Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+...

Posted by: willie1280

Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 08:22 AM

Managed to score a 20% off deal on a brand new Garmin (not Delorme) inReach Explorer + last week for my upcoming trip Alaska! I wish i could say more about it other than i love the orange color.

Right now i'm stuck trying to activate the darn thing.
When you first turn it on you have to pick the language. Then it tells you to go to Garmin's site and register it. But this is where things fall apart. As your registering it, you get to a section about the service plans. Well, i don't want a service plan yet because i don't need the SOS or texting feature just yet. But there's no option around this...they want you to pick a plan. So i aborted this, but the device will not activate.

Since it was a holiday weekend no one was available at Garmin.
Hopefully i'll get ahold of them today. Curious if anyone knows the way around this?
Posted by: willie1280

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 10:22 AM

I finally heard back from Garmin. Here's some valuable info if you purchase this device as i have yet to find this info anywhere online.

The firmware that was shipped on my device basically forces you to sign up for a plan. The cheapest Freedom plan is $15 a month plus the yearly $25 plan activation fee. If your going to do an annual plan it's $12 a month for the cheapest plan and $20 activation fee, but you must keep it for a year (no refunds if you cancel early). For my scenario, i don't need any of the SOS or texting features right now. I just want to be able to use it like a GPS until my trip.

So, to get around paying for a plan just to use the basic features you need to follow these steps:
-Visit https://inreach.garmin.com (make sure your logged out)
-In the middle of the page there is text with a link in it. The text says"If you do not have an account yet, update your inReach SE+ or inReach Explorer+ here." Click that.
-On the next page click the link to download the sync software based on the system you have.
-Once the download is done, install it.
-Click OK if it says the sync software needs to update (mine did).
-Now hook your inreach up to your computer with the USB cable. It should instantly recognize it and perform an update.
-Once it updates and your unit reboots you will see a new home screen on the device. You will now have the option to SKIP activation and use the device like a normal GPS. You will also be able to sync you Earthmate app and use those features as well.
Posted by: Glenn Roberts

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 11:27 AM

With a map, all you have to do is fold it. smile (OK, you knew SOMEBODY was going to say it; I just thought I’d end the suspense.)

Thanks for getting that extra information. I’m sure you’re not the only one who has this problem.
Posted by: willie1280

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 01:10 PM

I wish i could just take a paper map. Would save me a decent amount of weight and not to mention the money i spent on the darn thing! But my wife insisted that I have a SOS device since i'll be solo'ing in Alaska. It's alot easier to buy toys like these when you've got the wifes approval smile

Since i already had a Garmin GPSmaps device, i'll likely sell this unit when i return.
Posted by: Glenn Roberts

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 02:38 PM

Let us know how you accomplished the wife-approval thing - THAT’s important information that many of us could really use!
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 03:50 PM

I carry an ACR ResQLink solely to keep my grown children off my back--a psychological weight saving. I figure the 5.6 ounces are worth it. At least registration (with NOAA) is free!

It's amazing how one's children, once they've grown up, start acting like their parents' parents! And how they want to enlist neighbors, church, etc., to keep watch on me and notify them should I not appear at regular intervals. Those are the same children who don't bother to contact me for months on end, and think that "keeping in touch" is a 3-word email.

Sorry, rant over!
Posted by: JustWalking

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 05:00 PM

Make sure you de-register it before selling it, or the person you sell it to won't be able to activate it.
Posted by: JustWalking

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 05:04 PM

"The cheapest Freedom plan is $15 a month plus the yearly $25 plan activation fee."

True, but the nice thing about the Freedom plans is that, after your first 30 days, you can suspend the plan for a month at a time (consecutive months if you so desire) and not pay anything during those months, then turn the plan back on if you're going out (minimum of 30 days on). So you can just turn the plan 'off' for the winter if you don't backpack during the winter, and then turn it back on for your backpacking season.
Posted by: Pika

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 06:01 PM

OM, I know exactly how you feel. I’m being parented by my son, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter, my sister, both brothers-in-law and both of my nephews. When I announced that I’m hiking the JMT this summer I was solemnly advised that I shouldn’t be tackling such an adventure “at your age” by several of the kinfolk. I’m holding firm in my intent but have promised that, as usual, I’ll have my Inreach along. My wife and I are now viewed as “the old folks”. This has a few advantages but not enough to balance the downside. I just grit my teeth and keep my mouth shut even when I’m told that I’m “a stubborn old coot”. Life goes on smile. Rant over here too!
Posted by: Glenn Roberts

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 08:09 PM

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. (Kids are in Atlanta and Chicago.) The grandkids “scold” me because I don’t use abbreviations in my texts, to which I respond, “I think in complete thoughts, therefore I write in complete sentences.”

I tend to ignore the infrequent attempts to “look out” for me. They occasionally ask if I’ve fallen, and I answer honestly: Yes, every six months or so. “What did you do?” I stood back up.

I’m rapidly gaining curmudgeon status, and find that there are advantages! smile
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 10:56 PM

I refuse to text at all, to the disappointment of my kids. But they accept my eccentricity.

I am still holding out because I think the PLB plus plans are just too expensive. If you can buy a cell phone that does all that the I-phone with a decent camera to boot, why does a PLB with a handfull of functions cost $500?
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/02/18 11:16 PM

The ACR ResQLink costs about $250 and registration is free. It's also much more reliable in case of emergency, since it uses the Dept. of Defense satellite network instead of a private network.

Of course you can't send "I'm fine" messages with it, which is just fine with me! lol
Posted by: balzaccom

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/03/18 07:14 AM

We hike as a couple, so it's a bit different. But we also spend a lot of time off trail--not ideal if something goes wrong. We're looking at getting one of these units, if only to keep the younger generation at bay.

But they still make fun of my emails and texts. And my hiking clothes. And my Facebook page...

It's a long list
Posted by: willie1280

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 04/03/18 08:34 AM

Originally Posted By JustWalking
"The cheapest Freedom plan is $15 a month plus the yearly $25 plan activation fee."

True, but the nice thing about the Freedom plans is that, after your first 30 days, you can suspend the plan for a month at a time (consecutive months if you so desire) and not pay anything during those months, then turn the plan back on if you're going out (minimum of 30 days on). So you can just turn the plan 'off' for the winter if you don't backpack during the winter, and then turn it back on for your backpacking season.


Totally understand and agree. However it just doesn't seem right i should have to buy a plan just to get everything setup and sync'd to my online account.
Posted by: troutstalker

Re: Bought a Garmin inReach Explorer+... - 06/04/18 04:21 PM

Thank you for posting this information, as I'm currently looking into purchasing this same device.