Spot or InReach?

[Dallara]

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Did some searching about the forum, and though both units have been mentioned I have never really seen where folks gave reasoning why they chose one over the other...

Specifically, If you have a Spot (http://www.findmespot.com/en/) or DeLorme InReach (http://www.inreachdelorme.com/) why did you pick one over the other?

My family is always concerned when I go off on my motorcycle trips so I've begun looking into getting one of these to ease their mind a bit, as well as having a way to call for help should that need ever arise. I don't know anything at all about either the Spot or InReach, and none of my riding buddies or shops around here seem to know anything about them either. Would love to hear the thoughts, suggestions, pros, cons, etc. from the collective. Perhaps there is even another option out there, so if you know of one of those please chime in, too.

Looking forward to learning the ins-and-outs of these types of devices, especially so I can make a better informed and intelligent purchasing decision.

Thanks! ::003::

Dallara




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[echo_four_romeo]

I've never heard of the InReach. My family is the same as yours, so this past year they got me the new Spot Gen3 so they could "track" me. I haven't used it much yet. I have found that once it had turned itself off and was not transmitting my location to the spot page. Other than that, nothing good...nothing bad. Hoping to have more to report as I use it more this year.

One thing I will say is that the subscription is kinda pricey and you are automatically renewed at the end of the year. You have to be Johnny on the spot (hehe, no pun intended) to get that stopped before they charge your card again. That is the only issue I have heard from other users.

 

[Fatallybitten]

Dallara, I have had a Spot GPS for 3 years now, but am considering changing it out for the inReach when my Spot contract comes up for renewal later this summer. I have found the Spot GPS to be unreliable when sending the OK message at the end of the day. Sometimes it works fine and other times it does not go. Worse, you won't know that it didn't send until you get home to an irate SO who has already called Spot and been told they can't help locate me. It also begs the question of what would happen if you were sending an SOS instead of an OK and the message didn't get through. Seems that Spot relies on third parties to receive and relay the message. If the third party system is bogged down your message doesn't get through. The benefit of inReach is the two way communication that confirms the message was sent. These days you have to be a long way off the grid not to have cellphone coverage, so that is my primary means of confirming I am okay and the Spot is relegated to providing me and my SO with the faint hope I can contact Spot if I have an emergency. There is lots of blog traffic on the pros and cons of the various systems. Try google for all the gory details and the 'he said she said' debates. Happy searching. David

 

[pnelson]

If you want to try something free, http://life360.com has an app that runs on your cell phone. It lets family members keep track of you and even send messages and requests for updates.

http://oregonmoto.blogspot.com/2013/03/life360-gps-tracking-app-for-smartphones.html

;-) Paul

 

[howier]

I have the spot. Its in a cradle on the bike. Works great. Used it in Newfoundland and the Trans-Lab last year. Never a issue. Wife appreciated the "OK" message in the evening when I can't call. Never had to use the Emergency part of it but have read other reports where it does work. I do a lot of riding alone so it's that little extra piece of mind. It might not save your life and if your knocked out it won't send a "SOS" out for you, But at least someone will know where you last were. I remember a story a couple of years ago of a guy riding out west. Took a corner too fast and went off road. People were looking for him for weeks. They knew where he made his last cell phone call from, where he was going, but did't know which route he took. He was't found for many weeks later until some hunters stumbled on him. This is the situation that I look at that it is invaluable.

 

[rem]

I bought an inReach SE last summer. I haven't used the SPOT for several years, so I'm going on the assumption they haven't changed much. I like the inReach because it allows you to send a pre-written email message, or one you create out in the field. It uses the Iridium satellite system that is superior to the system used by SPOT, or was used by SPOT at the time. Globalstar ??? Iridium is much better, especially in northern climes. When you send an email, there is a link that appears in the message. When the receiver clicks on that link, they get a detailed map with a little red dot that gives your exact location at the time you sent the message.


