InReach Issue

[Z Barebow]

I have had this unit since 2015. No issues. I utilize the month to month plan. (1-2 months a year).

This year, I updated/synced before hunt as usual. Now I take it hunting.

Keep in mind, I leave it off in my pack most of the time. In a normal day, I turn it on at end of day and send preset message to family. Day 1- I pull out of pack and find unit is powered. Dang! It used ~ 15% of battery. OK. Pay closer attn next time. Day 2-Same experience. Unit is powered. WTH! I even tried wrapping it in my puffy. Still accidentally powered unit.

It appears the most recent sync/firmware update enables a momentary power button push to power up unit. (In the past, user had to hold power button for 3 sec) Same goes for turning it off. I tested and found that even a quick press would power unit. This functionality even goes contrary to the instruction label on the back of unit!

This is a serious issue for myself. In the past, I just stuff it in my pack as an insurance policy. I could use unit for 2 weeks without recharging. Powering it when I needed.

Has anyone had similar experience? (I am going to submit to Garmin as a complaint)

 

[rideold]

Yikes. If the software update did that it kind of makes the unit less useful! I haven't updated mine yet this season.....I'll have to try and see if the same thing happens.

If it does I might have to find a hard case for it!

 

[rideold]

OK, I just updated mine. The power button still acts the same with the 3 second hold to turn it on. Not sure what's going on with yours. Mine is the same vintage. If I leave mine on all day it doesn't use as much battery as yours but I don't have it dropping tracking points.

 

[ArrowForester]

I can understand how that would be concerning/frustrating. Thank you for the warning. I’ll pay extra attention the next time I sync and update.

I have a 2017 vintage Delorme unit and a similar use pattern to your description, maybe a little more. I synced and updated August 15 before a hunt and all worked well. No power button issue but will watch for it in a few weeks.

Good luck. Please keep us posted.

 

[Z Barebow]

Update- I did contact Garmin and they will be following up next week. (The call taker did not have an InReach SE to test with)

 

[Z Barebow]

Final Update. This is response from Garmin. (WTH!) Being a tech guy, what Garmin should have done is enable capability in firmware for user to choose which power up method they desire. ) IE Momentary or 3 sec hold.

Hello Brian,

The changes to the way the inReach device powers on with the new updates were due to a feature request by many users of the device. If you have issues with your inReach device powering on in a backpack, it is advisable that you either purchase a hard case for your inReach device, or find another way to carry it where it isn't being pressed upon during transport.

Thank you for choosing Garmin,

 

[rideold]

Sounds to me like a case of "planned obsolescence". I bet Garmin would prefer to not be supporting an inherited device from their buyout of Delorme! Who the heck wants a device that powers on with a single tap of a button? My cell phone doesn't do that....nor does my vintage Garmin GPS unit. I wonder why your unit changed after the last update but mine didn't. Mine was purchased in August of 2016.

 

[Z Barebow]

Sounds to me like a case of "planned obsolescence". I bet Garmin would prefer to not be supporting an inherited device from their buyout of Delorme! Who the heck wants a device that powers on with a single tap of a button? My cell phone doesn't do that....nor does my vintage Garmin GPS unit. I wonder why your unit changed after the last update but mine didn't. Mine was purchased in August of 2016.

You could be right. I purchased my unit in 2015.

It irks me that they introduced an issue (They define as "feature request") into the device, and now it is MY problem to resolve.

 

[ArrowForester]

I have had this unit since 2015. No issues. I utilize the month to month plan. (1-2 months a year).

This year, I updated/synced before hunt as usual. Now I take it hunting.

Keep in mind, I leave it off in my pack most of the time. In a normal day, I turn it on at end of day and send preset message to family. Day 1- I pull out of pack and find unit is powered. Dang! It used ~ 15% of battery. OK. Pay closer attn next time. Day 2-Same experience. Unit is powered. WTH! I even tried wrapping it in my puffy. Still accidentally powered unit.

It appears the most recent sync/firmware update enables a momentary power button push to power up unit. (In the past, user had to hold power button for 3 sec) Same goes for turning it off. I tested and found that even a quick press would power unit. This functionality even goes contrary to the instruction label on the back of unit!

Thank you for the follow up info.
I agree, not a desired feature in my opinion.

For further clarification….the update allows your unit to power on with a quick press of the button. I assume that also means that the confirmation step has been eliminated? Currently, my unit requires a few seconds of holding the “on/check” button and a rocker button “left” entry to select Power On and another “check” button press to accept and move to a functioning menu.

 

[Z Barebow]

Thank you for the follow up info.
I agree, not a desired feature in my opinion.

For further clarification….the update allows your unit to power on with a quick press of the button. I assume that also means that the confirmation step has been eliminated? Currently, my unit requires a few seconds of holding the “on/check” button and a rocker button “left” entry to select Power On and another “check” button press to accept and move to a functioning menu.

You are 100% correct. That is exactly how my unit previously operated.

Since the solutions from Garmin are not cutting it, (And I am not holding my breath that they will implement my "feature request") I plan on finding some hard plastic and using JB Weld to build a "guard" around the power button.

Side note. Since the InReach/Delorme version is no longer mfg, I cannot find any 3rd party mfg who make protective cases which would protect button.

 

[rideold]

I wonder if it is worth doing a factory re-set and then update again. It would mean you'd have to re-set the device up but it might be worth a try. It just seems odd that your device is acting different after the latest sync/update but mine isn't.

Do you still have to press a button and then select unlock when it is powered on to access the main screen or does it just go straight to the main screen when you press a button after powering on?

Mine is hardware version 2.2 and firmware version 3.2 (635904)

 

[rideold]

or maybe just a soft reset:

"To soft reset, hold the X and the Down buttons at the same time for 60 seconds. Once the time has elapsed, release the buttons and power it on normally, by holding the Check button for a couple seconds until the power on confirmation screen appears."

 

[Don K]

I have the same unit, just used mine for 3 weeks and it has not changed the way it powers up. Mine is on Hardware version 2.1, and firmware version 3.2 (635904)

Not a very good option to have with the unit powering up by just touching the button

 

[jonnycoder]

I reactivated my Garmin Inreach Explorer freedom plan subscription a couple weeks ago and the device would not send or receive messages. I performed factory reset, plugged into my computer and updated firmware, factory reset two more times, and it just would not work.

I went to check the price of new Inreach devices and saw they were $300. I'm waiting for a callback from support to see if they could do anything. Billing department was nice enough to refund my month's subscription fee with a 5 minute phone call.