Mark F wrote:Back to the op's question. for me the explorer doesn't make sense. My navigation is done with georeferenced pdfs using Avenza on my phone backed up with paper maps. I like the big hi res screen on the phone for navigation and I would most probably be carrying it anyway for a little music, reading or writing. The inreach is just for messages, weather reports and, hopefully never, rescue.
I agree, a phones would be much better for navigation, if using a screen.
I have owned an inreach mini since January 2019, battery life is good if you set up screen brightness, tracking frequency etc right. Before that inreach, I was carrying a KTi PLB. I do most of my walking solo and my husband and I decided the simple fact that my beacon hadn't been set off didn't offer the required level of reassurance to him- as I could be laying unconscious in a ditch unable to set it off. I think it is worth it for the tracking and 2 way communication for sure. The mapping on Earthmate, well, it is okay for a general idea but as others have said not really that flash otherwise. I do use it to mark a way point if I want to remember a place or a junction etc.
Like you, my husband is a motor bike rider and he exclusively uses the Kti PLB now, as he covers more distance he gets more frequent phone reception to check in and let me know all is going as planned, his ETA etc. He uses his phone for mapping and logging his off road adventures.
If you walk and ride I think if you were going to outlay for a PLB, then you just as well may spend the extra and get an inreach mini, it is small enough to carry on your walks and will be unobtrusive to pack on your motorbike rides in your camelbak. As far as mapping purposes, I am with the others and would suggest you upgrade your phone or carry a powerbank for your current one.