BWCA New to GPS Sat communicator-help Boundary Waters Group Forum: GPS
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      New to GPS Sat communicator-help     

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PVnRT
senior member (86)senior membersenior member
  
12/02/2019 05:32PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I've been given the ultimatum to get a sat communicator while traveling alone in the BWCA or else, so now need help. Garmin seems like the only choice. Read lots of negative reviews on product pages via REI. Shouldn't one expect a $500 device to work reliably? What am I missing? All suggestions most appreciated.
 
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Savage Voyageur
distinguished member(14414)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished membermaster membermaster member
  
12/02/2019 11:54PM  
Here are two really good review of the Garmin units. Garmin InReach GPSMAP 66i
 
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
12/03/2019 08:02AM  
I like my Spot - also an "ultimatum" acquisition - but as far as price, it's the service or subscription you should look at.

Ultimately, I think a sat phone is best choice, especially if for "ultimatum" purposes rather than plain rescue use.
 
12/03/2019 09:26PM  
Do you need 2 way to carry some form of back and fourth?
Garmin has the Mini InReach for texting with limited GPS functions, InReach text and online GPS function with mapping, and the 66/86 models with InReach texting and full GPS functions.
Spot X 2 way texting.
And a variety of phone linked satellite connection hubs
There are also stand alone satellite phones.

Can a simple Personal Locator Beacon that alerts SAR groups work for you?
ACR ResQLink I own and carry, another is McMurdo FastFind. Both are higher powered sealed units with direct connections with SAR group worldwide, but no 1 or 2 way comms.

Which ever way you go remember to register them and learn what and how they work. You can get into trouble signaling for emergency services if unregistered.
Andrew Skurka had a good starter website. He also had a website to review survival gear but it seems patent name conflicts caused dropping it. Maybe someone else has a website for it.

A lot of stuff to learn about, but worthwhile to know. Keep asking questions!

butthead
 
12/04/2019 09:33AM  
The stuff a good nite's sleep can do! Remembered the website by Doug Ritter Equipped To Survive another well know expert in the outdoor's field. Lots of reviews, news, product comparisons even if somewhat dated.

butthead
 
TechnoScout
distinguished member (434)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/04/2019 11:32AM  
PVnRT: "I've been given the ultimatum to get a sat communicator while traveling alone in the BWCA or else, so now need help. Garmin seems like the only choice. Read lots of negative reviews on product pages via REI. Shouldn't one expect a $500 device to work reliably? What am I missing? All suggestions most appreciated. "


Read the thread on the Garmin 66i just below this one. I bought the 66i and have taken it on one trip and happy with the performance.

Feel free to ask specific questions about it and I will try to answer.

Love your handle BTW.
 
TechnoScout
distinguished member (434)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/14/2020 03:17PM  
PVnRT: "I've been given the ultimatum to get a sat communicator while traveling alone in the BWCA or else, so now need help. Garmin seems like the only choice. Read lots of negative reviews on product pages via REI. Shouldn't one expect a $500 device to work reliably? What am I missing? All suggestions most appreciated. "

Still happy with my 66i
 
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