Peace of mind while out in the wilderness

I spent a lot of time researching for the best GPS communication device for use while in the outdoors. A surprising amount of places I go to are out of cell reception due to the mountainous terrain in BC.

The great thing about the Delorme Inreach is the ability to not only send an SOS signal (which yes, Spot devices can do) but also send and receive messages (which the Spot device cannot do). I've heard a few stories of Spot users not receiving timely emergency help due to the lack of communication. Spot contacts your emergency contacts first and decides the appropriate response based on the info they receive from your contact. To some this may be fine, but I do not want my safety in the hands of someone that may or may not reply! The peace of mind to be able to communicate with an emergency team if I am ever in this type of situation is invaluable.

On the non-emergency front, the Inreach has proved to be a great communication tool with those back home. It's nice to be able to check-in with loved ones and let them know you arrived or are planning on staying an extra night. It is really handy as well if another party you are travelling with has a device as you can communicate between each other.

While it may seem expensive to some with the upfront price and the monthly plans, for me it is the absolute best option around. You can also suspend your monthly plan for no charge which is nice. All in all a very handy device and well worth the cost.