Garmin inReach Messenger Plus

It's fast and has a great battery life

After 8 years with my 1st Gen Mini, I figured I was due for an upgrade. The Mini still worked but I felt it wasn't quite as fast as I thought it should be and reliability in the forest was questionable. I chose the Messenger Plus because I liked the idea of being able to send photos and the phone app was simpler and did not require synching like the Mini. Getting it on sale was a bonus!

The first few times out with it, I did not have the cradle because it was backordered from Garmin. I never did figure out quite what the best way to carry it was. I'd had the Mini or my pack strap for so long that I couldn't see stuffing it into my pack or carrying it in a pocket where it might fall out. It worked ok in either place but I also was hyper-vigilant about keeping track of it. The cradle solves that problem but it's an extra $15 from Garmin. At least they offered free shipping for it. Not much money but still...I feel like it should have come in the box.

That being said, I'm really pleased with the Messenger Plus. I noticed a considerable difference in the speed at which messages sent and replies came back versus the old Mini. Same satellites, but newer technology in the device. Even photos sent quickly. And I was able to keep my same plan which is actually great because the Messenger plus does not limit messages to 160 characters like the old Mini did. 

The first time out I charged the battery to 100% and over the course of three days sent/received almost 40 messages and several photos and still had some battery left. I switched over the power saving mode for a day and, judging from the juice used, I estimate that one could get 5-7 days with that on all the time. Of course it depends on use, but still...that's dang good. I charged it from about 15%  in the field with my 10k mWh brick and it used less than 25% of that. 

I read in some reviews people said the old check-in messages from the Mini went away when they switched over but I have not had that issue. I have the option to change to the new check-in messages but, to be honest, I am not sure those can be edited as easily as the old ones, if at all. 

The new Messenger app works flawlessly on my iPhone and I can manage the device from there with a few taps. And, as I said, because the Messenger Plus interacts directly with your phone, there is no need to synch. It's worth noting that this isn't a true GPS device but I have the old Earthmate app and it still works great. I can download all the topos I need for a trip and since the iPhone has GPS built in, there really aren't any issues there. I'm guessing the device must know where you are though in case you are away from your phone and trigger an SOS. Indeed, you can run the device independent of a phone but, just like the Mini, it's wonky. And the screen is tiny so even more so on the Messenger Plus. 

One thing I will say is that, for me, the Messenger Plus with the plan is worth the peace of mind and the convenience. Yes, I can send and receive messages via satellite directly on my iPhone (and I do) but waiting for the satellite and then trying to stay connected are not as easy as the Messenger Plus because it's always connected. Those of you who have used that feature in the backcountry know what I'm talking about.

All in all, there are zero regrets with the purchase. I'm looking forward to getting 8 years out of this one too. And the Mini, well, my son was glad to get it...and Dad wasn't upset getting a bottle of Teeling in return. ;)

Background

Used the Mini for 8 years and the original eTrex before that!