Should I buy an InReach Explorer now wait for April/May

[Betik]

I saw online that Cabela's has the Inreach Explorer for $290, so I am seriously thinking about getting one instead of waiting until April/May ( because of the price).
I was wondering if anyone is aware of reason why I should wait. Maybe new device coming out in March or typical sales period after christmas or anything really.

obliviously I cannot wait for THE TRIP

 

[Bill D]

I think the best price I've seen for one is $225, and I think that was last spring / early summer. I don't think you'll see them priced more than $290, so no harm in waiting.

 

[Betik]

Are those prices for the SE or the Explorer ?

 

[Bill D]

Pretty sure the Explorer was the model that was $225 way back. The SE can typically be found for $230.

You may also be able to find a used one for a good price. I haven't looked on other forums or ebay or anything.

 

[Bill D]

Correction, I think I was thinking of the Bimini 2016 thread, and that was for the SE model.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

What's a couple dollars + or - at this point @Betik...haha

 

[Betik]

Yes you are right. What is $300 buck on top of 45K

Did I mention the $1,250 for the Parkit360 that speens on my drive way and my boat does not move ?????? I am blaming it on the rain for now, will try again in Janauary ....

 

[swatski]

Yes you are right. What is $300 buck on top of 45K

Did I mention the $1,250 for the Parkit360 that speens on my drive way and my boat does not move ?????? I am blaming it on the rain for now, will try again in Janauary ....

I say don't wait. You obviously need a new driveway, too (w/aggregate concrete).

--

 

[2nazt]

Is there a reason you want the Explorer over the SE?

 

[Betik]

Because as far a s I know the explorer has GPS build into it, so it can be a back up for navigation.

 

[MrMoose]

Because as far a s I know the explorer has GPS build into it, so it can be a back up for navigation.

When planning a Bimini trip, it's best to have as much redundancy as possible. The challenge is to have enough time to learn how to operate all of the critical functions on the instruments. For example, I have a chart plotter, and it's invaluable to me for the Bimini trip. But if my chart plotter fails, then what? Trying to do anything manually (i.e. charts/compass) when you're not sure exactly where you were when your plotter quit working, all while bouncing around like a bobber in the water, with a crazy/pissed wife and scared kids is impossible, so electronic back-ups are wise. I use my Delorme Explorer as a back-up if my chart plotter fails. I make sure that I have all critical waypoints programmed into it. If it fails, then I have my GPS-equipped handheld floating vhf radio as another layer of back-up. It doesn't have a map display on it, but it will point me in the right direction... I'll just have to make sure that I don't run into an island in the process.

 

[2nazt]

I was just curious. I have the SE just for the communication side for emergencies. I am not familiar with the navigation side and how it works. I have my handheld Garmin and a navionics smartphone as redundancies. That is why I asked if you had an exact reason or could save 50 bucks and just use navionics. All have there pros and cons. Just giving options.

@MrMoose how is the GPS functions on the Explorer is it easy to use or good enough to see and use as a back up? Is there a seper charge for the Explorer also or is the same subscription fee between the two. I'm at work now or else I would look it up. Sorry for being lazy.

 

[MrMoose]

@2nazt, good point. I've never personally used navionics, but it might be something that I will look into in the future when I have a navionics-capable device that I can trust to have on my boat while crossing the gulf stream. I think that the following opinion sums up my point of view on the matter:
http://andrewskurka.com/2015/delorme-inreach-explorer-se-two-reasons-to-buy-explorer/

I know that I have a different point of view than many on these things, and as such, I also carry an ACR PLB, for the moments where I'm in trouble, bouncing around in a panic situation, and myself and my crew are limited to only being able to deploy an antenna and push a button.

