Garmin inReach Subscription Cost Breakdown & Calculator

Garmin inReach subscription cost calculator, plan tips, hidden options, and cheaper non-Garmin alternatives explained.
Gear I'm Using Now:
inReach: https://hkgy.co/inreach
Hiking App: https://hkgy.co/app
Watch: https://hkgy.co/watch
Shoes: https://hkgy.co/shoes
Pack: https://hkgy.co/backpack
Rescue Insurance: https://hkgy.co/insurance

Full Hiking Gear List (What I Use Now - Tested & Not Sponsored):
https://hikingguy.com/gear

inReach Cost Calculator:
https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear/gar...

June 5, 2025 Update
   • Hiking News: $10 Starlink, Apple’s Satelli...  
Good news: as of June 5, 2025, Garmin now lets you suspend your inReach plan for up to 12 months. When suspended, anything that relies on satellites is completely disabled: SOS, location sharing, messaging, and weather. So unless you're using it just for built-in navigation, your inReach is essentially a brick during that time. The upside? You can turn it back on anytime and roll into a new plan whenever you're ready.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq...

In this video, I go over the latest Garmin inReach subscription plans and show you how to pick the most cost-effective option based on your usage. Everyone's needs are different, so I built a free calculator on my website where you can plug in your expected usage (messages, tracking, photo messages, check-ins) and see which plan makes the most sense financially.

I walk through Garmin’s current plans: Essential, Standard, Premium, and the not-so-well-known Enabled plan, highlighting what each one offers, including features like unlimited check-ins, location tracking intervals, and message allowances. I also touch on the limitations, like tracking costs on lower-tier plans, and give real-world advice from my own experience using these services on hikes over the years.

For those looking at alternatives, I review options like renting an inReach, using third-party resellers like Protogeear and TrackMe NZ, and even Garmin's Professional plan if you have multiple devices. If you’re an occasional user, these can save you money with flexible day-to-day pricing models.

Lastly, I clear up confusion around Garmin’s SOS feature. While the subscription covers coordination, it doesn’t include the actual cost of a rescue. I share my personal pick for coverage, Overwatch and Rescue, which offers broader support than Garmin’s own SAR insurance, especially for high-risk or international travel.

Chapters
00:00 inReach Cost Calculator
01:22 Consumer Essential Plan
03:43 Consumer Standard Plan
04:21 Consumer Premium Plan
05:08 inReach Enabled Plan
06:37 Protegear inReach Plan
08:04 TrackMeNZ Plan
08:29 inReach Rental
09:11 inReach Professional Plans
09:44 Garmin inReach Insurance


Links:
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* ‪@Garmin‬ ‪@protegear‬ ‪@trackmenzl6704‬ ‪@overwatchxrescue‬

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Disclaimer:
Some of these links are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.