Kuyuquot Sound and the Broughtons via inReach

M

Mike_J

New member
I am going to be testing out my inReach satellite communicator over the next two weeks as we explore Kyuquot Sound and the Broughtons with Natural C-lection. As far as I can tell, the plan I have at the moment allows me unlimited tracking points and up to 250 messages in the month of August. The points are shown on a mapshare page: https://share.delorme.com/e0c37e380a224f938d54c7db580c0c5a

This is pretty similar to what was available via SPOT (as per Sam's Retriever logs) but there is no 30 day limit on the data. I have set the page to display from august 2 onwards. It seems as if it will also allow users to send a "locate" message as well as a direct message. It will be interesting if anyone would volunteer to test this for me... if so, please send me a PM, or reply to this thread. I just need a couple of volunteers as I have a limit on the number of free messages!

Cheers
Mike
 
Mike,

I just looked at the track. Not familiar with the system, but it looks like you can send an "I'm OK" message at the time of your choosing. How often does it send out the dot or track points?

I used SPOT like that but it did not have the capability of sending free text messages, only one preset, plus the OK or send help messages. Looks like this is a nice improvement.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
There are some things about the InReach system which appeal to me more than SPOT. There are now two transmitters--The SE being a bit more sophisticated., having a screen, and I believe not requiring a phone to text. The time interval seems to be set at 10 minutes in most I have seen.

I would set up the messages with just one or two people to avoid over the limit $$--for messages, which are 160 characters. But it seems like a great system. If you communicated with one person daily, they could post the message on the forum.

I don't know if you have control at the unit, or when you set up the log, but you are in metric--and most of use think in the "English" system-so MPH feet etc are easier. In the example, it appears you went over an island--but most likely you went around it and the 10 minute interval gave that illusion.

I have heard good things about it--and I believe it has been used in some areas where SPOT does not have good reception. It will be interesting to see how you like it.

Have fun, and enjoy that beautiful area!
 
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I probably won't be able to switch to imperial measurements until after the trip. (though, despite my British origin I am a big fan of the metric system). If I use the device without the phone, it defaults to 10min track intervals. I was planning to do a single OK message each day and leave the tracking on most of the time. Let me know if anyone is willing to try to test the return messaging and location finding.
 
I am going to be home each day for the next few weeks. I would be more than happy to take messages and relay them, and respond, as well as track.

I am sent you a "test" message of about 100 characters, and the e-mail address should be in the header. Great time to use my Km to Naut mile conversions!
 
That would be great. It will be good to test the system. I should be out of email contact in an hour or so for a few days I expect! I usually just use x 2 and then take a bit off. Or just use my 1.85 times tables! :-)
 
We were amazed last time we were in the Broughtons the number of small "marinas" or camps which had Wi Fi at the docks. It was a pleasure! I don't know what the current situation is, but I have book marked your page and will check it daily.
 
I tracked Mike today--there was a position on the 3rd, and then it jumped (across some land--so he must have had the tracking off), to Lookout Island at 10:30 PM the night of the 12th. Today at 1:39 and 1:40 there are position reports just North of Lookout Island (West Coast Vancouver Island)

Message last night: Natural C-lection checking in with my inReach - all OK
 
I have looked at the InReach system to pair with my IPad. Looks like it could be a good system where WiFi and cell coverage is limited or nonexistent. As my usage would only be a month at a time, I found their subscription rates and reconnect fees to be pricey. Will be most interested in the results and opinions of Mike's tests.
Thanks for sharing.
Wapiti
 
I had missed a direct message from Mike on the 12th. It went directly to my e-mail, showed a short text message from Mike, and then a link which took me directly to his position.

This looks to be a good messaging system--and allows 160 character messages to go two way. (I have sent, he has received, and sent back to me--all via satellite) I can see this being very good for keeping in touch with friends who are not computer savey. The get the message, click a link and it shows them on the chart where Mike is.

It appears as if yesterday and today he has been fishing--several tracks out at speed, then a number of points at slow speed trolling, and back. The only criticism is that when he is going fast, the 10 minute interval puts his track over land. However, I think the 10 minute interval is better than shorter interval. The only point where it might be an issue is if SAR were necessary. However, InReach has a button for distress, and I believe that goes into a constant transmit and update mode. Also allows connection to SAR center. (Not the same as an EPRIB, but in my opinion it seems better than the conventional SPOT. I have not compared SPOT messaging.
 
Here is the message from last night:

"Weather was a bit stinky today. Had to come in quickly from offshore. InReach seems to work well. Can you post a note on the cbrats thread? Cheers Mike."
 
My wife and I, being of a certain age and with some minimum health issues always use a system called Glympse that runs on our android smart phones when we travel by car or boat. It is not going to be useful anywhere there is no cell coverage. It provides peace of mind for us and for our 5 grown kids when we go off on adventures. However, the spot and inreach systems are the cats pajamas for any off the grid boating. I will be watching this thread and others. I think the seasonal fees are pretty reasonable for the peace of mind for my wife and for me and for our loved ones.
 
Just in:

"Hi Bob, today is less windy, but quite rainy. Tried fishing from my kayak, but no luck before rain sent me back to the boat! Good to b able to some brief msgs. "

Mike is staying at the same base and doing day excursions.

I see this as a great alternative to a satellite phone, at considerably less cost, both for equipment and text messaging. If you look at the reviews some folks are still having glitches. But for out of the cell phone range this seems really good.

I went over to the SPOT web site. They seem to have shorter messages, with 35 to 45 characters. There is now a Spot Global phone--but it has limitations of area coverage--In Reach seems to have better coverage than SPOT (at least advertised) still. The Sat phone is about $500, and air time less expensive than many of the other Sat phone plans. Also SPOT has a longer track record in their tracking devices. Both use the same GEOS agency for the emergencies. It may end up being a good competition for those who go out of cell phone range.
 
I'm impressed with inReach as well. SPOT only offers one way (outgoing) messaging, while inReach offers two way messaging. At least that's how it was last time I looked.

The SPOT sat phone is really just a Globalstar unit. inReach uses Iridium, I believe, which is a better satellite constellation.

inReach records course, speed, etc in its tracking points. SPOT is just location.

That said, I've been using an original SPOT for six years and it has worked well. There are some dead zones I've experienced (Hawaii and much of southern Africa), but it's perfect in the PNW.
 
Just came in to Kyuquot and have wifi for a few minutes . Weather has been poor but we have had fun. Pretty damp with condensation in the cdory. InReach has been pretty good. I like the 2 way limited communication. More in a day or so.
 
"Lovely day in Johnstone Strait. Salmon dinner and a pastel sunset in Growler Cove. Off to Broughtons tomorrow. PM kayak to Sophia islets."

From yesterday.
 
Here is one I missed from Aug 18:
"Also saw Sea Harmony (cd22) in Telegraph Cove. Natural C-lection is working well as a kayak mother ship and fishing machine! "
 
"Just had breakfast in Kwatsi bay surrounded by hundreds of dolphins feeding on salmon. Amazing sight! Should have some good video and photos. "

This harbor is just North of Gilford Island.
 
"Just spent an hour watching a sow bear teaching her cubs to turn over giant rocks for food at low tide . Very cool. About 250 ft away from the boat!"

He is on Broughton Island.
 
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