plan changes are also charged pro rata, I run mine on safety, then up the plan for trips to get tracking etc. When I get home I drop it again, they only charged me for the time I was on the higher plan, not the entire billing month.
@@bencampbell4964 just log onto the website and go to your account select the plan that you want to change to, its almost instant, but they say it can take some time.
My main annoyance is the yearly activation fee for the Freedom plans. I make one or two trips per year where I'd want to bring the InReach, so the yearly fee makes this quite expensive since I can't amortize it over many trips. I appreciate the clear comparison and advice though. As a scuba diver I'd bring the device in case I get separated from a boat in the sea or ocean in exotic destinations.
My situation is similar, but different. I’m old. My dogs are old. So I’m hoping I can pay an annual activation fee. Then just pay for the specific months that I can actually get away from work! (…rarely.)
I started with the safety plan, upgraded twice to the expedition. I want to be able to track my device every 2 minutes, if I lose it I can easily find it as long as its turned on. Also, I can hide it on my car or motorcycle as a theft recovery device. Also, I use solar panels when hiking so the battery life isn't a concern.
Did you end up actually using it in your vehicle for tracking in case of theft? I imagine that could become annoying having to charge it up all the time, unless ofcourse its on a sneaky permanent USB charger? I wonder if it would still send tracking info if it was in the glove box or hidden somewhere else without clear view of the sky?
What a great device. I’m using for not only for Adv riding, I use for holidaying in car, bush walking etc. You never know when you’ll need to use it. Sometimes phone reception doesn’t work, it’s nice to know ive packed the Inreach mini as well . Life saver PJ
Thank you for breaking that down between Australia and the US. I'm in the US so I really appreciate it. My main thing is having something where I can call for help when there is no cell service. No matter what I'm doing. Be safe on your adventures.
Thanks Keith. Good information. I compared the InReach to Zoleo and went with the Zoleo for several reasons. The purchase price is lower. The customer support is better (Garmin customer service can be hard to reach) and plan costs are better. Also there's no annual fee. Thanks again!
Great video, thank you! Just a question, I'm not sure I understood correctly on the garmin website. If you push the sos button they come and rescue you, and you have to pay them. Garmin has an assurance that pays off this expense, is it correct? Thank you, i am confused about all the extra expenses about the inreach.
Great video iv been looking for something like this I ride nearly every Saturday or Sunday I’m not really interested in text or tracking I just want it for the sos function only ride weekends what’s your recommendation
Great synopsis. Amazing amount of details. Love your mater of fact easy to understand explanations. We seem to ride and do similar trips will probably see you on the tracks one day
Thanks so much for the breakdown and guidance, a "Like" is not enough praise for truly meaningful and helpful information. I live in the US Southwest and it's too hot to backpack/hike locally a solid 3 months out of the year, but I still like to get out on the odd weekend and go into the backcountry where there's no cell reception. I'm switching to the yearly plan and I'm going to try switching between safety/recreation plans to see how my yearly expenses work out this time next year. Again, thank you for the video and safe travels.
Hey Keith, thank you so much for the video, its really helpful (gave it a BIG like!). I'm planning on doing a lap of Australia over a 10 month period, so the annual plan is looking like the better option for me. Do you happen to know if once I've paid the initial $49 activation fee, that following years I would not have to pay it again, presumably ever again provided I kept an active plan? Additionally, after the first year, if I change to a a Freedom Plan, I presume I must once again pay the activation ammount of $54 each and every year, but what if I then wanted to change back to an annual plan, would I pay $49 again or could it carry over from the previous activation? The pricing format and plans seems a bit sneaky to be honest, they really try to lock you in or make you pay dearly for it, which is a bit frustrating after the initial large ammount paid for the device itself. i'd expect them to make it all a lot easier and reward their customers for choosing their products, particularly after signing up for an initial 12 month annual plan, a more flexible option should then be available i.e. be able to pause annual plans at the lower rate.... Maybe I'm just dreaming
I'm on the annual plan for some years now and have not paid another fee, apart from the monthly fee. Not sure about switching between Annual and Freedom, but my guess is, yes you'll pay. I keep it on annual, and just switch between Safety and Rec, depending on what I'm doing. And yes, I may go months without using it, but so be it. It's just the cost of ownership (and peace of mind). Thanks for your feedback.
