Garmin inReach Explorer+ Review

Today we will be looking at the @garmin inReach Explorer and why every adventure motorcyclist should be carrying one. This invaluable piece of kit is first and foremost an emergency beacon with other features like messaging and tracking included. Once it is paired with the Garmin Earthmate app it really becomes an all-in-one communicator useful for any and all travelers as we crawl all over the globe.
If you interested in getting a discount on a Garmin inReach Explorer+ as well as helping the channel please purchase from the link here:
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Be Gone For Good is built around the philosophy of bringing the greatest benefit we can while we travel. These videos are a way for us to spread the word about what we are doing and help anyone we can get involved in their own traveling experience.
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This episode was shot on a Panasonic GH5S with Metabones Ultra Adapter and a Sigma 18-35mm lens with extra footage shot on iPhone 11 Pro, GoPro 4 and 5. We use Final Cut Pro for editing.
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[@NomadNookRVRentals]

I’m breaking into the dual sport world and this video was clear and concise. thanks so much for the review !

[@BeGoneForGood]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck and welcome to the fam.

[@kyle_wagner_music]

very helpful, thanks for pointing out the practical uses and some of the pitfalls to be aware of. seems like a really solid device.

[@BeGoneForGood]

It’s incredible. I initially bought as a safety stop gap but it has become one of my favorite pieces of gear. Such a value for someone that wants to stay connected always.

[@kikionthetrailoflove7036]

I'm thru hiking the mighty Pacific Crest Trail in 2022 so this is an essential item.

[@taproom113]

Thanx for the Great information! Ordered through your link and subbed! Thanx again & Skal ... ^v^

[@joshuamatheson3825]

Awesome review! Thanks for putting it together!

[@BeGoneForGood]

Absolutely. I am glad you got something from it.

[@paparomesoutdoors711]

really great review enjoyed this and it was very helpful to my new device

[@BeGoneForGood]

Glad I could help. This is one of my favorite pieces of gear and I am excited to get others on board as well.

[@Droptineful]

Great review! Thanks👍🏻

[@BeGoneForGood]

Thank you so much and its no problem.

[@steelcurtain57]

Thanks for posting this great review. I will be buying 4 next week to distribute to my college kids and wife and myself in the event we ever suffer an emergency/crisis. I will order via your link, they are in my cart as we speak!

[@BeGoneForGood]

Well, that is just flat-out awesome Keith. Thank you very much for the glowing review or my glowing review. It is a pretty easy object to love for peace of mind alone. I know it has worked wonders for my wife and others while I am out traveling. Good luck and thank you again for leaving feedback.

[@steelcurtain57]

@@BeGoneForGood You're welcome. Just purchased!

[@BeGoneForGood]

Not to give you homework but I’d love to know what you think and if they helped you after a little bit of use.

[@edwardwatson8347]

Great review, thank you

[@BeGoneForGood]

Thank you very much. It was pretty easy as I am a huge fan of this GPS locator. I didn't realize how essential this piece of gear would become to my trips. I think it is just a great security blanket to know that even at the worst of times, you have an out. I am glad you liked the review and I hope you find other vids of value in our catalog. Thanks for stopping by.

[@MonoLake02]

I thought I was state of the art with my whistle and signal mirror, but I may need to re-think this a little...

[@BeGoneForGood]

You definitely don't have to worry about dead batteries with your system. ;-)

[@yanceyloyless3713]

Great video. Thank you

[@BeGoneForGood]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnforshee1416]

I'm shopping for a GPS. This was vary helpful. Thank you.

[@BeGoneForGood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ianferrier235]

Thanks Chad good review 👍👍

[@BeGoneForGood]

Absolutely. I really appreciate it.

[@timsmith5837]

I enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@BeGoneForGood]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks very much, terrific job

[@BeGoneForGood]

Glad it helped

[@daughterdad007]

Thanks for the review. Well done and very concise. Couple of questions: 1) Does it "cost" a text to receive a message? 2) Is the basic weather text "1 ea" one per day or one per month? 3) Any feedback on what is actually included in a premium weather text? Again, nice review. :)

[@BeGoneForGood]

I appreciate the view and the questions. Let me see if I can answer each one below. 1. Yes, it "costs" your monthly total, 1 text for either received or sent messages. Each transaction with the server (sent or received) costs 1 message. (source: support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=4DQEVs8psN4KdWnMfOSow6) 2. The basic weather text "costs" one message. You can do that as often as you need but will be charged each time. The premium forecast costs a dollar for each request. I could not find if a premium request also costs a message ration. (source: support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=y82JG5z3rt8cg21ARUw0N8) 3. From the source below which also includes a picture of an example delivery if you'd like to check it out: Premium forecasts include a 7-day forecast reported in varying intervals (1-2 hour intervals for the first day, 3-6 hour intervals for the next day and 12-hour intervals for the remaining 5 days). (source: support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=y82JG5z3rt8cg21ARUw0N8) I hope this answered your questions. I have found this piece of gear indispensable and each time I take it out I find another reason for its "must-have" nature. Let me know if you need anything else and if you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, there is a discount link in the description of the video. Good luck.

