Contributors to this thread:
I just got the inreach mini2. Just got it programmed.
When I send a test message, it took like 5 min for the message to send. Is this normal?
Also, can you send messages thru the earthmate app while you phone is on airplane mode?
1- Sometimes it can take a bit for messages to send
2- Also, can you send messages thru the earthmate app while you phone is on airplane mode? - Yes
Send times can vary. Can’t remember off the top of my head but there’s a way to set it so you can have instant text conversations with a partner.
The bigger unit is no different. I have a mini and it works great. Every bit as good as my partners Explorer. He uses his for navigation also. I didn’t want that. I like my GOS and Onx and wanted the mini for texting only. And emergencies of course.
You can get your messages to go through more quickly by manually selecting to "check for messages".
Your messages will go through on airplane mode, just make sure your bluetooth is turned on and connected to your inreach device.
5 minutes is pretty quick actually, I have the older Delorme inreach and it sometimes takes up to half an hour or so. Make sure it has a clear view of the sky when sending/receiving too, definitely goes quicker that way. Not sure if the new ones have this issue, but I didn't update the firmware on mine one year and none of my messages would send at all
thanks for the info guys.
My Mini is an older DeLorme and works as good as my partner’s new Explorer.
I have the older SE and it’s rare for any message to take more than a minute or so and most much quicker. And that’s with a 30% view of the sky under a patio roof just tested today.
Also when sending text with phone paired to inreach via earthmate app the phone number the recipient will see is not your normal number so it's wise to send a text to all you wish to communicate with & they must use this same ph# to text back to you via the inreach
Can two different phones using the Earthmate app work with one Inreach explorer?
sometimes the InReach messages go through in a few minutes. sometimes it maybe an hour, so I don't know either whats up
I have to restart earthmate on my Droid to receive. The inreach gets it,app doesn't.
Sending works great
There is some unit maintenance you have to do when you own an InReach.
1- You should sync your unit with your computer fairly often. You'll get updates and any bug fixes. At least thats what I do and I havent had many problems with mine over the past 6 years.
2- Learn the damn thing. There's a lot of features to it - i.e battery saving techniques, reboot techniques, free messages, etc.
Mine is always in my truck or in my pack - 365 days a year. I never suspend my service.
Good info cnelk thanks! I just got mine and have not start service yet. This is a great thread!
Thanks for the tip Cnelk! I have had mine for several years and have not synced it to my pc.
I do the same- have it in the vehicle all the time and take it hiking, hunting, backpacking and even ice-fishing.
I really need to learn it more-I mainly have it for emergencies or for texts where I don’t have cell service. Even came in handy one day at work when I forgot my cell phone! ;-)
If your InReach doesn’t turn on ( yes, I had it happen) this is what you do.
^^^^This!! I believe the procedure is actually written on the device somewhere if I remember right.
YEs, you dan use one inreach device on two different phones. As long as you sign in to the earthmate app with same user ID/email on both phones.
For the droid phone commenter about having to restart phone to get message to be received on the phone…It sounds like you have not mastered the manual ‘check for messages” feature in the earthmate app. learn that and you should not have to restart your phone to get inreach messages.
An unfortunate shortcoming of the mini vs the full size inreach models is you simply cannot set the mini to constantly check for messages at a high frequency to reasonably have a ‘conversation’ with someone. Thus the need to constantly run the manual “check for messages” routine. I expect it may have something to do with trying to not burn up the battery too quickly, bit I wish they would change that.
Khunter. Tries check for messages, called support, nothing. I've resolved to turning off the phone app. Whe. The mini makes a sound saying I have a message, turn on the app and it's there. Haven't found any other solution