A few more differences is the battery life on the messenger plus and the slightly faster messaging due to the larger antenna and higher power output. But those likely fall into the technical details category. Great simple comparison. I'm interested to see how long these devices stay relevant once cell carriers like T-mobile start to offer starlink capabilities.
The problem with a phone no matter how good it is. You won't get the battery life of these units. Plus these devices are built quite a bit more rugged than a phone
have you thought about running a combination of inReaach Messenger Plus with Garmin Foretrex 801? Means two devices but significantly more powerful versions of the Mini 2's communication and navigation capabilities where you could leave the Messenger Plus inside your pack and navigate with the Foretrex 801 which presumably would do a significantly better job than trying to navigate with the Mini 2 and provide much more information and a simpler and much faster user interface. would be interesting to do a comparison of a combination like this against each of them alone as well as against the 67i. obviously the 67i has maps but there might be scenarios and applications where the combination of Foretrex 801 and Messenger Plus outperforms the 67i.
Does the Messenger Plus have same kind of track recording as GPSMAP and Mini where you can record your track in internal memory with better details than tracking interval?
I want to say no, but I'm going to be careful here and test this tomorrow, Friday. I will test the internal tracking on the 67i, the Mini 2, followed by the Messenger Plus. This will give you and I more confidence in the answer, plus it will make a great video for others to see. I plan on having the video uploaded around noon on the 11th. Rick
@@outdooremergencytech Great! I have a GPSMAP 66i and I believe it’s quite the same as 67i in internal recording. It’s a very important feature to me as I like to record my hikes in a good detail to be reviewed later but usually set the tracking interval (mapshare points) to 30 or 60 minutes.
I uploaded the tracking & tracback test this morning comparing the Messenger Plus, Mini 2, and the 67i. Checkout the video below. ua-cam.com/video/I6dVVzqfNM0/v-deo.html Let me know if you have any questions. Rick
The technology advances are definitely having a big impact, but I don't think Garmin inReach devices are going away. These satellite communicators are more rugged and have a better battery life and will be used by people in the outdoors on longer excursions or who need a tough device. It will continue to be interesting to see the advancements that come out in the near future. Rick
It's not the same at all, its very limited with the iphone. You can only send to other iphone users and they have to be up to date as well. They also have to have contacted you recently via imessage to be able to receive the messages. I'd trust the garmin device before an apple iphone.
A few more differences is the battery life on the messenger plus and the slightly faster messaging due to the larger antenna and higher power output. But those likely fall into the technical details category. Great simple comparison. I'm interested to see how long these devices stay relevant once cell carriers like T-mobile start to offer starlink capabilities.
Great points, and I'm really interested in your last point as the technology leaps forward with cell phones.
Rick
The problem with a phone no matter how good it is. You won't get the battery life of these units. Plus these devices are built quite a bit more rugged than a phone
Great point. You're exactly right.
Rick
have you thought about running a combination of inReaach Messenger Plus with Garmin Foretrex 801? Means two devices but significantly more powerful versions of the Mini 2's communication and navigation capabilities where you could leave the Messenger Plus inside your pack and navigate with the Foretrex 801 which presumably would do a significantly better job than trying to navigate with the Mini 2 and provide much more information and a simpler and much faster user interface. would be interesting to do a comparison of a combination like this against each of them alone as well as against the 67i. obviously the 67i has maps but there might be scenarios and applications where the combination of Foretrex 801 and Messenger Plus outperforms the 67i.
Great idea. I'll take a look at the Foretrex 801.
I'm always looking for new ideas so thanks for letting me know.
Rick
Does the Messenger Plus have same kind of track recording as GPSMAP and Mini where you can record your track in internal memory with better details than tracking interval?
I want to say no, but I'm going to be careful here and test this tomorrow, Friday.
I will test the internal tracking on the 67i, the Mini 2, followed by the Messenger Plus. This will give you and I more confidence in the answer, plus it will make a great video for others to see. I plan on having the video uploaded around noon on the 11th.
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech Great! I have a GPSMAP 66i and I believe it’s quite the same as 67i in internal recording. It’s a very important feature to me as I like to record my hikes in a good detail to be reviewed later but usually set the tracking interval (mapshare points) to 30 or 60 minutes.
I uploaded the tracking & tracback test this morning comparing the Messenger Plus, Mini 2, and the 67i. Checkout the video below.
ua-cam.com/video/I6dVVzqfNM0/v-deo.html
Let me know if you have any questions.
Rick
@@outdooremergencytech Thanks! A great video as always. I put a comment on it.
iPhone 14 and above now can text via satalite.
So long garmin inREach!
The technology advances are definitely having a big impact, but I don't think Garmin inReach devices are going away.
These satellite communicators are more rugged and have a better battery life and will be used by people in the outdoors on longer excursions or who need a tough device.
It will continue to be interesting to see the advancements that come out in the near future.
Rick
Lol only if your phone is working
It's not the same at all, its very limited with the iphone. You can only send to other iphone users and they have to be up to date as well. They also have to have contacted you recently via imessage to be able to receive the messages. I'd trust the garmin device before an apple iphone.
And the mini2 is $100 less.
Exactly. Good Point.
Rick