[@damiencharton6519]

Great video thanks!! I was wondering for the tracking possibility, so you don't have an activated plan while hiking, you cannot track (whatever the interval) your hike even you don't share the tracking ? Because being able to track your past route just for yourself, no sharing could be handy! Thanks !!

[@BeGoneForGood]

That is a great question and I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. If you aren't currently subscribed to one of their plans you cannot track at all, even if it is over previous tracks. It basically shuts off the GPS so the device is a huge paperweight without a plan. I do think however if you are just covering the exact same ground you could off-load your previous track to a cell phone as most of those use GPS even when cell signals are dead. Try it out on something Gaia Maps to see if it does what you need. Good luck and let us know if you are successful.

[@ethanh4973]

Quit giving out false info. you can still record tracks without a subscription.

[@edanpc]

I’m sure you can track your position, know we here you are and follow routes even if you don’t ha a plan. I have a Garmin GPS device and and I can use all its features and I don’t have any plan for satellite communication. I think you might need a plan for the communication and SOS features. Although, if you just want to track the route you’re making, your route, you can use Wikiloc ok your cellphone

[@bev8200]

They should collab with icom it would be nice to see a sat100 with some of these features.

[@BeGoneForGood]

To have legitimate on the road NAV capabilities and the emergency beacon would be very nice for sure.

[@colinisnowlostincolorado]

I recently ordered one of these so I can carry it with me when I set out to do Mtn bike rides , because once I hit the foot hills here in Loveland CO my cell service is gone. Last week I did a ride and had a few small issues right at the beginning but fixed them and moved on... But then I was forced to turn around on a road and backtrack almost 7 miles and then start my climb out of the mountain... Needless to say my 3-4hr ride I told my wife I was going to go on was already over 5hrs... I ended up hitch hiking and got picked up driven back to my car (16mi away) and had a LOT of explaining to do when I got home. If I had one of these devices I could of sent her messages saying I was lost, or needed help, or catching a ride with a local and to not worry (as much).

[@BeGoneForGood]

That is a really great reason to have one handy and you will find them so useful for a bunch of other reasons too. When I bought mine it was only really for the emergency capabilities but I ended up using it all the time on my Central America trip. It provided directions, weather, coordination, text messages home, tracking and so many other things that I consider it one of my most important pieces of gear now. I never traveled alone but I would say this is a MUST if you do any sort of off the beaten path traveling by yourself. I am glad you have one coming and thank you very much for the feedback on the vid.

[@darrelltodd301]

Would you recommend this device for use on jet skis? What are the pros and cons? If not, do you have a recommended device to consider?

[@BeGoneForGood]

It kind of depends on what you want it for because there are some things it does really well and others, not so much. If you crave an emergency beacon or messaging device, this thing is incredible. There is a specific marine model which I will include the link below. If you are hoping just for a navigation capability then I might opt for something with a bigger screen instead. Garmin GPSMAP 86Sci, Floating Handheld GPS with Button Operation, Preloaded BlueChart G3 Coastal Charts And Inreach Satellite Communication capabilities, Stream Boat Data From Compatible Chartplotters www.amazon.com/dp/B07XB3HDY9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2SFdFb0HCCVZD

[@jaredwhite489]

It’s meant for off the beaten path travel not turn by turn car navigation, it’s not advertised as such.

[@BeGoneForGood]

Exactly though there are often questions about how it performs in those type of circumstances. I would argue not well.

[@khairulshiddiq9728]

It's weird but in my inReach explorer+ I can't find "TRACKING" menu like in 05:57. Anybody knows how to turn in on?

[@10Flat]

You covered 99.99% of my questions thx

[@BeGoneForGood]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching.

[@nameless5r]

Is there any other device that you would recommend to mount on a dirt bike to track you and help you get back to your starting point?

[@BeGoneForGood]

They have a smaller version of the inReach available now and I would recommend it highly. I think it does a reasonable job with the navigation when you pair it with a phone or something to see but the emergency beacon function is a must for any of us off-roading in dangerous areas.

