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
4
Great for messaging and battery life
on October 3, 2023
Posted by: Brian HH
Very easy to use for messaging and battery life. I had an inreach mini V1, but switched to the messenger for two reasons. #1 in shady countries it is not as suspicious looking. The inreach mini can bring some unwanted questioning or confiscation. #2 I wanted an easier messaging experience that used the same messaging app when using wifi, cell data, or satellite. The inreach mini V1 would only send messages via satellite. I also purchased an inreach messenger for my wife, so she can easily communicate with me if something happens. The inreach mini v1 was too complicated. The inreach messenger connects fast to satellites and the messages have been sent and received with no issues using data, Wi-Fi and satellite. The messenger app is user friendly, simple. I do wish it would connect to the Garmin Explore app to at least show your position on the map. Or, it would be great if Garmin would create a page on the Messenger app that showed you your location on a map as well as your location points that you have dropped to share with those tracking you. And in addition to that extra page on the Messenger app, an option to drop and name waypoints along the way. all in all it is an excellent product for messaging, emergencies, and for your people to be able to track you when they need to.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 9, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Easy to use
on October 5, 2023
Posted by: Twinfan
I bought this primarily for safety and tracking on long motorcycle rides. I found it easy to operate and it integrated well with my Garmin Zumo XT (also my Garmin Instinct watch during hikes). Battery life is great, dropping to 65% after 10 long travel days leaving breadcrumbs every 10 minutes. The only hiccup so far is that the used message count between the device (as read on the Messenger app) and Garmin Explore don't agree. I'm told that the Explore number is accurate.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 9, 2023
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Not What I Expected
on October 5, 2023
Posted by: Vongoffer
I both this 3 weeks ago for a trip and doesn’t full fill mi expectations. It’s a lot more dificult to use than de inreach Mini. It doesn’t work with garning explore and farming Earthmate, making it only a comunication divise.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, October 9, 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
First off grid days.
on October 10, 2023
Posted by: Stljb14
I bought the in reach specifically for an elk hunt in north New Mexico in areas above 10,000 feet with no cell service. It worked better than I expected and had great connection and awesome battery life during the entire five day hunt.
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
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
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
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