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Does 67i update 8.80 affect InReach communication in expedition mode?

jlg2
1 month ago

Based on my experience, 67i firmware update from 8.50 to 8.80 changed the way the 67i handles incoming InReach message when in expedition mode.  I'm still trying to clarify how it changed, but here's what I know as of 10/5/24:

Before the 8.80 update, if my 67i was in expedition mode, it received InReach messages fairly quickly.  Less quickly than in what I'll call "full-power" mode, but usually within an hour or two. But receipt of the message would cause the 67i to exit expedition mode and remain in full-power mode.  I complained to Garmin about this a few months ago because it could result in unexpected draining of the battery, which might be critical in circumstances where expedition mode is likely to be used.  I tested my device again just prior to updating to 8.80 to reconfirm the problem.  

I am still uncertain exactly what happens when a message is sent to a 67i in expedition mode, but I am fairly confident that the risk of unexpected battery drain was eliminated with the 8.80 firmware update.  I believe my 67i now reliably remains in expedition mode even though messages have been sent to it.  In two tests it stayed in expedition mode for 36 hours and 18 hours after messages had been sent to it.

What I'm uncertain about is (1) whether the 67i will receive messages at all when in expedition mode, and (2) if it does, whether it will display the double-green LED signal.  In either case, that's less of a problem than the one I complained to Garmin about.  I can still receive pending messages by CHOOSING to exit expedition mode.  So there is no longer the risk of discovering a dead battery in circumstances where it's most critical.  In one test that ended today, a message sent 10/5/24, 00:19 Z while my 67i was in expedition mode was not received until 10/5/25 18:15 Z after I manually exited from expedition mode.

I recall that before the 8.80 update, my 67i received messages while in expedition mode, displayed the double-green LED signal; and until version 8.50, remained in expedition mode after a message was received.  I'm relying on memory for that observation since I cannot revert back to earlier firmware to check.

  • 0 1 month ago

    I have been unable to find a reliable definition of expedition mode, particularly with respect to iR communication in general.

    Expedition mode or no, there are two times when an inReach device looks for incoming messages.

    1) When sending something (either a message or a track point). Sending a message is going to take you out of expedition mode (at least temporarily). If you have inbound messages waiting, you ought to see them immediately on sending a message. Track points are a different beast in expedition mode. On sending a point, I am pretty sure that the device will be notified if there are messages waiting. No telling whether or not the device will actually try to fetch them (because it remains in expedition mode).

    2) When the device does an active message check. This happens at power-up. When not in expedition mode, it also happens once an hour. In expedition mode, I would expect this to happen at longer intervals (or not at all). 

    I have no idea at all about the LED.

    The only way you are going to find out (maybe) is by opening a support ticket. If you do find out, please post back.

  • 0 26 days ago

    So I tried it. In expedition mode, I texted myself at 11:37 (I had active tracking) and the message arrived on my device (which I had hanging on the fence) at 12:33. The device remained in expedition mode.
    I will also try it during the activity in the afternoon when I am on the move and I will also test the green LED signal. According to the manual, the device should check for new mail every time it sends a tracking point.

  • 0 26 days ago in reply to scenic

    Thanks, scenic.  You didn't say, but I assume that report was with a 67i containing firmware version 8.80 and the device was effectively stationary throughout your test.  That's good news.  It suggests the problem with earlier firmware was fixed in a way that allows the device to continue checking for incoming messages.  I'll test again soon to reproduce your results. As I said at the start of this thread, my device did not receive messages with firmware 8.80 while stationary in expedition mode. Hopefully, that was a fluke, and your experience reflects the device with firmware 8.80.

  • 0 25 days ago in reply to jlg2

    Yes, the device is 67i, fw is current 8.80 and the device was in one place during the test, hanging on the fence.

  • +1 4 days ago

    I tested again after firmware update 8.90.  My 67i still remains reliably in expedition mode even when a message is sent to it.  However, it does not receive InReach messages when in expedition mode and stationary with satellite tracking disabled.  I do not consider this an issue for anyone who expects this behavior, though it probably should be part of the expedition mode documentation.  It's possible someone who is unaware could make a critical decision on a mistaken assumption that his 67i cannot promptly receive messages.