Which inReach device is right for you?
Note: The following recommendations are suggestions only. Each inReach® device can suit a variety of uses and the best match might depend on other criteria not covered in this article. The following are some of the top survey-reported subscriber activities, but this is not a comprehensive list.
The Garmin inReach¹ product line is growing. Find out which device is right for you based on your favourite activities.
Hiking, Backpacking & Climbing
Travelling/Camping/Remote Living
Skiing, Snowboarding & Snowshoeing
Hiking, backpacking & climbing
Are you focused on packing light for fast-paced trips or on navigation features?
Adventure watch with inReach
- Enjoy the benefits of a smartwatch with SOS alerts
- inReach technology provides messaging over satellite or LTE²
- Make voice calls or LiveTrack with LTE
- Rugged design with up to 27 days of battery life on the 51mm model
Light and compact
- Exchange text and voice messages outside of cellular coverage
- Send photos outside of cellular coverage when paired with the Garmin Messenger™ app on your smartphone
- 1.9-inch, high-resolution colour touchscreen
- Follow courses and view detailed maps when paired with the Garmin Explore™ app
- Battery life up to 350 hours (10-minute tracking)
On-device maps
- Preloaded TopoActive Maps, downloadable satellite imagery and the option to purchase an Outdoor Maps+ plan for ongoing access to premium map content
- Exchange photos, voice messages and text messages from the device
- Hybrid 3.5-inch colour touchscreen and physical buttons
- Battery life up to 145 hours in all Satellite Systems + Multi-band mode
Trail running
Do you need messaging, SOS features and a lightweight device?
- Lightweight yet rugged design
- Premium multisport GPS smartwatch with inReach® technology, including SOS alerts and text messaging over satellite or LTE
- Use inReach technology for voice calls and LiveTrack™ location sharing when connected to LTE network
- Easily secure to vest or pack with included loop carabiner
- Lightweight at only 4.4 oz
- Exchange text and voice messages outside of cellular coverage
- Send photos outside of cell coverage when paired with the Garmin Messenger™ app on your smartphone
- Pairs to compatible Garmin watches to send and receive messages and trigger SOS alerts from your wrist
Cycling
Do you want connectivity on your wrist? Do you want to send photos and voice messages?
Goes where you go
- SOS and text messaging over satellite or LTE
- Use inReach® technology for voice calls and LiveTrack™ location sharing when connected to LTE network
- Up to 27 days battery life
- Pairs to compatible Garmin Edge® bike computers to send and receive messages and trigger SOS alerts from your Edge device
Say, show, share
- Exchange text and voice messages outside of cellular coverage
- Send photos outside of cellular coverage when paired with the Garmin Messenger™ app on your smartphone
- Lightweight and easy to fit in jersey pocket or clip to pack
- Battery life up to 14 days (10-minute tracking)
- Pairs to compatible Garmin Edge® bike computers to send and receive messages and trigger SOS alerts from your Edge device
Interested in additional cycling features and mapping?
- The ultimate GPS bike computer with vivid colour display and enhanced features
- Hybrid touchscreen and button controls
- Performance GPS bike computer with vivid colour display that shows mapping and insights
- Hybrid touchscreen and button controls
- Performance GPS bole computer with vivid colour display that shows mapping and insights
- Button controls
Fishing
What types of weather conditions will you be fishing in? Do you need on-device maps?
Mild conditions/limited mapping
- Exchange text and voice messages outside of cellular coverage
- Send photos outside of cell coverage when paired with the Garmin Messenger™ app on your smartphone
- Tough, durable, impact-resistant and water-rated to IP67
- 1.9-inch, intuitive colour touchscreen display for mapping and communication
- View detailed maps on Garmin Explore app
Harsh Conditions/Detailed Mapping
- TopoActive and Birdseye maps
- Preloaded TopoActive maps, downloadable satellite imagery and optional Outdoor Maps+
- Hybrid design offers a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen and physical buttons for one-handed use while wearing gloves
- Exchange photos, voice messages and text messages from the device
Off-roading & Snowmobiling
Do you have external power? Do you need overlanding features?
External Power/Overlanding Features
- Dual orientation touchscreen
- 8-inch and 10-inch models available
- Off-roading specific features
- Customisable navigation (selected models)
- Reversing camera compatible
- Longer battery life/multipurpose use
Longer Battery Life/Multipurpose Use
- Dual orientation for multipurpose use
- Up to 24 hours of battery life in GPS mode, 440 hours in Expedition mode
- TopoActive and City Navigator maps for trail and road navigation
- Powered mounting options available
- 5-inch glove-friendly touchscreen
Skiing, Snowboarding & Snowshoeing
Will you need to navigate or message while wearing gloves?