Just listening one can understand that this is as confusing as heck. Thanks for taking the time to untangle all of this and make it clear. The charts are really helpful because you can go back and check the figures. And lastly because I'm in the states I appreciate that you included US dollars. Thanks again for a great video.
Thank you very useful information. Didn't know that you could switch between Safety and Recreation levels on the Annual plan. Surprised this info isn't available on the Garmin website.
I wanna know the difference between consumer and business. I am a photography / guiding business in the backcountry. But, I work solo - Not communicating to others unless an emerg. Not sure what the difference is, why have business version
Thanks for the video. Are you able to clarify a few things about the unit as well? Are you able to recall all your trips through the program when you’ve tracked them? I assume they overlay on a map automatically when viewed? Thanks in advance.
Yes they are in the Garmin Mapshare website somewhere... I think you just select a date range and they appear. I don't use it though, as all my trips are tracked via the GPS unit I have on the bike.
Hi Keith, just got the same bike as you based in Brisbane and I'll be adventurising too, do you find that you get extreme foot peg vibration, if so, I notice you have different pegs on, do they help?
@@keithjob Hey mate, its been a yeah since your comment above, have there been any noticeable improvements to the apps or website making it easier to use? I've just bought a Mini2 and just going through the setup now, so really appreciate the effort you put into explaining all of this. Cheers, Adam
As of this reply 27-09-2024. Garmin has now changed all the plan types and costs .... and it appears that there are no longer any Flexible plans or Annual plans available, All the plan fees are auto renewed monthly. I can't work out from looking at the new pricing tables, if you can opt to only have the devices subscribed during certain months. IE: Subscribed Jan-Feb, then not subscribed March-April and if I say wanted to again pay for the May-June subscription, would I then have to pay the "Activation Fee" of $70.00 AUD all over again??? Typical Garmin ... nothing is ever straight forward and simple to understand.
Plans may be good. My experiences with the Garmin In Reach was worthless followed by 270 minutes with allegedly corporate tech experts whom couldn't even download the map for the Colorado Trail. I have the evidence to support my comment.
This was AMAZING!! Made this confusing process so much simpler! Thank you!
plan changes are also charged pro rata, I run mine on safety, then up the plan for trips to get tracking etc. When I get home I drop it again, they only charged me for the time I was on the higher plan, not the entire billing month.
Thanks for this tip. Keeping this in mind I will go for the yearly subscription.
Is pro-rata for both the monthly and annual plans?
How do you change subscription
@@bencampbell4964 just log onto the website and go to your account select the plan that you want to change to, its almost instant, but they say it can take some time.
@@zbjz not sure mine is yearly
This was the most informative and detailed review I have seen. Garmin should pay you handsomely.
Thanks Antonio. Garmin pay me? 😂 I'd be happy if they just made their plans easier to understand!
Be nice if the sos was always an option just for purchasing the product, great review safe travels on you. Thanks
Well done - excellent summary. Freedom Safety it is.....
Thanks, glad it helped!
Garmin should just link this video in their pricing pages. Wonderful job thank you
Thanks!
My main annoyance is the yearly activation fee for the Freedom plans. I make one or two trips per year where I'd want to bring the InReach, so the yearly fee makes this quite expensive since I can't amortize it over many trips.
I appreciate the clear comparison and advice though. As a scuba diver I'd bring the device in case I get separated from a boat in the sea or ocean in exotic destinations.
My situation is similar, but different. I’m old. My dogs are old. So I’m hoping I can pay an annual activation fee. Then just pay for the specific months that I can actually get away from work! (…rarely.)
Thanks mate. Just got my Inreach Mini 2. Your vid has helped a lot with plan selection. 👍
I started with the safety plan, upgraded twice to the expedition. I want to be able to track my device every 2 minutes, if I lose it I can easily find it as long as its turned on. Also, I can hide it on my car or motorcycle as a theft recovery device. Also, I use solar panels when hiking so the battery life isn't a concern.
