Thread: Inreach/66I vs Topo50

I still carry compass everywhere but Topo 50 is excellent. Worked flawlessly for 8 days in coastal fiordland and everywhere else I have used it. If you want to communicate then the inreach mini is an excellent combo with your phone if using topo 50. Others have already covered off the pros and cons for inreach vs PLB so will leave it at that.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

funny,it almost seems like folks dont use a map and compass AT ALL to navigate anymore...Ive started to carry them again and enjoy the challenge of finding where I am on map and then and only then,consulting GPS to back that up...mate had phone app the other day with same map on screen and I was within very small distance from where his phone said when we compared the two images....my reading bearings off side of map still needs work LOL.

I think it's still important to carry both map/compass. At least you know that will never fail due to technological error. That will always be a backup.

Just want something fast/efficient as well.

Ive been working through the same details lately. You have a pretty decent discount on the NZPA website worth using no matter what you go for!

Something worth thinking about is i believe the 66I and similar inreach models only have a built in battery which you will have to charge. I think my best plan so far was along the lines of always keeping a spare power bank thats never touched other than when you're properly desperate! Compass to follow a bearing taken from the gps will save battery life from turning the screen on all the time just for the odd quick glance. Also compass and map carried as a safety.

There is something to be said for having separate kit for separate functions given murphys law.

I havent committed either way yet. I still have a bodgy old gps ive borrowed and crowbarred topo maps from the free topo project into it. One thing to be said about old gps is the batteries last a lot better and they do the job!

based on my short ish 2-3 day trips i use nztopo or the like on my phone screen that is large enough that i can read it. put it in flight mode and only turn it on intermitantly as most phones only last 8-12 hr of gps on a good day.
l use my garmin watch for basic minute by minute navigation and compass etc. however i find the screen too small for the mapping to be much use even if i get my glasses out. Without the watch i would be back to hanging a compass around my neck.

then i carry s little PLB for those oh shit times and just hope its for someone else.
Ps, you probably know this from your army time but i had a ex army guide point out to me how useless a plb is in you pack if are 20mtr from it and have an accident or slide. always on your person.
Z

Like a lot of these guys I use NZTopo50 and carry a PLB on my person. As @ZQLewis notes- they’re not much good if they’re in your pack & you can’t get to em.

I had a Garmin Rino 650 unit for a while but sold it as I find NZTopo50 just as accurate and a lot more user friendly. I mostly use it to add waypoints and as needed for navigation. Still carry a compass too. Again, as others have mentioned, phone on flight mode will help conserve battery. I also carry a power bank for multi day trips. It weighs about the same as my phone & gives me about 3 charges of the phone. I’d like to get an Inreach mini at some point just so I can let the other half back home know I’m ok etc, but for now due to cost I’m sticking with the NZTopo50/PLB combo.

& to answer your other question- I’ve never had an issue getting GPS signal on the NZTopo50, even in thick scrub. Have always found it holds signal well. I use an iPhone 7, so certainly not the fanciest phone. Other thing I’d recommend is a good case, especially if you’re using it as your main form of nav. Not much use of it falls out your pocket & the screen smashes or it ends up waterlogged.

Cheers for all the feeback team. Appreciate it all.

Now for the real debate....... Rifle/Calibre haha! Jokes, i'm set on a 308 for now but stuck between two models being the Browning X-bolt Hells Canyon SS or the Tikka T3X. Felt both, multiple times, and really like the feel of the X-bolt but obviously so does the Tikka.

And go.....

Originally Posted by Scottie

Cheers for all the feeback team. Appreciate it all.

Now for the real debate....... Rifle/Calibre haha! Jokes, i'm set on a 308 for now but stuck between two models being the Browning X-bolt Hells Canyon SS or the Tikka T3X. Felt both, multiple times, and really like the feel of the X-bolt but obviously so does the Tikka.

And go.....

Read the 308 post in the lower section before you commit

Seems your looking for 3 different purposes. SOS emergencies, Navigation and text satilite text messaging

I also didnt get the Inreach Explorer because didnt like the maps and functionality

DONT rely on Inreach as an emergency device
Inreach use different satlities to PLBs, and sometimes I have to wait an hour before getting a message out. usually fairly quick in high, open places
Inreach Mini uses Bluetooth with mobile phone to send messages, very simple
you dont want to be in a deep gorge, leg broken or worse, waiting for your SOS to get out

I use Inreach Mini only for text and email messaging daily when in the hills. to let family know intentions, delayed or whatever.

Get a lightweight PLB - at least.

I have had problems using Inreach since Garmin took over, and am just having my Mini replaced by them (for free) right now

If you want a GPS, I'd rely on phone or a dedicated GPS. The Inreach Explorer might be ok, havent tried it.

PS, Garmin now put out a Montana version combines GPS and Inreach. looks expensive

One definite safety feature of the inreach is the tracking when shared with someone. Very worst case scenario if you have a bad accident and are incapacitated, at least there will be one person at home who can check and see online where your tracking has stopped (and where a search should atart)

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