How does Garmin InReach Messenger work with SOS and messages?
InReach Messenger relays Garmin Messenger messages from your phone over Bluetooth or sends simple pre-composed messages directly to your device, so you can reach someone over satellite even if you don’t have cellular service.
You can also long press the SOS button on your device to trigger an automatic emergency response and rescue to your location. However, both Messaging and SOS require a valid InReach subscription.
How Garmin InReach Messenger Works
The main feature of Garmin InReach Messenger is exactly what the name suggests. You can message people via satellite if you are in an area where there is no cell phone signal. Specifically, it uses Iridium communications satellites that move in low earth orbit, but are not as powerful as GPS and do not penetrate thick obstacles like buildings or mountains. This means it won’t work indoors and will slow transmission through thick wood cover. but, intention Penetrates most natural obstacles fairly reliably.
InReach Messenger listens for messages every 10 minutes by default, so family members can stay in touch, manually review messages, or send their own at any time.
To use InReach Messenger, you need to download the Garmin Messenger app, sign in to your Garmin account, and share your phone contacts with the app so others can easily find you. You can then send Garmin messages via SMS or email as well as the app itself. (Note: You can also send a quick message from the app on your selected Garmin watch. )
With Garmin Messenger, you can send and receive messages for free anytime within range of your mobile phone. Otherwise, a subscription is required to send satellite messages. Costs and limits are detailed below. Essentially, any subscription gives you unlimited SOS signals to emergency services and three default “check-in messages” like “I’m fine” and “I’m ending my trip” to keep your loved ones safe. reassure me. However, you will have to pay more to send and receive custom messages and location data.
As a side note, Garmin let you customize three preset messages.Its irrevocable check-in message reads, “Suspended for the day.” receive You should warn your loved ones not to send text messages to your Garmin account unless it is essential.
| Category | Garmin InReach Messenger |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.1 x 2.5 x 0.9 inch (7.8 x 6.4 x 2.3cm) |
| screen | 1.08″ diagonal (160 x 68 pixels), sunlight readable, monochrome, transflective Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) |
| weight | 4 ounces (113.9 grams) |
| water protection | IPX7 |
| Battery (message or location sent every 30 minutes) | Up to 46 days (23 days for tree cover) |
| Battery (tracking interval 10 minutes) | Up to 28 days (14 days with tree cover) |
| Battery (tracking interval 2 minutes) | Up to 6 days (3 days with tree cover) |
| sensor | Receiver, GPS, Galileo, QZSS, Beidou, Compass |
| Reverse charge | ✔️ (USB-C) |
The Garmin InReach Messenger can technically be used without a phone, but it only has three physical buttons, left, right and OK, which are fairly stiff and hard to press, requiring you to scroll through the alphabet to select each letter. . Messages are frustratingly slow.
So you need to make sure your phone is fully charged so you can type messages in the Garmin Messenger app and send them from your InReach Messenger device via Bluetooth connection. Otherwise, you’ll have to rely on these generic check-in messages.
Once everything is set up, you can set up InReach Messenger to send messages to specific people in your contact list, or send location data periodically for your friends to see on your Mapshare page . You can adjust the frequency of location check-ins from every few minutes to every few hours. This can be selected if you want to preserve battery life.
If something happens to you and you can’t call SOS, your contacts can see where you stopped moving and send emergency services. Otherwise, you can press the dedicated SOS button — it’s hidden under the flap so you can’t accidentally press it — the 24/7 Garmin Response Team will know your location and Send the information to the nearest local emergency services. I will contact you. Help will come whether you answer or not, but you can answer the call on your connected phone or send a message with InReach Messenger to explain the situation.
How much does Garmin InReach Messenger cost?
On top of the $299 cost of Garmin InReach Messenger, you have to pay for a satellite subscription. You can choose between a yearly ‘contract’ plan, or a ‘freedom’ plan that allows you to pay for more than one month of him at a time, so it’s better if you only travel to remote areas at certain times of the year. Flexible.
We’ve outlined the main differences between the plans below.
| plan | cost | SOS | messaging | tracking | weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety plan (contract) | $11.95/month + $29.95 activation fee | Unlimited | 10 texts + unlimited check-ins; $0.50/$0.50 per text overage | Charge $0.10 per tracking point or location request | Basic weather forecast in one text message. $1 premium report |
| Safety plan (free) | $14.95/month + $34.95 activation fee | Unlimited | 10 texts + unlimited check-ins; $0.50/$0.50 per text overage | Charge $0.10 per tracking point or location request | Basic weather forecast in one text message. $1 premium report |
| Recreation plan (contract) | $24.95/month + $29.95 activation fee | Unlimited | 40 texts + unlimited check-ins; $0.50/$0.50 per text overage | Unlimited 10 minute tracking and location requests | Basic weather forecast in one text message. $1 premium report |
| Recreation plan (free) | $34.95/month + $34.95 activation fee | Unlimited | 40 texts + unlimited check-ins; $0.50/$0.50 per text overage | Unlimited 10 minute tracking and location requests | Basic weather forecast in one text message. $1 premium report |
| Expedition plan (contract) | $49.95/month + $29.95 activation fee | Unlimited | unlimited text | Unlimited 2 minute tracking | Basic weather forecast is free. $1 premium report |
| Expedition Plan (Freedom) | $64.95/month + $34.95 activation fee | Unlimited | unlimited text | Unlimited 2 minute tracking | Basic weather forecast is free. $1 premium report |
So, in addition to the high cost of InReach Messenger itself, the lowest you can pay to use it for travel is $50 a month or $170 for an annual subscription, with costs rising in exchange for more premium plans. only.
Who Needs Garmin InReach Messenger and Why?
Anyone with an iPhone 14 Pro will find that they can always send emergency SOS messages via satellite for free. We’ve also heard strong rumors of an Android satellite phone coming soon.It may be a feature only found on more expensive phones, but InReach Messenger isn’t a smartphone replacement If you’re an outdoor type (or anyone), is it worth buying over your phone?
Here are some reasons to consider: You can’t use the iPhone 14 Pro’s satellite connection for normal messaging or tracking check-ins. While the iPhone’s battery dies in a day or two at most, InReach Messenger lasts about 28 days due to location tracking and less frequent messages.
Plus, InReach Messenger has perks like a durable waterproof design, reverse charging to power your phone for emergencies, and trackback routing to direct you back to your starting point if you get lost. .
In other words, the rugged Garmin InReach Messenger is more likely to withstand catastrophic damage and preserve battery life than a phone, provides emergency services with more accurate information about your location, and helps your family and friends. Good for ‘casual’ check-ins when you’re frequently stuck in dead zones away from Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
These are all good perks to have in your pocket in an emergency, but the high entry fee and bulky design make it only recommended for serious hikers and adventurers who spend unhealthy hours off the grid. increase. I don’t want to be dangerous about it. Otherwise, with phones like the Galaxy S23 picking up satellite connectivity this year, casual outdoor types who rarely spend time in dead zones may not need anything special. not.
Even if your cellular network can’t find you, your family members will receive regular updates on how you are and where you are. The SOS button calls emergency services if necessary. And with a tough design and powerful battery, InReach Messenger is always ready to go.
