Garmin In reach plans

[Whitetail Ridge Runner]

I'm just curious what subscription plan most of you use on your Garmin in reach for your Elk season ?

 

[cnelk]

Unlimited

 

[beardedbowhunter]

I plan to use unlimited this year. I did one of the cheaper plans last year and it was a pain in the ass to have to be conservative with messages.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I've used the "Safety" plan in the past and will again this year ($15/mo, $0.50/message after first 10). The next step up ("Recreation" plan at $35/mo) gets you unlimited tracking, which I don't use, but is no better a bargain on messaging ($0.50/message after first 40). If I anticipated exceeding 110 messages, I would go with the "Expedition" plan ($65/mo, unlimited messaging). I use free preset messages for morning and evening check-ins with family and reserve my paid-for messages to communicate with outfitter, hunting partner, and wife.

 

[BullElk]

I've used the "Safety" plan in the past and will again this year ($15/mo, $0.50/message after first 10). The next step up ("Recreation" plan at $35/mo) gets you unlimited tracking, which I don't use, but is no better a bargain on messaging ($0.50/message after first 40). If I anticipated exceeding 110 messages, I would go with the "Expedition" plan ($65/mo, unlimited messaging). I use free preset messages for morning and evening check-ins with family and reserve my paid-for messages to communicate with outfitter, hunting partner, and wife.

you can communicate(with buddy) for free inreach to inreach using both of your inreach email addresses.

 

[brsnow]

I use safety year round. I don’t text constantly, just want the safety aspect and ability to give family periodic updates.

 

[arwhntr]

Unlimited. My wife requires me to check in far too often

 

[Mighty Mouse]

you can communicate(with buddy) for free inreach to inreach using both of your inreach email addresses.

That must be a fairly recent change. I just looked at my bill from October 2017, and I was getting charged $0.50 per message to/from my buddy's inReach during our rifle elk hunt. My hunting partner last year didn't have an inReach, but he does this year so I suppose I'll get to test this out in a couple months.

 

[trophyhill]

Unlimited. I've already activated it. No cell service where I scout and hunt. I blue tooth it to my phone for ease of use.

 

[Dos Perros]

That must be a fairly recent change. I just looked at my bill from October 2017, and I was getting charged $0.50 per message to/from my buddy's inReach during our rifle elk hunt. My hunting partner last year didn't have an inReach, but he does this year so I suppose I'll get to test this out in a couple months.

I don't think that's true. I can't find anything on the InReach website supporting that.

 

[GordonFreeman]

Unlimited for both texting home base and constantly checking weather reports

 

[87TT]

Basic plan. Keep it all year. Not tied to my electronic devices. My wife is just fine with the free preset messages if no cell service. She trusts me.

 

[BullElk]

That must be a fairly recent change. I just looked at my bill from October 2017, and I was getting charged $0.50 per message to/from my buddy's inReach during our rifle elk hunt. My hunting partner last year didn't have an inReach, but he does this year so I suppose I'll get to test this out in a couple months.

inreach email address no other number or email address.

 

[Steve O]

Keep in mind the number of messages both incoming and outgoing are counted.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

inreach email address no other number or email address.

For example: [email protected]? All messages between this address and my inReach counted toward my message total during our 2017 hunt.


I hope you're right and inReach-to-inReach messages are now free. If so, it would save me quite a few messages on my upcoming hunt.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I don't think that's true. I can't find anything on the InReach website supporting that.

I don't see any specific mention of inReach-to-inReach messages in the descriptions of the 4 monthly plan offerings (see screenshots below). My assumption, and past experience, has been that an inReach-to-inReach message is treated just like any other free-form message (i.e., it counts toward the monthly message total used to calculate your bill). The "Key Terms for Personal Plans" section on Garmin's website seems to support that assumption:

Text Messages: Refers to the number of messages (SMS, email, or inReach to inReach) allotted for each plan. Messages are limited to 160 characters.​

Preset Messages: All plans offer unlimited use of 3 preset messages that must be programmed in advance through your Garmin Explore account.​

I assume that preset messages programmed to go to an inReach address would be free (to the sender, probably not the receiver), just like any other preset message.

Safety plan:


Recreation plan:


Expedition plan:


Extreme plan:

 

[OFFHNTN]

Freedom Plan. I don't send many messages, just to check in with family once in a while. But I like being able to deactivate/reactivate when I don't plan on using it for a while.

 

[cnelk]

I really dont see the need to quibble over a miscellaneous charge.

If you cant afford the plan or inReach unit, move on.

 

[Netherman]

I've used the "Safety" plan in the past and will again this year ($15/mo, $0.50/message after first 10). The next step up ("Recreation" plan at $35/mo) gets you unlimited tracking, which I don't use, but is no better a bargain on messaging ($0.50/message after first 40). If I anticipated exceeding 110 messages, I would go with the "Expedition" plan ($65/mo, unlimited messaging). I use free preset messages for morning and evening check-ins with family and reserve my paid-for messages to communicate with outfitter, hunting partner, and wife.

This ^^^ is what I do with the freedom plan. I Don't need the tracking and need to go over 110 messages before the expedition starts to be cheaper.

 

[87TT]

If you cant afford the plan or inReach unit, move on.
[/QUOTE]

Exactly. We buy $1000 bows, $300 boots $600 packs but quibble about a few messages?

I really dont see the need to quibble over a miscellaneous charge.