>>2056811I use an inReach, made before Garmin bought them. I got it second-hand. From what I can remember I paid 200 EUR, or maybe 300 EUR. New, I think it was 400 EUR back in the day. It was a little fiddly to get the previous owner to clear the account (something to do with IMEI numbers) but once they had done that, I could register and set it up without issue.
I have the 15 EUR subscription, for this I get unlimited numbers of pre-set messages (3 custom texts, mine are basically "At predefined point", "At a different point but I'm OK", "Heading back early, I'm OK"), 10 free-text messages, and I can include GPS coordinates for free in the messages. I can use it for GPS tracks, but sharing those live over the Internet costs money (it's free with higher tiers).
The text messages work, but there is a delay to them which sometimes is quite noticeable, especially in receiving. It's taken hours sometimes. Other times it's instantaneous. The GPS is OK, but some of my tracks are messed up due to stuff like GPS signals reflecting off cliff faces. I suspect it's because it's an older, less sophisticated unit.
I'm happy with it. I often am outside cell range (backcountry skier, solo backpacker), so this lets me text my buddy I made it to camp, each night, and if shit goes wrong I can get an SOS out.
I wish they would have offered free subscription pausing in the pandemic though, because I've paid a full year for this shit and gone months without using it. Pausing your subscription is free, but there's a 30 EUR "reactivation fee" so unless you pause for 3 months or more you don't save any money.