Ruggedness, redundancy, and ease of operation when you're the only person with half a brain in an emergency situation are key. I'm set up to assume that I'll have a boat full of panicked fools to deal with in addition to managing the situation if an emergency ever arises. It's best to assume the worst. It is my experience that it only takes one panicked passenger to throw a boat into chaos. uhum, I believe that @ArmyChief and I are both familiar with this. My boat is sinking every time we approach a dock, if you know what I mean. While in Bimini, I found it much easier to head to the fuel docks to refuel solo without a crew. I'm not sure if @shane hric was around to observe my smooth solo docking events vs. the chaotic crew-supported docking events while in Bimini 2016. I think that a captain is responsible for everybody on their boat and needs to be equipped to single-handedly manage emergencies on such a small boat.

The downside of the Delorme system is that you need a subscription, which means that you need to pay for a subscription in order to learn how to use it, which should be done before you hit the water on a trip to Bimini.
So, on that note, @Betik is wise to purchase his device sooner than later.

 

[2nazt]

All very good points about knowing how to use everything and be in calm and controlling mindset. Whatever you end up train with it till it's muscle memory and attempt to teach your crew how to use it. Heaven forbid you get hurt and no one knows what to do. I trained my wife how to use DCS my phone for SeaTow and how to use VHF and read coordinates. One of the good things about forums. You can always get a wide array of opinions and ways of thinking and see what works best for you.

PS it is the same subscription fee for either device.

 

[MrMoose]

All very good points about knowing how to use everything and be in calm and controlling mindset. Whatever you end up train with it till it's muscle memory and attempt to teach your crew how to use it. Heaven forbid you get hurt and no one knows what to do. I trained my wife how to use DCS my phone for SeaTow and how to use VHF and read coordinates. One of the good things about forums. You can always get a wide array of opinions and ways of thinking and see what works best for you.

PS it is the same subscription fee for either device.

I'm not at the point of training my wife, only because I don't think that she could handle the stress of an emergency situation if I were out of commission (I think that my 12 year old is best equipped), that's why I have the ACR. "Release antenna, press button. Get rescued." It's the cheapest life insurance you'll ever buy, and there's no subscription fee. The downside is that the PLB is single-use, and you have to get the battery replaced after you use it. I purchased the Delorme for chartplotter redundancy, and for the less urgent situations of when I just need a tow when my vhf is out of range. i.e. Bimini crossing.

 

[robert843]

I bought the one with out navigation for our Exuma trip last year. Its a cool device best use is tracking features and communication. Nice thing is the service can be turned on and off with no commitment. As whether to buy now or not that's a personal choice but if you really only plan to use it on the Bimini trip there is no need to buy it now unless you really want to. The item is basically useless with out service being hooked up you really cant even play with it to learn how to use it with out service as it won't let you access any of the screens if I remember correctly with out service. I hooked mine up 20 days before we left for Exuma last year which gave me 20 days to figure it out which was plenty. I used it for my week trip and put it back in the box where it has sat ever since. I really don't feel this is a required item by any means on the Bimini group trip as you will be with many other boats most with gps and even around Bimini you can navigate with line of site and a handheld radio usually will get you in contact of someone if your have an issue. I would say its only real use on the Bimini trip would be if you broke down crossing it would give you the ability to contact sea tow to come get you and bring you back into port with out group members having to remain with you which is a benefit but I have a satellite phone for this. Something that really surprised me this year was how often I had cell phone service I used my cell phone in Bimini, Chub Cay, Nassau and Exuma with no issues and cost was very reasonable. When I returned I had made several phone calls while over there and easily sent over 50 text messages and my bill was only about $20 higher then normal.

 

[2nazt]

Selfish ping but check this out @Betik but it is from their website only in the fine print. Just came through my inbox.

 

[Betik]

I wish I could, but it is too late.
Looking at the time stamps, I was ordering it from Cabela's as robert843 was typing his message.

I think I need to get some kind of official tittle about the most "financially screwed " person in the forum.

 

[MrMoose]

@Betik ... remember, when it's related to "boat porn", it's hard to hold back.

 

[2nazt]

Yes I spend a lot of money on #boatporn