Garmin inReach® Messenger Handheld Satellite Communicator, Global Two-Way Messaging

I have had an Insight Messenger for almost two years. I used this in a remote part of Madagascar. It functioned perfectly for what it’s designed to do. It’s not for unlimited texting, but it allows essential communication. A smart phone is necessary to send texts through the Garmin InTouch, and makes it lots easier to read texts that are received. If you exceed allotted number of texts for your plan, the cost is reasonable. I did not require emergency assistance, but knowing it was available was reassuring. I use it regularly for an emergency locator when hiking in the US. The ability to directly communicate with emergency response personnel is an extremely attractive feature. Battery life is great, light weight and small. It doesn’t necessarily require a smart phone for emergencies, but the smart phone makes it much easier to use, more comforting, and generally better.

I bought this specifically for fishing trips I take to SE Alaska where we get dropped off at old forest service dry cabins dotted around the Tongass National Forest, 20-30 miles from the nearest town so there's no cell service. This thing worked like a champ in all weather conditions - we didn't have a clear view of the sky, maybe 50% clear coverage from the North and East, the rest being tree coverage, but it was enough where we never had issues sending or receiving messages, or getting weather updates. Longest I think it ever took for a message to get out was about 10 minutes, and that was when it was raining and cloudy. The paired phone app definitely makes it really easy to utilize the device as well, so don't skip that step if you buy one of these.I very much appreciate that Garmin has two different subscription methods - yearly subscription and monthly when you need it. I use the monthly as I only need it a couple times a year, so I just suspend it between usage. Since I use the monthly subscription, it does have a yearly fee involved that the yearly subscription isn't subjected too (something like $35), but compared to $400-500 for a SIM card pre-loaded with minutes on my sat phone that barely works, and where the minutes expire in 6 months, this is a steal!My main complaint is the battery life, in reality if you're sending and receiving a couple dozen texts a day, and it's not perfectly clear skies, expect 2-3 days - this is a very minor gripe as I always come prepared with many methods to recharge my gear. Fortunately, it doesn't eat up much from my battery banks, and it charged just fine with my folding solar panels. Secondly, I haven't figured out a way to charge the device while it's turned off - as soon as I plug it in to charge, it turns on, which often defeats the purpose of what I'm trying to do.Overall, extremely pleased with this purchase, only thing that could make it better is if Garmin teamed up with one of the big satellite companies for better bandwidth so my wife can send me pictures of my dogs over the messenger!

Why did you pick this product vs others?:Worked well was able to talk to family out on my backpacking trips

This is a very specialized device and does exactly what it is designed to do - provide for emergency communications when no mobile phone service (or other terrestrial radio service) is available.For me, activation and signup was easy - not Amazon easy - but easy enough, rate plans are clear as is their cost. Yes, the service plan costs are 'expensive' but this is not a casual use item.Performance exceeded my expectations so far. Power on to GPS and Sat link is crazy fast, message up/down link varies from instant to tens of seconds. Link to the phone app works without an issue through it is a separate app which is good and bad - more good I think given that this is focused on life safety vs. casual use. The "Mapshare" feature is actually really nice and allows you to share your tracking point and engage in message exchange with anyone you want without them needing an account or ID, or anything else other than the custom URL you create as part of the signup flow. You can password protect your map or leave it open to the world.I do strongly recommend using the stored balance feature of the account management side of things. If you are away from the world for some time and for what ever your CC is declined you might loose access to service which could cost you your life. If you load a stored balance before you head out that balance will be consumed before a CC is needed again ensuring continued service even if things go off the rails.

Bought as a gift and he loves it. I have a family member that travels all over for work and loves to hike and this seemed like a great product for the money. The battery life is better than comparable products because of the smaller size screen, but this has the same signal strength, accuracy and connection speed. Recommended for the SOS feature for anyone who goes deep into the backcountry and might need a rescue.

I went on a two week trip and was alone for the most part. My family members were able to track me flawlessly wherever I went. All I did was turn on the tracking function every morning. I interfaces with the iPhone without any issues. I used the texting function a few time to try it out. What I liked about it is that it used the phone’s cellular when is was available, otherwise it would switch to satellite. I left it on for a few days and the battery still showed well over 60% charge. It doesn’t have all the functions that the Mini 2 has, but for my application, it’s more than capable and it’s $100 less. The plans are the same, so no changes there. What I also really like is the option to only get a month’s service, so I pay for when I need it, not just when it’s sitting there doing nothing. I don’t travel every month, so this works out well for me. If you’re alone out there, this is what you need. If anything happens, you have the SOS capability. The iPhone 14 and on also has this capability, but the phone is often on my motorcycle and if I’ve fallen and can’t get up (I couldn’t resist using that), the Garmin Messenger is on me at all times.