Byron, I'm listing this information here for anyone else who might be interested in the inReach device:

The different plans and pricing is listed here: https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

I have the "Freedom Plan" so I can change plans without additional fees (at a higher monthly expense though). The major plan differences are the number of included text messages, and the number of tracking points. You are able to have 3 preset messages that do not subtract from your message count. I usually have a "Checking in, everything is okay" message, a "At camp" message, and a "Heads up, the plan is changing, more details soon" message. with these presets your location is updated, so I use these instead of paying for tracking points. Message credits are used for any other outgoing messages and any incoming messages. If you allow it, your contacts with access to your "MapShare" can ping your location if they want, and these also cost money with the most basic plan.

I have the inReach SE, it does not have maps on the device, but can pair with a smartphone and it will share your location to be displayed on the phone.

If you are still interested, send me an email and we can discuss specifics: kg7btu@icloud.com

Ben, That would be awesome. Our trip is planned for mid Sept.

InReach has an easy way to setup multiple users to utilize the device, essentially it allows another person to setup their own set of pre-made messages and contacts. Depending on when your trip is planned for (aka whether I plan to be out and using the device) and if you are willing to head up to NE King County to get it, I would be willing to let you rent it from me.

BlueCosmo is good to work with. I talked to them when I looked to buy a SAT phone for a Rubicon trip in 2010. Was not able to make it happen before that trip, but did setup a plan for one I bought shortly after, for usage North of Whistler BC hiking.

You can buy a month on demand for as little as $15 depending on your needs:

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

I don't know, I just hate renting gear. You're paying a bunch of money to use someone else's stuff for a little bit. I'd rather pay more and own the gear so it's available to me whenever.

Do you have to subscribe to a yearly/monthly plan with the inreach?

Why not buy an InReach for a little more then you own it

Thanks. The BlueCosmo was the place I saw. It was $165 for a Sat. phone + 50 minute data plan for the time we are looking at.

I have no experience; that said your proposal was intriguing, Bryon. Well I read some data from a backpacking website and they mentioned BlueCosmo which is a local Seattle company. What I read was about 6 years old, so I went right to the source... and here it is for BlueCosmo. Doesn't seem to break the bank, but what an asset to have when you are nowhere. Was out in the Oregon desert couple of years ago. Phones are sketchy -- like gas stations. At one point we were at least 90 miles from one. See if this helps a little.

https://www.bluecosmo.com/iridium-satellite-phone-daily-rentals.html