Garmin inReach Messenger (Preview)

Wow, just as I was about to pull the trigger on an inReach Mini 2. Seems very strange that the new one is (barely) heavier than that, but definitely looking forward to your experience with it.

I am looking forward to reading more from Backpacking Light. Glad I waited before purchasing inReach Mini 2—still using my original inReach Mini.

Two months ago I tried to buy a Garmin Mini2–and found out that they have a software glitch on their website that wouldn’t allow me to register it. Further research showed that they had known about the problem, we working on it, but didn’t have a fix, and couldn’t tell me when they would have a fix.

I bought a Zoleo, which works just fine for what I need.

Just curious, what’s the advantage to the new app vs. the Explorer app that the Mini 2 uses?

Just that it acts like the zoleo app. If your phone has internet connectivity messages can be sent and received that way instead of only thru the satellite device. That way people can use just the one messaging app instead of switching back and forth between app and regular phone texting and not worry about missing a message. That was biggest gripe people had when comparing the inreach with the zoleo. For some it was apparently a deal breaker. I assume the new messenger also comes with a fixed phone number so people can text to that instead of the kinda convoluted way the inreach works.  Maybe they’ll add the feature to mini 2 users.

ACR Bivy Stick user here. It also includes seamless messaging across networks and a dedicated phone number like the Zoleo — and in a lighter package. The one distinctive feature that doesn’t get much attention is the ability to accumulate/rollover credits month-to-month, which, to my knowledge, isn’t available on competitors’ plans.

I’ve been using an inReach for the last eight years. Messaging is my third-priority function from a satellite device. SOS is number one, GPS tracking that my wife can follow is number two. This may be because the effectiveness of the messaging depends upon whether or not a satellite is close enough at the right time, and whether the local environment helps or hinders the communication. It took 4 hours for a response to get to me in a sub-alpine lake bowl last week. I’ve waited longer than that to actually transmit responses in a tree-covered canyon.

I would like to see side-by-side tests of all of the above devices, plus the mini-2. This means sending from all devices at the same time, scheduled inbound messages to all devices at the same time, and (obviously) all devices in the same location. Otherwise, the results will not be comparable.

All of the devices have pros and cons. I use the ACR BivyStick, 3 ½ oz. The data plan is probably the cheapest for folks using it mainly for checkins and suspending it at the end of the backpacking season. Also, the checkin message is good at the recipient end. It has lat and long in the text of the email or message, so can be read without following a link. Easy to read to or forward to a Forest Service dispatcher if the checkins stop coming.

Adding group messaging features without increasing the currently stingy message allotments in the inReach plans, expect for the most expensive plan, will probably lead to many surprisingly high bills.

Does having a number cause the spam messages that most cell phones have?

I had planned to purchase the mini-2- I have one being saved for me at a store. I’m wondering, with the messaging transition(cellular to satellite, etc.) coming with the new app, the two devices seem pretty similar, although the reverse charging is a bonus in an emergency. I can also see the group chat offered by the new device might be useful, but I’m not sure about that. It seems the mapping for the mini might be a plus, but I would need to see how it compares to a regular GPS unit in that regard.

I appreciate the detailed comparison chart provided above, but I’m also wondering if anyone would prefer this device over the mini-2, or vice versa, and your reasoning behind your preference. I’m a ranger in New Hampshire and so I often find myself in locations that have no cell service, and no access to one of our VHF repeaters. This can be a serious problem during a rescue, so I’m wondering if one of these devices would be better than the other.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

It remains to be seen how well the messenger will connect with satellites (and how to carry it) since the surface needs to be flat facing up for best reception? The mini 2 has better antenna and attachment it seems.