Did you end up actually using it in your vehicle for tracking in case of theft? I imagine that could become annoying having to charge it up all the time, unless ofcourse its on a sneaky permanent USB charger? I wonder if it would still send tracking info if it was in the glove box or hidden somewhere else without clear view of the sky?
What a great device. I’m using for not only for Adv riding, I use for holidaying in car, bush walking etc.
You never know when you’ll need to use it. Sometimes phone reception doesn’t work, it’s nice to know ive packed the Inreach mini as well .
Life saver
PJ
Thank you for breaking that down between Australia and the US. I'm in the US so I really appreciate it. My main thing is having something where I can call for help when there is no cell service. No matter what I'm doing. Be safe on your adventures.
Thanks Keith. Good information. I compared the InReach to Zoleo and went with the Zoleo for several reasons. The purchase price is lower. The customer support is better (Garmin customer service can be hard to reach) and plan costs are better. Also there's no annual fee. Thanks again!
Great video, thank you! Just a question, I'm not sure I understood correctly on the garmin website. If you push the sos button they come and rescue you, and you have to pay them. Garmin has an assurance that pays off this expense, is it correct?
Thank you, i am confused about all the extra expenses about the inreach.
Can the track points be turned on or off. My GPS would have a tracking feature, not sure why i would pay for it.
Thank you for working this out, the Garmin page was lacking in this detail
Great video iv been looking for something like this I ride nearly every Saturday or Sunday I’m not really interested in text or tracking I just want it for the sos function only ride weekends what’s your recommendation
Safety plan. Annual sub if you ride every weekend. $20 a month I think.
Great synopsis. Amazing amount of details. Love your mater of fact easy to understand explanations. We seem to ride and do similar trips will probably see you on the tracks one day
Also must note that a text message is only so many characters... so one long winded text could be 2 or 3 messages sent.
Thanks Nerb. Yes, 160 characters ain't much!
Thanks so much for the breakdown and guidance, a "Like" is not enough praise for truly meaningful and helpful information. I live in the US Southwest and it's too hot to backpack/hike locally a solid 3 months out of the year, but I still like to get out on the odd weekend and go into the backcountry where there's no cell reception. I'm switching to the yearly plan and I'm going to try switching between safety/recreation plans to see how my yearly expenses work out this time next year. Again, thank you for the video and safe travels.
You're welcome!
Useful Information! Thank you for the calculations, Keith!
Hey Keith, thank you so much for the video, its really helpful (gave it a BIG like!). I'm planning on doing a lap of Australia over a 10 month period, so the annual plan is looking like the better option for me. Do you happen to know if once I've paid the initial $49 activation fee, that following years I would not have to pay it again, presumably ever again provided I kept an active plan? Additionally, after the first year, if I change to a a Freedom Plan, I presume I must once again pay the activation ammount of $54 each and every year, but what if I then wanted to change back to an annual plan, would I pay $49 again or could it carry over from the previous activation?
The pricing format and plans seems a bit sneaky to be honest, they really try to lock you in or make you pay dearly for it, which is a bit frustrating after the initial large ammount paid for the device itself. i'd expect them to make it all a lot easier and reward their customers for choosing their products, particularly after signing up for an initial 12 month annual plan, a more flexible option should then be available i.e. be able to pause annual plans at the lower rate.... Maybe I'm just dreaming
I'm on the annual plan for some years now and have not paid another fee, apart from the monthly fee. Not sure about switching between Annual and Freedom, but my guess is, yes you'll pay.
I keep it on annual, and just switch between Safety and Rec, depending on what I'm doing. And yes, I may go months without using it, but so be it. It's just the cost of ownership (and peace of mind).
Thanks for your feedback.
My plan is to run the basic annually for riding ect…. Then bump up to unlimited when out in the bush hunting then back down.
I appreciate it. Im more cofused now than i was before i watched your video. Something about plans 🤔
Love the attention to detail. Thanks Keith!
Thanks, hope it helped!
Cheers for breaking this down - much appreciated!
Just listening one can understand that this is as confusing as heck. Thanks for taking the time to untangle all of this and make it clear. The charts are really helpful because you can go back and check the figures. And lastly because I'm in the states I appreciate that you included US dollars. Thanks again for a great video.
You're very welcome!
