Garmin inReach Messenger Plus
Keep in touch with friends and family beyond cell service and explore with peace of mind knowing you can trigger an SOS message with the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus satellite communicator.
Key Details
- Explore with peace of mind knowing you can trigger an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response for 24/7 coordination of emergency assistance
- Compact SOS satellite communicator enables 2-way text, photo and voice messaging even in areas with no cell coverage
- Requires active subscription (some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Check in with friends and family by using preset phrases that do not count against your monthly allotted text messages, or send custom messages when you have more to say
- Connect your compatible smartphone, and tell them you miss them—or show them the view with voice recordings, photos and group messaging on the Garmin Messenger™ app
- Send text messages with up to 1,600 characters, share photos and send 30 sec. voice messages with friends and family
- Connect with your compatible smartphone using the Garmin Messenger app to share your adventures with multiple contacts simultaneously
- You can also pair with your compatible Garmin watch or handheld device to control inReach® device functions remotely, including texting, location sharing and triggering an SOS
- Rechargeable battery supports up to 25 days of use in 10 min. tracking mode—and provides safety charging to help restore a depleted phone
- Supports up to 120 hrs. with a text message or location sent every 2 min. in low power messaging mode; up to 70 hrs. in performance messaging mode
- Supports up to 600 hrs. with a text message or location sent every 10 min. in low power messaging mode; up to 110 hrs. in performance messaging mode
- Supports up to 250 Media Messages sent on a single battery charge
- Battery stays charged up to 1 year when powered off
- Note: Battery life estimates are with full sky view and can be significantly impacted by obstructions or tree cover
- Optimized inReach® device messaging uses either Wi-Fi or the cellular connection of your phone; seamlessly switches to satellite technology when you go beyond cell service
- Plan your trip, record an activity, and view a course highlight showing how much farther to your destination when paired with the Garmin Exploreâ„¢ app on your compatible phone
- Use the TracBack® navigation feature on the device to navigate back to where you started
- Share your GPS location with friends and family via live tracking, and review your tracking activity on the Garmin Exploreâ„¢ smartphone app
- Rugged and lightweight device is built for adventure with an IPX7 water rating
- inReach satellite communication requires an active subscription plan
- Choose from a variety of flexible plans to best suit your needs (some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
Imported.
A subscription plan is required to send and receive satellite messages on this device. Visit vendor website to shop satellite subscription plans and additional services.
| Best Use | Emergency Preparedness Multisport |
|---|---|
| GPS/Satellite Detectable | Yes |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
| Batteries | Rechargeable internal lithium-ion |
| Messaging Capability | 2-Way Messaging |
| SOS Function | Yes |
| Device Integration | Smartphone Integration Watch Integration |
| Location Accuracy | 3 meters |
| Number of Waypoints | 0 |
| Weather Forecast | Yes |
| Altimeter | No |
| Preloaded Map | None |
| Display Size | 1.08 inches |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Water-Resistance Rating | IPX7 |
| Dimensions | 3.1 x 2.5 x 0.9 inches |
| Weight | 4 ounces |
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Most Helpful Critical Review
Customer Images
Good means to communicate
There is a one-star review that discusses the inReach as a substitute for mapping skills. This is not what I am using it for. It is a good way to communicate with coworkers and loved ones when one is out of cell range. Examples for me are working out of cell range and the need to inform a coworker of a situation or that I am running late. In my personal life, I sail and may be out of cell range for several days. I can communicate with my spouse to assure her that I am fine and can send her a photo. The content of the one-star review appears to be personal feelings about technology and communication than about the how this product functions. So far, it works well for me.