Stay on track
- 1.9-inch colour touchscreen or option to switch to buttons
- Use voice commands to conveniently handle tasks such as check-ins, start tracking and more
- Navigate back to where you started with TracBack® routing
Easier, On-Device Messaging
- Hybrid design offers a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen and physical buttons for one-handed use while wearing gloves
- Exchange photos, voice messages and text messages from the device
Looking for additional ski features?
Choose fēnix® 8 Pro
- Backcountry and XC Ski activity profiles
- Preloaded maps for 2,000 ski resorts
- Enjoy the benefits of a smartwatch with SOS alerts and other inReach® technology features
Flying
Both are supported devices for the Leidos Flight Services Adverse Condition Alerting Service (ACAS), Surveillance-Enhanced Search and Rescue (SE-SAR) and Enhanced Special Reporting Services (eSRS)
- Exchange text, photo and voice messages when out of cellular range with the Garmin Messenger app
- Use as a smartphone charger by connecting your phone to the Messenger Plus device
- Get detailed weather reports and request forecasts for your location
- Exchange text and voice messages outside of cellular coverage
- Send photos outside of cellular coverage when paired with the Garmin Messenger™ app on your smartphone
Boating & Sailing
What type of vessel do you have? Do you have other Garmin marine products?
Paired with other products
- Exchange text, photo and voice messages when out of cellular range with the Garmin Messenger app
- Pairs with compatible chartplotters
- Compatible with flotation lanyard
Say, show, share
- Exchange text and voice messages outside of cell coverage
- Send photos outside of cell coverage when paired with the Garmin Messenger™ app on your smartphone
- Pairs with compatible Garmin chartplotters
- Dive case plus other compatible Garmin marine accessories available
Standalone or paired
- Exchange text messages over satellite from the device
- Water-resistant, floating design
- Stream boat data from compatible chartplotters and instruments
- Supports preloaded BlueChart® g3 charts (optional on GPSMAP 86i)
Kayaking, Canoeing & Rafting
Where will you be paddling? Do you need on-device mapping or navigation features?
Limited Navigation
- Only 4.4 oz
- Built-in GPS and compass
- View detailed maps when paired with the Garmin Explore™ app
- Dive case plus other compatible Garmin marine accessories available
Inland navigation
- TopoActive maps and downloadable satellite imagery
- Ability to add maps to the device
- Pinpoint precise location with multi-band GPS and Multi-GNSS supports
Coastal navigation
- Water-resistant, floating design
Driving & Motorcycling
What type of vehicle will you be using?
Car/truck
- Exchange text messages when out of cellular range
- Pair with the Garmin Messenger™ app for group messaging and more
Car/truck/motorcycle
- Dual orientation for multipurpose use
- Searchable points of interest
- Preloaded City Navigator Maps with turn-by-turn directions
Motorcycle
inReach® Messenger Plus & zumo® XT3
- Motorcycle specific features maps
- Handsfree calling (with Garmin Drive™ app)
- Incident notifications
- Also pairs with other inReach devices including inReach Mini 3 Plus
Travelling/Camping/Remote Living
Do you want the peace of mind of having communication features while off-grid?
- All the features of the Messenger
- Adds enhanced messaging capabilities including photo and voice messaging over satellite
- Sends longer text messages up to 1,600 characters directly on the device
- Up to 25 days of battery life
- Seamlessly switch between cellular and 100% global Iridium® satellite network
- Compact, durable design withstands extreme temperatures
- Exchange text messages or pair with Garmin Messenger® app for group messaging without cellular service
- Up to 28 days of battery life
Do you want to share your location with friends and family?
LiveTrack for inReach handheld devices
- An app-based webpage that shows a real-time view of your location during an activity
- Allow friends and family to follow along and view information such as location, pace, heart rate and more
- Store past sessions to view as needed
- Use the Garmin Messenger® app to set up your LiveTrack session
1Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
²LTE network coverage and satellite connectivity are not available in all countries. Check Garmin.com/fenix8procoverage for requirements and to see which services are accessible in your area — or in countries to where you may be traveling. LTE network coverage and satellite connectivity are not available in South Africa.
