How inReach Satellite Messaging Works
- inReach products use GPS satellites to find your position, but send and receive messages through the Iridium satellite network. Depending on your location and your surroundings, messages can be sent or received in a matter of seconds, or it can take up to 30 minutes. In certain situations, it could take longer, especially if tracking is not actively being used.
- For inReach devices to connect to the Iridium communication satellites, they need to be outside. Each Iridium satellite passes by every 15 to 20 minutes, travels North-South, and rarely flies directly overhead.
- An area surrounded by mountains, heavy tree cover, buildings, or other solid structures will increase the time it takes to send and receive messages or track points. Clouds have no effect on the communication between the Iridium satellites and the inReach handheld. The signal transmitted by the device may be too weak to reach the satellites through windows, so if you can not connect to the satellites indoors or in a vehicle, you will need to take the inReach outside.
- When the inReach is used around a building or obstruction, it is best to be on the North or South side.