[@jerryberkel8421]

Garmin Zumo XT

[@willminnery8198]

garmin 66i vs inreach explorer mostly just canoeing or hiking .. but my bro has the 66i but which is better? or why is missing pros cons?? thanks

[@BeGoneForGood]

It looks like the 66i is sort of the big brother to the inReach with a slightly bigger screen. It looks like they have the same capabilities but I would opt for the bigger screen if the price difference between the two isn't getting in your way.

[@universityofthrifting709]

Very well done review! Ive found this device to a thrift store.it says active.how do I get my own plan , since I don't know who previous owner is ? Has an IMEI number

[@BeGoneForGood]

Congratulations. If you go to Settings>About This Device you will find all the necessary info to get you started including the IMEI Number. I am also including the link to the different subscription plans. Let me know if you need anything else to start using your most important piece of gear. ;-) discover.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/professional/

[@tarkynblair-kril1028]

Do you HAVE to buy a plan to use the SOS and GPS? Or can you use both those things without buying a plan?

[@BeGoneForGood]

You have to buy a plan in order to utilize the device at all. They have freedom plans which allow you to stop and start as needed but it has to have a plan operational for it to work.

[@ethanh4973]

You don’t have to buy a plan to use basic gps functions, without a subscription it acts as a standard gps. If you think you might need the sos or texting service later on you can add and drop subscriptions as needed. This gives you access to texting, sos, and weather.

[@Fatonzzz]

So many things I love about this device, but lack of “Tracback” feature is an absolute deal breaker. Too bad because I was super stoked about the Explorer+ and deliberated whether or not to make the purchase for a very long time. Guess I should have researched the purchase better, but I took for granted that the ability to backtrack was a basic GPS function. Even the Mini has this function. My old eTrex unit had this ability also. I’ve ordered a GPSMAP 66i and my wife will carry the Explorer+......expensive lesson...

[@BeGoneForGood]

The most expensive lessons are the ones we will remember the longest. ;-) I didn't know about the track back feature but I could see how that would be really nice to have on your off road nav. I don't ever ride a non-recognized track so it wouldn't be vital for me but it is something Garmin could easily include for sure. Maybe a firmware update in the future... Garmin, are you listening?

[@Fatonzzz]

@@BeGoneForGood I spoke with Garmin regarding a firmware update and the lady said she would forward the suggestion to engineering and get back to me. She then went on to suggest that the 66i would be a more appropriate fit...lol. My wife and I snowmobile in the mountains and sometimes go deep into the backcountry. Conditions can be socked in with very limited visibility. It’s also easy to cover a large distance in short order and quickly become disoriented. I think the 66i will be pretty sweet to be honest and it’s not a total loss since it’s not a bad idea for my wife to have an inReach in the event we became separated and were to lose radio comms. Thanks for the video and your reply 👍

[@BeGoneForGood]

Given those circumstances, backtracking sounds like an absolute necessity. Thank you again for the update and information.

[@johnbrewer7221]

No TracBack??? My Montana 650T from like, 2014 did TracBack. It seems like a no-brainer to have that. Every bit of information you need to do it is already on the device! This is a deal breaker for me as well. But, it won't hurt Garmin because I'll probably just get a Mini2...

[@bhaveshbhalani1945]

Is it possible to communicate within this two devices for example sharing location, sending text...

[@BeGoneForGood]

Yes. My buddy and I used this as our main form of spreading info back and forth on our way through Central America.

[@AsadKhan-dd7pp]

How can we buy a used one from another country? Can you help me. Thanks in advance.

[@BeGoneForGood]

I imagine eBay has used ones for sale but if not, I would get in touch with someone from the States to purchase one and send it over. It is a great piece of gear and a high priority for any off road or remote riding.

[@nelxonmiranda]

Wut kit? Kit of what?

[@presnj01]

Do you need cell service to be able to use the app on your phone?

[@BeGoneForGood]

You do not. All communication goes through the satellite and the phone is connected with Bluetooth.

[@mkrissak]

If I send preset message does that also give my location to the recipient?

[@BeGoneForGood]

Yes. Every message includes a location tag. I don’t know if that can be turned off but it is the default capability.

[@lawofficeofthomasc.annunzi8679]

Does it work during a Blizzard?

[@BeGoneForGood]

I have never tried in a blizzard but Garmin states that a clear view of the sky is necessary for the device to communicate with the satellites. I’m guessing the clouds and snow might make a signal difficult during a blizzard but that’s just a guess at this point.

[@fit_ceo]

Can this device send messages to the garmin app installed to lets say iphone which has app installed?

