Only useful for texts, look elsewhere for maps.

This application is DeLorme’s token effort to enhance the navigation functionality of the InReach products. It’s poorly executed and buggy, and utterly fails to take advantage of the InReach’s potential.

The one and only purpose this application serves is making it somewhat easier to text using an InReach device. In this regard, it performs well, and would be a 5-star app if that was all the application was marketed for.

DeLorme, however, markets this application as a navigation tool. It’s no such thing. The maps available for download are inferior. Don’t bother.

Instead, pair your mobile device with the InReach and use the GPS input to power a different mapping application. You can even create free geospatial PDF maps and use one of the apps that allows for the display of such maps on your mobile device to create far better background maps than you could ever obtain commercially. And, due to the accuracy of the InReach GPS signal, location services are going to be far more precise than when using the phones’ internal GPS. This is where the InReach truly shines: no other device comes close to this level of functionality. Unfortunately, DeLorme is either unable or unwilling to develop an application that fully utilizes the InReach’s potential.

As an additional consideration, each and every waypoint I have synced to the app via the DeLorme website is unusable through the app. No matter where the waypoint is located, selecting it results in the map displaying the location of Yarmouth, Maine—the location of DeLorme’s headquarters. I contacted DeLorme about it: they told me resolving this was a key priority for their developers. Two months later, and I’m still waiting for a workable update.

In sum, download this app so you can use the keyboard on your mobile device to type texts. It’s useless for anything more.

HBB12 about Earthmate