Share Photos, Voice Memos, and Text From Anywhere: Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Review

I’ve relied on an inReach for years to ensure I had some kind of backup plan when things went south, and it’s saved me more than a few times. With this month’s launch of the Messenger Plus ($500), Garmin brings that connectivity to a whole new level with the capacity to send voice messages, images, and a huge leap in text length.

So, according to Garmin, you can send all the sights, sounds, and more info from the backcountry.

Because it’s Garmin, I went into this with the gut feeling the device would be awesome and work exactly as the brand claimed it would. Let’s be honest: Garmin knows the GPS game.

However, I was a little skeptical about the quality of images and voice messages, and curious how reliably they’d go through. New gadgets are always a playground for quirks. So, did it measure up in all the ways I initially assumed?

In short: The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus is a huge step up in technology and capability. Though the price is a bit steeper than its predecessors, it’s worth every penny to those who appreciate the new perks — think technophiles, parents, and influencers, for example.

Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Review: What’s New

The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus carries many familiar features from the inReach family: sharing GPS location, planning and tracking routes and activities, and SOS emergency satellite connectivity.

But that “Plus” brings with it three key upgrades — photos, voice messaging, and a tenfold boost to message length.

Send & Receive Pictures

I think the biggest upgrade perk is the ability to send and receive images. We live in such a visual world. The ability to share pictures with friends and family instantly has just become part of day-to-day life. Bringing that ability to the backcountry feels oddly … normal now.

Though you may not want to be in constant contact (I know I certainly don’t), the ability to send a sunset picture from the mountain to someone you love, or a waterfall image from a place you’ve never been — or even a successful hunting picture — to let your family know you got it done is a big perk.

On the serious side of things, if you find yourself in a difficult situation and need to reach out for help, request an evacuation, or have to hit that SOS button, the Messenger Plus allows you to send an image showing exactly where you are.

And that might just be the thing that gets you out faster. Sure, emergency responders know your general location, but a photo from your position showing the ridgeline you’re facing, or a major landmark next to you, could really make a difference in time and resources.

Voice Messages

The 30-second voice message feature is pretty neat for both pleasant and, maybe, a bit less pleasant reasons. My mind immediately went to worst-case-scenario voice memos.

If, in the very unfortunate reality of adventuring in the backcountry, I were to find myself in what may be the final moments of my life, I could send a final message of love to my family. Yes, it’s a dark thought. It’s also somewhat comforting.

In a much more positive light (sheesh, way to lead with the dark stuff, Schrute), if you’re a parent with young children at home, you have the ability to tell them goodnight or good morning, and I’m sure they’d love to hear your voice.

Either way, it’s a neat addition to the available services.

Longer Text: 1,600 Characters

As a writer, this upgrade is huge for me. I never had enough characters before, and because I’m cheap and have never had an unlimited plan, my longer texts would be broken into separate messages, meaning I was burning through my allowance. I’m wordy (as you can see), so to make the point, here’s what the old character limit (160) looks like next to the Messenger Plus’s limit (1,600):

Previous Garmin Messenger Capability: 160 Characters

This message contains 160 characters: 

I'm cold & hungry. I'm being trailed by wolves. I misjudged sunset. It's getting dark. I'm scared I won't make it out aliv [message clips]

Garmin Messenger Plus Capability: 1,600 Characters

This is a message with 1,600 characters: 

The amount of information you can include from the middle of nowhere compared to the previous inReach Messenger's capabilities is shockingly impressive. If I feel the need to wax poetic about the sunset or the fragrant breeze at my backcountry camp, I absolutely can. Should the hills inspire me to go on about the meaning of life and the value of being disconnected, I can and I will. If I'm struck with the inspiration to absolutely scream about the blisters from the new boots I'm testing (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH), I have every available character to do so. My exact location? Landmarks? Come find me, please? 

Here's a story about a bird I was watching. I miss you. My back hurts. I'm hungry. Have you ever wondered why we try so hard to live primitively as if to prove something to ourselves when the proof of human excellence lies in pushing a button to increase the temperature of our homes? Cutting wood is the opposite of fun. I forgot my nail clippers. Also, wind happens to be my greatest enemy. I got a pine needle shoved violently under my nail today, so that's neat. Oh, and can you do me a favor and take that leftover steak out of the fridge before it obtains consciousness and walks out on its own accord? 

