Setting up and learning Garmin InReach Explorer+ - Well, I have spent most of the day learning and watching You Tube. I think I have it pretty much figured out. Do you have one and what do you think? Used it much? My old SPOT Gen 1 was so much easier, had good tracking, but had limited communication and no GPS.

GL I've used mine for several years now. I do not use the GPS function on it because, well an actual gps is much nicer to use as such, since it has more and better capabilities - much better screen, larger storage for tracks and way points, better mapping etc. I use the InReach strictly for communication, weather and plb. I choose being on the freedom plan so that I can communicate regularly with my wife, kids or anyone else that I choose, and do not need to worry about going over the limit on my texts. If I were to do it all over again, I would buy the yellow model without the gps screen.
By now you must have your own account, have learned how to include people info into that account and have learned that you need to sync the unit every time something changes. Learning the fastest way to use the keyboard helps after that, and always test the unit before a trip. One problem that I have is always forgetting to start tracking each morning and stop it once in camp. That of course is my own fault and not the unit. IMO, the best way to recharge during a trip is to bring a charging brick. If I track all day, then I top off the charge each night. I do keep the unit on during the day and attached to my pfd in case I receive a text from home. The unit has a good weather report which is really handy. No more dragging along a weather radio! I think that this is the best unit available for communication, weather and tracking.

quote Grandma L: "Setting up and learning Garmin InReach Explorer+ - Well, I have spent most of the day learning and watching You Tube. I think I have it pretty much figured out. Do you have one and what do you think? Used it much? My old SPOT Gen 1 was so much easier, had good tracking, but had limited communication and no GPS."

Hurry and learn everything so you can teach me!

I had one (the SE)and really liked it. I sold it not because I wasn't satisfied but figured I wouldn't use it except on big remote trips or solos, neither of which are in the works for me for a few years.

One bit of advice is to not cheap out on the plans like I did. You get you unlimited preset messages, and then you have to pay for real messages. I didn't purchase enough real messages, and made the mistake of not telling one of my contacts how the messages worked. So I'd send out a preset "we are here having a great time" type of thing, and she'd respond "Awesome!" which counted against our total. Kind of funny in retrospect, and really the cost of overages was pretty reasonable.

I think Portage Keeper is right - again!
Well, after being up very late and following the book and videos - I think I have got it. Tomorrow moring I leave on a driving trip around Lake Superior and plan to use it. I agree the best functions are the communication and the weather. I have a GPS for the routing stuff. But, I haven't tried trip routing as yet. Who knows I might get good at this thing yet.

I have one and I love it. I even took it on a Caribbean cruise so I could text message my kids because using my cell phone was iffy if it worked at all and I wasn't going to pay the cruise line fee for wireless.

I can think of other situation than wilderness trips for using it. And my friends know it's available for them to borrow for their trips too.

Sign up for the Freedom plan where you can suspend it when you aren't using it. Pay for one month at the $34.95 plan and practice, practice, practice. If you plan it right make sure that the last day on the plan is a day after the last day of the month subscription. This way you can practice for several weeks before your trip and use it during your trip. The weather function is great. Add your contacts on your computer and synch it. ALWAYS synch it right before you leave for a trip where you will be using it. Use a power block to keep it charged. The biggest battery killer is sending tracking points or messages, or checking for messages, when it doesn't have a clear view of the sky. It will keep trying until it goes through. I keep mine in a Pelican case, with a clear lid, and strap it to the top of a pack in the canoe so it has a clear view of the sky. Same goes in camp, make sure it has a clear view of the sky. There are several different settings that you van use to extend the battery life. I think one mode is called enhanced or something like that. Turn your Bluetooth off unless you are using it. When you are done using it turn it off. Come up with 3 really good messages for presets, because they are always free. I turn mine off at night but keep it close by. Make sure you always send a tracking point from your campsite so everyone knows where you are. Even if your device isn't on, rescuers will have a good spot to start looking. If your device is on, and someone has access to your account (username & password), they can turn on the tracking feature and also locate you. Another mistake that people make is that when double portaging, they leave it at one end of the portage with the remaining gear. Always carry it with you because it doesn't do any good clipped to you pack at the end of a portage, while you are on the other end with a broken ankle. Lastly, although the charging & communication cable looks like an ordinary micro USB cable, it's not. I made the mistake of taking a shorter and lighter cord with me on my first trip to charge it and it wouldn't work. It has to be the cord that came with it, or an acceptable replacement. To test a cable connect it between your computer and the device to see if your computer will recognize the device.