Algonquin Adventures / New inReach

**Posted by ShawnD** 9/18/2024 1:19 pm

You can now send photos and voice messages for the low low price of $680. I’m a gear nerd and even to me that doesn’t sound like anything I need, especially at that price.

https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/1191310?utm_source=garminMarketing&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=AMER-OUT-ANMT-MCJT67697-INREACHMESSENGERPLUS+%281%29_en-CA

**Posted by TripperMike** 9/18/2024 2:07 pm

Another step closer to folks being able to upload content to social media and stay connected to the world while out in the bush. No thanks.

**Posted by ShawnD** 9/18/2024 5:23 pm

Only positive I can think of is if you were in a real emergency situation.
You could send pictures of a bad injury and get back better instructions on what to do until help arrives. That’s about it.

**Posted by TripperMike** 9/19/2024 8:15 am

ShawnD wrote:
Only positive I can think of is if you were in a real emergency situation.
You could send pictures of a bad injury and get back better instructions on what to do until help arrives. That’s about it.

Good point, but realistically a written description can achieve the same objective. I'd be curious to know what the upload time for a photo from a smart phone would be.

I switched from a Spot1 to a Zoleo a few years back so my wife can let me know if there is an emergency at home/I can let someone know if I've put an axe into my foot etc. My general rule is to not use the messaging option unless necessary, just the check in at morning and evening.

Makes me nostalgic about the old man taking my brothers and I out in the early 90's, not a care in the world.

**Posted by RobW** 9/19/2024 10:51 am

"A picture is worth a thousand words" is still true today.

The price is only $140 more than an inReach Mini which I think is pretty reasonable.If I was shopping for a new inReach then I would seriously consider it. Personally I get a lot of value out of the messaging which is 90+% a daily check in.

What it doesn't have and what I would really like to see for a canoe tripping device is an IPX 8 rating. I made a point of carrying my inReach in my PFD for most of a river trip last year. I didn't have any swims but it did get dunked one day and stopped working for about a day and a half. We had another inReach in the group so I was able to let folks know not to worry and my inReach was working again within a couple days and has been completely reliable since.

I rank my inReach pretty close to the top of my list of must have items for a ditch kit, so being able to keep it in my PFD is a high priority for me. If anyone has a recommendation for a waterproof case that would fit an inReach Mini and still fit in the pocket of my MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD, I'd appreciate it.

**Posted by trippythings** 9/19/2024 2:18 pm

ShawnD wrote:
Only positive I can think of is if you were in a real emergency situation.
You could send pictures of a bad injury and get back better instructions on what to do until help arrives. That’s about it.

It can also be nice to have someone send an image of a detailed weather forecast from your preferred website instead of using the forecast from Garmin

And the voice messaging you can say a lot more in 30 seconds than you can type in the 160 character SMS limit (even though it seems like voice + pictures have an extra fee)

What's funny is they announced this new product hoping it will get all of the attention, while they're also changing their plans... raising prices and removing free monthly suspension. I'm having serious thoughts about getting rid of my InReach Mini after the plan changes.

**Posted by Swift Fifteen** 10/06/2024 7:12 am

That's ridiculous. The issue for me is their plans. I have the Garmin InReach and haven't used it in several years due to the plans available at that time were for one year, plus activation fee. Not sure if Garmin has options for shorter plans now, but mine is collecting dust atm until they do.

**Posted by RobW** 10/07/2024 8:56 am

Swift Fifteen wrote:
That's ridiculous. The issue for me is their plans. I have the Garmin InReach and haven't used it in several years due to the plans available at that time were for one year, plus activation fee. Not sure if Garmin has options for shorter plans now, but mine is collecting dust atm until they do.

I had to go look at the current plans. https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/837481/pn/010-06006-SU
There are plans labeled as "Consumer" that are indeed an annual subscription with no option to suspend. The basic is $24.99. There are also plans labeled as "Professional" that do have the option to suspend and the monthly rates start at $29.99.

I activate and suspend my inReach for individual trips.

**Posted by IanTendy** 10/07/2024 10:06 am

I'm hedging my bets and waiting for direct-to-cell Starlink or Kuiper capabilities. It's already been proven over the LTE network, and every week more 2.0 satellites with cell connectivity are going up.

Figure in a year or two every cell should have access to it, which will either make the inReach obsolete or drive the pricing into the ground.

**Posted by RobW** 10/07/2024 12:03 pm

IanTendy wrote:
I'm hedging my bets and waiting for direct-to-cell Starlink or Kuiper capabilities. It's already been proven over the LTE network, and every week more 2.0 satellites with cell connectivity are going up.

Figure in a year or two every cell should have access to it, which will either make the inReach obsolete or drive the pricing into the ground.

I'm figuring closer to 5 years - especially for Canadian cell providers - but I agree that the clock is ticking.

**Posted by Swift Fifteen** 10/09/2024 7:30 am

Rob, thanks for the update. You prompted me to get off my butt go searcht what the new offers are for firing up my InReach. Seems they have relaxed their previous requirements and no longer have mandatory lengthy commitments for their service. This certainly changes things for me. I may actually get some future use out my $500 paper weight.