Garmin inReach by JEFF SHAPIRO
I
n the world of free flight, adventure is a given. One of the main
I personally choose to use (and sub-
of the most desirable features in this type of device. You can also exchange
sequently have the most experience
current locations with other inReach
gliders is because they afford a level
with) the Garmin inReach devices,
users, which can be super-helpful in
reasons I fly hang gliders and para-
of exploration that’s hard to find today.
because for me they’ve proven to be
the field for retrieve or to navigate
We often fly through and over remote
the most reliable, with the best cover-
back to your adventure partner.
valleys and oceans of trees, while we
age for the sports and adventures with
gaze at both sky and terrain that might
which I fill my life. For those reasons,
They all have an SOS functionality which, when activated, sends an
take hours, days, or, at times, weeks
I’ve been asked to review the options
interactive SOS to a search-and-rescue
to access by foot. The dream of leaving
of inReach devices and to discuss
monitoring center (GEOS emergency
the Earth in flight tantalized humans
some reasons you might choose one
response team, i.e., the cavalry) avail-
for centuries before the advent of the
over another.
able 24/7. Each device can send and
modern-day, foot-launch glider. It’s indeed a lucky time to be alive. Technology has also evolved. Determining our margin of safety by
One of the coolest and most ap-
receive inReach messages through
plicable developments within the
Garmin-compatible devices, including
Garmin lineup has been their choice
your phone or Garmin watch, and all
to evolve the popular Explorer+ into a
have internal, rechargeable lithium
staying connected to our adventure
package of tiny proportions. For pilots,
batteries that can be recharged using
partners and/or rescue services while
climbers, or any adventurer, “size and
a microUSB power cable or an in-
we engage in our sports has clearly
weight” matters and, for that reason,
vehicle 12V charger. They all track
helped us avoid possible accidents
the inReach Mini has been a game-
and share your location, can access
or tragedies. It’s clear that being able
changer. There still remain, however,
downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts,
to communicate effectively while in
very real benefits and a strong case for
and color aerial imagery and receive
remote places can and has made the
carrying the Explorer+ or SE+ in many
detailed weather updates directly to
difference between life and death.
cases. Below is a brief comparison of
the unit or a paired device.
Also, having the ability to let the
the features and capabilities of each.
people who care about us know we’re
Now for the differences
OK and, through tracking features,
First, what they ALL do
allow them to follow our flights in real-
The standard inReach Explorer+, SE+
sizes of each unit: Both the Explorer+
time is not only fun for them, but also
and the Mini are all housed in a very
and SE+ are 2.7” wide x 6.5” high. Their
tough and impact-resistant case that’s
display is 1.4” W x 1.9” H and their
water-resistant to splashes, rain or
weight is approximately 7.5 oz. The
provides peace of mind. As our world gets smaller through
20
sent at all!
First and foremost, let’s look at the
easier travel, remote adventures are
snow, and “incidental exposure to
new Mini, in contrast, is a mere 2”
more popular and common than ever
water up to 1 meter for up to 30 min-
wide and 4” high and weighs 3.5 oz.
before. Consequently, several brands
utes,” but not prolonged or continuous
Less than half! Although the size of
have developed versions of personal
immersion. I’ve used mine in both
the Explorer+ and SE+ are still im-
location/satellite communication
rainy and snowy environments and at
pressively compact, easy to pack and
devices. Some allow for pre-set mes-
high altitude, with zero issues.
hold, their extra bulk over the Mini is
saging and two-way communication,
All three devices are satellite com-
but I’ve found that not all are created
municators that enable two-way text
equal. Coverage can vary, which may
messaging (to email, phone or other
tral processing unit) and functionality
have an effect on how long it takes to
inReach devices) through the global
unique to the models.
send the message (help to be dis-
Iridium satellite network (subscription
patched) or even if that message gets
required). In my opinion, this is one
USHPA PILOT MAGAZINE
required for the extended battery life (more on that later), larger CPU (cen-
Both the inReach SE+ and Explorer+ offer the same messaging features.