Garmin inReach Technology
For anyone heading out into the backcountry or going off-grid, having a way to contact emergency help is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, many adventurers are overly-reliant on cell phones. While cellular networks have come a long way, there are still many areas in the country where cell coverage is spotty at best. Having a dedicated GPS-based communication device on standby is the ideal way to ensure that in an emergency, help is on the way.
For decades, Garmin has been an industry leader in GPS technology. Their inReach functionality is powered off the Iridium global satellite network. Any compatible Garmin inReach device anywhere on the planet can access this network to send out an emergency SOS.
Emergency SOS
With the press of a button, an inReach device user triggers an SOS to a 24/7 staffed search and rescue monitoring center. Next, local authorities are alerted, and a local SAR team is spun up to come help. The SAR team is able to receive GPS coordinates for where the inReach device was last located. Pretty nifty, right?
I know it works, because I’ve been on the SAR end of the workflow more than once. During my time in wilderness search and rescue, many of our lost or injured subjects used a Garmin inReach to call for help.
If the technology sounds too good to be true, it isn’t – but it does come with a few caveats.
To start, you’ll need to make sure that the Garmin inReach device you purchase is powered with “inReach technology.” That will cost you about $100 over the base price of any given unit. And you’re not done yet. Next, you’ll need to create an account and purchase a satellite subscription for your device.
Choosing an inReach Plan
Plans range from $14.95/mo with unlimited SOS and 10 text messages, all the way to $249.95 for expedition teams requiring unlimited messaging and team tracking via GPS. With any plan, you’ll also need to pay a one-time $34.95 activation fee.
If that sounds a bit pricey, I agree. On the other hand, how much do you pay for all of your TV streaming service subscriptions? In the case of inReach, a subscription could pay off someday (like by saving your life).
Grid-Down Comms
The utility of inReach functionality extends beyond SOS, which in itself is worth fifteen bucks a month for adventurous types. With an inReach device, you can also send text messages to someone’s cell phone (as long as they have service), or another inReach unit, via the aforementioned Iridium satellite network.
That means even if the cellular network went down, two inReach devices would retain the ability to communicate over satellites. When preparing for a grid-down crisis, that is quite a force multiplier.
It’s true, there are better communications devices to use for alternate, and even contingency comms, in a crisis (e.g. GMRS radio and HAM radio). That being said, having the ability to communicate over satellite, completely off grid, is very, very cool.
Almost all inReach units also have built-in GPS mapping functionality, which could come in handy on an adventure trip or a crisis alike. Having a rugged, standalone GPS unit for an emergency evacuation or grid-down scenario presents obvious benefits over an iPhone.
Personally, I keep my inReach clipped onto my most portable go-bag in case of emergency, and bite the bullet on the subscription fee. Every few months I check the battery, and it is always close to 100%. In my go-bag, I also carry a small solar charger so that I could keep my inReach topped off indefinitely on the move.
Parting Thoughts
If you rarely leave the wire of the urban jungle, you probably don’t need an inReach device. If you already have alternate and contingency forms of grid-down comms, you’ll probably be just fine without adding satellite comms to your list.
But, if you are someone who likes to adventure off the grid from time to time, or if you want to have a rock-solid emergency comms option for when all else fails, an inReach compatible device just might be the solution you’re looking for.