You can also receive email messages on the inReach. Pretty neat. It also has the global emergency HELP RIGHT NOW I'M IN DEEP DOODOO button. About four plans to choose from and you can suspend service, but still keep your account, for about 4 bucks a month. I like it. I recommend it. It also sends tracking signals, and you can sync it to your cell phone, iPod, iPad, etc. I know nothing of all that. Very neat little unit. Good support, at least in Canada. R. ::008::

 

[justbob]

and for those wanting a free tracking service on your smart phone, you can use Bubbler GPS and Spotwalla.
I have been using a Spot tracker for several years but just recently starting using the Bubbler GPS on my phone, seems to work pretty well and its free. Of course you are dependent on having cell service for this to work.

 

[krussell]

If you want the best chance to be rescued in a life threatening situation, a PLB like http://www.acrartex.com/products/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/resqlink-plb/ is your best bet. It's emergency use only, service is free, about $250 up front. It doesn't give your family a warm and fuzzy message while your out, but when you need the Calvary it's the real deal.

If you want to be able to track where you've been after your done riding, the SPOT-3 and InReach offer similar performance. Bubbler or dozens of other cellphone products, or your Garmin will give you much better tracks though, without the need for service.

If you want tracking, and the best chance to get a message out when you need to, the InReach 1) has a better network, 2) will let you know when it can't get out so you can move if you are able.

If you want to be able to send and receive messages, the InReach is ideal, the SPOT-3 doesn't do it, and the Spot Communicator gets pretty bad reviews.

The inreach service is nearly 2x the spot. I pay $25/mo for the in reach, includes 40 texts, unlimited tracking, and unlimited preset messages.

I've never used any of these in an emergency. I have used the inreach (texting) on the behalf of others to arrange pickup due to mechanical failure.

I ran the Spot-1 for a few years, tracking at 10 minute intervals. In open sky, it worked about 90% of the time. In our NW national forests, it worked about 30% of the time. Based on that I decided to get the inReach. I've had it about 3 months, it's very reliable. I got an offer for a Spot-3 about the same time I got the InReach, and had six months of service left, so I got the Spot-3 to do some real life comparisons for my fellow riders. I've run them on opposite sides of the bars on a few rides, the devil is in the details. The spot blindly transmits the last three track points every time. That means if you miss one, there's two more chances. The InReach seems to try more than once as well, but I'm not 100% clear on their algorithm. From a pure tracking perspective, it works out fine, they both typically get through eventually.

The big issue is how often the messages get through on the first attempt. If you have an event and stop, you want the best opportunity to get the signal out right away, and you really will want to know if it got out. I think the InReach is the best option for that reason. I'm studying the actual success rate of first time message delivery, vs. the retransmit scheme. In two sample rides the inreach get's each track point delivered to their data center faster, the spot often needs that second attempt 10 minutes later to get the data home. The retransmits create the PERCEPTION of reliability, but it's the overall first transmit success rate that's key.

I'll be doing some more sampling and posting more detail in a month or so. I'll update then.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've looked at them a number of times for the last airplane and bikes and still haven't committed to buying one. What's below is what I remember from a year ago so not sure how much has changed or that I'm remembering wrong. I got to the feeling that SPOT, InReach, and PLBs each have a place, so it depends on which is better for what you want.


The 406 MHz PLBs are the no-shit come rescue me devices. Activate one and it may take a while but somebody sooner or later WILL come find you. Downsides include that you won't know the signal has been received until somebody is looking at you. For me, the big benefit was that it works all over the Earth, which SPOT and InReach do not. But I would be seriously in need of actual rescue before I am going to push the button, launch a true search, and put searchers at risk.


The InReach has 2-way communication and both it and SPOT have tracking. The two function very differently though and I think they are limited to most of North America, so closely look at the coverage maps with respect to where you plan to go. InReach uses some combination of Iridium and GPS satellites, plus other magic. It cost more than SPOT by a substantial amount to allow more two-way communication through the Iridium system. But if I want real 2-way, I have a cell phone and can wait for the next time it has coverage. Or steal an Iridium brick phone from work. [j/k]


Which left SPOT. There are all sorts of stories about people thinking they'd sent a message only to find they had not. But for the 90-whatever percent of the time it does work, the amount of usefulness I get out of a smartphone on the Verizon map, tracking for the family, and the cost, my own choice was the SPOT.


Obviously, ymmv

 

[argonaut]

I can't comment on the two devices you are asking about as I have never held either one. However I can comment on the networks each utilizes. Spot uses the Globalstar network. Delorme uses the Iridium network (technically they are satellite constellations). I have a lot of experience using voice and data services globally on both. A lot of this is oversimplified. Skip to executive summary to bypass the nerd speak.

