Any use the Garmin InReach?

I bought the Zoleo in November and am going to activate it in January. Like @Evan B, the reviews suggested that it was better for sending text messages, which is what I am looking for. I tried an older Garmin InReach Mini and it didn’t work well for me.
 
Evan B said:
One of the deciding factors for me to go the Zoleo route was I could pause the subscription when not using it. I haven't paid the monthly since October and probably won't again until May or June when I choose to reactivate it.

Without going back to research and digging, my recollection is that you can't pause the garmin sub.
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You cannot pause the garmin without a reactivation fee, think it’s roughly $30.

That would have been a good option. Don’t recall if that Zoleo was available back when I was deciding.

I’ve chalked the monthly up to good insurance…set it and forget it. I like that I don’t have to think about it ahead of heading on an adventure.
 
Evan B said:
One of the deciding factors for me to go the Zoleo route was I could pause the subscription when not using it. I haven't paid the monthly since October and probably won't again until May or June when I choose to reactivate it.

Without going back to research and digging, my recollection is that you can't pause the garmin sub.
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I forgot to tell you I looked into Zoleo early this morning. Now I'm looking more that way 😆. Plus I can buy my wife one for almost same cost of just one for me.
 
Bricaud said:
You cannot pause the garmin without a reactivation fee, think it’s roughly $30.

That would have been a good option. Don’t recall if that Zoleo was available back when I was deciding.

I’ve chalked the monthly up to good insurance…set it and forget it. I like that I don’t have to think about it ahead of heading on an adventure.
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You can actually. An update to the plans offered several months ago added the ability to pause with no fee.

Love my inReach Mini 2 for the peace of mind it gives my wife when I'm away.
 
RCF said:
I am a die hard, old school, wires are best, soul. Times are changing, I just can not keep up!
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Talk about old school, I am a HF/VHF/UHF amateur radio operator.

The VHF/UHF mobile radio in my SUV has the hybrid radio - internet APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) feature used by SAR and other civilian ECOM groups. It allows me to have continuous automated reporting of my GPS location and to send unlimited text messages to my wife's cellphone from my car. I also have a currently limited and somewhat cumbersome APRS capability with my handhelds. APRS is a global system but there are coverage gaps that in reality makes it not as reliable as a satphone or the In-Reach and similar systems. But it's free to use by licensed amateurs.

RCF said:
Ukraine has been using SpaceX for some time now. I have read some info where Russia is now developing technology to reduce/eliminate that capability.
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Not to go too far off topic but DoD-DoW knows that SATCOMs are vulnerable and there is a network of Army and Air Force civilian ALL VOLUNTEER auxiliaries that train daily to provide contingency tactical HF support to DoD. They operate from stations on military installations and from their homes. The Air Force auxiliaries also provide ongoing aircrew support that includes weather updates, and phone patch for morale-welfare, in-flight emergencies...
 
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I have two of the oldest least expensive models that I purchased 5+ years ago from Costco. They work great and I see no reason to upgrade unless size was a concern.

This hunting season I tried satellite texting on my phone which worked great so I now carry both in the backcountry. I now see the phone as the communications device and the Inreach as an SOS device. A little redundancy is comforting. The Garmin is always in the pack.

I know that the phones claim they can SOS too…..but for true piece of mind when miles from a road I trust the professionally monitored Inreach SOS single button push if the poop hits the fan. Not to mention the robust hardware designed for adverse environments. Garmins are used all over the world and their monitoring center is adept at such outdoor emergencies.
 
I've used the Garmin Inreach devices for many years. Always works. Never had to use the SOS feature, but the texting capability allows me to let my wife know I'm changing destinations and/or departure times while I'm out in the boonies. My current unit also has full GPS North America maps pre-loaded, which I've used extensively.

My excursions are almost always out of cellphone coverage, and I'm not about to trust its nascent satellite capabilities, or shitty battery life (compared to a Garmin). In Alaska the Garmin was the only way I could communicate with my wife for extended periods of time...giving her some peace of mind was absolutely critical.

