Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - inReach Messenger 1.08" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(204 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 204 reviews
5 Stars
127
4 Stars
41
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
14
1 Star
7
Customer Reviews for Garmin - inReach Messenger 1.08" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Customer Rating
2
Why can't it just be easy?
on March 28, 2025
Posted by: This is my nickname bro
It seems like garmin has gone to great lengths to make the device nearly impossible to share with your wife, son, daughter, or friend. Because they want you to purchase everyone their own device. By doing so the complexity of using it has rendered the device nearly useless.
You need different apps for talking and tracking and the instructions are non-existent, unless you want to spend a couple hours searching the help site and user forums.
Example- they don't tell you exactly how to use the garmin messenger app. So we assumed we both needed it on our phones to chat back and forth. Nope, that was a mistake because then the device couldn't decide which one of us it belonged to. It re-assigned itself over to my wife and when I really needed to use it in the backcountry, it was a failure. It just kept saying "assigning device to your account", or something, which it couldn't do because I had no cell service.
I can't wait until satellite service for cell phones makes these expensive pieces of junk obsolete!
If you are shopping for a satellite device I would recommend a different device. One that isn't so locked down by a greedy company. (Zoleo is what I'm swapping this garmin for)
You need different apps for talking and tracking and the instructions are non-existent, unless you want to spend a couple hours searching the help site and user forums.
Example- they don't tell you exactly how to use the garmin messenger app. So we assumed we both needed it on our phones to chat back and forth. Nope, that was a mistake because then the device couldn't decide which one of us it belonged to. It re-assigned itself over to my wife and when I really needed to use it in the backcountry, it was a failure. It just kept saying "assigning device to your account", or something, which it couldn't do because I had no cell service.
I can't wait until satellite service for cell phones makes these expensive pieces of junk obsolete!
If you are shopping for a satellite device I would recommend a different device. One that isn't so locked down by a greedy company. (Zoleo is what I'm swapping this garmin for)
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
on March 28, 2025
Posted by: Brett V
Works great. Small and compact while still being able to send messages without the app if your phone dies or gets disconnected from the device. Battery lasts a long time with regular use.
Written by a customer while visiting ExpertVoice.com
Customer Rating
1
Doesn't work
on April 23, 2025
Posted by: NewMexico
Does not work at the location it was purchased for.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great peace of mind
on April 28, 2025
Posted by: Ben F
Even with increasing apple satellite messaging abilities I think a dedicated messenger is great to have. Light and has a long battery life. I like that you can use it to charge other devices in a pinch. I understand why some are critical of this but the ability to charge a headlamp or phone when needed can be just as crucial as having an inreach and the battery life is long enough to do both. The cost of garmin plans have come down but is still a bummer
Written by a customer while visiting ExpertVoice.com