expired Posted by phoinix | Staff • Nov 15, 2024
Nov 15, 2024 8:10 AM
Item 1 of 1
expired Posted by phoinix | Staff • Nov 15, 2024
Nov 15, 2024 8:10 AM
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Compact Satellite Communicator (Orange or Black)
+ Free Shipping$300
$400
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Apple is using the globalstar sat network which is the same as spotx. Garmin uses the iridium sat network which is slightly better.
I pay for the annual subscription. SpotX allows you to have 14 predefined messages that do not count agaist you. You can use the cheapest plan with that. Just saying this because, I use garmin everything, but the inreach is not one of them. I find the spotx to better and I can use it WITHOUT a cellphone and get full functionality.
Garmin bought up the rescue service under spotx, raised prices, and more. Their plans were always more than spotx. I have been using these since 2018. I pay for the service, rescue plan and replacement plan. I lost my spotx and just got a new one sent to me. Again, I use Garmin Pilot, numerous fish finders and livescopes, mapping devices, etc.
Good luck out there.
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There's never been a time I've needed to use satellite comms, much less something dedicated like this with a separate subscription. For 95% of users, the Sat coms in the newer iPhones and Google phones will be perfectly fine for that "just in case" situation.
I think where these can make sense are if you're doing a through-hike or going somewhere stupidly remote (Alaska, northern Canada etc), but for your average person, I don't think the use-cases are there to justify the expense.
https://youtu.be/fkBdII0Ideg?si=
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I was apprehensive at first about the new subscription, but doing the math I found that it is actually cheaper for my uses.
I suspend my device in the winter since my boondock travels are from April through October, and in the time that the device is active I only have it active for emergencies, not for casual communication.
I'm on the "freedom plan" for $15+tax/month. So, 7 months at $15 = $105 + the yearly $35 fee = $140+tax per year.
Under the new plan, if I remain on the cheapest "enabled plan" for $8 per month all year with no yearly fee, the total is $96+tax.
So that saves me around $45 per year and my device then remains active for SOS emergency use all year.
$96 per year would be considered by me to be the bargain of the century if I were ever out in the boondocks in a life and death situation with no cell coverage and with absolutely no solutions other than to experience a slow and painful death.
Unfortunately it does happen to people, and my goal is to minimize the chances of myself being one of those victims. I'm not going to be one of those who say "it could never happen to me".
Your choice and you live (or die) with it.
The epirb is free and the iPhone works amazing for messaging. Way better than my garmin IMO.
just bring a decent case in case you drop your phone and a small battery. A buddy with a phone isnt a bad idea either
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I'm using this in their dive case. Had it to 143' on the Vandenberg.
I just have the cheapest "active" plan or whatever. $8 a month. If I need it I'm not going to care for the massage cost. I have it in a weight pouch on my BP/W BC, with redundant locking carabiner.
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Garmin bought up the rescue service under spotx, raised prices, and more. Their plans were always more than spotx. I have been using these since 2018. I pay for the service, rescue plan and replacement plan. I lost my spotx and just got a new one sent to me. Again, I use Garmin Pilot, numerous fish finders and livescopes, mapping devices, etc.
Good luck out there.
(Edit: nevermind the coupon. TIL you apparently can't use the REI winter sale coupon on a locator. :sigh: )
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-...acons.html