We should get another dog. Actually, never mind. We have plenty of dogs. Wait, but what's one more? I sure miss the dogs. Can you even believe cat people exist? I saw a herd of elk today. Fortunately for them, they also saw me. I was also pretty sure I saw a bear, but it turned out to be a burned stump. Then I saw another one. It was a rock.

Garmin Messenger Plus: Put to the Test

In lieu of heading into the woods solo this year, I found myself in the much-enjoyed company of my partner and, for part of the hunt, his 12-year-old son. That, alone, made elk hunting a whole new experience.

We took to camp this year in a totally new way. Elk camp was about as maximalist as it could be. We had two wall tents, a generator, a full kitchen, an ATV, and a pile of new gear to test. As someone who appreciates a quick tear-down and being able to be light on my feet, the vibe of camp was different. Though, I won’t complain about the three-course meals and absolute comfort of camp. It had its perks.

We also had a young hunter with us this year, so we were treading lightly when it came to reach and ability. Safety was definitely at the forefront of our minds, which made testing the inReach Messenger Plus an easy addition to camp.

We’ve always had some kind of inReach device, but we don’t always have two. My partner runs a previous version of the inReach Messenger, and I actually use my Garmin Alpha 200i, which is designed for training dogs. Because it has inReach capability, I use it solely as an inReach device outside of my dogs’ hunting or training seasons.

On this trip, I left my dog training handheld at home and brought along the new Messenger Plus to compliment my partner’s messenger.

Piss-Poor Planning

Because I was also testing a new ATV, I made the decision to leave my pack behind after ripping up to the top of the ridge. Because we planned on hunting across the ridge for just a few miles, it seemed only logical to leave my pack, allowing me to move faster and quieter through the timber.

As almost always happens in a hunt, plans change quickly. This hunt found us scrambling down a steep cut, almost back to the bottom of the valley with my pack, ATV, and inReach at the top of the ridge.

We decided to split and work the landscape from above and below. It made the most sense for our chase but the least sense when it came to effort and safety. I ended up solo, in the dark, without my pack, any form of communication, or even an extra layer for a solid 4-mile hike out. These are rookie mistakes, and I’m just a pro at making them.

With all the flaws in my plan, having the inReach Messenger Plus would have, at the very least, allowed me to contact someone if things went south. Instead, I just had the pleasure of being cold and regretful.

Of all the things I wished I had on me at the time (aside from a jacket and a dang snack), the Messenger Plus was top of the list. The younger me is currently laughing at how “safe” the older me is trying to be.

So, a new rule was instituted thanks to this hunt: No more hunting off-grid without an inReach.

The rest of the trip, we all had our inReach … well, in reach … and camp went off without a hitch. Text, voice, and images went through seamlessly — almost.

Worked (Almost) Flawlessly

This isn’t so much a flaw as much as it is a PSA: The recipient needs the Messenger App to receive voice messages and images

Previously, I could send quick messages from the woods to my parents, who are not exactly tech-savvy folks, and they would read it and know it was just their untamed daughter out doing untamed things.

This time around, they received a message telling them to download an app. This set off alarm bells since I’ve pounded it into their heads not to click on links in their texts, or they’ll lose their retirement savings. Thus, they immediately assumed the message was from a scammer.

So, this is just a note: if you intend to send pictures or voice messages, ensure your intended recipient has the app downloaded or at least give them a warning ahead of time.

Who Should Buy the Garmin Messenger Plus

Honestly, if you just need an emergency response safety net, the inReach Messenger works great. It does the job, gives you the security of having that SOS button at your fingertips, and allows you to stay in contact with family. It also does this all for $200 less upfront and with a lower-cost monthly plan.

That said, the initial upfront cost increase and the small increase in the monthly plan are totally worth it to me. At $500, the capability of the Messenger Plus is pretty dang impressive. As someone who finds themselves in the backcountry often with pretty incredible views and a story or two I’d love to tell in real time, I’m more than appreciative of the ability to connect when I want to and disconnect when I can.