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InReach Tracking and MapShare on the Alpha 300i
InReach® tracking on the Alpha® 300i dog tracking handheld is a great feature where people at home can follow your trip progress. The following article explains how to do this via your MapShare™ page. If you have enabled LiveTrack™ location sharing for your inReach device, or would like to learn more about LiveTrack, see - Setting up LiveTrack for inReach Devices in the Garmin Messenger app.
An active inReach subscription is required.
It works by uploading of your position coordinates periodically to the Iridium satellite network.
The information is then sent to a Garmin provided website called MapShare.
Each account has its own dedicated website address URL to share with friends.
You can share your dedicated website URL address with your friends via inReach Message (email or SMS text).
By default, inReach tracking is set for uploading a tracking point every 10 minutes.
Starting inReach Tracking on the Alpha 300i Handheld
You must manually "Start Tracking" on the Alpha 300i handheld to activate this feature each time you want to use it.
Select to access the main menu.
Select InReach.
Select Tracking.
Select either:
Start Tracking to begin inReach tracking and start your activity.
Share With1 to send a link of your MapShare page to recipients as you start your inReach tracking.
Select Share.
Select To: field, then Type Recipients to manually enter contact information or select from a list of available contacts.
Select Send Message when done.
inReach Tracking Settings
In the inReach setup menu you can change your tracking intervals (this depends on your inReach plan) and if you want it to auto start.
Select to access the main menu.
Select to access settings.
Select inReach.
Select Tracking.
You have two options to change for tracking;
Auto Track When this is on, inReach tracking will start when the device is power on.
Moving Interval This is how frequent a track point is sent to Map Share. (The track interval is dependent on your inReach plan.)
Setting Up MapShare for the Alpha 300i Handheld
A core feature of the inReach devices is the option of allowing friends or relatives to follow your trip progress via your MapShare website page.
Use the instructions in this article to enable and configure your MapShare to match your preferences.
NOTE: MapShare can be viewed on both desktop and mobile browsers, but routes and activities will only be visible when accessing MapShare via a computer. Tracks and waypoints will be visible on both desktop and mobile browsers.
Enabling Your MapShare
Follow the instructions below to turn on your MapShare page.
Select either LIVETRACK or MAPSHARE, depending on which option you have available.
NOTE: On mobile browsers, select in the top left, then LIVETRACK or MAPSHARE.
If you have LIVETRACK available, you may be presented with a LiveTrack Location Data Agreement after selecting LIVETRACK. Select Cancel or Opt Out to close out of the agreement, then select Switch to MapShare.
If you already have MAPSHARE available, proceed to step 3 after selecting MAPSHARE.
Select View MapShare Consent.
Click the checkbox to consent to the use of MapShare, then select Done.
Ensure MapShare is toggled on. Once toggled on, your MapShare link will be displayed.
NOTE: As of May 25, 2018, opt-in consent was required for enabling MapShare. If you previously had MapShare enabled and choose not to opt in, your MapShare will be deactivated. To enable MapShare, follow the steps above. Once you have opted in to MapShare, you can disable or enable without having to consent again.
MapShare Settings and Filters
There are settings and filter options so you can customize your MapShare page to suit your preferences. For example, you can set a password to restrict who accesses your MapShare and sees your locations. Use the instructions below to customize your MapShare settings and filters.
Select MapShare. NOTE: On mobile browsers, select in the top left, then MapShare.
Select MapShare Settings or Filter MapShare Data and make desired changes.
MapShare Settings
Name and/or Description - These fields are optional to personalize your MapShare. For example: If you were traveling to Yosemite for a week with your family, you could put a name like "Family Yosemite Trip" and give a description of the trip, such as "We are hiking and camping near Mariposa Grove for the week. Enjoy following our adventure!".
Password - Adding a password allows for greater control of who is able to view locations and messages shared to your MapShare. Only people with the password will be able to log in and view your MapShare.
Allow map viewers to send you messages and/or Allow map viewers to locate you - Checking these boxes allows viewers certain options, such as sending a message to your inReach through MapShare without you messaging them first, or requesting the location of your inReach.
NOTE: The options will still be visible if these boxes are unchecked, but viewers will not be able to use them.
Show waypoints created in the field on MapShare - This setting is only for use with the inReach® Mini, inReach Explorer®, inReach Explorer+, inReach SE®, inReach SE+, and inReach original devices to display waypoints created on these devices. This is helpful for letting viewers see locations you have either stopped at, or are going to.
Filter MapShare Data
Hide Older MapShare Tracking Data - This allows you to set a date, and hide all track data from that date and older. This is an easy way to make sure that only your most recent track data shows on MapShare.
Make Collections Visible on MapShare - Your collections contain waypoints, routes, tracks, and activities, and sometimes you may not wish to share that data. Use this filter to only share collections that you would like others to see. This can also be useful for ensuring the map for your viewers is not cluttered.
The Sent to MapShare collection will not be listed here because it is a collection permanently shared to your MapShare page and can only be turned off when MapShare is disabled.
Choose Primary Collection for the Earthmate App - Set the primary collection to determine where new data from Earthmate is stored. If that same collection is also selected under Make Collections Visible on MapShare, the data will also display on MapShare.
NOTE: You will only see this option if you are using the Earthmate app, but do not have an Earthmate compatible device in your account. Compatible devices are the inReach Mini, inReach Explorer, inReach Explorer+, inReach SE, and inReach SE+.
Select Save Changes.
Editing the MapShare Link
From the MapShare tab, you can also edit your MapShare link by clicking the pencil icon next to your current link (shown below). Editing this link is helpful for many reasons, such as:
Preventing previous viewers from re-accessing your MapShare
Customizing the link your friends and family use to access your MapShare
The customizable portion of the link is limited to 100 characters and cannot have any spaces, punctuation, or special characters.
Sharing Your MapShare Page
Use the instructions below to easily share your MapShare page from your inReach account using email.
Select MapShare. NOTE: On mobile browsers, select in the top left, then MapShare.
Select Share.
Select Email to send a message via email with your MapShare link.
Sending a Message to Your MapShare
Messages from your device only go to your MapShare if you specifically address the message to MapShare. Doing so is helpful for letting viewers know when you are heading out, stopping for the night, general check in, etc.
Use the steps below for how to send a message from the Alpha 300i handheld to your MapShare.
Select to access the main menu.
Select inReach.
Select Messages.
Select New Message.
Follow the steps below to type out a custom message, or choose from one of your Quick Texts:
To write a custom message:
Select Type Message.
Select To: field.
Select MapShare.
Optional: Select or add any additional contacts you want to send the message to.
Select at the bottom left.
Select Message: field.
Using the keypad, type out the message you wish to send.
Select when finished.
Select Send Message.
To send a Quick Text:
Select Send Quick Text.
Select desired Quick Text from the list.
Select To: field.
Select MapShare.
Optional: Select or add any additional contacts you want to send the message to.
Select at the bottom left.
Select Send Message.
Your message will now appear on your MapShare page at the location from which it was sent:
1 Send MapShare will count as a text message for inReach subscription plans that have limited message options.
to access the main menu.
to access settings.
in the top left, then LIVETRACK or MAPSHARE.
at the bottom left.
when finished.