Position Formats Supported by inReach Devices

To establish the position of a geographic location on a map, a map projection is used to convert geodetic coordinates to two-dimensional coordinates on a map; it projects the datum ellipsoidal coordinates and height onto a flat surface of a map. The datum, along with a map projection applied to a grid of reference locations, establishes a grid system for plotting locations. Common map projections in current use include the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), and the United States National Grid (USNG). Coordinates on a map are usually in terms northing N and easting E offsets relative to a specified origin.

Global navigation makes use of lines of latitude and longitude to pinpoint a particular location on the Earth’s surface. It is given as geographical coordinates. Garmin GPS devices are set by factory default to lat/long DM. This means it is set to latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes, with decimal minutes. 

Position Formats Supported by the inReach SE®+, inReach Explorer®, inReach Explorer+, and inReach® Mini Devices

NOTE: The inReach SE uses the Earthmate® app for position and does not have a position format setting. For steps on changing the position format in the Earthmate app, see - Changing Map Unit Settings and Position Format in Garmin Earthmate.
The inReach Messenger device can display coordinates in degrees only and does not have a position format setting, but coordinate settings in the Garmin Messenger app can be changed. For steps, see - Changing Map Unit Settings and Position Format in Garmin Messenger App.

Latitude and Longitude (h-hemisphere (N,S,E,W), d-degrees, m-minutes, s-seconds)

• hddd.ddddd^o Latitude and Longitude in Degrees only.

• hddd^omm.mmm’ Latitude and Longitude in Degrees and Minutes only.

• hddd^omm’ss.s” Latitude and Longitude in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds.

US National Grid/Military Grid Reference System

USNG is a point reference system of grid references commonly used in the United States. It provides a nationally consistent language of location in a user friendly format. It is similar in design to the national grid reference systems used throughout other nations. The USNG was developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. The MGRS is similar to USNG, but allows for larger reference areas.

UTM/UPS (Universal Transverse Mercator/Universal Polar Stereographic)

This is a pair of position formats: the UPS system is used for the polar regions, and the UTM system covers everywhere else. The UTM system is not a single map projection but a series of sixty, each covering 6-degree bands of longitude. Uses Map Datum WGS84.

NOTE: The Alpha® 200i, GPSMAP® 66i, 67i, 86i, or 86sci, inReach Messenger Plus, inReach Mini 2, and Montana® 700i, 710i, 750i, or 760i devices support different position formats. For these products, see - Position Formats Supported by Garmin Outdoor Devices.

To change the position format setting on your inReach refer to your device's Owner's Manual.