Check out the satellite communicator playlist if you want to learn more about all of these devices. czcams.com/play/PLinHuRHy8OYfU4fkuBYoROEt7JOZCoyg3.html. Leave a comment below if you have any questions. Rick
Hello, thanks for making your videos they have been very useful! I was wondering if you had an opinion on the older DeLorme inReach communicators? They still are supported and are much cheaper than the modern inreach devices which is key for me as a student
The oldest Garmin's I have is the Mini and the Explore+. I'm afraid I would not be of much use here, but I do have a question for you. Do you primarily need a communicator or do you need/want the navigation? You can get the older GPSMAP 67i for around $480 You can get the older inReach Mini for about $280 You can get the newer inReach Messenger for about $290 (if you only need communication) One thing I do is use Klarna to split the payments up into 4 equal payments, but the payments are processed every 2 weeks, but at least you would have a month and a half to pay for it. I'm not sure if this has been helpful but leave other comments if you have any. Rick
Thanks for the fast response. I would only need communication as I have other devices that can navigate for me. I can get the Zoleo for £170 ($216) so this is probably my best bet but it is tempting to get one of the older DeLorme models as one is currently selling for £70 ($89) and from my quick research seems to have almost all the features of the later Garmin models. I also had a quick question about SPOT. Again, I can pick one of the simpler 1-way communication models for as little as £50 ($63) but when I read reviews online (e.g. on Trustpilot) almost all them are negative due to their bad practices when customers try to cancel contracts or people even being refused refunds when they have been overcharged. Have you heard of and/or had any experiences with things of this nature? Thanks
@@outdooremergencytech Thanks for the quick reply. I would just need it for communication as I have other devices that can navigate for me. I can get the Zoleo for £170 ($216) so this is probably my best best but the older Delorme Inreach's are tempting as I can get one for £70 ($89) and from my research it would have almost all the features of the later models. I have another quick question regarding SPOT. I can get the Gen 3 for £50 ($63) and in terms of its features, it is perfectly fine for me. However, when I read reviews online (e.g. on TrustPilot and Reddit) they are almost all extremely negative due to SPOT's bad practices when customers try to cancel their contract. I even read a few were people had been refused refunds after being overcharged. I was wondering if you have heard or had any experiences with this company of a similar nature?
has anybody used the Garmin 67i for bike packing/touring? i’m in Australia and planning to ride some remote locations. many of these trails have GPX files already created, ready to be download to the 67i. but wanting the security of SOS inreach and ability to explore off trail and find my way back! 😂 I already have Garmin Epix Gen2 smart watch that gives me all the metrics i desire. just not wanting to rely on smart phone
I have not used it for biking but I have used it on group hikes. It works extremely well and is reliable, but you do have to be patient when sending and receiving messages. My experience is you need to be ready to wait for 1 to 2 minutes sometimes. Also, having the maps and trail information is perfect when outside cell service. Rick
You may not want to push the Bullitt device (Motorola Defy) as (prior to your video) they have filed for bankruptcy. The future of the service is unknown.
I will add a note in the description and I'll be posting a follow up video about the Motorola Defy. The Hiking Guy and I have been testing the Defy and we cannot get any messages to go through so you're correct. Everyone should stay away from the Defy unless they get this corrected. Rick
Not at all. Honestly, I do know that the 67i is on my pack when compared to the Mini 2, but the 67i is my favorite satellite communicator and that's including size and weight. I really like having some of the additional functions the 67i has plus knowing I can get all of those functions without having to be synced to my smartphone. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick
The Hiking Guy and I have been testing the Motorola Defy, sending messages back and forth, plus I have sent messages to other people, and none of the messages are going through now. Everyone needs to stay away from the Motorola Defy until further notice. Rick
@@outdooremergencytech that has been my experience as well, and I really wanted them to succeed, but it was beginning to feel like waiting for the second shoe to drop so I decided to go with the spot x. Thanks for the reviews.
