Track Settings Explained on the inReach Messenger Series

The inReach® Messenger and inReach Messenger Plus satellite communicators have the ability to perform tracking to share track points to a LiveTrack™ page or MapShare™ page so others can follow along with your progress. This article helps with understanding and using the tracking features of these devices.

Tracking Settings Explained

NOTE: With the Safety,¹ Essential, and Enabled plans, there is an additional cost per send/track point (varies by currency). As an example, if your Send Interval is set to 10 minutes and you had tracking on for 1 hour, you could be charged for 7 track points (this includes a starting track point). For more details, see - Understanding Charges for Tracking on inReach Safety, Essential, and Enabled Plans.

Send Interval

This setting determines how often the device will send track points with the current GPS position, elevation, speed and heading using the Iridium satellite network. Friends and family members with your LiveTrack or MapShare link will be able to the track that is sent to the account and follow along with your progress. The default send interval is once every 10 minutes. For more information on adjusting the tracking settings, see - Getting Started With Tracking on an inReach Messenger.

MapShare Example

When viewing tracks on your MapShare page, clicking on a point will give information regarding that exact point's time and date.

LiveTrack Example

For more details on LiveTrack, see - LiveTrack for inReach.

Auto Track

When enabled, tracking will start automatically when the device is turned on.

Additional Important Tracking Information

The inReach device has a power-saving function that will change the Send Interval to 4 hours if the device has not traveled more than 100 meters (328 feet). When the device is moved this distance, the Send Interval will revert to the previously selected setting on the inReach device.

When the inReach device is powered off, the tracking feature will be turned off as well and remain off even when the device is turned back on. Tracking will need to be started again when the device is turned back on. Updates have added a new feature that allows for the tracking on the device to be automatically turned on when the inReach device is powered on. To use this feature on the inReach device, Auto Track would need to be turned on in the Tracking settings of the inReach device.

¹ The Safety subscription plan is no longer available for purchase. The Safety plan has been replaced by the Essential plan.