More on Delorme InReach – Mark’s Test Results

Mark Hawkins now has a loaner InReach device in-hand, and is integrating its data into our SPOT tracking map.  Hopefully we will have it in Bill Elliot’s (WE) hands tomorrow or Saturday so everyone can see the results for themselves.

Mark tells me that he has not only confirmed the 2-minute tracking interval, he has also got it to run at 1-minute intervals – wow!!  That means a theoretical map response that is literally an order of magnitude better than what we have now, AND with GPS altitude, speed, and heading data to boot!!

Mark had a SPOT1 and a SPOT2 available, so here is the first set of photos showing the relative sizes.  I was an antenna engineer/researcher in a previous lifetime, and I *think* the use of the top-mounted antenna (and the fact that InReach uses the LEO Iridium constellation) should make InReach mounting and orientation much less sensitive than for the SPOT devices with their patch (flat) antennas under the logo.  Also, the one Mark is testing is the model that can run stand-alone or work with any Android or IOS smartphone (Mark tested the unit from his iPhone) via Bluetooth.  Mark tells me that he can run the whole thing, including text messaging, from his smartphone (apparently including turning TRACKING ON and OFF!) without ever touching the InReach unit itself – neat!

 

Here is a screenshot of Delorme’s mapping page, showing the results from Mark’s testing from just a few hours ago.  You can also see the same data by going directly to his ‘shared page’ (using SPOT terminology here) at http://share.delorme.com/?MapId=133d64969e6642a79c90754da6cf2078.  Left click on the ‘plus’ (+) sign to expand the single dot track into details, and then left-click on each individual dot to see the data.

Delorme InReach automobile test run near Mark’s house in Albuquerque, just a few hours ago

 

Both Mark and I are really stoked about this device, as it would really improve the spectator (and safety) aspects of our sport.

Frank (TA)