Unfortunate change in Garmin subscription plans pricing

[Wants2divemore]

I just found out that Garmin recently changed the subscription plans for their messaging devices (like the InReach Mini2 some of us use in case of emergency). Previously you could enroll on a monthly basis in their basic Freedom plan for its SOS features, cancel the plan if you weren't diving for a while, then re-enroll without an activation fee.

Their new pricing structure includes a $39.99 activation fee whenever reactivating any plan. Their cheapest plan, the Enabled plan, is $7.99/month and allows for unlimited SOS, but is pay-as-you-go for other features such as messaging, check-ins, navigation, etc. The Essential plan has those features included and is $14.99/month.

If you're only using your device for SOS, you now have to do the math to determine if it make more sense to keep the Enabled plan active to avoid the activation fee, or cancel and reactivate only when you need the device.

If you're deciding about the Garmin InReach Mini2 or another PLB, consider this plan change when evaluating cost of ownership. Many of the other PLBs do not charge a monthly fee.

 

[brsnow]

You can stay on your original plan as well. I have been on the 11.99 for years. It comes with me weekly on fishing, hiking, and also dive trips. Having friends who have had to use it, the response time has been amazing. Cheap piece of mind for me.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

You can stay on your original plan as well. I have been on the 11.99 for years. It comes with me weekly on fishing, hiking, and also dive trips. Having friends who have had to use it, the response time has been amazing. Cheap piece of mind for me.

I'm on that same plan ... $11.99/month. Since I dive monthly on average and occasionally carry my inreach mini with me for other reasons, I just keep mine activated and pay monthly.

 

[Madmax7]

Unless I'm seriously misunderstanding, you can still cancel and reactivate any time without the activation fee, as long as you don't wait longer than 12 months. They term is 'suspended' rather than canceled if less than 12 months.

From the fine print on their website:
"All plans are subject to a one-time activation fee, as listed in the table above. User can suspend their plan for up to 12 months at $0 with no reactivation fee. Reactivation of a canceled plan is subject to the one-time activation fee."

 

[Wants2divemore]

Thanks for that information. I cancelled my Freedom plan (the cheapest plan) in March (back when cancelling and restarting the Freedom plan was free and easy to do). When I went to reactivate yesterday with the Enabled Plan I had to pay the activation fee. I only need the InReach this month so I'll try suspending the service and see what happens until I need it again in November.