He is a thought what will happen if somebody tries to use the emergency SOS feature while the plan is suspended and can't leading to a fatality?
Yes I hear ya, I think the SOS should ALWAYS work and just be part of the purchase price.
Perfect timing. One under the old tree.
That was excellent and clarified things very well. Thanks.
Great video! Exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated!
Excellent info and great tips. I will start with the yearly subscription and take it from there for now.
Great video! Thanks for the explanation, I was really confused and this helped me choose. Cheers!
Thank you very useful information. Didn't know that you could switch between Safety and Recreation levels on the Annual plan. Surprised this info isn't available on the Garmin website.
info is available on the website when you click the safety/recreational/expedition plan descriptions
Very helpful video. Thanks for putting it together with the analysis.
Glad it was helpful!
I wanna know the difference between consumer and business.
I am a photography / guiding business in the backcountry. But, I work solo - Not communicating to others unless an emerg.
Not sure what the difference is, why have business version
This is an amazing explanation. Thanks so much for making it.
You are welcome David!
Thanks for putting all the work into that, it makes total sense now!!
Glad it was helpful!
This video was really useful. Thank you.
Great information and very well explained. Thanks Keith.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent information, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you that was very helpful and am glad to hear that you can upgrade & downgrade your annual plans as this would has helped my decision greatly.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent input
Thanks!
The big revelation for me was that incoming messages are also paid. I just assumed that they were free by some reason.
Me too. 😢 They count against your allowed text messages.
Very helpful thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the video. Are you able to clarify a few things about the unit as well? Are you able to recall all your trips through the program when you’ve tracked them? I assume they overlay on a map automatically when viewed? Thanks in advance.
Yes they are in the Garmin Mapshare website somewhere... I think you just select a date range and they appear. I don't use it though, as all my trips are tracked via the GPS unit I have on the bike.
Thanks really good explanation
Awesome video Keith. Thanks for doing the Maths.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video thanks.
Is there a limit to how long the plan can be suspended?
Not that I know of.
Great video ! 👍👍
Thank you! 👍
thanks
another great video ..
Hi Keith, just got the same bike as you based in Brisbane and I'll be adventurising too, do you find that you get extreme foot peg vibration, if so, I notice you have different pegs on, do they help?
I notice it when droning down a highway, but not so much on the dirt.
Can you send a “preset message” to multiple people?
yes you can. The whole Garmin inReach webpage user interface SUCKS though, which is why I have never tried to do a video on it.
@@keithjob Hey mate, its been a yeah since your comment above, have there been any noticeable improvements to the apps or website making it easier to use? I've just bought a Mini2 and just going through the setup now, so really appreciate the effort you put into explaining all of this. Cheers, Adam
Very helpful thanks
Mate - thank you!
Hope it helped!
Excellent video. Thank yo’
Glad you enjoyed it!
As of this reply 27-09-2024. Garmin has now changed all the plan types and costs ....
and it appears that there are no longer any Flexible plans or Annual plans available, All the plan fees are auto renewed monthly.
I can't work out from looking at the new pricing tables, if you can opt to only have the devices subscribed during certain months. IE: Subscribed Jan-Feb, then not subscribed March-April and if I say wanted to again pay for the May-June subscription, would I then have to pay the "Activation Fee" of $70.00 AUD all over again???
Typical Garmin ... nothing is ever straight forward and simple to understand.
Roughly how many kangaroos does the safety plan cost?
3 wallabies and a western grey will do it 😉
Wish didn’t get one for Christmas, all the plans are a ripoff
Very thorough explanation. Thanks heaps!
Geez they don't make it easy. Lol
Plans may be good. My experiences with the Garmin In Reach was worthless followed by 270 minutes with allegedly corporate tech experts whom couldn't even download the map for the Colorado Trail. I have the evidence to support my comment.
Very good but next time, give alternative pricing in Canadian dollars, Americans have no shortage of videos to watch, no need to pander to them!
Seethe more leaf. Dont make me get my rake
US and Australia are and have been much tighter than Canada and Australia ever will be lol 😆
So helpful, Keith. Thanh you!
Well done! Thanks very much for explaining that so clearly!
Excellent explanation. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!