Garmin inReach Plus adds photo and voice satellite messaging
iPad Pilot News
Satellite connectivity for pilots is more accessible and affordable now than ever, thanks to new satellite networks and recent advancements in receiver technology. Anyone with an iPhone 14 or newer can send free text messages via satellite when off the grid, and you can add broadband internet via Starlink Mini to your Cessna for less than $500.
Gamin is also a key player in this space, offering portable and installed satellite communicators for pilots. Their portable line includes three receiver options: the inReach Messenger ($299.99), the inReach Mini 2 ($399.99), and the new inReach Messenger Plus ($499).
All three are battery-powered, portable devices that connect to the Iridium satellite network. That means they get reception everywhere in the world, from pole to pole, even at altitude. You can send/receive text messages, send position reports, or check weather reports—deep in the backcountry, on a boat in the middle of the ocean, or at 12,000 feet in a Cessna. There’s also an SOS mode that sends an emergency message to a global monitoring center, which can be activated by pressing a protected button on the side of the unit. This makes it useful as a standalone product in an emergency.
inReach Messenger Plus
Most pilots are interested in the text messaging capability of the inReach products to stay in touch with friends, family, and the FBO while in flight. The inReach Messenger Plus builds on this basic text functionality and adds the ability to send photos and voice messages.
This is accomplished by using the Garmin Messenger app on your phone. After pairing the inReach to your iPhone via Bluetooth, it’s as simple as selecting one of your existing contacts in the Messenger app and typing a message. You can then attach a photo from your phone’s Photos library, or record a voice message to send through the app.
Then, the recipient will receive an SMS-style message within their main Messages app and in the Garmin Messenger app if they have it installed. They can reply back from either app and send a message back to you in the air.
Flying with the InReach Messenger
Using the inReach Messenger Plus worked quite well for us, but there are two limitations to be aware of. First, the inReach is particular about placement. You simply can’t place the device on the floor and expect to get reception—it needs a fairly unobstructed view of the sky. We got it to work in every airplane we flew, but it did take some experimentation to find the best place.
Secondly, the messages are not sent instantaneously. Sending a message took anywhere from 10 seconds to 60 seconds, depending on satellite location and reception. This isn’t a major issue on a long flight, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re used to lightning-fast messages on your smartphone.
With those limitations in mind, though, we found all kinds of uses for the inReach. We texted colleagues to update our arrival time, sent in-flight photos to friends, and even contacted an FBO before landing. On our most recent flight, we had a mechanical issue that required diverting to a different airport, and we were able to alert the maintenance shop that we were making an unscheduled visit.
All inReach devices do require a monthly subscription. Plans range from $14.95/month to $64.95/month, with flexible options for both seasonal and year-round plans—so you don’t have to commit to 12 months of data. We like to turn on the unlimited plan during summer, when we use the inReach for trips to Oshkosh, hiking vacations, and more.
The post Garmin inReach Plus adds photo and voice satellite messaging first appeared on iPad Pilot News.
The post Garmin inReach Plus adds photo and voice satellite messaging appeared first on iPad Pilot News.
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