the device or from within the “Explore” account, online. This matters because the subscription plans tier pricing for the number of ad-hoc (think, ‘type as you go’) messages you send but have an unlimited amount of preset messages. I use messages like: “Heading out,” “Back at the car,” “Summit!” things like that.

Weather forecasts - You can get a “basic” (48 hour) forecast or a “premium” forecast (7 day forecast) sent to your device, as well as a “marine” forecast that includes wave heights, currents, and visibility.

Rugged Exterior - The exterior is rubberized, and therefore able to handle inclement weather. The Explorer+ withstands incidental exposure to water of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. So, as long as you keep the thing in a pocket or a pack, you won’t have any issues taking the device out to use it, even during a torrential downpour.

And yes, you can pair with your phone or tablet - I just choose not to for the battery saving and cold weather reasons I describe in the video. For those of you who are really hung up on the screen size or button/keyboard limitations, you can bluetooth connect to a phone or tablet running IOS or Android, and then use the Earthmate App for larger maps, etc. as well as use your connected device as the keyboard.

I mentioned subscriptions. That’s a key consideration. Here is an overview of Garmin’s subscription plans, as provided by Garmin:

	SAFETY	RECREATION	EXPEDITION
SOS	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
TEXT MESSAGES*	10	40	Unlimited
PRESET MESSAGES	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
TRACKING INTERVALS	10 min+	10 min+	2 min+
SEND/TRACK POINTS	$0.10 ea	Unlimited	Unlimited
LOCATION REQUESTS	$0.10 ea	Unlimited	Unlimited
BASIC WEATHER	1 text message ea	1 text message ea	Unlimited
PREMIUM WEATHER	$1.00 ea	$1.00 ea	$1.00 ea
PREMIUM MARINE WEATHER	$1.00 ea	$1.00 ea	$1.00 ea
	MONTHLY CHARGES
ANNUAL PLANS	$11.95/mo	$24.95/mo	$49.95/mo
FREEDOM PLANS	$14.95/mo	$34.95/mo	$64.95/mo
	OVERAGE CHARGES
MESSAGES (EACH)*	$0.50	$0.50	N/A

For what it’s worth, I have chosen the “Recreation” plan, allowing the unlimited track points which, again, allows me to stay connected and allows my family and friends to see that I’m okay just through the movement of my device. Plus, it allows me to lay down pretty detailed GPS tracks, which I can later turn into routes to follow on future days.

Lastly, I wanted to provide some perspective on some other devices that may be right for some people (no piece of gear is right for everyone).

If you are going to religiously pair with a phone or tablet for navigation, then you probably don’t need the Explorer+; you could go with the less expensive SE+ model or the Mini.

Garmin describes the differences between the Explorer+ and SE+ as such:

“As satellite communicators, both the InReach SE+ and Explorer+ offer identical messaging capabilities. However, it’s on the GPS navigation side that their differences become apparent. While InReach SE+ uses GPS to provide basic grid navigation and allow you to drop waypoints, mark key locations, track your progress, and follow a breadcrumb trail back to base — the InReach Explorer+ goes a step beyond, providing full-fledged GPS on-map guidance with preloaded TOPO mapping and waypoint routings viewable directly on the unit. Plus, a built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter and accelerometer are included with Explorer+ to help you get and maintain accurate bearings on or off the beaten path.”

So, if you are already using another paired device, you will now get the “big screens” of those paired devices, but with the ability to use the basic navigation functions of the handheld SE+ device that is still weatherproof and able to stand alone without your phone for those same basic navigation functions (no topographic detail on the maps). This may make sense for people who have that same need for “cold weather glove use” as I do, but who will get their phone out for more detailed navigation. It also may make sense for mariners, who don’t need topographic detail.

For the loss of detailed navigation along with the loss of the compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer, you get to spend $50 to $70 less.

The InReach SE+ is actually getting pretty hard to find; it is mostly found in marine shops and the like, for the reasons I described, above. This is because those people who are going to pair with their phones for navigation also tend to want to have their phones for writing their ad hoc messages. So, if you are going to make your phone - in effect - the screen and the keyboard for your device, you may as well go with something smaller. That’s where the Garmin InReach Mini comes in.

The mini is really reliant upon your phone. But it comes in at about $100 less than the Explorer+, and it weighs less than half the ounces (about 3.5 ounces). So, for those of you who are doing more of day trips, where phone battery life isn’t a problem, the Garmin InReach Mini can provide the navigation and two-way communication you want - even out of cell service - in a much smaller and lighter package.

But for those of you, like me, who want a standalone device that can be used in the cold (isn’t reliant upon a touch screen), for long durations (extended batter life), and for navigation as well as communication functions, the Garmin InReach Explorer+ has proven to be an indispensable resident of my gear list. Like I said, it comes with me every time I go into the wild… literally, every single time.