Coverage: Iridium [map] has significantly better coverage area than Globalstar [map]. Most people will never need the extreme coverage area that Iridium has. The only areas missing for Globalstar are subsaharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. I have no plans to take my bike there. The only thing to note is that Iridium (Spot) has an inclination of 52 degrees. This is the main reason the poles and other areas are not covered.

Gateways: Globalstar has many many more gateways. An example of a gateway is a particular service provider connecting to the telephone network (PSTN) or the Internet. These are both Each provider is responsible for their own gateway. Iridium has only 2. This matters because if a gateway is down say in Brazil connected to the telephone network in Brazil you won't be able to call someone in Brazil. Iridium satellites are built more like the internet. They satellites talk to each other and go around any failures. This makes Iridium more reliable but Globalstar faster (less latency). Globalstar voice sounds better as well.

Executive Summary

The Iridium network is vastly more reliable. I rarely drop calls or have poor reception. I have had devices that use both network right next to each other and the ones using the Iridium network were unquestionably more reliable. Devices that use these networks are going to experience the same issues. A study was done from an independent group. It should be noted that Iridium paid for the study. [PDF] There is a link to the study at the bottom of the page. I have no affiliation with either company.

Resume Nerd SpeakTM

After reading up on both companies and their devices. I like the Spot Connect and the Delorme inReach SE. The Delorme inReach SE is different than the Delorme inReach; it looks like they call it the inReach Original now. I have read a lot of reviews of Spot devices failing to transmit tracking messages. All of Spot devices appear to use L-band Mobile uplink frequencies. It looks like they have been improving their satellite receivers in their devices to improve reliability as well as better algorithms (which was mentioned previously). The service costs of the Delorme are more expensive, but it looks like they offer a month to month plan (plus $24.95). Non US customers get more screwed over. I also read a lot of complaints about the difficulty in canceling service with Spot. It auto-renews and they require a "written" note (their words not mine), they accept and email. http://faq.findmespot.com/index.php?action=showEntry&data=564 I think if I buy one I would go with the Delorme Inreach SE. If you just want a PLB (you don't need tracking or messaging) then check out a device that uses the COSPAS/SARSAT network like the one @krussell mentioned. They are uber reliable.

There are tons of reviews out there and on Amazon. (I guess I lied in first sentence.)

 

[EricV]

Part of the discussion is what you are looking for the device to provide for you?

SPot I units pinged ever 10 minutes and if a ping didn't get picked up by the satilte, that was just a missed ping. Spot II sends out many more pings and is much better at ensuring that the ping got picked up. I've used Spot II all over the world and have had very few missed pings, especially in NA, though I have not used it in the Far North as yet. Spot II added some features over Spot I. You have safety covers over the help and 911 buttons on the Spot II to eliminate false triggering of those features. Spot I used 2 AA batteries, Spot II uses 3 AAA batteries and they are good for about 10 24 hour days. A lot longer if you're only using them for shorter days. Spot II allows you to customize the message for the 'OK' and 'Custom" button pushes. Spot I only has an 'OK'.

Spot III has even more features - redesigned buttons that are easier to push. It turns itself off after you stop moving for a period of time. (I personally don't care for that feature), it has an option for tracking at shorter intervals, at an increased cost to users., and probably some other things I'm forgetting.

Note that Spot I, II and III all have different size and shape cases, so mount cradles are different for each. They progressively get smaller. Spot II is being sold at the same time as Spot III, there is no real need to update, unless you want some of the new features. Spot I is no longer sold new, though they show up now and then. It's main advantage, other than low initial purchase price, is that the batteries last longer, since it's not re-sending pings until they get thru like Spot II does.

All Spot devices, (and InReach, as I recall), can make use of Spotwalla which keeps your tracks much longer than the Spot home page does.

https://spotwalla.com/index.php

My renewal is $162 and change a year for the Spot. I have my 'OK' message set as a short stop and my 'Custom' message set as my end of day message. Spot I users that have moved to a Spot II, often reverse that, because they were used to only having the 'OK' message. You can set the message to read anything you want.

