inReach General - Recent Threads

RE: Longitude incorrect.

Garmin-Leslie — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:42:00 GMT

I will be closing this thread as we do not have a category for non-inReach outdoor handhelds. Please contact Product Support directly for assistance with your device or visit our Support Center. Support will be able to assist in troubleshooting the issue or escalating it for a possible fix.

Longitude incorrect.

8013573 — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:10:31 GMT

I have a 76s that has decided not to handle the longitude correctly, at my latitude ~35°N the 76s bounces back and forth between the correct longitude and a point about 250-300 yards off. If I set waypoints with the navigation OFF, some will be located correctly and some will not. The same when I create a waypoint by holding down the "Enter" button. The last time I used it the GO TO function was pointing me to a location about 250-300 yard to the west of the point I had set by pressing and holding "Enter" earlier that day.. This last waypoint was at my truck and as I moved towards the truck the GPS was showing the distance to the way point as increasing, but as soon as I got close it indicated I was approaching the waypoint.

Mapshare shows routes on PC/Mac but NOT mobile

Former Member — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:29:48 GMT

Mapshare will not display routes on mobile devices. You can look at mine as an example:

http://share.garmin.com/robertcarpentershook

Routes (red) show up on computers but not on android or iphone devices.

I'd like to know how to fix this. ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1260045.jpg

RE: Mapshare shows routes on PC/Mac but NOT mobile

TomasMelbourne — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 17:38:53 GMT

I find this absolutely shocking! Having just shelled out £500 for a GPSmap device + £200 for the most basic annual subscription, I've just learnt that the mapshare doesn't show the planned route on a mobile device.

Yes. There is a work around that goes like "click the i, click the 'view desktop version' that looks nothing like a button, click the X on the pop-up window trying to sell more InReach devices, click the little arrow so the sidebar that takes up most of the screen disappears". There is zero chance that my wife and non-IT litterate friends will be able to understand and follow those instructions.

Sure. In a genuine life threatening emergency situation, I can press the SOS button and wait for a team of volunteer Mountain Rescue people to leave their day jobs and come find me. But the device is sold on the ability to share data with loved ones, not just as an emergency device.

And frankly, the fact that this was reported six years ago, and Garmin's response still is "it is working as designed" is utterly shocking as well.

RE: Sharing my location on Google Earth

Garmin-Leslie — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 21:06:37 GMT

2475881 You can setup MapShare from our website when you have an inReach account Setting Up MapShare for an inReach Mini 2. If you are wanting to use a different website you can use KML feeds About inReach KML Feeds.

Sharing my location on Google Earth

2475881 — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 02:39:29 GMT

I just purchased a mini 2, I was told my family can track my route on Google Earth and it was free to do that. I wasn't sure if I heard that right. Can someone please confirm if that's true. If it's not free, what is the lowest subscription plan to allow such tracking?

Thank you.

RE: Sharing my location on Google Earth

twolpert — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 01:40:38 GMT

In order to use a feed, you must be sending track points. If not, the only things that will show up are messages. It’s the track points which cost money - either per point or in the cost of the plan. Just having a subscription is not enough.

Unless there is some compelling reason to use Google Earth, using MapShare to share your location and track is a lot easier.

RE: Sharing my location on Google Earth

Like2Hike — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:21:04 GMT

You need an inReach subscription. Go to explore.garmin.com to learn about the plans. The lowest priced one depends on how often you expect to use the device. Within the Explore website is a tab named "Social". On that page is a link named "Feeds". That is used to send your tracking to Google Earth.

I just use the Mapshare function on the Explore website, rather than establish a feed. Look up, "Garmin Explore Web Help User's Manual" for more info.

RE: Mapshare- if i have the cheapest "safety" plan for my Inreach Mini, how much does running mapshare cost? It seems to provide location but that cannot be free?

7397080 — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 07:47:57 GMT

Just like sending a preset message (which does contain your location) to any of your other contacts, sending a preset message to Mapshare occurs no additional charges. Presumably the (relatively small) costs of the preset messages are being paid for out of your monthly fee.

