Garmin InReach Messenger Review

We recently had the opportunity to use the Garmin InReach Messenger device while exploring the Big Bend region of West Texas and southeast New Mexico.
In this review we discuss why we chose the InReach, how it works, how we used it, what we liked, and what we didn't. We also discuss some of the limitations, why you might want one, and why you might not need one.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:55 What is it?
1:25 Why we purchased it.
2:06 How does it work?
3:37 The Garmin app.
4:00 Registering your device.
4:30 Pricing and subscription plans.
5:04 Our experience.
6:53 Pros. What we liked.
8:15 Cons. What we didn’t like.
11:37 Limitations.
14:01 Is this the right choice for you?
14:40 Do you need it?
15:45 End credits.
Music:
"Cowboy Sting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Links: (non affiliate)
Garmin InReach Messenger
a.co/d/c0dZlQ8
Tactical Pouch
a.co/d/d5rPtUI

[@frazzelz]

Use the Montana 700i and an older iexplorer inreach at the moment for myself and boys when going way off trail in the mountains. Love the peace of mind it gives us and the ability using Garmin online site for my wife to follow our movements while in the back country. However, the number one thing I dig is the fact that if one of us has to push the button we dont get the entire rescue bill which depending on location and country could be rough. Usually pay for unlimited texts to avoid that charge and deactivate after each trip. Pretty cool that newer are starting to have sos features but insurance plans need to be an option for it to be comparable in value.

[@wanderingdillos]

Indeed, the piece of mind is definitely worth the cost! And Garmin does offer SAR insurance to cover and search and recovery expense, which as you mention, can potentially be very expensive depending on the circumstances. I think the Garmin coverage starts at around $40 a year. But like all insurance products, folks need to read the fine print to sure exactly what is covered and if there are any exclusions.

[@pmm1044]

Character limit seems to be true of messenger app as Mini also has this limit

[@wanderingdillos]

Yes, I think it is more a limitation of the satellite system they use than the actual Garmin hardware.

[@robertbiggers9745]

Mine keeps beeping. What’s going on?

[@wanderingdillos]

I've not had that issue, but a couple things come to mind. Depending on your sound settings there is a mode where it will continue to beep if there is an unread message. If you are creating a track is can also be set to beep every time it takes a GPS location. And it may also beep if it looses and can't reacquire a satellite signal. If you can't get it sorted out I would suggest contacting Garmin tech support. They have been very helpful in the past. Good luck!