Garmin inReach Explorer+ & iPad Mini

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Nostrathomas

Nostrathomas

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Seattle, WA
After (too) much research I decided on the Garmin inReach Explorer+ paired with an iPad Mini 2 for navigation.

Driving factors over other iPad passed solutions:

  • Items need to serve more than one purpose
    -- GPS plus tracking, waypoints etc.
    -- Texting and track following for the family
    -- SOS
    -- Portable when I need navigation on foot.
  • Paired with the InReach other apps still work
    -- Still allows me to use other iPad apps for additional capability.

View of the cockpit


From the driver's seat


I'm usually traveling with my 12yo son focused on fishing and camping. The ability to share location and text coupled with push button SOS was a big hit with the Chief of House.

Will provide an update after hitting the trails.

The setup:

Garmin inReach Explorer+ -- REI
Powered Mount with Suction Cup -- Garmin
ProClip Toyota 4Runner Console Mount -- ProClip
Ram Mount EZ-ROLL'R Cradle for the Apple iPad mini -- Amazon
Ram Mount RAM-B-101U-C 1-Inch Diameter Ball Mount with Long Double Socket Arm (Black) -- Amazon
 
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smritte

smritte

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I started looking at sat phones and now I'm looking at the in reach. For the amount I would use it, I cant justify a sat phone. I hope you update this after a bit with your impression of it.

Scott
 
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1Louder

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smritte said:
I started looking at sat phones and now I'm looking at the in reach. For the amount I would use it, I cant justify a sat phone. I hope you update this after a bit with your impression of it.

Scott
Click to expand...

Used one for years. They work great. Deep woods you might have to find a clearing.
 
Road

Road

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Nostrathomas said:
After (too) much research I decided on the Garmin inReach Explorer+ paired with an iPad Mini 2 for navigation.

Driving factors over other iPad passed solutions:

  • Items need to serve more than one purpose
    -- GPS plus tracking, waypoints etc.
    -- Texting and track following for the family
    -- SOS
    -- Portable when I need navigation on foot.
  • Paired with the InReach other apps still work
    -- Still allows me to use other iPad apps for additional capability.

View of the cockpit


From the driver's seat


I'm usually traveling with my 12yo son focused on fishing and camping. The ability to share location and text coupled with push button SOS was a big hit with the Chief of House.

Will provide an update after hitting the trails.

The setup:

Garmin inReach Explorer+ -- REI
ProClip Toyota 4Runner Console Mount -- ProClip
Ram Mount EZ-ROLL'R Cradle for the Apple iPad mini -- Amazon
Ram Mount RAM-B-101U-C 1-Inch Diameter Ball Mount with Long Double Socket Arm (Black) -- Amazon
Click to expand...
Cool post; this is helpful to me for the Ram Ball Mount you chose; might be just perfect for my application.

Thanks!

smritte said:
I'm really leaning this way. What's nice is, I can turn the service off then on when I go real remote. I see that Garmin sells a powered cradle for it. That for me would be a must.

Scott
Click to expand...
I've got the powered cradle for the Garmin InReach Explorer+ but have yet to install it. Looks like it's going to be quite handy. I might add a shim on one side under the mount to angle it towards me more.

Road

.
 
Etoimos

Etoimos

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I use the inReach paired with my Android phone. A tablet is on the wish list, but not at the top as of yet.
 
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