Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - inReach Messenger 1.08" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(259 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 259 reviews
5 Stars
162
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
21
2 Stars
15
1 Star
10
Customer Reviews for Garmin - inReach Messenger 1.08" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Customer Rating
5
Great & Lightweight
on September 20, 2023
Posted by: r0se
We ended up selling our Garmin Explorer+ so we could buy this more lightweight option. I don’t really need the Mini 2 features like the map & stuff. I really just wanted something for SOS and sending messages to friends/family while backpacking, hiking, climbing, etc. I feel like this was a great choice for what we need!
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, September 20, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
InReach Messenger works great!
on September 20, 2023
Posted by: Anonymous
Bought InReach Messenger August 2023 to use flying and remote hikes. I have used it in house, car, airplane, and pocket. It transmits without issue even in my pocket with multiple layers of clothes over top. Orientation of unit doesn't seem to matter either... sideways, upside down, whatever. In sub freezing temps or flying I keep it in my pocket. Above freezing it lives in my backpack pocket, just stuff it in a side pocket and no issues. Screen on unit works well for starting tracking without turning on phone. The tracking feature allows me to deviate from my flight plan and not worry. On a borrowed InReach Mini battery would go down 10% a day for my use. The messenger seems to be about 3% a day for my use. Very happy with battery life.
Minor negatives that i've noticed so far are that if the unit is on and then you turn your phone on you have to turn messenger off and on again to get phone to connect. Also the texts remaining is not accurate when on satellite system. Also cannot upgrade to unlimited texts while on satellite system.
Overall I love it. Texting is prompt. Wife is able to pull up map and see exactly where i'm at... no more trying to interpret maps and notes.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Performed flawlessly
on September 19, 2023
Posted by: JimO
Just purchased my inReach Messenger before a seven day float trip down the Main Salmon in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Started out by charging it to 100% about four days before I left and turning it off. When I turned it on the first night, the battery had dropped (while turned off) to 92%. This concerned me a lot, but over the course of the next seven days, using it morning and night to check the weather (and send about a dozen or so texts total), the battery only dropped down to 82%. Odd that it lost so much charge while turned off, but using it seemed to support the battery life claim.
Meanwhile, the unit had no problem finding satellites, even in some deep parts of the river canyon. Messages sent and received without any problems. And the companion app on the phone made it all super easy and painless. Very happy with this device!
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, September 20, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Easy to track someone
on September 13, 2023
Posted by: RevRef
It is easy for designated persons to track me. I did try to send satellite message once and it didn’t go through. Don’t know why not. Another one did go through.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, September 18, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Unobtrusive
on September 6, 2023
Posted by: Safe n Sound
I'm using it as a marine emergency locater. Beyond that, it is a very awkward device. The buttons are too small except using one's thumbnail. The menu is not intuitive. Battery life is long, a positive.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, September 18, 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
5
Great Companion When Out of Reach
on August 31, 2023
Posted by: Jake78412
The inReach Messenger has all of the features one could want when being out of reach but it also can double as a call for help even when you are in reach. I like the features but now I need to put them to a test on a trail in the mountains. Only complaint is the instructions leave a lot to be desired. There should be a way to test and learn all of the features in a simple way at home.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, September 6, 2023
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great device
on August 27, 2023
Posted by: Chuck I
First experience with a device like this. Took it on a one week remote canoe trip. The app makes it very easy to use and the connection happened quickly. I only used it to check-in and sent messages. After one week there was 93% battery left. I likely only had the unit on a total of 2-3 hours. I like the opportunity to suspend the monthly charges for those months where I am not using it. Highly recommend.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, August 28, 2023
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Invaluable in the middle of a tough portage
on August 25, 2023
Posted by: CorvusNorth
Got this for emergency communications in the backcountry, and had the emergency. Medivac helicopter came straight to our location, and paramedics big supporters of the device. If you're really off-road, this is a great piece of gear.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Garmin, August 28, 2023
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin