DeLorme inReach SE in Asia

Before ordering to HK, I would contact them about any ITAR restrictions.

Look into the local laws of the countries in which you plan to use the inReach SE.

China, India, and Myanmar/Burma have serious restrictions on all satellite communications devices; maybe other countries, too.

A British man spent 69 days in an Indian jail for bringing in an unregistered satellite phone:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/After-69-days-Andy-Pag-is-finally-free/articleshow/5707129.cms

— Rex

The transmitters are not allowed in Japan either. Good info, but not sure if that is what the OP was asking about, or if he was simply asking about registering in eg the EU, and using it in permitted countries.

Very interesting. I hadn't even considered this aspect. Many thanks.

I was asking about buying/registering in US/EU and using it in Asia. The main countries I was thinking of in the near future were Nepal, Japan, Taiwan, i.e. the ones with mountains ;) I didn't realise it might not be permitted. I'll do some more research.

Ito – you know from my recent post that I'm planning a trip to Japan in September. I guess I shouldn't bother with getting any satellite transmitter then? Would I be fined or have the device confiscated? Do locals not use any form of emergency transmitter, or do they have some way to get their device registered/approved?

I can answer more questions if you have them but in real short (I'm on an old and cranky iPhone):

No I would most definitely not bring/use it in Japan.
People don't have emergency transmitters here. Again, the transmitters in them (spot, delorme) are forbidden.
Best chance of connection is with a rented phone from Docomo when you arrive in Japan (by far the best coverage in Japan).
If you want for navigation purposes you can borrow an etrex 30 from me, but the maps are not great.
Perhaps better is preloaded maps on an iPhone and use in airplane mode.
Write down emergency numbers and local police box (koban) numbers of nearest trail heads.

Thanks. I guess that's one less thing to buy then :)

I'm curious, how are visitors supposed to know it's illegal? I've been googling and have found no restrictions listed anywhere for Japan (I expect any official info would be in Japanese). In fact, I only found comments about people who have used it, including a testimonial on delorme's own web site about a successful rescue in Japan…

I'm excited as I just received my order of paper maps today. I'll be using those for navigation, together with a smartphone on airplane mode with preloaded maps in case of need.

Good question, I'm not sure, and I'm no expert. I think in general with law though 'not knowing' is not a valid excuse/argument.

Your plan of paper and digital maps sounds good to me though. Will you be able to rent a phone, or use your HK phone in case of emergency?