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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Rental of SPOT, InReach, etc |
Author
Text
02/01/2018 02:59PM
Considering renting one of these devices for our August trip since we'll have two kiddos with us. I think it will definitely give my sister some piece of mind (we are taking her 10 year old). Looking into something with some sort of two-way communication. I'm seeing lots of rental options when I search online. Just wondering if anyone has any experiences or recommendations for who to rent with, and what device would best serve us. SPOT seems like it'd work well for us, but I know very little about any of these devices. Entering at EP47, and the farthest we'll be from the EP is maybe Gaskin. Thank you so much!
02/02/2018 10:37AM
If you are entering at EP 47 - Rockwood Lodge has the Delorme InReach available. It has the SOS feature and has GPS, can interface to most smartphones (better screen and keyboard function), will record your trip (pings every 10 minutes when activated) and allows 2-way texting at $.50 for every message (Inbound and Outbound). If you are judicious with the texting the cost for a week would not be horrible. Love the Gunflint Trail side and actually have two Permits for a couple of groups going in in June from Rockwood. Enjoy!
Experiences over things
02/02/2018 11:07AM
IndyScouters: "If you are entering at EP 47 - Rockwood Lodge has the Delorme InReach available. It has the SOS feature and has GPS, can interface to most smartphones (better screen and keyboard function), will record your trip (pings every 10 minutes when activated) and allows 2-way texting at $.50 for every message (Inbound and Outbound). If you are judicious with the texting the cost for a week would not be horrible. Love the Gunflint Trail side and actually have two Permits for a couple of groups going in in June from Rockwood. Enjoy!
"
That's actually perfect! We went through Rockwood last year, and are using them again this time. I'll ask about it when I call to reserve the bunkhouse! Thank you!!!
02/02/2018 08:26PM
scramble4a5: "I have a Spot and used it last year. It is one way texting but for my wife's peace of mind at home that works. Personally, my trip partner and I don't really want to text back and forth with folks at home."
+1 and Amen!
02/02/2018 08:28PM
scramble4a5: "I have a Spot and used it last year. It is one way texting but for my wife's peace of mind at home that works. Personally, my trip partner and I don't really want to text back and forth with folks at home."
Don't get me wrong - I don't particularly want to be communicating with the outside world, either! I really enjoyed being disconnected on my first trip last summer, but my sister struggles with pretty severe anxiety, so I'm lucky she's letting us take my nephew in the first place. I think the trade off for her peace of mind back home is worth it.
02/03/2018 05:16AM
mashpotatomezzo: "scramble4a5: "I have a Spot and used it last year. It is one way texting but for my wife's peace of mind at home that works. Personally, my trip partner and I don't really want to text back and forth with folks at home."
Don't get me wrong - I don't particularly want to be communicating with the outside world, either! I really enjoyed being disconnected on my first trip last summer, but my sister struggles with pretty severe anxiety, so I'm lucky she's letting us take my nephew in the first place. I think the trade off for her peace of mind back home is worth it. "
I dont think there is anything wrong with communication. If cell phones worked out there, i would encourage those kids to send pics and messages to the whole world about their trip in the outdoors. Communication is never going away, and in fact, will get easier in the future. Being there is what is important. If messaging is the key to getting kids outside,,,just do it! Do it twice!
02/03/2018 07:41AM
Wick: "mashpotatomezzo: "scramble4a5: "I have a Spot and used it last year. It is one way texting but for my wife's peace of mind at home that works. Personally, my trip partner and I don't really want to text back and forth with folks at home."
Don't get me wrong - I don't particularly want to be communicating with the outside world, either! I really enjoyed being disconnected on my first trip last summer, but my sister struggles with pretty severe anxiety, so I'm lucky she's letting us take my nephew in the first place. I think the trade off for her peace of mind back home is worth it. "
I dont think there is anything wrong with communication. If cell phones worked out there, i would encourage those kids to send pics and messages to the whole world about their trip in the outdoors. Communication is never going away, and in fact, will get easier in the future. Being there is what is important. If messaging is the key to getting kids outside,,,just do it! Do it twice!"
Wow. Thank goodness there is room for both schools of thought. I can't imagine not being completely disconnected - a major motivation of tripping for me. I'm sure it will also be a long time before our Scout troop allows cell phones and communicators, thank goodness.
02/03/2018 01:44PM
You can take all the communication tools and gadgets along - choose when and how to use them. Disconnect or communicate - Just because you can, doesn't mean you will or should. I like having the choices.
I also like building memories with the kids and having it all documented - pictures, text messages - whatever makes them fall in love with the adventure and outdoors!
I also like building memories with the kids and having it all documented - pictures, text messages - whatever makes them fall in love with the adventure and outdoors!
02/03/2018 06:17PM
If carrying and using such a device means a better trip for whomever, then go for it. I got a DeLorme a couple years ago as my wife was concerned about me on longer solo trips, and I do not have a problem using it. She gets the peace of mind knowing I am safe, and she also enjoys tracking my route via the mapping feature.
"The future ain't what it used to be" Yogi Berra
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