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inReach sync'ing

antwelm
over 3 years ago

Recently acquired a Mini and I am a bit confused. Are all these apps really separate? What can/can't each do in regards of keeping the Mini synced? I'm thinking about firmware updates, up-/downloading waypoints and tracks, and updating preset messages (and/or contacts).

  1. Garmin Express (Mac) via USB

  2. inReach Synch (Mac) via USB

  3. Earthmate mobile apps (iOS & Android) via BT

Do they all sync new stuff/changes from explore.garmin.com to the Mini? Do I need them all? What are their differences?

Also, is there no way of using normal file-handling to/from the device, like with other devices, to dump or extract .gpx for example?

  • +1 over 3 years ago

    Hi!

    I use inReach Sync (the Desktop app, Windows version) when I'm at home and I need to sync. I find it's a lot easier to just conect the Mini via USB and let the app to do the work. I use Earthmate when I'm outdoors and sync it always before starting a trail (put this in a checklist so you don't forget to transfer important changes you eventually made while you have mobile Internet).

    To the best of my knowledge, Garmin Express is the only way to get firmware updates for the Mini. However, Garmin Express will not sync any explore.garmin.com data.

    And no, there is no way of using normal file-handling to/from the device like other Garmin devices. As expected, you cannot use Basecamp with the Mini. You need explore.garmin.com, use the export and import functions and then you can dump or import GPX files.

    For some reason (probably due to lacking some sort of version control mechanism), tracks, routes and waypoints must be deleted from the Mini if you want to delete them from explore.garmin.com. If not deleted from the device, these elements will appear again and again each time you sync the Mini even if you have deleted them from the Web app.

    Pablo.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Pablo Cruz Navea

    Thank  you! So, the desktop program inReach Synch is the same as synching via the mobile apps Earthmate.

    As for importing waypoint GPX to explore, it seems to be hit n miss for me. Some files gets uploaded nicely, but others, seemingly similar ones, does not. Also, the latest track shows, older ones does not. Same view setting.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to antwelm

    To some degree, the result of importing a .gpx to the Explore web site depends on what you import it AS. If you import it as a track, it will be imported intact regardless of the number of points it contains. If you import it as a route, it will be "thinned" to no more than 200 points (regardless of the number of points it originally contained). Depending on the topography of the track, this may or may not result in a truly usable route. For example, a straight track, or one with a small number of sharp turns, will be fine. One which followed a series of switchbacks up a long hill will not - it will likely go straight up the hill.

    Routes will sync to any iR device (if the collections align). Tracks only sync to some devices. IIRC, tracks to not sync to the Mini - but I could be wrong about that.

    Not sure what you mean about only seeing the latest track. If we are talking about the map tab on the Explore web site, it depends on the visibility of the collection containing the track, as well as the filters.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Pablo Cruz Navea

    The business about needing to delete things from the Mini even if you deleted them from the explore.garmin.com site is by design. The operation IS a sync, but the device is considered the "owner" of data. So all things being equal, something deleted from the web site only will reappear on the next sync if it still exists on the device.

    Note that it isn't quite that simple. Other things come into play, such as where the item was recorded. If not recorded on the device (but appearing in a secondary collection which is synced TO the device), I believe that removing it from the web site will also remove it from the device on the next sync. That said, the actual operation of sync is pretty opaque. YMMV.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    I'd like a confirm from you. Yesterday I tracked my first hike with may new inReach Mini. I wanted to extract the GPX on my Mac.

    During the whole hike it was paired via ANT+ with my Fenix and via BT with my iPhone. 

    Back home I checked Earthmate and my track was there, but on explore.garmin.com the track was missing. I tuned on the Mini again and opened the Earthmate app, trying to update/sync tapping everyone: still tra track was missing from Explore.

    I then plugged the Mini to the Mac and synced via inReach Sync app. Shortly after the track was visible on Explore.

    So: is inReach Sync app the only way to sync back logged tracks from the inReach Mini to Explore?

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Labronico

    No, the Earthmate app will do it. The app must be signed into the correct account. More > Options > Account & Sync. Although you should not need to use it, there is a manual sync button on that page as well. Date and time of last sync with the server is shown here as well.

    Earthmate has a persistent bug, at least on iOS (not sure about Android). Sometimes when you open the app, it appears to forget the saved credentials. In this state, it will not sync. Account and password are blank. If this happens, just swipe the app closed and restart it. Credentials will reappear.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Labronico

    I'v settled with it (GPX/track) not working. Inconsistent and therefore not really usable.