All of the Spot devices can be set up with trips of any length up to ten years and you can password protect or share the info, and can opt to not show speed and some other settings if you wish.

I haven't looked at InReach in a while. What I recall is that it's a physically larger device and more expensive to maintain service. I don't carry my spot, but have it mounted to the bike with a Ram mount where I can see it and press the buttons as needed from the bike's cockpit.

Hope that helps.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

These days you have to be a long way off the grid not to have cellphone coverage, so that is my primary means of confirming I am okay ...

Guess you haven't made it down to ride West Virginia. Most of the state is lacking in coverage.


Just renewed my Spot II coverage for another year. I did a little research, but didn't find a compelling incentive in feature or price to motivate a change. I'll check again next year.

 

[offcamber]

It really depends on where you are planning to go...if you know you are going to be "off-the grid" then a Spot or IN-reach is a good idea....if you are really gong to be out there and alone go with a PLB. No subscription cost for those either. However they are emergency use only.

I have a SPOT II but I don't currently have it activated, I found where I been going there is usually cell coverage. When I go outside the country I will reactivate the SPOT. The In-reach looks nice but the price point and subscription fees make it unjustifiable for the extra features. That's obviously a personal assessment, based on cell coverage and my own needs.

One note is I believe my SPOT requires the more expensive lithium batteries to get decent life. YMMV

 

[Checkswrecks]

It turns out that REI has a great article that compares the various devices AND has feedback from users at the bottom. The article is here:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/personal-locator-beacons.html

 

[offcamber]

One thing mentioned in the REI Reviews that I do agree with is SPOT is a PIA to cancel. They must have went to the AOL subscription model. You can't cancel ahead of time.....basically if tyou cancel early you lose the remaining service....you have to time your call just right...like 30days before they recharge your card....if they charge it, too late your stuck for another year. no refunds

They have a monthly option, not sure if that's easier to cancel.

If your going to go for the year subscription I would use a prepaid card..that way when they go to renew, it won't go through....

Just something to be aware of before you buy.

 

[Dallara]

Guess you haven't made it down to ride West Virginia. Most of the state is lacking in coverage...

Nor does he ride much in Texas. There are areas of Texas you can go for hours and hours and not have cell coverage, and I have the carrier that has the most cell coverage in the state.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Many have asked what I want this for... Simply put, it's more to put my loved ones' minds at ease than mine. I have been riding all over the country for well more than 40 years now, and all that time I didn't have any sort of "locater device". Over 15 of those years I didn't have a cell phone, and cell service was spotty at best back when I did get my first one. So really, it doesn't matter to me. One of the reasons I ride is to "get away from it all", and getting further and further from telephones, etc. is part of that.

And more often than not I also like to go off on these long rides by myself...

But as I've gotten older, and had some health issues as well, these family members have grown to worry more and more. I call or text in each evening if I'm someplace where there is cell service, but as I mentioned, sometimes there's not. These people close to me seem to think that being able to see where I'm going, where I've been, etc. on a computer screen will give them more peace of mind, and they also want me to have as foolproof a way as possible to contact emergency services if necessary. I've always told them the cell phone should be enough, but they feel differently.

So here I am, asking for your thoughts and experiences with these types of devices, and you have all been great in sharing your wealth of information on the subject. Again, thanks! And keep the info coming! ::008::

Dallara



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[EricV]

One thing mentioned in the REI Reviews that I do agree with is SPOT is a PIA to cancel. They must have went to the AOL subscription model. You can't cancel ahead of time.....basically if tyou cancel early you lose the remaining service....you have to time your call just right...like 30days before they recharge your card....if they charge it, too late your stuck for another year. no refunds

They have a monthly option, not sure if that's easier to cancel.

If your going to go for the year subscription I would use a prepaid card..that way when they go to renew, it won't go through....

Just something to be aware of before you buy.

That's certainly true, but don't be foolish and think that using a card that's not valid at the renewal will eliminate your need to actually call them and cancel the coverage. If you contact them a year later and want to start up Spot coverage again, you'll be in for a rude shock, they will charge you for that year that you didn't pay them for. Even if you never used the device during that time.

