Thread: Trouble sending SMS via InReach - Anyone else?

Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing issues with trying to send SMS messages via their InReach/InReach Mini?

My device (mini) is all up to date with the latest firmware and its been sync'd via one of the many unadvertised websites that Garmin expect you to know about, however while it will send to an email address it's not sending texts to a phone number. Garmin keep telling me to reset the device however what I've noticed is the messages actually do leave the device and can be seen on the InReach message page on the internet, but there appears to be a disconnect between the Garmin server and the NZ cellular network. So what have we done to our network in the last 3 months? Anyone know?

My bitch-on for Garmin is getting stronger by the minute.

I note on another hard-to-find-page that several countries (20+) around the world appear to be incompatible with the Garmin SMS service so if you're expecting to arrange an air-drop of beers in Thailand or a case of tequila in Mexico then you're going to be disappointed. Seems they might need to now add NZ to that list of third-world countries where they don't work.

I've had only the odd message sent and not received, or not sent at all. Can't explain it? Complex, a lot of variables. I've found that sending from the device messaging directly instead of via bluetooth and the Garmin Express App much more reliable. All I can say is find the 0800 number and call them until you get to a human.. They do get back to you, Aussie support desk. I've had a unit swapped out pretty much close to a year later (another model) that had issues with wireless/not starting up and all good. If you do need to do a full factory reset - make sure you have stuff backed on on Garmin Express.

I had a issue after saving a number in my garmin 66i it randomly changed the +64 at the start of the number to +10. Worth going back and checking the number is correct

Try talking to the TrackMe guys in Christchurch might be a better bet than Garmin. Tony there is very knowledgable

Works fine straight from mini 2 no problem,never used app and Bluetooth.

Thanks for the replies team.

So it appears there may have been an issue with the Garmin server and while they've not admitted to anything as yet, they do seem to have tinkered with the systems in the background. I have to admit their responses to emails were reasonably fast... I've received half a dozen email from them in the last 36 hours and - finger-crossed - the system appears to be working at this point in time. They definitely had a problem though.

Ive had the same issue, just out from a few days in the bush and the people i messaged either didn't receive them at all, or they arrived 2 to 3 days after they were sent. Emails seem to work better, but not always practical. It's kind of a big deal I think, as the whole point of sending position updates and check-ins is for safety. I made sure I did it when going through dodgy spots but turns out I was wasting my time. If it was USA someone would sue Garmin for $10bn. It seemed to be working OK in March but there were some txt messages then as well that went through right away and others that took days. It remains an OK GPS but if the safety angle isn't working, why pay the subscription and extra dollars for it? Maybe we should ask Garmin for credits for the last 3 months when their system hasn't been working properly, and no charge until it is.

Finding that I'm using NZtopo50 more and more to navigate with and then just export the tracks etc to the garmin later.

When i hired one a couple of years back for a tahr block they said email is far more reliable then text because the sms adds another 3rd party in and can cause delays and lost messages

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So mates having problems not able to send to SMS in Kaimanawas on a 9 day trip. TBH is they are having outages, would be good to know from a safety perspective. Let alonenot delivering on service levels

We were test firing one at home the other night (in reach mini) Massive delay in recieving the sms.

Sometimes up to one hr !!
Seemed very strange tbh??

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When I was borrowing one in Hanmer and using in the Molesworth texts went through in about 10 minutes, that was probably 18 months ago though. Full size InReach