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
Convenient
on October 16, 2023
Posted by: JEG1
I purchased the unit 3 weeks ago. Love the size and weight. Easy to use with the app. Acquires satélite quickly. I sold my in reach explorer plus
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Pretty ok
on October 15, 2023
Posted by: YourMom
Works way better than the first gen mini, but not sure why it doesn’t work with the explor app.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Tracking - HORRIBLE battery life
on October 14, 2023
Posted by: Randy Fay
I set the tracking to 1 hour interval and the battery is exhausted in 1-3 days. I was inside most nights, and I'm sure that's the problem, but there must be a serious software problem. I don't think it's useful as a tracker given this situation.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Messenger. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Garmin Explore
on October 12, 2023
Posted by: FrozenAlaskan
I’ve been taking this out boating and we are far out of cell service. There needs to be a way to incorporate it with the Garmin explore app. My buddy was 20 miles away and was messaging with his Montana but I couldn’t tell where exact he was at.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Not as intuitive as expected
on October 11, 2023
Posted by: Scott from Scottsdale
I've owned a DeLorme inReach SE a few years ago, but since I own a Garmin Forerunner watch and Garmin Edge MTB computer, I thought I'd go with Garmin's inReach Messenger this time. The interface is not as intuitive as I'd expect and I'd often spend several minutes getting things set up prior to initiating a hike or a MTB ride. It wasn't clear if my tracking points were being sent to my wife. The DeLorme was much easier to operate and navigate menus. Disappointed.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Messenger. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Learning Curve Required
on October 11, 2023
Posted by: BeeJack
It took me awhile to learn how to use the device. In hindsight, I guess all the information is present in the Quick Start pamphlet and the online manual, but even though I read through those documents ahead of time, it takes fumbling around in the field to realize confusion. Going back to the documents after my fumbling has gotten me straightened out, I believe. I expect I will be pleased with the device from now on.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Lightweight, fast communicator
on October 10, 2023
Posted by: BrownsboroGary
This is my fourth inReach device. I started with the original Mini, gave it away and got the 66i, gave it to a friend and got the 750i. I loved the 750i for the camera and touchscreen, but it is big and heavy. I was going on a rugged five-night backpacking trip to a remote valley in the Sierras, so I bought and activated the Messnger. I'll keep the 750i and just use it as a handheld navigator. The Messnenger sends and receives messages faster (more promptly) than any inReach I've used. I think it's the antenna design and the transnit power, but I'm not sure. I just know it sends and receives quickly. I used it daily during my trip just to touch base with my wife and the sends seemed to only take seconds. On a few occasions her replies were very quick, limited by her response time not the device.
Also, I love the Messenger App on my Android phone. It's well designed and very easy to use to configure the device and to send and receive messages.
Also, I love the Messenger App on my Android phone. It's well designed and very easy to use to configure the device and to send and receive messages.
My favorite inReach ever and highly recommended.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Frustrating
on October 10, 2023
Posted by: Bill e
Garmin Messenger displays coordinates but does not allow them to be copied to paste into a nav program, it should be an easy thing to do for a software developer but my guess is that would undermine sales of their InReach mapping devices so they purposely do not include the capability, frustrating and also potentially a limitation that could keep a stranded person from being rescued.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 19, 2023
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Messenger. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin