In-depth Analysis of Garmin's inReach Messenger Plus Device
The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus, an upgrade from the original Garmin inReach Messenger, offers enhanced features, improved connectivity, and longer battery life, making it a worthwhile investment for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
Enhanced Connectivity and Reliable Performance
The Messenger Plus supports both cellular and Wi-Fi connections, automatically switching to the Iridium satellite network when out of cellular range. This hybrid connectivity ensures easier messaging and better coverage, a significant improvement over the original model which relies solely on satellite communication.
The device is equipped with a patch antenna design that provides faster satellite lock-on times, better message transmission speeds, and more reliable connectivity even in challenging environments like medium canopy or deep canyons.
Extended Battery Life and Expanded Messaging Capabilities
The Messenger Plus offers significantly longer battery life. In Low power mode with 10-minute location tracking, the battery percentage remained stable during a 5-hour hike in open skies. However, Performance mode, which keeps a near-constant satellite connection and checks for messages frequently, drains the battery faster.
One of the key advantages of the Messenger Plus is its expanded messaging capabilities. It supports sending photos, voice messages, and standard texts via the Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT), integrated with the Garmin Messenger app. This allows for import of phone contacts, SMS and group chats, social media updates, and Garmin MapShare link updates.
Advanced SOS Feature and Durable Design
The SOS function on the Messenger Plus is interactive, enabling two-way communication with Garmin’s Response Center. This improves rescue coordination versus simple emergency alerts, providing countdowns, confirmation, constant location updates, and detailed sharing of medical info.
The device is small, lightweight (about 4 oz), water-resistant (IPX7), and built to be durable for outdoor use.
Cost and Performance
The Messenger Plus costs $499, while the original Messenger retails for $299. It's important to note that overages for image and voice messages cost $1 USD each. Garmin has updated their subscription plans to accommodate these new messaging types, which are not included in regular text allotments.
In testing, the Messenger Plus was approximately 20-30% faster than the original inReach Messenger. However, photo messages sometimes took 10 minutes or longer, especially in dense forest.
In conclusion, if you value extended battery life, dual connectivity options (cellular + satellite), enhanced messaging capabilities including media, and a more advanced SOS feature, the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus is a smart long-term investment and a meaningful upgrade over the original inReach Messenger.
- The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus, with its hybrid connectivity of cellular and Wi-Fi, provides easier messaging and better coverage than the original model, especially in challenging environments.
- One of the key advantages of the Messenger Plus is its expanded messaging capabilities, allowing users to send photos, voice messages, and standard texts, as well as import phone contacts, SMS, and participate in group chats.
- The Messenger Plus is also equipped with a durable design, featuring a small, lightweight, water-resistant, and robust construction, making it ideal for outdoor use and adventures.
- Though slightly expensive at $499, the Messenger Plus offers meaningful upgrades over the original inReach Messenger, including extended battery life, advanced SOS feature, and improved connectivity, making it a smart long-term investment for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
