Garmin inReach Messenger Handheld Satellite Communicator $189.95 + Free Shipping

manolobindo

Jun 10, 2025 1:41 AM

1.6K Comments

Joined Sep 2017

manolobindoJun 10, 2025 1:41 AM

1.6K Comments

FWIW, per CCC, on Amazon this has fluctuated between $300 and about $240 over the past year. Looks like previous low was about $230 during the holidays.

bpollard

Jun 10, 2025 1:47 AM

210 Comments

Joined Apr 2008

bpollardJun 10, 2025 1:47 AM

210 Comments

correct me if I'm wrong but do you need this device if you have a newer iphone?

4

TarleyT

Jun 10, 2025 1:49 AM

382 Comments

Joined Nov 2013

TarleyTJun 10, 2025 1:49 AM

382 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Highly recommend that you do not buy these inReach products. Garmin see the writing on the wall with satellite text messaging incoming and are squeezing their inReach customers for all they are worth -- removing cheaper static plans and upping the cost.

Here's an example:

Quote :

I use my InReach mostly in the summer for backpacking so it seems like whereas before their most basic InReach plan was $34.99/yr plus $14.99/mo for the months you use it (could be suspended in between non-consecutive months). For me that was a total of $65-80/year for 2 or 3 months of use. Now, the most basic pay-as-you-go plan has no annual fee but requires a $7.99/mo "Enabled" fee ($95/yr) to keep things active instead of suspending. If you want to suspend you need to cancel your plan totally and then pay the activation fee of (now) $39.99 to reactivate plus monthly Essential/Standard/Premium or Enabled.

8

1

chuckreis

Jun 10, 2025 2:04 AM

66 Comments

Joined Jan 2007

chuckreisJun 10, 2025 2:04 AM

66 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from bpollard

:

correct me if I'm wrong but do you need this device if you have a newer iphone?

Depends on where you are trying to connect and the functions you want to use (tracking, SOS, messaging). Apple uses Globalstar which does not have a global footprint like Iridium which is the network the inReach uses.

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2

1

NLCT

Jun 10, 2025 2:19 AM

204 Comments

Joined Jun 2014

NLCTJun 10, 2025 2:19 AM

204 Comments

Quote from TarleyT

:

Highly recommend that you do not buy these inReach products. Garmin see the writing on the wall with satellite text messaging incoming and are squeezing their inReach customers for all they are worth -- removing cheaper static plans and upping the cost.

Here's an example:

Yes if you only go out a few times for a few months it is not a good buy. I go out roughly 8 days per month for 6-7 months a year between day hiking, backpacking, hunting, shooting range, etc and all are in areas of zero cell service. I live in a pretty rural area. It's nice piece of mind to regular send updates to my wife about progress and custom messages each night about our trips. For the off months, I keep it in the car during winter if I and stranded on the highway rather than end the service and restart each year. I consider it insurance.

3

1

bigpl

Jun 10, 2025 2:22 AM

52 Comments

Joined Sep 2022

bigplJun 10, 2025 2:22 AM

52 Comments

Quote from TarleyT

:

Highly recommend that you do not buy these inReach products. Garmin see the writing on the wall with satellite text messaging incoming and are squeezing their inReach customers for all they are worth -- removing cheaper static plans and upping the cost. Here's an example:

I will say, with the lowest tier going down to $8 monthly for inreach this actually complements satellite texting quite well. This essentially just becomes an SOS device and then use your phone for conversations. I'll probably pick one up for that purpose

2

ochem92

Jun 10, 2025 2:42 AM

3 Comments

Joined Oct 2017

ochem92Jun 10, 2025 2:42 AM

3 Comments

If you go into the backcountry frequently this is a great deal. You can also text between Garmin devices without cell coverage.

1

Metal_Linx

Jun 10, 2025 4:39 AM

98 Comments

Joined Dec 2019

Metal_LinxJun 10, 2025 4:39 AM

98 Comments

Good price on a good unit. I think the subscription service in light of what Apple and others are doing is overpriced, and the whole system isn't the most user friendly or intuitive, but it still has its place. For now. For one, having both gives you redundancy and the Garmin is much more durable. Second, I've found the Garmin to be more reliable at getting a signal out when I've tested and used both at the same time and place. Also for me, the ability to quickly hit a button on my phone and then pocket it and leave the Garmin to work the signal out as I keep moving to perform a quick check in/leave a bread crumb while hiking or whatever without needing to stop is a big benefit. With my iPhone I have to hold still and play point the phone at the sky for a while and maybe be told it can't get a signal out after that time investment which can add up to a lot of time not moving. I still try and use my phone at times when already stopped to save messages in case I really need them later in the month so have experience using both.

1

sdslicker

Jun 12, 2025 2:09 AM

745 Comments

Joined Feb 2010

sdslickerJun 12, 2025 2:09 AM

745 Comments

Quote from TarleyT

:

Highly recommend that you do not buy these inReach products. Garmin see the writing on the wall with satellite text messaging incoming and are squeezing their inReach customers for all they are worth -- removing cheaper static plans and upping the cost.

Here's an example:

What does the writing on the wall say?

1

WallEworld

Jun 12, 2025 2:19 AM

1.1K Comments

Joined Sep 2011

WallEworldJun 12, 2025 2:19 AM

1.1K Comments

Quote from sdslicker

:

What does the writing on the wall say?

https://support.apple.com/guide/i...62f4dd/ios

2

Garmin inReach Messenger Handheld Satellite Communicator $189.95 + Free Shipping

$190

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