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In Reach Mini 2 not sending coordinates or map link in sms, e-mail and inReach messages - most of the time

6437776
over 3 years ago

I have a new InReach Mini2, have applied the most recent updates, etc.

I've tried sending messages via both the device and via the Explore app on my iPhone.

I noticed that messages initially were sent/received with coordinates and a map share link and name, but after a few hours the coordinates and map share link were missing with only my name appended to the message.

When I check the messages via explore.garmin.com I find some messages have a location attached and some do not.

I've have several examples captured where no changes were made to setup or config between on message sent with location and the next few which did not.

I've checked that the device had a location displayed under "navigation" before sending all messages.

This really feels like a bug.  I'm running software version 3.10 (635418)

Unfortunately, the device has little value to me unless it attaches coordinates reliably to these messages.

Anyone else experiencing this problem?

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    From the article linked to by @schneeleopard:

    Even though the inReach device is providing the satellite connection, Earthmate and Garmin Explore also depend on the location services of the mobile device to be enabled and functional in order to provide correct locations.

    Could you check whether the specific messages for which the coordinates are missing were sent from the device directly, from the Explore app, or both? If the problem occurs only with messages sent from the mobile app, it could be an issue with the location services on your phone.

    As an aside: I have no idea why Garmin implemented it this way; when there's already a perfectly functional and operational GPS receiver in the inReach device itself, why would there be a need for the mobile device to provide location services as well? Just let the app send the message text to the inReach and let the inReach append the coordinates using its own GPS receiver. It boggles the mind why they didn't do it like this.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to MushyTomato

    See our collective experiences here with remote--but also getting locations to send WITHOUT remote, too. forums.garmin.com/.../coordinates-with-preset-messages-using-inreach-remote

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to MushyTomato

    At least on iOS, IF you send from the Explore app, you DO need to enable location services. This is because iOS exposes the external GPS device (the M2 in this example) to applications via location services. The application cannot explicitly control the source of coordinates. However, the application does specify the desired precision of the position - which will potentially control the source of the coordinates. My take on this would be that the M2 would be the source if it has the best fix. Otherwise it would be the phone itself. Bottom line is that this should never do any harm.

    Given that the M2 itself SENDS the message, it does seem odd that the coordinates acquired by Explore app have any influence on the coordinates. I have never experimented to see if this is true or not. The support article DOES seem to say that.

    Based on forum posts, the two most likely causes of missing coordinates are (a) failure to enable coordinates when sending from the app (that little "pin" icon next to the message text entry box) or (b) the use of remote control from a wearable.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to twolpert

    Twolpert, I’m currently hiking the Appalachian trail and noticed this behavior. I discovered why it’s happening. When you choose to send a message and the screen shows a message - something like “blah blah it doesn’t have GPS… would you like to wait or send anyway.”  If you choose “send anyway” it will NOT have coordinates. If you choose “wait”, it will include  coordinates. It has been my experience that the the mini will eventually send the message within a few seconds or minutes (depending on obstructions). You might have to move to more “open” location.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to JasonPursell

    This is also true. Don't know that it matches the OPs use case since the OP does not mention the obvious warning message.. But if you insist on sending with no fix, there won't be any coordinates.