In my past trips I have only taken a spot in one time as we has our daughter who was a little over 1 year old with us and we were 3 days from an exit. All other trips we have not. However, I will be tripping with her by myself at times and I would feel more comfortable knowing shebor I could call for help in the event of an emergency occurring.
Does anybody have any expierence using Garmin inReach Explorer + ?

I've used the Spot Gen 3 a few years and last year picked up the Garmin Inreach Mini - and absolutely love it!
The 2-way messaging makes it very easy to know my family received my check-in messages. With the spot I had times where it said it sent but nothing was received and my family was worried until they heard from me next.

My biggest concern has always been making sure my son knows how to use whatever device we have with us, be it the Spot, Inreach or sat phone. Last thing I want is something to happen to me and him be stuck alone and unable to contact anyone... :(

goetzc: " Last thing I want is something to happen to me and him be stuck alone and unable to contact anyone... :("

That is exactly my concern. We used the spot the one time and it did lose signal for messaging. Thank you for your input

I bought an Inreach Explorer+ last year for the two way communication in an emergency and am happy with the set of features and having it also be a gps. We used the texting just for tests and to tell friends we were on the way back because they had offered to have us over for dinner that night. Worked. For many more discussions do the search at the top of the page for Inreach.

I picked up a Garmin InReach Explorer + a couple of weeks ago. I had rented a sat phone on several prior trips for the two way communication which the Garmin will provide along with the GPS and SOS functions. This unit seemed to fit my needs pretty good.

So far nothing but good. I had no problem activating the unit, the Garmin site is pretty straight forward (even for a techno twit like me), I have it paired with my I phone (although the Garmin can be used on its own), I downloaded the free Earthmate App and maps to my I phone, I successfully sent test text and real text via satellite, I got my contacts loaded to Garmin unit and I took it for a walk last night for the first time to play with the GPS functions. I signed up for the plan where I can activated it on a month by month basis (Freedom Plan I think). I'll be taking it on its first trip a week from now and there's a nice person going along who has a Garmin InReach Mini that is going to tutor me further. Right now I'm re-charging the Garmin from my solar charger battery thingy dingy (Dragon X ?) to make sure that works. So far not bad for an old map/compass guy!

Anyway, so far so good but time will tell. I'll know more in a couple of years.

There were two threads recently related to emergency communication devices that may be helpful to you. As Andym said there are undoubtedly more that you can find. I have carried an ACR PLB which has no messaging capacity, and am considering adding/switching to Inreach Mini.
Thread on emergency devices
Thread on InReach tracking/batteries

Failure of Spot devices to deliver message usually due to user error. Message is not confirmed as delivered until the "check-in" or "custom message" light stop blinking.

I carry a PLB and do not have experience with others, but it seems to me the main question would be "what will be easiest for an 8-year-old to learn how to use?"

Banksiana: "Failure of Spot devices to deliver message usually due to user error. Message is not confirmed as delivered until the "check-in" or "custom message" light stop blinking."

+1 The light next to "flying envelope" is message SENDING, not message SENT. I leave mine on till it auto offs and no problem. It can easily take 30-45 minutes for it to send a non-emergency message completely - three times.

Jaywalker: "There were two threads recently related to emergency communication devices that may be helpful to you. As Andym said there are undoubtedly more that you can find. I have carried an ACR PLB which has no messaging capacity, and am considering adding/switching to Inreach Mini.
Thread on emergency devices
Thread on InReach tracking/batteries "

Thanks for the thread links. Saved me the search:)

boonie: "I carry a PLB and do not have experience with others, but it seems to me the main question would be "what will be easiest for an 8-year-old to learn how to use?" "

Yes, very true. She will need to know how to use the emergency feature only. I am not necessarily looking for the ability to message people. Only GPS and emergency alert. I was looking at this particular unit for the added GPS abilities as I do not have a GPS.

We bought an inreach explorer + last year. We had been borrowed one from a friend for several trips over the last few years and when she was using it at the same time last summer, decided we wanted our own.

We like the two way non emergency communication it provides as we both have elderly parents and young adult kids who are not quite 100% launched yet. This gives a way to check in if needed from either side.

We also use the GPS feature and tracking. I love the ability to track my trips and mark map points, etc.

I think the emergency feature would be easy for am 8 year old to learn to use. She could probably figure out other functions as well if she needed to.

I particularly like that it can be paired with my smartphone, which I bring along as a camera but now I use it with the inReach as well. Better screen and typing capabilites.

I never thought I would want one of my own but once I couldn't borrow it anymore, realized how much it has become a part of our trips.

Emergrncy communications

Overcomer: "... Does anybody have any expierence using... ? "

Do any devices have spell chcek? haha, cute.

bobbernumber3: "Emergrncy communications

Overcomer: "... Does anybody have any expierence using... ? "

Do any devices have spell chcek? haha, cute. "

Well, I am more of a just get it out there kind of person. Fingers and phone do not work so well and just ass I sometimes, ok often, speak truth before word checking, that happens with typing as well. Did you notice the title is mispelled as well? ;)

Overcomer: "

bobbernumber3: "Emergrncy communications

Overcomer: "... Does anybody have any expierence using... ? "

Do any devices have spell chcek? haha, cute. "

Well, I am more of a just get it out there kind of person. Fingers and phone do not work so well and just ass I sometimes, ok often, speak truth before word checking, that happens with typing as well. Did you notice the title is mispelled as well? ;) "

I noticed. ps... welcome to the board!

bobbernumber3: "

Overcomer: "

bobbernumber3: "Emergrncy communications

Overcomer: "... Does anybody have any expierence using... ? "

Do any devices have spell chcek? haha, cute. "

Well, I am more of a just get it out there kind of person. Fingers and phone do not work so well and just ass I sometimes, ok often, speak truth before word checking, that happens with typing as well. Did you notice the title is mispelled as well? ;) "

I noticed. ps... welcome to the board!"

Thanks Bobbernumber3