Garmin InReach Review
Reviewed by Callum
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I consider my InReach an essential part of any of my trips - on land or sea - where there is a likelihood of being out of phone coverage. It allows me to always have the option of calling for help, as well as keeping in touch with contacts at home and retrieving the latest weather forecast. In my opinion, anyone undertaking trips away from mobile signal and away from others should seriously consider getting an InReach (or equivalent). It has a moderate up-front cost, and a fee for any month you use it, but the month's fee can be far less than most people spend on a phone contract - and it gives you a lot in return.
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The main reason I carry this with me is for safety. With this I know I am always just one text message from emergency services and personal contacts. There is no need for mobile phone signal or VHF coverage as it communicates with satellites, which have true global coverage, as long as it has a clear view of the sky. It is also very reassuring for friends and family waiting back home to be able to follow my progress. On most of my trips I mostly stick to the "free" preset messages to keep people updated on my progress, and rarely use the free-form messages on anything other than my longest remote trips. The ability to retrieve detailed weather forecasts is another major advantage, which can add a lot to the safety of a trip.
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It also acts as a perfectly good GPS device. The maps are ok, but not a replacement for proper paper maps. I have found multiple errors on the maps, but they are good enough to help locate you on a paper map, and I have used it to navigate in total white-out conditions during ski trips.
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The battery life is good - on my 10 day trip over Hardangervidde in well sub-zero temperatures I charged it once from a battery pack, but it probably would have been ok for the full trip. On that trip I was sending my position via satellite every 30 min during they day, sending free-form messages most days, getting detailed weather forecasts and using it for occasional navigation.
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During our longer trips, we will be sharing our location each hour, which you will be able to follow here. We will also be using it to share updates from the trip to our facebook and twitter accounts, as well as direct messages to family. We will also be carrying a VHF radio, PLB and flares, as each have their own advantages and drawbacks, and where safety is concerned belt and braces is certainly the way to go.