InReach and battery failure

[Rex Sanders]

Finally got around to trying the soft reset + sync on my old inReach SE — and that didn’t entirely solve the problem.

Most of the time a long press on the checkmark button shows the screen that requires a cursor move and another button press to power on the device. However, sometimes (no consistent pattern) a long press on the checkmark button powers the system up fully, without further confirmation.

And who knows how long until every long press again turns on the system without confirmation, and another soft reset + sync will be required.

Frustrating! Maybe the cut-down shampoo bottle or similar hack is next on my list.

— Rex

[Michael S]

Hi All,

This is how I use my device while on an extended wilderness trip (5-10 days).

1. Charge device before trip.
2. Leave device off while hiking and turn on to report location or send message then turn off.

This method will keep the device charged to approx. 70% even on a ten day trip. This will give plenty of reserve battery power in case of a real emergency.

I also always bring a ResQLink PLB as a backup while in remote areas. This device has a 121.5 mhz locator beacon that any search and rescue aircraft can search for using an ADF. This feature works for 28 hours.

Be Safe

[Greg Mihalik]

Hi Michael –

As demonstrated above , the issue here is that inadvertent pressure on the “Check” key can sometimes bring the unit into full operating mode without any other key strokes.  Sometimes OFF isn’t really OFF, and results in a dead battery.

[Greg Mihalik]

Also, a reminder about another surprise – Even when the unit is OFF and the SOS slider is in the “locked” position, pressure on the SOS button will Power-Up the unit,  initiate a call for help – and eventually kill your battery.

I should have closed with “OFF May not be OFF, but LOCKED is not LOCKED”

 

[Author]

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