I’ve been using and testing satellite messaging and emergency SOS systems long before Apple added this feature to the iPhone 14. There are indeed a multitude of devices that allow you to connect to the nearest satellite to communicate with the whole world.
And while we’re still a long way from satellite communication being as easy or convenient as using Wi-Fi or a cellular network, it can prove invaluable in providing family peace of mind and to friends of those who love to adventure beyond the range of a cellular network. In short, it is a lifesaver in the event of a problem.
So I tested the capabilities of the Garmin InReach, a handheld device with rounded edges that can connect to the Iridium satellite network.
Keep track of my location
You can certainly test the device from the comfort and safety of your garden, but nothing beats a little adventure before experiencing bigger ones. So I set the tiny InReach Messenger to track my location, put it in the hydration slot on a backpack, and started walking.
A pocket on my Camelbak hydration pack was the perfect place for the InReach Messenger to have a good view of the sky. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
I first wanted to test a few of the InReach Messenger’s features, the first being the device’s ability to keep track of my location as I moved from meadows to forests to coastal cliffs. And on the wireless connectivity side, my test area has varied cellular coverage, ranging from strong 4G to spotty 3G to no coverage at all.
To start tracking, you must either activate it via the Garmin Messenger application installed on a smartphone (iOS or Android), or activate it on the InReach Messenger itself.
The device sends my location every 10 minutes
The device sends my location every 10 minutes, which is then saved to the Garmin MapShare website, which you can give friends and family a special URL (and optional password) to allow them to see your location on an almost real-time map.
Perfect location tracking using the InReach Messenger whether I have a cellular signal or not. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The InReach Messenger worked perfectly, not only displaying my location on a map, but also recording the device’s speed, course, altitude and battery status.
You can also allow people who view your map to send a message to your InReach Messenger directly from the map (this message will be charged if not part of your subscription plan), and find your location current.
Send and receive messages using the InReach Messenger
I think this feature will provide some peace of mind to those you leave at home.
Next I wanted to know if it was convenient to send and receive messages using the InReach Messenger. For this test, I wanted to rely solely on the InReach Messenger unit and not interact with it through the app on my smartphone.
Again, I had no problems using the device to send email messages to contacts using only the satellite network. In an age where we’re accustomed to instant communications, it’s easy to take this for granted. But I was very impressed that this little device in my bag was transmitting messages to and from satellites in space!
Regarding autonomy, the device met my expectations
The message is accompanied by contact details and a link to a map showing the message’s location.
Example of message sent by InReach Messenger. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
It’s very cool !
Regarding autonomy, the device met my expectations. The specs promise about 28 days of battery life when tracking is enabled to send a location every 10 minutes, which my testing confirmed. This device will last much longer than your smartphone in any case. Don’t forget to recharge it before setting off on your adventure!
Finally, there is the SOS button that you can press in an emergency. I obviously can’t test this feature, but I have no doubt that it works as effectively as the rest of the device. This button is there, just in case.
ZDNET’s purchasing advice for the Garmin InReach
The Garmin InReach is an expensive device, and with the basic subscription the cost increases significantly. But if you need to be available and reachable to others when you’re out of range of a Wi-Fi or cellular network, you don’t have many choices. You have to pay the full price for satellite or get almost nothing at all.
If you choose this satellite communicator, you will be very happy to find that you have chosen a tool that is both very reliable and very easy to use, which will give your loved ones peace of mind and a way to contact you.
Source: “ZDNet.com”