Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - inReach Messenger 1.08" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(255 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 255 reviews
5 Stars
160
4 Stars
50
3 Stars
20
2 Stars
15
1 Star
10
Customer Reviews for Garmin - inReach Messenger 1.08" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Customer Rating
5
Life saving
on June 21, 2026
Posted by: Trent4242
I bought this for a few upcoming trips I have, hopefully I don’t have to use the SOS feature, but it’s very nice that I can message anyone i need anywhere in the world.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Easy setup!
on June 18, 2026
Posted by: BriW
So far, so good. I set it up and got my monthly service. I went on a hike and was able to message my wife. She was impressed that it showed my exact location. I will take on my next trip. I have been putting off getting a satellite communicator. After seeing a rattlesnake on the trail on a hike last year and having no cell service, I knew it was time to get one.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Simple to setup and use.
on June 8, 2026
Posted by: DRW13
I purchased 2 messengers for a remote trip to Canada to allow communication between two boats and loved ones back home. Each messenger had a separate account, and each had the unlimited plan. The app worked well via cell phone, and we did not to use the interface within the Garmin device since it was not necessary. It would be nice to allow/assign additional users versus primary/paired on the account so other members in the remote area within range of the Garmin device can send messages via their phones/messenger app. In our case we had two persons per boat so assigning one additional user to each account would improve flexibility. Great feature is the ability to cancel the monthly subscription when the device is not needed.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Emergency communication insurance
on March 25, 2026
Posted by: Big Bend
To be fair, I only bought this because we planned and executed a family trip in Big Bend National Park. I was traveling with my wife, kids and grandkids. I knew that there would be no cell service and didn't want to risk an accident or animal encounter without access to some kind of SOS communication. Fortunately, I never needed the SOS but was greatly relieved that I had access to it through my Garmin messenger's 24/7 response feature which included the ability to define our emergency should we have one.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Perfect for what i needed
on February 28, 2026
Posted by: CG183
I love that I can use the garmin to charge my phone, simple satellite communicator.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Didn't realize phone was needed
on January 27, 2026
Posted by: LJed
I bought this for an AZ mountainous motorcycle trip. I use my phone, mounted on the bike, for navigation. There's a risk of going off a cliff and getting separated from my bike. I didn't realize that a link to my phone was necessary for emergency communications I've returned it and hoping that the inReach Mini is what I want. I gave 4 stars because - perhaps - this could have been made clear to me before my online purchase. Otherwise it likely is a wonderful device.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Does what it should
on January 22, 2026
Posted by: John M
I carry this on backcountry or offgrid situations and have not needed it for an emergency but have used it for text communications paired to my phone. Has worked every time, no issues. What else is there to say for a product like this? It works when it needs to.
Written by a customer while visiting ExpertVoice.com
Customer Rating
5
Keeps you in contact
on January 17, 2026
Posted by: Jonathan s
Worked great for my western hunts, and back country snow boarding. Easy and quick for check in messages. Being able to type on your phone makes it nice to have actual conversations. I never go into the backcountry without it now.
Written by a customer while visiting ExpertVoice.com