And in response to the person that posted that cell coverage is not an issue, please go ride more. That's a huge mis-statement. Cell phone coverage will never be complete and there are vast areas of the US with no coverage. The tracking thru your phone may work for your needs, and that's awesome, but for anyone that rides in areas w/o coverage, the cell phone aps really don't cut it.

For the conversation about PLBs vs Spot, neither is there to save you, just so they can find the body later. Remember that, and don't do stupid stuff just because you have the device and can call for mommy to come help you. I have a Spot for two reasons. So my wife is happy, and because some events I participate in require it during the event.

 

[EricV]

But as I've gotten older, and had some health issues as well, these family members have grown to worry more and more. I call or text in each evening if I'm someplace where there is cell service, but as I mentioned, sometimes there's not. These people close to me seem to think that being able to see where I'm going, where I've been, etc. on a computer screen will give them more peace of mind, and they also want me to have as foolproof a way as possible to contact emergency services if necessary. I've always told them the cell phone should be enough, but they feel differently.

Essentially why I have it, so other people feel better when I'm off riding alone. Real life experience. I was on a multi-day trip on the bike. Like you, I normally contact my wife at the end of the day. This particular day, an accident caused me to alter my intended route, heading off in a different direction to take another road. It was a large deviation and I ended up getting a room a bit earlier in the evening when I realized it would be more riding than I wanted to do at night to get to the next hotel. No cell coverage, the only pay phone was broken. Tiny little border town, but it had a hotel and restaurant, which was all I needed. I sent my usual end of day 'custom' button ping on the spot, saying I was safe and stopping for the day. The next day when I called the wife she was not upset, only mentioned that she noticed I made a change in my route and didn't call the night before, so she assumed correctly that I didn't have cell coverage.

A side benift, my sister that lives in another state enjoys seeing where I go on my rides. She doesn't get much opportunity to travel, so will sometimes email and ask why I rode to some area or what it was like, in the hopes that she may someday visit that area. In a way, she vicariously enjoys my rides.

 

[TXTenere]

No exactly related to one product vs another, but I often see riders with their SPOT or other similar device affixed to their bike. This seems like a bad idea to me; the device should be attached to the rider, not the motorcycle. If an accident occurs, and you're off the bike (say, you're in the brush injured, and your bike is down the mountain) there is no way to press the SOS button, and that SPOT, etc. is of no use.

Just something that I felt was worthy of mentioning, since I see this quite often.

 

[EricV]

No exactly related to one product vs another, but I often see riders with their SPOT or other similar device affixed to their bike. This seems like a bad idea to me; the device should be attached to the rider, not the motorcycle. If an accident occurs, and you're off the bike (say, you're in the brush injured, and your bike is down the mountain) there is no way to press the SOS button, and that SPOT, etc. is of no use.

Just something that I felt was worthy of mentioning, since I see this quite often.

It's a personal preference. Strapping hard items to your body is a good way to damage your body when you crash. And part of the function of the spot is tracking. If you're not paying for tracking, and using it, the only location pings are when you send an 'ok' or 'custom' ping by manually pushing a button. It's false savings to not buy and use tracking. With tracking, if you crash, and even if the device is damaged and stops functioning, people can still find you, or your body.

SOS is for people that screw up. Don't screw up. It's not a tool to save your life. If you want one of those, buy a PLB. SOS might help you in a bad situation, but it's not a given that the right people will get the right info to find and save you in a timely manner. There are plenty of stories on both sides of that coin. And hey, man up and crawl over to the bike. In more polite terms, don't ride carelessly in dangerous areas. Don't go someplace just because you have a Spot and think someone will come save you if you screw up badly. If you wouldn't ride there alone w/o the Spot, don't ride there alone with the Spot.

Another consideration is that it's convenient to be able to see the lights on the Spot when you are riding, so that you can see if the battery goes low, (lights flash red instead of green), and it's a lot handier to push buttons on the Spot when it's mounted to the bike in a place where you can reach it easily.

Many of the people you see with the Spot mounted where they can't see or reach it, are casual day ride people that enjoy having a tracking record of their travels, or want to keep the wife happy, but don't really do anything with the Spot except at the end of the day, so it's not important for them to have it handy. Spot units used to come with arm bands for the people that wanted to wear it on the body. I don't know if they still do or not. I sold mine.