[@BeGoneForGood]

Yes...you can work almost entirely in the app and have all the messaging go through the device. It is REALLY handy when out of range.

[@KyleMcStravick]

Could you navigate with this on a motorcycle using the earthmate app? Or not really?

[@BeGoneForGood]

I can’t say specifically because I don’t use the Earthmate app for my Mac but I do use a similar app, Gaia, connected to the Garmin for my navigation. It has been flawless so far.

[@KyleMcStravick]

@@BeGoneForGood Oh interesting, so you can pair the Inreach with Gaia on your phone, and use that for turn-by-turn navi on your MC with the phone mounted?

[@BeGoneForGood]

Yes. That is what I have used on two different BDR trips and likely this summer's Bourbon Run.

[@KyleMcStravick]

@@BeGoneForGood super cool, thanks for the info. I keep reading about how it's unreliable to use a phone for GPS on a motorcycle due to over heating - is that overblown in your opinion?

[@BeGoneForGood]

I didn't have problems 99% of the time I was using my phone as a GPS. That changes if you have it in a case, especially those that sit on your tank bag. Those things just cook the phone with the screen facing up so overheating is VERY likely at those times. I normally have mine on a Quadlock mount out in the wind and with all the new phones being pretty waterproof, I rarely choose to pocket them for downpours anymore. I think that will save me from any overheating issues in the future.

[@pamir87]

Come to the Pamirs

[@BeGoneForGood]

Thanks for the invite. It will have to go on the list.

[@pamir87]

@@BeGoneForGood will.have place for you for free

[@jerseyltd]

What if you accidentally hit the sos button. How do you cancel evacuation lol

[@BeGoneForGood]

I haven’t ever hit the dedicated SOS so I can’t say for sure but there is a way through the menu to enable the SOS beacon and I HAVE accidentally done that. When it was pressed it gave you 5-10 seconds to abort the SOS call. I would imagine the same would be true for the dedicated button when accidentally engaged.

[@jerseyltd]

@@BeGoneForGood ah thank you! I know my question is funky but never know i guess. Thanks for the tip!:) i think i may invest in the inreach gps with the map.

[@tannerlane9669]

Will this work cross country ?

[@BeGoneForGood]

Cross country and around the world. There are different map systems you can put on it but it works anywhere you need it to including the water.

[@user-nd9re8vr6l]

how many maps are already downloaded?

[@BeGoneForGood]

I don’t really know but I think you can get any maps for free from Garmin. I don’t think I’ve bought anything for all of my travels.

[@rapdre2]

Can this be used as a walkie talkie as well? Like the rhino?

[@BeGoneForGood]

I’ve never heard of the Rhino but there is no voice transmission through the Garmin. You can text back and forth but no sound is sent.

[@tannerlane9669]

South America maybe ?

[@BeGoneForGood]

For sure. No problems whatsoever.

[@OMFGudness]

Are any of the messages free to send?

[@BeGoneForGood]

It depends which plan you get but all plans come with at least some messages included. You can see a full breakdown of each plan here, though I would check the Garmin link listed in the description for the latest numbers. satphoneshop.com/downloads/Garmin_In_Reach_Plans_Flyer_Web.pdf

[@FuriouslyFurious]

By the way, your link doesn't give us a discount, so don't lie. It only helps you.

[@BeGoneForGood]

Amazon routinely puts this item on sale which is how I purchased it, so yes, the cheapest I’ve seen new ones, is from this link.

[@FuriouslyFurious]

@@BeGoneForGood just be honest, is all I'm saying. Your statement is very misleading.

[@BeGoneForGood]

Hey, if you can find it repeatedly and reliably cheaper from another source, I’ll be happy to include that link.

[@mitchschneider1927]

So something like this: You can lead a liberal to facts, but you can't make them think. 🤯

[@hendrijkt]

During the pandemic this GPS handheld was not used and because I stopped subscribing, all of its features couldn't be used, even the basic features for uploading waypoint data to GPS couldn't be used either. Regret buying this type of GPS.

[@BeGoneForGood]

Did you opt for a different tracker that doesn't have the same issues with subscriptions? I would love to know where you ended up after the Garmin.

[@hendrijkt]

@@BeGoneForGood unfortunately in my country only Garmin available for GPS handheld, so my inReach explorer+ is useless right now. I am back using the GPSmap series for GPS features function. Really hope another brand of GPS handheld can enter my country.

[@terryreyes1125]

So you cant text like normal. So this crap sucks 🙄

[@BeGoneForGood]

Once it is attached to your cell you can text on the phone and the Garmin will send it out over the satellites.