skight230

Do any of y`all have any type of GPS messaging system. I`ve looked at a few online, and would like y`alls opinions. Maybe even where to get one. A few times I`ve stayed a little late on the water, and got in a little trouble when I got back in. It would be nice to be able to send a text saying "I`m running late the fish are biting,"

captdz

Jeepman

I have a Spot so the women folk can track us from land, and we also carry an Inreach from garmin. It works good if the people on land want to talk to you, but I usually go fishing to not talk to people on land. it works good, and gets more use then the SAT phone.

Lee Majors

I've been using the Garmin Inreach Explorer+. Has worked great for me on the water and when hunting in the mountains under moderate tree cover.

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

David31522

Garmin InReach is awesome... You can connect it to your cell phone via bluetooth and text like normal from within the app no matter where you are on earth.

skight230

I found a Spotx in Biloxi. I think I'm going to try that

johnboy114

to bad the spotx doesn't have Bluetooth as it has subscription plans for cheaper than the inreach.

Seasir

keithelder

I've used the InReach for the past several years. When I'm offshore my wife wants a text message every three hours. When we roll out I send her one so she knows we are leaving. Then I set an alarm on my phone to remind me every 3 hours. When I'm not fishing during cold weather months I suspend it. I use the freedom plan.

This past weekend my cousins were coming down to fish and I forgot my generator at my house so I texted them from about 70 miles out to pick it up on their way down. It is super handy, just make sure you tell everyone DO NOT REPLY as it'll cost you more money. I think the lowest plan gives you like 10 messages a month and then you pay per message after that.

I haven't found anything better than the InReach as of yet.

The nice thing about the InReach is they have an app that can run on your cell phone. So you set up Bluetooth from your phone to connect to your InReach. Then when you want to send a message you just open the app and send it. Way easier than doing it from the device itself.

Cheers.

-Keith

skight230

SpotX did an excellent job the past few days. 10min text delivery was the longest time. I'll post any issues.

Southern Hooker

For safety purposes is there really any reason to get the Inreach navigator version (orange) over just the communicator version (yellow)?

Lee Majors

Could be really useful if you got hit by lightning or some other problem arises that kills your navigation instruments.

TMC10

Coco Crazy

I have an inReach and use it to stay in contact with wife and kids. Works very well, but it needs a clear signal to the sky. So sitting on the console under the hardtop, mine doesn't work so just have to consider that. I just put mine on the front box when we stop..

Twin Vee 26

If my wife asked me to send her a message every 3 hours while I was offshore I would laugh at her. I prefer the lack of communication. I have a small floating EPIRB that will communicate the only thing I need communicated while offshore. COME GET ME NOW COASTGUARD. If I had a sportfisher I would want internet and sat TV as I would be out multiple days at a time.