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

Originally Posted by akaroa1

after having been airlifted out with multiple injuries once before.

listen to this fellow...

Originally Posted by Gillie

A comment taken off another forum... I would definitely want this confirmed before I bought one of these.

PLB versus inReach - I suspect for the person that doesn't have a PLB this would be better than not having one...

I would say this is correct. When you first power the unit up for the first time it asks you to register/activate it on Garmins inreach website before continuing.
You can't get past this without activating it I would suspect this means you need to pay at least for one months plan. However I also suspect once activated the unit will work as a GPS even if the plan is suspended.
Will confirm when I managed to get my old unit deactivated and swapped to the new unit

Originally Posted by gimp

More satellites but much less transmission power, through 3rd parties for SOS rather than direct to RCCNZ, variables like "used most of the battery texting the mrs so now I have 5 mins of SOS time", no 406mhz beacon backup function, etc. I like them for texting but wouldn't trust for PLB. Also I prefer a satphone because ie you might be in South Westland and want to contact James Scott for a pickup. He's got no cell reception so can't text, so you need to call him. Can't call with an Inreach.

Iridium "Go" looks good. Keen to get some time on one of those this summer.

Not sure on this new model but Iv had the original for a few years. The battery life is very good, I had it on Stew Island for a week and it still had plenty of charge after using it very day and sending "ha you should be here " txts. Sending texts wont drain the battery , well maybe if your 14 with your first ever girlfriend.
. It only needs to get a signal for a short time to send an sos message which has the cords attched.
You can easily text home and get Mrs to ring your taxi. You can turn on the bread crumbs feature so your position can seen by who ever you want when ever you want.
IIRC its monitored in Texas , they quote 6mins? till NZ service has the information, pretty sure its been used here with a successful outcome .Mapping through the earthmate app Bluetoothed to the phone is good.

Battery life for the older unuist was quoted at 100 hours of continous operation.
We had one of our clients use one when his boat had issues, he like the fact he could take the unit with him in his liferaft and still communicate via rescuers.

They are not a PLB but in some ways they are better as provided you have not fallen off a bluff you can advise the rescurers what you actually require and if they are switched on and have signal they can be pinged by Inreach (your partner) to find you if you are overdue and not able to activate yourself

In other ways not so much as you need to make sure you have full batteries ALWAYS

You can both text and email with them too I believe and you can also text to satphone numbers for chopper pickups

Yeah, it is a pity about the internal battery rather than going with something like AA batteries that I could take a spare set or two along. Could get a solar charger or something I suppose...

Still keen to see the mapping though I can't see it replacing me taking a hard copy map with me.

Is the battery thing much of an issue though? It holds well, havnt looked at mine since febuary and its still on 85%. Charge it before you go and you've got weeks of capacity.
Is it a PLB? in general terms I think I could argue both sides but my confidence in it has grown with use so Im more on the yes it is side. The thought of pressing a button and then just waiting and hoping dosnt sound as good as a conformation response.

Yep, talking to some guys here that set off their beacon when one of the broke his leg. They said it was a long and hopefully few hours before the chopper turned up but then it flew away almost immediately and a second one came back a couple of hours later (night vision + winch). The guys said they were left wondering what was going on when the first chopper flew away!

With these units is there anything stopping me purchasing one here in the states for use in NZ, if I subscribe to the NZ contract service?

Originally Posted by Nibblet

With these units is there anything stopping me purchasing one here in the states for use in NZ, if I subscribe to the NZ contract service?

Can't see why not.

Originally Posted by Nibblet

With these units is there anything stopping me purchasing one here in the states for use in NZ, if I subscribe to the NZ contract service?

Updates g?


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Originally Posted by Danny

Updates g?


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Please elaborate?

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Wondering if transferable here and at what cost over there...


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I am considering one of there or a sat phone aswell, I'm not sure if I would trust relying on it as a PLB aswel hense the thought of sat phone


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Originally Posted by Danny

Wondering if transferable here and at what cost over there...


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$450 murican.
You would just subscribe through the nz agents or whatever.
I was just double checking there's no interfering frequencies or something but shouldn't be.

Originally Posted by Nibblet

$450 murican.
You would just subscribe through the nz agents or whatever.
I was just double checking there's no interfering frequencies or something but shouldn't be.

Attachment 73051

Prices of satellite phones seem to be coming down, that chart doesn't give a rate for phone calls though... I'm on a $60/month plan with spark and not using most of it, almost worth getting one when reception is patchy where we live.

Anyone know where has the best service (price is an issue but really like good customer service) if I was going to get one?