Garmin unveils inReach Messenger Plus with satellite-based photo and voice messaging

Garmin unveils inReach Messenger Plus with satellite-based photo and voice messaging
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 19, 2024

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) has introduced the inReach Messenger Plus, its first satellite communicator featuring both photo and voice messaging, alongside its established global two-way texting, location sharing, and SOS functions. Known for its rugged and temperature-resistant design, Garmin's inReach devices are ideal for users venturing beyond cellular coverage on land, in the air, or at sea. The inReach Messenger Plus boasts a battery life that can last weeks, ensuring reliable communication even in remote areas. It works as a standalone device or can be paired with the Garmin Messenger mobile app on a compatible smartphone, allowing users to exchange group texts, photos, voice messages, and location updates with their contacts.

In emergency situations, users can send interactive SOS text messages via the inReach Messenger Plus or the Garmin Messenger app to Garmin Response?, an emergency coordination center staffed 24/7. Additionally, the ability to share photos and voice messages during an SOS gives emergency responders valuable real-time details. Garmin's satellite technology has contributed to more than 14,500 SOS activations, helping save numerous lives globally.

"The new and enhanced messaging capabilities of the inReach Messenger Plus give users a more personal and emotional way to communicate with friends and family when cell service isn't available. Tell your family you'll be home late, send a photo of the epic view to your friends, or simply exchange voice messages to hear the person on the other end of the line. Plus, with a rechargeable battery that can last for weeks, safety charging to help restore a depleted phone, and the ability to trigger an SOS message, the inReach Messenger Plus is an invaluable tool for any adventure," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of global consumer sales.

Built to withstand harsh environments, the inReach Messenger Plus features a compact, lightweight design that fits easily in the palm of your hand. Its IPX7 water resistance rating means it can endure incidental water exposure of up to 1 meter for as long as 30 minutes.

The device's rechargeable lithium battery can last up to 600 hours when sending messages or location updates every 10 minutes in low-power messaging mode. Depending on tracking and usage modes, the battery can last weeks or even months - up to a full year. Additionally, with the safety charging feature, users can connect the inReach Messenger Plus to their smartphones for enough power to send custom messages through the Messenger app.