Related
Options
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

satellite messaging

jasondavis

I have a new Fenix 8 pro with an associated LTE and satellite messaging subscription

I have in general got the LTE messaging to work reasonably reliably in the UK and overseas.

I have NEVER been able to connect to a satellite and send my location, let alone a message.  I occasionally get the "alignment" to move into green and the watch shows "connecting" but then it fails.   or else I dont get this far.  I had this in UK (south) and South America.  I can literally be on top of a hill with no obstructions and a clear sky..it makes no difference

Is it really this bad?  It certainly doesnt feel like to is something I could remotely rely on if there was an emergency

  • 0

    Sending message via satellite connection isn't easy at all. You need to align very carefully and succeed rate is 50% most of the time. There might be a situation where you can try for 5 minutes. So my recommendation is, If you are walking at places which you  really makes you feel danger, but inreach device. It's accurate and desined just for this and uses different satellite system. 

  • 0

    If you are having trouble with calls and messages, review the following:

    • The watch has been paired with and is connected to the Garmin Connect app and the Garmin Messenger app.

    • A current and active phone number used during setup in the Garmin Messenger app.

    • The watch software must be up to date.

    • The Garmin Messenger app software must be up to date.

    • An active inReach subscription assigned to the watch.

    • You are within the supported LTE and satellite coverage areas: www.garmin.com/connectivity

    If the issue persists please walk us through the steps you are taking when trying to send the messages.

  • 0 in reply to Garmin - AL

    what a patronising response from Garmin...perhaps read the initial posting first

  • 0

    I think there is no Garmin skylo satellite coverage for South America at all:

    https://www.garmin.com/en-US/connectivity/inreach-enabled-smartwatches/coverage/#satellite

    Why it isn’t working for you in UK (south)? Maybe a defective device?

    The Garmin Fenix Pro devices aren’t unfortunately using the great worldwide available iridium satellite network that the Garmin iR handhelds are using, the F8 pro are using the limited Skylo network…

  • 0 in reply to Volker

    Hi...many thanks....I dont know re: UK...I was in a valley and it failed....I then climbed to the top of a hill...not a cloud in the sky and completely uninstructed.  it still failed..I tried for more than an hour then gave up.  in an emergency it would be garbage

  • 0 in reply to jasondavis

    Agree. That it may not work in a valley may be expected due to bad/limited reception conditions, but on top of a hill it should just work. Hasn’t the sat connection never worked for you so far? Sometimes it is a little bit challenging to align/catch the sat for a connection, but it has always worked for me (I am located in Germany). One hour on top of a hill with no connection is not normal and frustrating, especially because it is also a device for emergencies. If it never has worked, I would contact the Garmin UK support.

  • 0 in reply to Volker

    thank you again....obviously the GPS works fine but, yes, the satellite comms have never worked.  I will try again today then perhaps reach out to them

  • 0 in reply to jasondavis

    Have you meanwhile been able to send a message via satellite?

    Btw: when Garmin has previously referred to IR technology, customers have likely always thought of their IR handheld devices using the Iridium satellite network – this may have confused some F8 Pro users or potential customers. The F8 Pro wearables operate via the satellite network leased from Skylo (apparently satellites from various operators?), and you first have to "lock in" to the satellite (there's really almost only one (!) available for each covered region) and then keep the watch pointed at it, which can be quite challenging/annoying (in certain situations (but that's the same with Apple and others)!). With Garmin Iridium handheld devices, on the other hand, it's more of a "fire and forget" experience. Incidentally, Iridium is available worldwide, while Skylo's satellites currently have limited availability. I definitely prefer Garmin handhelds with Iridium! But everyone can test it out for themselves. 

  • 0 in reply to Volker

    I havent yet been able to send a single message via satellite. part of the issue its that LTE works well...messages send efficiently then.  If there is no LTE coverage then messages dont et sent via satellite (this always fails) but then go by LTE as soon as an LTE connection is re-established.  Bottom line seems to be that LTE works well and satellite comms or location pings are, frankly, terrible