inReach® satellite communicators use GPS satellites to find your position but send and receive messages through the Iridium satellite network. Under ideal conditions, messages can be sent within 30 seconds to a minute, but may take up to 5 minutes depending on your surroundings. 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. There is only one Iridium satellite in the sky at a time. Each Iridium satellite passes by approximately every 9 minutes, travels North-South, and rarely flies directly overhead. Iridium satellites have a much lower orbit compared to GPS satellites, and 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 device. The signal transmitted by the device may be too weak to reach the satellites through windows, so if you cannot connect to satellites indoors or in a vehicle, then you need to take the inReach device outside.
When the inReach device is used around a building or obstruction, it is best to be on the North or South side.
For more information about the Iridium Satellite Network, see - Iridium Satellite Network.
A device with an active inReach subscription will check for messages based on the following:
Listen Interval of that model
After a message or track point has been sent
After requesting a weather forecast
By performing a manual mail check
When the device checks for messages, it must have a clear view of the sky and may take a few minutes for the message to be received.
Listen Intervals and mail check options vary by model and are outlined below. If you are waiting for a reply and do not want to wait for the next listen interval, a manual check can be initiated on the device.
Default Listen Interval is every 10 minutes
Listen Interval can be adjusted in Settings > Messages
Power on the inReach communicator.
Select Check.
Select Check Now.
Default Listen Interval is every 10 minutes
Listen Interval can be adjusted in Settings > Messages
Checks for new messages every hour
NOTE: Hourly Mail Checks were added in software version 4.2 as a system default. When a custom Listen Interval is set, Mail Checks will be performed every hour in addition to the chosen Listen Interval.
Power on the inReach communicator.
Select Check.
Select Check Now.
Listens for 10 minutes after sending a message
Checks for new messages every hour
NOTE: The automatic, hourly mail checks cannot be disabled.
Power on the inReach communicator.
From the home page, press OK.
Press 
or 
to scroll through the home page actions.
Select Message Check.
Listens for 10 minutes after sending a message
Checks for new messages every hour
NOTE: The automatic, hourly mail checks cannot be disabled.
Power on the Montana handheld.
Select 
to reach the main menu.
Select inReach.
Select inReach Utilities.
Select Check Mailbox.