Mapshare- if i have the cheapest "safety" plan for my Inreach Mini, how much does running mapshare cost? It seems to provide location but that cannot be free?

daugman — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:12:56 GMT

Mapshare; how can it be free, but provide location, when i don't want to spend money on location??

Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

1874793 — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 22:29:52 GMT

If an inReach Subscriber is in need of assistance due to a disaster (in which 911 phone service is no longer available), will Garmin Response process a SOS Message?

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

Volker — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:13:01 GMT

I think they will try, but because of the mentioned scenario, they may not reach them, if the communication system of the local agencies are effected through the natural desaster and they will also be heavily overloaded locally if a larger region is affected. It will take time to coordinate this, if a bigger region is affected and I think the local agencies will create a list of priorities that they will try to work through. But that are only my thoughts

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

Garmin-Leslie — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:48:51 GMT

While we appreciate you asking these questions I would still direct you to the SAR team to answer questions regarding SOS and insurance questions. When you start dealing with more in depth situational questions like these that would be the best team to speak to regaring them.

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

1874793 — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:12:23 GMT

During a recent flood caused by a tropical storm, our regional 9-1-1 emergency phone system went out of service due to a cut in the fiber-optic cable. My question is, in a widespread natural disaster such as this, will Garmin Response relay inReach SOS Messages to the appropriate local agencies? (This question only concerns emergency communications, not insurance.)

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

Garmin-Leslie — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 18:57:13 GMT

The best option if you have questions regarding the SAR insurance plans is to review the following article and then contact our team of licensed agents to ask more specific questions. You can find their contact information at the bottom of the article as well. Garmin SAR Insurance Plans - Frequently Asked Questions

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

twolpert — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 17:53:42 GMT

One other note here. You may (or may not) want to look at the "insurance" mentioned in the article linked from Leslie's post. In the US, there are usually few if any "people" costs associated with SAR. SAR is mostly staffed by volunteers who donate their time. However, there may well be hard costs - for example, if a helicopter evacuation is involved, or if an ambulance transports you from trail head to hospital.

it can also depend on what agency provides the response. US government agencies (for example, Coast Guard or NPS) do not typically charge individual citizens (your tax dollars at work). The situation may well be different if state resources are involved. And there is always the issue of whether or not you were "reckless" or "negligent". For example, if you ignore posted "trail closed" notices, you might get billed for SAR when there otherwise would not be any cost.

Outside the US, policies vary considerably. But costs are more likely.

Bottom line: It's complicated. Your standard inReach plan ONLY covers communication costs. It does not cover SAR or subsequent costs.

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

Garmin-Leslie — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:56:42 GMT

Hello 1874793 I would recommend reviewing this article which helps explain this SOS Coverage and What Happens When Triggering an SOS.

RE: Garmin Response during a natural disaster?

Like2Hike — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 14:02:16 GMT

Yes

RE: Inreach mini2 vs messenger

Rain_Painter — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:58:52 GMT

Hi Daniel, sorry for the Lazarus post thing but I'm trying to decide between the Mini2 and the Messenger. I also have the Fenix 7 and will be mainly navigating between that and my phone. The messenger has a better antenna, battery, and messaging capability, why shouldn't I get that vs the Mini2?

Inreach mini2 vs messenger

WojciechP. — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 09:28:05 GMT

Hi,
I know there where plenty of comparisions about those 2.

but my question is can you still use/type/read messes on inreach messenger (cant seem to see buttons on it). or do you have to have mobile phoen with you to use it?

Reaseon i'm asking is that me and my wife are thinking of getting some but we would need 2 devices one for each of us - me on bike (no signla) and her with dogs hiking same time (also no signal) - so to be in contact (if it is needed) we will need 2 devices.

and for the price of 2 inreach mini2, i can almost get 3messengers - so obvious cost cut there.

i know that messenger doesn't look as good and rugged as the mini (especially with the mini nice clip to actually attach it to backpack).

but that cost saving could almost be used for +/-2years of activation and montly subscriptions [emoticon:c4563cd7d5574777a71c318021cbbcc8]

thank you for all your help.

