iPhone 16 pro replace iNReach?

[dtrkyman]

Considering that phone, I have a free upgrade available currently!

I would imagine in a few years starlink or something will be much more handy without extra hardware?

 

[Archerichards]

Just spent 13 days in Bridger Wilderness in August ‘25. Was WAY off the grid and way off the trails. Age 66 and concerned about having a connection in case things went south.

Took both devices with me. Was using the InReach both with and without the Messenger App on my phone, and was using the iPhone with the new Satellite service. Software up to date on both devices. Sent daily texts to family just apprising them of where I was and that all was OK.

Garmin user interface is dated and clunky. Has old fashioned menu/scroll/click interface all read on a teeny screen. Requires some setup and practice. Garmin is simply hard to use without the messenger app on your phone (thus two devices). However, Garmin connectivity (finds satellite, sends msg, confirms sent) was quick and faultless: 100%.

iPhone is of course a beautiful interface and has clever icons showing where the satellite is overhead, etc. Could not be easier to use. However, iPhone satellite connectivity very hit and miss. Was able to send update texts to one of my kids 100%, but unable to send at all to wife or others.

My conclusion: iPhone sat connectivity is not ready for prime time; still needs work. Garmin is secure and completely dependable— but you gotta practice and have contacts loaded before you go.

 

[yfarm]

I expect when apple switches from globalstar to starlink the connectivity issue will improve

 

[Max2491]

I would highly recommend against this. The apple satellite capabilities are far below the inreach capabilities. It takes on average 10-30 minutes longer for help to arrive

 

[rogerdoger]

I look at the inreach the same way as I look at my second lighter and spare headlamp. It is not a question of if it’s when your phone dies or gets broke or lost. At that point you have lost all navigation and communication. The inreach has a lot less chance of getting broke or lost, and chances that both die are low. I would probably think a bit different if I was in my 20’s and no kids and wife, that line of communication is important, lets me stay in the woods longer, and gives wife a peace of mind.

 

[Archerichards]

I look at the inreach the same way as I look at my second lighter and spare headlamp. It is not a question of if it’s when your phone dies or gets broke or lost. At that point you have lost all navigation and communication. The inreach has a lot less chance of getting broke or lost, and chances that both die are low. I would probably think a bit different if I was in my 20’s and no kids and wife, that line of communication is important, lets me stay in the woods longer, and gives wife a peace of mind.

Wife's peace of mind => My peace of mind.

 

[Flyjunky]

I expect when apple switches from globalstar to starlink the connectivity issue will improve

Correct me if I’m wrong but can’t both Verizon and AT&T customers get the starlink capability for an extra $10/month

 

[Sneaker]

The T-Mobile Starlink is Great in the lower 48 only fast messaging for me, instant much of the time. NO CANADA, ALASKA, MEXICO though, system does not work there.

 

[Zzyzx]

The T-Mobile Starlink is Great in the lower 48 only fast messaging for me, instant much of the time. NO CANADA, ALASKA, MEXICO though, system does not work there.

Huh? I’ve used T mobile starlink in both Alaska and Mexico.

It leaves much to be desired, but I plan to use my iPhone with starlink exclusively going forward. $10/month covers all 6 phones on my account.

 

[Zzyzx]

I would highly recommend against this. The apple satellite capabilities are far below the inreach capabilities. It takes on average 10-30 minutes longer for help to arrive

A few minutes, sure. But I could generally be texting with 911 pretty efficiently in 2-3 minutes.

10-30 minutes is an exaggeration. You must work for inreach?

 

[Zzyzx]

I look at the inreach the same way as I look at my second lighter and spare headlamp. It is not a question of if it’s when your phone dies or gets broke or lost. At that point you have lost all navigation and communication. The inreach has a lot less chance of getting broke or lost, and chances that both die are low. I would probably think a bit different if I was in my 20’s and no kids and wife, that line of communication is important, lets me stay in the woods longer, and gives wife a peace of mind.

Did you carry two inreach devices before you had your phone with T mobile starlink?

It wasn’t very long ago we carried zero of these, now we have to carry two?

 

[Sneaker]

Huh? I’ve used T mobile starlink in both Alaska and Mexico.

It leaves much to be desired, but I plan to use my iPhone with starlink exclusively going forward. $10/month covers all 6 phones on my account.

Tmobile website looks like it just recently added southwest Alaska to their satellite coverage, but most of Alaska, all of Canada, and all of Mexico show no coverage for their program.

 

[Zzyzx]

The biggest problem I have had is when your phone shows service, but no texts or calls will go through. Satellite texting won’t work either because phone senses this faux coverage so sat texting is off limits.

I suspect the carriers will fix this soon as it is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

[Sneaker]

Pink is the Starlink texting coverage, the darker is normal cell phone coverages.

 

[R_Mac]

The phone is kind of a diva getting connected to the satellite in my experience. Was out in the Eastern Sierra last week and had to be in the perfect spot with no tree coverage, no peak in the way, no dip in a canyon, unobstructed view of the horizon before the phone would link up. I got it to work and it’s fine to casually try and send a message, but I take the inreach mini as my tracking/SHTF option. I just like having them separate as I use my phone for photos and typically drain its battery faster than the inreach as well.