Manually Disable Inreach Activity - Modify Mail Checking Intervals

5286304 26 days ago

I recently purchased the Garmin 67i and fully expected to be able to turn off the satellite communication functionality for those times when I don't need to utilize it, and it would just be a drain on the battery. I really still can't believe that this is not possible!

This kind of feature is a basic operation and my searching indicates that it is frequently requested, but still lacking. Is Garmin actually listening?

Please add the ability to disable satellite contact unless manually activated, and the ablility to change the contact interval from the baked in 1hr to longer intervals like 2, 6 and 12 hours.

This issue is so problematic that unless there are some assurances that this will be in an upcoming firmware update, I will be returning my 67i.

0 twolpert 26 days ago

You can make suggestions here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/forms/ideas/

I doubt very much that this is going to change. The primary purpose of inReach devices is safety. If you are in the back country and moving, you are probably tracking. So you are using the inReach satellites. If you are not, then you can turn the device off.

It IS true that the device tries very hard to complete any operation, including the automatic hourly mail check, once it starts the operation. If you have a poor sky view or other problems, this will result in a lot of retries. That will suck down the battery. But the battery drain for an active mail check is very small if you have a good sky view. Which is the normal case.

0 5286304 26 days ago in reply to twolpert

Thanks, I will make the suggestion there as well.
The notion that it would somehow be unsafe to turn off the satellite communication is erroneous, so I reject that as a reason to not incude this ability. This is all handled in software and the big red button can re-enable any kind of features needed to get the messages sent.

This device has the capacity to be useful as a standalone receiver without inreach, in environments where GPS signals are sufficient, but two way satellite communication is not attainable, for example recording your trip in a vehicle or plane. Sometimes I would simply want to navigating on a trail where there is no reason at all to be connected to satellites.

Smart phones have the ability to dial emergency 911, and are commonly used as safety devices, but show me one that doesn't have multiple ways to turn off the cellular connectivity. Airplane mode?

The list of arguements can go on, but if there is no hope of innovation beyond the locked feature set that Garmin has provided, then it is a sad day.

0 Snow_Leopard 26 days ago in reply to 5286304

The 67i still has lots of bugs that need fixing. There hasn’t been a software update in months. I was personally told by Garmin that they do not have the resources to fix the two latest bugs I reported months ago, which I don’t consider to be trivial. One was multiple screens being displayed when not using the ribbon menu. I’ve suggested other features in the past as well, but every new Garmin is always the same basic features. Now I have an iPhone 16, after 10 yrs with my old phone. I’m done with my Garmin 67i, I’ll just take my mini2 as a backup. I think Garmin’s handheld device days are done. The kayaker group are using Maptattoo, the hiking group their phones.and smart watches, but Garmin never listens it seems and always leave bugs in previous devices then introduce new bug infested devices. It’s just all a big marketing game.

0 5286304 22 days ago

Thanks guys for the helpful input, no response from Garmin, so back it goes. I had expected a little more from Garmin. The 67i is a promising platform, but the firmware support is lacking.