Thread: Garmin inReach - GPS, SOS, two way satelite text communication

I have the inreach model without the maps. The yellow one. Bloody brilliant. I have no need for maps as I use a separate Garmin gps. I use it for text and email function to let home know what I'm up to (delayed etc), getting the weather forecast which is surprisingly accurate and the SOS function is there as a backup.
As long as it has a clear line of site to the sky it works perfectly. Eg outside the hut.
I get a good 3 days out of one battery charge leaving it on and using it pretty heavily. I carry a small battery pack to charge it over night for longer trips.
I'm on the basic plan for 27nzd approx per month. You can park it when you're not hunting for 7nzd ish per month.
Better reception than a sat phone and the email function works when the recipient has no mobile coverage.
Only down side is the keyboard text input is clunky. Think old school Nokia phone! But if you carry your smartphone you can Bluetooth to it and send msgs just like you would text normally. Each msg sent can have your location transmitted automatically for the recipient to open in GEarth
Has already paid for itself!
Someone above was asking about buying in US. Yes you can do this and save yourself about $150. However when it arrives in nz you need to register it here and guess what it costs, yup $150! Lol
Have never used the sos button but it looks like you can send emergency msgs to the emergency services via Aussie whilst waiting for the chopper which could be useful.
Hope this helps but if anyone wants anymore info just shout...

Thanks for the heads up.


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Mate...I have a Garmin 64ST......I thunk the finest I've ever had....

If I didn't have it..............................I don't think I'd be here......

Any updates with these? Does anyone have the new model yet? AFAIK it is being released today or tomorrow in NZ... Considering replacing my Garmin 62s with one of these and keeping my PLB as a backup.

Originally Posted by hotsoup

Any updates with these? Does anyone have the new model yet? AFAIK it is being released today or tomorrow in NZ... Considering replacing my Garmin 62s with one of these and keeping my PLB as a backup.

My Employer has had them on the shelf for a while. I am supposed to get an "Explorer" as a demo unit however he keeps selling it

I've just purchased the inreach explorer. I opened it this evening for a bit of a play. If you own one can you please tell me how to set the "Position Format" to New Zealand TM? I've got the map datum set on WGS 84 but I can't find where to set the position format to New Zealand TM so I can utilise the grid lines on the topo maps.
Thanks in advance T.T

@T.T did you have any luck with your query?

@mikee, any comment on this. The unit is not useful at all in NZ as a GPS if we can't use it with the NZ Topo50 maps...

Funny this thread come back to the surface, thinking of a new device ye last few days. Sat phone are still big $$ the inreach system seems to be a good option. Been emailing "track me kiwi" website and he seems to be a good guy to get on with

Originally Posted by Gillie

@T.T did you have any luck with your query?

@mikee, any comment on this. The unit is not useful at all in NZ as a GPS if we can't use it with the NZ Topo50 maps...

im still waiting for my boss to give me an activated unit to look at. Not the most organised chappie is he as soon as I know I'll post pictures

Originally Posted by Gillie

@T.T did you have any luck with your query?

@mikee, any comment on this. The unit is not useful at all in NZ as a GPS if we can't use it with the NZ Topo50 maps...

Nah mate, no luck. I contacted Kerin at Garmin and he told me that they had only worked out that the garmin inreach didn't have the NZTM map format on it a couple of days after the sika show. You'd think they would have sorted a "major " like this out before they released it onto the NZ market! Kerin informed me that their engineers were working on it and once they had it sorted I would be able to download the NZTM map format directly onto the Garmin Inreach . I got sick of waiting to here from him about rectifying the problem so I returned the gps to H&F taupo. Full refund no questions asked. As soon as I hear that the unit comes with the map format pre downloaded I'll buy one again. I suppose there will always be a few teething issues with something new on the market.

If a cell phone can connect to satellites for location why cant we connect to communicate through them?

Originally Posted by Gibo

If a cell phone can connect to satellites for location why cant we connect to communicate through them?

Which cell phone can do this?!?

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Originally Posted by stretch

Which cell phone can do this?!?

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Any can if you buy this https://spot-nz.myshopify.com/produc...satellite-wifi
But get where u are coming from. Somehow they do, can get a location using them as a gps whilst out of reception.... Haven't done it myself but have seen it just end to save the map before you go

Originally Posted by 223nut

Any can if you buy this https://spot-nz.myshopify.com/produc...satellite-wifi
But get where u are coming from. Somehow they do, can get a location using them as a gps whilst out of reception.... Haven't done it myself but have seen it just end to save the map before you go

Righto, so you need another piece of kit. GPS receivers don't "connect" to the GPS satellites any more than your car radio "connects" to the antenna doing the broadcasting. There is no two-way exchange of info.

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