New Garmin inReach - inReach Messenger Plus

[WanderingBison]

Hey everyone,

I am making a post highlighting a new Garmin inReach announced yesterday, the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus.

While a new inReach might not be that big deal, particularly with all the talk about direct-to-cell satellite services such as what's available on the Pixel 9 or newer iPhones, the new inReach is the first satellite communicator using the Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) system and the Certus chipset. IMT and the Certus chipset allow "much" larger data package size when compared to the current technology used by all the providers.

Some of you know that I have a particular interest in this. I started a company that delivers location-based severe weather and other safety alerts directly to your satellite communicators.

This new inReach shows that Garmin and the satellite communicators likely have a place in backcountry travellers for years to come, even with the availability of Starlink and direct-to-cell satellite service. For us, the ability to send and receive messages as long as 1600 characters, or photos and voice messages, is a big step forward in providing our users with more information about risks like wildfires, flash flooding, etc.

If you would like to learn more about my thoughts on this new inReach, I wrote an article that explores the new capabilities that come with this inReach - https://adionaalert.com/posts/garmin-messenger-plus .

I would love to hear your thoughts about the new technology that this inReach uses and how this affects your thinking about the future of satellite communicators.


J.S.

 

[bob280zx]

I guess it goes along with their fantastic new pricing/subscription model. I just cancelled my subscription.

god bless Garmin - struggling to fall behind the times.

 

[Roger M.]

With what’s on the horizon, and what’s already here, Garmin should be dropping prices on subscriptions and devices Like crazy.
A new $500.00 In-Reach and some pretty unattractive new plans have the stain of a company like Napster … first to the plate, but did everything they possibly could to self-destruct.
Although I’ve currently got my In-Reach on “suspend”, I understand it will be automatically be “upgraded” to a new plan on Jan 1st, so I’ll be cancelling shortly.
With my new iPhone 16, I’m not worried.
And once the Starlink Mini hits Canada, the Garmin In-Reach system will be permanently in my rear view mirror.

 

[crazysccrmd]

I guess it goes along with their fantastic new pricing/subscription model. I just cancelled my subscription.

god bless Garmin - struggling to fall behind the times.

I’m not following your math here. On the basic plan I pay $12/month. The equivalent new plan I will pay $15/month but includes an extra $20 in texts I would have been charged for under the current plan. All it takes is sending six messages over the currently included ten and I’d be at the price of the new plan. It also includes extended and marine weather forecasts charged as one included message instead of $1 each.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I would not complain if a patient i am 12+hrs out on, could send pictures of the injury. Or landmarks.
And even from provider to medical direction, that could be a wonderful tool.
Sure, Starlink is great. I love mine and it’s wonderful. But power hungry, and larger. This unit is pretty small.
I wish they could just update out current Inreach’s with this ability. But even if they can, they won’t.
I have not looked at the updated pricing. At the expedition monthly, I already have unlimited msgs, frequent pings and such. So I don’t think it will change much for me. But I should probably check.

 

[bob280zx]

I’m not following your math here. On the basic plan I pay $12/month. The equivalent new plan I will pay $15/month but includes an extra $20 in texts I would have been charged for under the current plan. All it takes is sending six messages over the currently included ten and I’d be at the price of the new plan. It also includes extended and marine weather forecasts charged as one included message instead of $1 each.

I used my Explorer 2x a year for 4-6 weeks each time. I never sent msgs. For users like me, the Freedom suspend plan worked fine and the math worked. It may not for you.

 

[DirtWhiskey]

This is a real upgrade for sure but Iridium really screwed up when they launched the NEXT constellation, with way faster speeds and sequestered it for industrial use only. They will eventually bleed everything to Starlink and the other D2C companies. Remember eventually Starlink will not required a Starlink antenna for real data. I figure it's a "great upgrade" that will be obsolete within two years max.

 

[Roger M.]

I used my Explorer 2x a year for 4-6 weeks each time. I never sent msgs. For users like me, the Freedom suspend plan worked fine and the math worked. It may not for you.

The "Freedom" suspend plan won't be available as one of the new plans though, and unless you have an expensive "Pro" account, you'll no longer be able to suspend your account in the months you're not using your In-Reach.

 

[bob280zx]

The "Freedom" suspend plan won't be available as one of the new plans though, and unless you have an expensive "Pro" account, you'll no longer be able to suspend your account in the months you're not using your In-Reach.

And that’s exactly why I closed my account