Glad to help and thanks for letting me know about your thoughts on the Defy. As a follow up. The Motorola Defy is still working. Cris and I think it has to do with the X-Flares from the sun that caused some issues for a few days. Rick
The 67i is created for land users and the 86sci is for marine users. The 86sci is water-resistant and floats. It has boat data streaming and preloaded BlueChart g3 coastal charts. It also access to the autopilot app and backup navigation. They are similar devices but created for different environments. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick
Hey Rick, thanks for the details. I’ve been doing a lot of research and found your great video, but couldn’t find hardly any comparison reviews on the 86sci. I actually bought the Explorer+ model but after finding out that it was released back in 2017 and that I couldn’t use it with the Garmin messenger app that I use with my Inreach Mini 2 I retuned it. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the 86sci is the marine version of the 66 series. The 86sci was released back on September 10, 2019. Whereas the 67i was released on March 14, 2023. From my research, I also read that you can load Marine maps onto the 67i? Online there were a lot of users complaining about the marine sync features not working properly. I ended up buying the 67i today since the battery life is so much better than the 66 and 86 series and for the satellite network features. I do wish there was an 87sci model because I would have liked to use it with my Garmin livescope and Garmin Echomap UHD 93sv system. Garmin sure makes it difficult to sift through all of their models!
I would be watching for an 87sci model coming out in the next year or two but Garmin keeps that information quiet. You are correct that the 86sci is the marine version of the 66i. If I were on the water a lot, I would probably go with the 86sci, but of course, as soon as I did that, Garmin would release the new version. You can get Marine maps on the 67i. Check out this link from support.garmin below. support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=7a8XxUSVfY5jLzZoQSdx8A&productID=890109&searchQuery=marine%20maps&tab=topics Lastly, the 67i is my favorite satellite communicator and is the best on the market as of now, in my opinion. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick
Thanks Rick! I would agree with you that the 67i is the best on the market as of right now as far as specs go. Since I just got it, I’ll be following your tutorial on how to get the most out of it :)
You are correct. That's why people need to invest in ham radios. You will start to see some ham radio articles and videos coming out soon from me to help people understand this. Rick
Check out the satellite communicator playlist if you want to learn more about all of these devices. czcams.com/play/PLinHuRHy8OYfU4fkuBYoROEt7JOZCoyg3.html. Leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Rick
Hello, thanks for making your videos they have been very useful! I was wondering if you had an opinion on the older DeLorme inReach communicators? They still are supported and are much cheaper than the modern inreach devices which is key for me as a student
The oldest Garmin's I have is the Mini and the Explore+. I'm afraid I would not be of much use here, but I do have a question for you.
Do you primarily need a communicator or do you need/want the navigation?
You can get the older GPSMAP 67i for around $480
You can get the older inReach Mini for about $280
You can get the newer inReach Messenger for about $290 (if you only need communication)
One thing I do is use Klarna to split the payments up into 4 equal payments, but the payments are processed every 2 weeks, but at least you would have a month and a half to pay for it.
I'm not sure if this has been helpful but leave other comments if you have any.
Rick
Thanks for the fast response. I would only need communication as I have other devices that can navigate for me. I can get the Zoleo for £170 ($216) so this is probably my best bet but it is tempting to get one of the older DeLorme models as one is currently selling for £70 ($89) and from my quick research seems to have almost all the features of the later Garmin models.
I also had a quick question about SPOT. Again, I can pick one of the simpler 1-way communication models for as little as £50 ($63) but when I read reviews online (e.g. on Trustpilot) almost all them are negative due to their bad practices when customers try to cancel contracts or people even being refused refunds when they have been overcharged. Have you heard of and/or had any experiences with things of this nature? Thanks
@@outdooremergencytech Thanks for the quick reply.
I would just need it for communication as I have other devices that can navigate for me.
I can get the Zoleo for £170 ($216) so this is probably my best best but the older Delorme Inreach's are tempting as I can get one for £70 ($89) and from my research it would have almost all the features of the later models.
I have another quick question regarding SPOT. I can get the Gen 3 for £50 ($63) and in terms of its features, it is perfectly fine for me. However, when I read reviews online (e.g. on TrustPilot and Reddit) they are almost all extremely negative due to SPOT's bad practices when customers try to cancel their contract. I even read a few were people had been refused refunds after being overcharged. I was wondering if you have heard or had any experiences with this company of a similar nature?
has anybody used the Garmin 67i for bike packing/touring? i’m in Australia and planning to ride some remote locations. many of these trails have GPX files already created, ready to be download to the 67i. but wanting the security of SOS inreach and ability to explore off trail and find my way back! 😂 I already have Garmin Epix Gen2 smart watch that gives me all the metrics i desire. just not wanting to rely on smart phone
I have not used it for biking but I have used it on group hikes. It works extremely well and is reliable, but you do have to be patient when sending and receiving messages. My experience is you need to be ready to wait for 1 to 2 minutes sometimes.