Insurance
This is a communication device, something the very negative reviewer seems to not have grasped. My wife purchased this for me after I got stuck on a mountain in Costa Rica in foul weather for almost 36hrs, a situation that would not have been prevented nor resolved by a map and compass. If you're stuck, sick, injured, otherwise unable to move, or just downright lost, this can summon help to within about 10 meters. That is its primary purpose; it does more than that, but those things are less important. Should you get good at land navigation? Sure, it's a great skill. Should you trust your life entirely to your ability to read contour lines on a topo map accurately enough to identify your grid position? No! And the answer is definitely NO if there's no way for you to transmit those coordinates to anyone else in the first place.
Works great but photos take time
The Messenger is a wonderful piece of technology. Its ability to send and receive is impressive and far better than earlier generations of Garmin products. I used it on a 6 day wilderness canoe trip across the northern part of Algonquin Park. The only negative is that you can only send photos to five people at a time and the uploading of photos takes lots of time. I was sending photos to 43 people. Some nights it took two and a half hours for the photos to go through.
Saved me
I bought this when I got my motorcycle and it was a good thing that I did. I went on a fire road and went over the side and thankfully I wasn’t injured. However, I was 8 miles from the nearest road and without cellular service. The in which messenger did what it was supposed to do and contacted search and rescue.
Works great
I have used it offshore fishing two times - worked well. Battery life is great. I did a bunch of reading before settling on buying this version - I bought it because it would send pics - thats the only difference I remember from the ones that were cheaper. What I did not know is the person receiving the pic via my messenger has to have the garmin app. Knowing that I would have probably opted for the cheaper version. Regardless of cost, cannot believe I have boated for all of the years without it - I am sure its a short term with the falling cost of Star Link but very happy to have it!
Thank you for your review.
Reliable
Used on a camping/fishing trip to the Boundary waters of Minnesota. My wife loved being able to communicate with me and track my every movement as we traversed the wilderness. She’s excited for me to have it for hunting trips near home where service can be unreliable at times. I have already recommended it to friends who are planning on getting one for themselves as well.
Happy to see the product is giving you and your wife some peace of mind! ~AL
Digital versus Analogue
it's TRAGIC, TERRIBLE humans rely on digital means to plot a course. What ever happened to good compass and maps skills? This BATTERY dependent (These devices require charging and you remembering to carry the right charger and cables) digital product lulls you into a very false sense of location. It DOES not work that a way! if you want to safely hike, take some good courses, or many; it takes AND they prey on you to actually buy a subscription for the whole thing. Stupid! It takes practice to be a competent map reader. Knowing analogue skills of map and compass reading, using your human logic will save your bacon and those who rely on you; bringing you home to do this again. This type of "technology" is a lie and will result in horrible situations for humans stupid enough to rely strictly on digital means of navigation. So what if you can send a photo? Send one of you lost!
Works very well
Bought his to upgrade my communication during my annual September canoe trip in Algonquin Park. The phone interface worked perfectly as did connection with the satellite. Simple texts went quickly and smoothly as did replies. Sending photos to multiple people took considerable time. One evening it took almost 2 and a half hours to send 8 texts with 6 photos.
Device works as expected, account mgmt rough
I purchased the InReach Messenger Plus for a family member. In the first few weeks it has been used to communicate (mostly the basic "I'm OK" check-in) from trails and lakes out of cell range, which was the purpose. The ability to send voice and photo messages will get more use with time. The difficulty is not the device, but the account administration. The website options are limited and it doesn't appear that I can assign the device to the actual user without over-writing my own name as the account owner. So messages come from "me" (my name) when it's actually my family member. I had intended to get another device for others, but I'm not sure how that would work when they are all assigned to my name. I'm the one paying the bills, so I don't want to change the name on the account to reflect the user anywhere except as the device messaging name. More account management functionality would be greatly appreciated.
Great addition to kit!
Upgraded my satellite communicator from a SPOT to this and have been impressed with its functionality and reliability. Battery life has been great. It is awesome being able to send pictures from the backcountry. The subscription price is reasonable. Highly recommend to anyone that enjoys spending time in remote areas and wants to stay in touch with friends and family.
