Question Garmin Descent texting possible with InReach?

[ScubaCarlJ]

Greetings. New member here. Love this community. This is my second post!

I recently upgraded from an Apple Watch Ultra to a Garmin Descent Mk3i. Had the AWU since it came out and have been diving with it for the past two years. Loved the built in cellular function.

Really love the Garmin watch / diving interface and diving app much much much better than the Oceanic app. Much more stable and usable in my opinion.

Has anyone had any experiences with the Garmin paired with an InReach Mini 2 to communicate with others via text. I won’t have my phone (don’t want to take the phone under water).

Pretty sure from what I’ve researched that if you get the subscription with the InReach you can but was hoping for some help here from the community that it is a viable method.

Thanks for reading and for your consideration.

 

[Mobulai]

Slightly off topic but very tangential, I just saw a (very short) video yesterday of the Garmin bouy which is designed for “managing the dive site”, essentially enabling monitoring of the divers below (tank pressures, dive stats..) by for example a dive boat; and extending comm range (for viewing your buddies transmitters)
I believe also they already had a feature for “pre programming” msgs on their computers — not sure as I don’t have one (yet?)

Just a guess, but I think the InReach might actually give you what you expect from it
Would love to have some certainty on that tho

 

[Nick_Radov]

Yes, you can do that. Obviously it won't work underwater.
Using the inReach Remote

 

[retro-steve]

Yup, it works. My wife and I are first responders in a rugged mountain area (lots of rescues) and she's obsessed with all things Garmin, so we have too many Garmin toys (Mk3i, T2, inReach, Fenix...).

The inReach pairs really easily with the Descent Mk3i, then sits in the dive housing (accessory that will allow you to take it down to 100m), which can clip on a D-Ring or go in a pocket. Once on the surface the inReach can connect to a satellite and you can send messages via inReach through the watch, so you don't have to take it out of the dive housing. This in the "inReach remote" function.

Two-way texting is simple, but does take a bit of time to get messages back/forth, which is expected with satellite messaging. We have not had any connection issues in very remote mountain terrian in Canada, but have limited diving experience with it, so can't say how it will do in remote diving locations around the world.

I'll say from the first responder perspective Garmin is leaps and bounds ahead of Apple for SOS response. The Apple coordination centre is still fairly green, to put it nicely, so Garmin is able to help coordinate a rescue way faster. The inReach is incredibly accurate and depending where you are the Garmin rescue centre knows exactly who to call to get you the right help fast.

 

[Nausica]

Have you used only the inReach with the dive housing as a back up for communication in case that something goes wrong? I have a inReach for when I'm solo hiking, thinking if it is worth of investing in the housing.

 

[retro-steve]

Have you used only the inReach with the dive housing as a back up for communication in case that something goes wrong? I have a inReach for when I'm solo hiking, thinking if it is worth of investing in the housing.

I haven't used the inReach in its own diving, however it would be exactly the same as using it with a Descent as all the messaging goes through inReach and not the watch.

If you're paying for the subscription why not buy the housing and take it diving? It's good peace of mind, even if you never have to use it.

 

[grumpycat]

Have you used only the inReach with the dive housing as a back up for communication in case that something goes wrong? I have a inReach for when I'm solo hiking, thinking if it is worth of investing in the housing.

It's possible to use stand alone. Keep in mind the InReach 2 does not float on its own. If you don't have a compatible smart watch to activate it, then you'll need to be careful when opening the case to press buttons.

There is a small lanyard included that can keep the InReach and waterproof case attached. I am unsure if the case, when opened, will keep the InReach afloat. I think it will, but have not tested it. It would be pretty easy to rig up something to keep the case and InReach attached to you.

Personally, I think it's worth getting the dive case if you're already paying the subscription. I would do it even if I didn't have a Garmin Descent.