Also, having the maps and trail information is perfect when outside cell service.
Rick
You may not want to push the Bullitt device (Motorola Defy) as (prior to your video) they have filed for bankruptcy. The future of the service is unknown.
I will add a note in the description and I'll be posting a follow up video about the Motorola Defy.
The Hiking Guy and I have been testing the Defy and we cannot get any messages to go through so you're correct. Everyone should stay away from the Defy unless they get this corrected.
Rick
Don’t you mind the weight of the 67 Rick?
Not at all. Honestly, I do know that the 67i is on my pack when compared to the Mini 2, but the 67i is my favorite satellite communicator and that's including size and weight. I really like having some of the additional functions the 67i has plus knowing I can get all of those functions without having to be synced to my smartphone.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Rick
Does the motorola device still work?
I apologize for the delay but I am currently testing my Motorola Defy to see if it works. I'll get back with you here shortly.
Rick
The Hiking Guy and I have been testing the Motorola Defy, sending messages back and forth, plus I have sent messages to other people, and none of the messages are going through now.
Everyone needs to stay away from the Motorola Defy until further notice.
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech that has been my experience as well, and I really wanted them to succeed, but it was beginning to feel like waiting for the second shoe to drop so I decided to go with the spot x.
Thanks for the reviews.
Glad to help and thanks for letting me know about your thoughts on the Defy.
As a follow up. The Motorola Defy is still working. Cris and I think it has to do with the X-Flares from the sun that caused some issues for a few days.
Rick
Thank You for the follow up! Really glad to hear its still working. I'm going out tomorrow to test mine. Subscribed.@@outdooremergencytech
How does the 67i compare to the 86sci?
The 67i is created for land users and the 86sci is for marine users.
The 86sci is water-resistant and floats. It has boat data streaming and preloaded BlueChart g3 coastal charts. It also access to the autopilot app and backup navigation.
They are similar devices but created for different environments.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Rick
Hey Rick, thanks for the details. I’ve been doing a lot of research and found your great video, but couldn’t find hardly any comparison reviews on the 86sci. I actually bought the Explorer+ model but after finding out that it was released back in 2017 and that I couldn’t use it with the Garmin messenger app that I use with my Inreach Mini 2 I retuned it. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the 86sci is the marine version of the 66 series. The 86sci was released back on September 10, 2019. Whereas the 67i was released on March 14, 2023. From my research, I also read that you can load Marine maps onto the 67i? Online there were a lot of users complaining about the marine sync features not working properly. I ended up buying the 67i today since the battery life is so much better than the 66 and 86 series and for the satellite network features. I do wish there was an 87sci model because I would have liked to use it with my Garmin livescope and Garmin Echomap UHD 93sv system. Garmin sure makes it difficult to sift through all of their models!
I would be watching for an 87sci model coming out in the next year or two but Garmin keeps that information quiet.
You are correct that the 86sci is the marine version of the 66i. If I were on the water a lot, I would probably go with the 86sci, but of course, as soon as I did that, Garmin would release the new version.
You can get Marine maps on the 67i. Check out this link from support.garmin below.
support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=7a8XxUSVfY5jLzZoQSdx8A&productID=890109&searchQuery=marine%20maps&tab=topics
Lastly, the 67i is my favorite satellite communicator and is the best on the market as of now, in my opinion.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Rick
Thanks Rick! I would agree with you that the 67i is the best on the market as of right now as far as specs go. Since I just got it, I’ll be following your tutorial on how to get the most out of it :)
Sounds good. Let me know if you have any questions.
Rick
If the Grid goes down your Satellite radio will not work.
You are correct. That's why people need to invest in ham radios.
You will start to see some ham radio articles and videos coming out soon from me to help people understand this.
Rick
Great