DeLorme inReach™ Named “Hot Pick” Product by West Marine

MIAMI – Feb. 14, 2013 – (Marine NewsWire) The DeLorme inReach™ two-way satellite communication solution has been named a “Hot Pick” product for 2013 by West Marine, the world’s largest boating supply retailer. inReach was one of five boating products named as Hot Picks by West Marine during a press conference held today at the Miami International Boat Show.

inReach is the world’s first affordable two-way communication solution and allows boaters of all types to stay connected when voyaging on waters beyond cell phone range. inReach provides text messaging and email, SOS alerting with message delivery confirmation and remote GPS Follow-Me/Find-Me tracking and locating. The device is compact, lightweight, waterproof, buoyant, impact-resistant and it can maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult GPS environments. In the event of an emergency, the inReach SOS button, which has built-in protection against false alarms, will trigger a distress alert with delivery confirmation and automatically activate remote GPS tracking.

“It is an honor to be acknowledged by West Marine as a 2013 Hot Pick product,” said Michael Heffron, CEO of DeLorme. “DeLorme recognizes the significance of such an endorsement from one of the largest boating industry retailers in the world, and we are proud to share this honor with the other innovative Hot Pick products. Over the last year, the boating industry and consumers alike have adopted the inReach solution to enhance their marine lifestyle, and we are excited to work with West Marine to help more of them discover the freedom and peace of mind only inReach offers when they are offshore and out of cell phone range.”

inReach can be used as a standalone device or can also be paired wirelessly with popular smartphones and tablets, enabling interactive text messaging and emails. inReach automatically transmits its GPS position at regular intervals, which friends and family can view via DeLorme’s MapShare website. They can also ping the inReach at any time to get an instant update of its current location.

DeLorme’s free Earthmate app controls the interface between the inReach and smart mobile device. The app installs on a smartphone or tablet and supports free downloads of topographic maps or NOAA nautical charts, providing a portable backup GPS navigator if the boat’s primary navigation systems should fail. It also enables full two-way texting with any mobile or email address when boating beyond the range of shore cellular networks or VHF radio.

inReach operates over the Iridium satellite network, providing truly global two-way satellite communications, high network reliability and low-latency data links of less than 60-second delivery of messages end-to-end anywhere on Earth, even in areas outside of traditional cellular coverage.

“inReach has made an important contribution to boating safety by successfully bringing together popular and user-friendly modern technologies for communication and safety while on the water,” said Chuck Hawley, vice president of product information, West Marine.

inReach has also won other award honors, including the 2012 DAME Award from METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show), the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award for Consumer Electronics, the Backpacker magazine Editors’ Choice Award, 2012 CES Innovations honors and the Occupational Health & Safety New Product of the Year Award in the Emergency Response category. Additionally, inReach won the 2011 Popular Science Best of What’s New Award and the 2011 Gear of the Year awards from both Men’s Journal and National Geographic Adventure.

DeLorme is exhibiting inReach at Booth number 1962 at the Miami International Boat Show Feb. 14-18. Journalists interested in meeting with DeLorme should contact Jim Rhodes to schedule an appointment: 757-753-1238 or jrhodes@rhodescomm.com.

About DeLorme:

DeLorme is a longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS products, and most recently the company has earned numerous prestigious awards for inReach, its groundbreaking integration of GPS navigation and satellite technology. inReach is the world’s only affordable, personal two-way satellite communications solution. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in these fast-changing technologies distinguishes DeLorme as a provider of unique solutions for both the commercial and government markets. DeLorme is based in Yarmouth, Maine, U.S.A., and is home to Eartha, the world’s largest revolving globe. To learn more, visit www.delorme.com.

By Ocean Navigator