All of my Garmin devices, which include communication, dedicated GPS units, fish finders, and bike computers are real 'work horses'. Utterly dependable.

Note:
(1) No satellite communication device is a substitute for adequate preparation for emergencies.
(2) If all you have is a cellphone and an emergency occurs while out in the sticks with no 'apparent' cellphone coverage I'd recommend trying to send text messages...I've sent and received text messages in some incredibly remote places. A cellphone only needs a micro-second to send a tiny 'packet' of data, but voice communication requires a lengthy sustained signal. The cellphone will generally keep attempting to send that packet of data out...and all it needs is a very brief connection.
 
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Like some other posters, I have a Garmin InReach mini 2. It works on its own, but is much more convenient when paired with a cell phone. So I carry my Garmin and I-phone in the back country. Never sent an SOS, but typically send a text to my wife each evening - which is the over-riding consideration factor for why I bought it in the first place - to say "no bears today" so she knows I'm still alive. You can pause the subscription, but I pay the $13/month year around because sometimes in the winter I hike up rivers out of cell phone coverage. If I had to turn the subscription on and off every time I might want to have it, I'd be almost certain to forget. And then that one time I have a bear chewing on my leg I'd discover my subscription wasn't active, so yeah, I pay for it all year.
 
InReach fella for 14yrs and counting. I've used the OG DeLorme unit near-daily from April 15 to Oct 31 in that time.
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Best practices include familiarization with the EarthMate app, a ping from the field to your emergency contact as a way to establish 1-touch communication should the need arise, and checking the Garmin site for outages (planned or otherwise) before venturing afield.
Most of the fella I know have moved on from the larger units to minis, which will be my move if this old girl ever kicks the bucket.
 
I have the original in reach mini. I pause service during the winter months and keep it active spring/summer/fall. Use it to text my wife in the evening but I also turn on tracking when I'm driving/hiking up and down river so she can see my location so she knows where the bear got me 🫡. Makes her a lot more comfortable on my solo trips.
 
Evan B said:
One of the deciding factors for me to go the Zoleo route was I could pause the subscription when not using it. I haven't paid the monthly since October and probably won't again until May or June when I choose to reactivate it.

Without going back to research and digging, my recollection is that you can't pause the garmin sub.
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i believe you are somewhat correct on not pausing your subscription, can kind of pause it, but cost 7 dollars/month or deactivate it and then when you need it again have to pay the activation fee. 😡
 
I would like to know who has the best user interface/most intuitive software. My experience with Garmin is that they may have the worst software engineers on the planet. I want a simple device that does what I want, without a crapload of useless features in the way of using what I want.
 
nwbobber said:
I would like to know who has the best user interface/most intuitive software. My experience with Garmin is that they may have the worst software engineers on the planet. I want a simple device that does what I want, without a crapload of useless features in the way of using what I want.
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I dunno...I've never had problems learning how to use the features I want to use on any of my Garmin electronic gear. Just watch a few youtube demos...and ignore the stuff that's personally useless.
 
I have the Inreach 2 mini. I pause it when not in use…when I remeber😂. I’ve only had it for 3-4 years but have never paid a fee for pausing service.

I have T-mobile service and newer iPhone with satellite texting capabilities. I will continue to carry both.

My wife likes hearing from me on long backcountry trips. I like being able to text my hunting partner when we split up😂. The Garmin to Garmin texting is super nice when you’re miles apart. I also like being able to get local weather. Sometimes it helps in making decisions.
 
Evan B said:
One of the deciding factors for me to go the Zoleo route was I could pause the subscription when not using it. I haven't paid the monthly since October and probably won't again until May or June when I choose to reactivate it.

Without going back to research and digging, my recollection is that you can't pause the garmin sub.
Click to expand...
I have the InReach Explorer+, and you can pause the subscription anytime. My deciding factor for the bigger version was in case my phone died on a hike I wanted to still be able to look at the map and send communication. It's been an awesome tool with great battery life.
 
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