Article by Capt. Steve Katz
Reach out with inReach
We usually shy away from product reviews in this column because there are numerous other sources that specialize in reviews, but this week we will make an exception. The ever-present Garmin inReach satellite communicator is a popular product for many reasons.
In 1976, David DeLorm founded the DeLorm company to create better outdoor maps of the state of Maine, where he lived. By the mid-90s DeLorm had 44% of the market share of CD based maps. In 2005, DeLorm was the first company to sell a USB GPS antenna that allowed live mapping on a laptop. In 2011, DeLorm launched a device called “inReach", a worldwide handheld satellite communication and SOS device that fits in your pocket.
The inReach became the most popular product for the privately owned, 92 employee Maine company. Garmin, with over 13,000 employees, knew that the inReach would be a great product that fit across all their divisions, automotive/mobile, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness so in 2016, Garmin purchased DeLorm, primarily for their inReach product. Soon afterward the InReach product received a Garmin makeover and was offered in two versions, one with a built-in map and one without.
In the following years, Garmin introduced additional InReach products to fill out their product offerings to meet the needs of consumers such as the inReach Mini, inReach Explorer, inReach Explorer+ and GPSMAP 66i.
Why is the InReach popular with boaters and especially sport fish captains?
The inReach is a satellite communicator, meaning it can send and receive text messages to other inReach devices and to mobile phones using text messaging by transmitting and receiving directly to earth from orbiting satellites. The InReach does not provide internet data or allow sending of pictures etc., just text messaging. While there are other products that can send texts using satellites, the inReach does it simply and elegantly at a reasonable price. Captains can text other captains and privately talk about where the fish are biting and what bait is attracting fish that day. The service is inexpensive, fast and very reliable.
Coverage
The inReach transmits and receives to the Iridium satellite constellation that offers true global coverage. Iridium has 66 active satellites in a low Earth orbit (485 miles above the earth surface). The Iridium constellation is comprised of six orbital planes spaced 30-degrees apart, with 11 satellites in each plane. This allows for continuous global coverage, meaning you do not need to wait for a satellite to pass overhead to send or receive a message. Iridium also has spare satellites in space that can be moved into orbit in case of a failure of one of the 66 primary satellites. Why are these details important? There are other satellite communication devices and systems available, such as Globalstar, but they do not have the worldwide constant coverage that the Iridium system can provide.
Depending on where you plan to use your equipment, the Globalstar and other satellite systems may meet your needs as well and may be worth a look.
Globalstar can also provide internet data through their satellites, though its low bandwidth may only meet the needs of some users for plain email and other simple communications.
Cost
With the most expensive inReach device costing $450 and the least expensive at $350, it is less expensive than most smartphones and other personal electronics consumers can purchase. With the top of the line inReach Explorer+, you get a powerful package that includes a handheld GPS with pre-loaded charts and maps for land and water, the ability to store waypoints and navigate to them, the ability to send and receive 160-character text messages to other inReach devices and mobile phones and a SOS feature.
The inReach requires a subscription plan similar to cell phone service and is based on usage. Basic plans start at $12/month and go up to $99/month for unlimited use. Subscriptions can be on a month-to-month basis or annual payment, which is less expensive than the month-to-month plan.
Emergency help
While the inReach is NOT a substitute for an EPIRB, it does have a SOS feature that, when activated, sends a distress signal to a private rescue agency that receives information on who you are and where you are. They can communicate with you if needed and let you know that help is on the way. This private rescue center coordinates a rescue by alerting local agencies in your geographic area and provides rescuers with your information and location so that they can take over the rescue. For comparison, an EPIRB is an automatic, rugged floating lifesaving device whose only purpose is to send an emergency signal to “government” satellites that are monitored by a regulated worldwide network of international government agencies who coordinate a global rescue. There is no cost or fees to subscribe to the EPIRB monitoring network, unlike the inReach.
Features
The device can send a link to a map showing your location with each text message, which is especially good if you need to let someone on land know where you are and your speed, a great feature when on a long offshore trip.
The units have an internal, rechargeable lithium battery that provides up to 90 hours of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode.
The free Earthmate app syncs your inReach handheld with your Apple or Android device allowing you to use all the inReach features such as being able to access your contact list in addition to sending and receiving messages on your smartphone. The inReach Mini can connect to some Garmin chartplotters, allowing you to send and receive messages from the screen of your chartplotter.
The Garmin inReach and competitive satellite products offer a low cost, simple way to stay in touch with friends and family on land and other boaters on the water. With its reasonable cost, it is a good fit for all offshore boaters.
Captain Steve Katz is the owner of Steve’s Marine Service and holds NMEA, AMEI and NMEA2000 certificates along with ABYC Master Technician certification and factory training from many manufacturers. To reach Steve, call 410-231-3191.