No verification code sent to install messenger

4518442 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:42:15 GMT

Hi All,

activated Garmin in reach via Garmin explore website. Never got a verification code via sms to simply install messenger app. Got it activated, device working and all good. However still dependent on the messenger app for full use of device. Have tried time and time again to get the sms code but nothing. Without use of the messenger app the device doesn’t work at best capability and just cannot verify this simple app download on iphone.

Any ideas???

Thanks

RE: No verification code sent to install messenger

Garmin-Leslie — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 17:49:55 GMT

I will send you a private message to gather more information.

RE: No verification code sent to install messenger

twolpert — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 18:02:40 GMT

If the support article above does not address the problem, open a support ticket. If you have the option, use phone or chat. Forum feedback indicates that email is less effective.

RE: Mapshare track not updating X 9 hours?

twolpert — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 18:01:22 GMT

The other thing is that the unit will automatically fall back to 4 hour intervals when it is stationary. This is probably what happened knitially sknce the four-hour intervals started around 8PM - presumably when they stopped for the night. Once the unit decides that it is stationary, it checks for a "sufficiently large" distance at the original interval (which is 2 hours in this case). This means that the unit might not resume 2-hour interval tracking until 2 hours AFTER the unit moves. This does not account for complete lack of tracking the next day, however.

"Locate" from the web site is a crap shoot at best. The problem is that the unit has to "hear" the locate request in order to respond. Must be powered up, have a clear sky view, AND do an active listen (as, for example, when sending a point, sending a message, or the hourly message check. In my experience, this almost NEVER works. And with a 2 hour tracking interval, your chances of hitting a check with the locate request are very low.

I would not necessarily dismiss "dead battery" out of hand. The unit will perform an active message check once an hour. Once it starts the process, it (re)tries VERY hard to complete it. It's not "complete" until the unit contacts the Iridium satellite network. So - if you bury the unit in your pack, or if you put it under your pillow in your tent, or whatever - you can deplete the battery quickly. You don't say what model unit this is, so it's difficult to judge battery life.

Most of use turn the unit OFF when we stop for the night. The unit will send one more "tracking end" point at that time.

Looking at Iridium satellite coverage probably isn't useful. Iridium gives pole to pole coverage. I don't recall the details, but there are usually 2 or 3 satellites in view at any give location/time. (Some may be low on the horizon, though.) Point is that the satellites are THERE. The two primary enemies of iR communication are narrow canyons and heavy foliage (particularly wet foliage). Note that the unit queues sent points if it cannot send them in a timely manner. There is a limit to how many points it will queue, but you are really, really unlikely to hit that with a send interval of 2 hours. In any case, if you do hit the limit, the unit discards the oldest points first. It's bot like you are going to lose all of them.

Do note that the unit will NOT send (or queue) sent points if it cannot get a GPS fix. If this is a mini (particularly M1), you cannot discount that problem as a source of missing points.

Mapshare track not updating X 9 hours?

2498154 — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 18:11:59 GMT

Hi - I've been tracking along with a backpacking trip for a family member. He and his hiking partner had it set to update location every 2 hours, and it did that yesterday. But suddenly the updates spaced out then stopped - saw them every 2 hours yesterday, then 8 pm, 12 midnight, 4 am - and now it's 1 pm - 9 hours later - with nothing since then. I'm wondering what the technical reasons could be for a gap like this, but am having trouble finding that info on the website. Wondering about - too many trees, or battery going dead (though it's only day 2 so I wouldn't expect the battery to be dead yet?). Are those accurate? Are there others? Unfortunately the Locate and Messaging functions from my end don't seem to be working. Welcome any thoughts and ideas. Full transparency I'm wondering if I should be worried... Thanks!