Earthmate – GPS with Topo Maps

Like the app and system with the hunt detailed mapping. The biggest problem is battery drain. That needs to be fixed

I use this for kayaking, pretty dissapointed in the marine charts. If you could combine I-boating with this, it would be perfect... but its not.

Use all the time. Works great

Update 8/30/17 Since the newest update a couple days ago the battery issue seems to be solved. Seems pretty conservative on battery. There's also a new firmware update. I haven't had to much time to play with new features but everything is looking good and running good. July 2017 Let me know when you fix the battery drain. I couldn't figure out why my phone was dead at 11am the last couple days in till I looked at the battery usage on the phone. This app used more battery then everything I had running combined x2. Other then that maps look good.

Why does this app start in the background and drain my battery very quickly, even when I'm not using my Inreach? If the InReach wasn't such a pain to text on I would have no use for this app. Last update "fixed multiple bugs", how bout you fix probably the biggest one. Maybe you need to pay the upgrade to get one that functions correctly? Not willing to take that chance.

Reading about the battery drain issue, I am irritated in advance. Phone is my main nav device for weeks long backcounty trips with only a solar panel for recharge. I will be forced to use this app only at home and delete it while I hike. The InReach unit will have to be used in standalone. The lost messages issue is another bummer, as is synch only with paid app, after buying an expensive unit and subscription. Bummers all around. Garmin, do better.

Wow lots of promise. I'm an avid GPS user, and use my InReach primarily for messaging. This app makes me want to use it for its mapping. Love the OSM and Topo maps! My chief complaint which will make me uninstall this app between trips is the CONSTANT BATTERY DRAIN! Even after killing the app, the auto scheduler in the background for firmware updates or something is taking up significant battery life. FIX this please!

It says right in the description that this will allow you to import gpx files. Downloaded the manual and searched everywhere for this feature. The term "gpx" is not even used once in the majual. False advertising.

What a pathetic app from what's supposed to be a major technology company. I've been using this app for 3 years, and I keep hoping they'll fix it, but no such luck. First, as others have said, it constantly drains the phone battery even when not in use. There's no way to shut it down. It's my phone's biggest power hog. Second, you can't use it to send pre-programmed messages from the InReach. You can only use it to send and receive custom messages. Third, you can't use it to track distance travelled. For that, you have to check the InReach itself. Fourth, it lacks the basic functions that almost every other GPS has: Displaying your track on a map. It only displays your current position. So, when I carry my InReach, I use a different app, Backcountry Navigator, to do what Earthmate should be doing.

Consumes a great deal of power. The interface is clumsy, especially when texting. The app does not interface with the mapshare portal for my Inreach explorer+. Just so unimpressed.

Uses alot of battery even when not used and not paired with inreach. Make sure to kill app when not in use or your battery will die. Not good for emergency!

This app is an example of extremely poor written code. It will drain your battery dead very quickly. Even with no Inreach device connected. Why haven't they fixed the battery issue? They don't care.

Disappointed. I paid ~$400 for an InReach SE and pay for a monthly subscription plan only to find out I can't sync the Waypoints and Routes that I set up in the InReach website without buying the EarthMate full application. This isn't documented anywhere. I had to email Garmin support in order to find this out. Not impressed.

Huge battery hog installed to use for messaging with my inreach , this is the number one battery user on my phone now have to force stop it or will kill phone in a short time seems kind of counter productive for an app that is supposed to be for hiking and remote trips off the grid . additionally the map app lacks many of the tools to make it really useful and yet it takes front page over the message tab that most are actually downloading it for .

1Aug17 Epic Fail: Total loss of received satellite messages, read on for details. I am using inReach for Android and iPhone model (without the display secreen). Android ver 6.0.1 on LG-G5 (LG-H860 model). inReach has been a FANTASTIC service, until garmin took it over. Then they imposed mandatory upgrade to this app which no longer worked with my old (small waterproof) phone. Then it worked fine on newer phone until now. It is also faulty with another phone, different model, also Android 6.0.1. When the inReach is on in stand-alone mode (no paired phone powered on), received messages should flash the message LED and then upon pairing (turning on) the phone/bluetooth/Earthmate app, messages should automatically be delivered into the phone. It always DID work. But not any more. When the app is run an error is displayed 'unable to save' stored message. The message is LOST. Every time! I can only receive a message if the phone/app is running all the time. I emailed garmin support and they say old device no longer suported! useless. It DOES still work with the iPhone Earthmate app. Such a shame. Such loss of essential messaging facility. If this changes, I will update here

Battery drain. Unacceptable for an app you trust your life with.

App is huge drain on battery!!! Will not use it until fixed! Only use for me is to text in the field easier using my inReach

This app will kill your battery fast. Fix the battery drain and then it will be much better.

Works great with my InReach, but after turning it off the app drains my phone battery, not sure why?

Why is this always showing up in my running apps list? I don't even have the device paired right now, there's no reason for it to be running.

Battery drain! Garmin, please fix!

Great app!

Battery drain

This app functions fairly well when working with the inreach. The bad thing about it is that it is a HUGE battery drain, wether you are using it or not. It will drain your phone battery in no time. There is no way to shut down the app. I have to force stop the app or shut off the phone to save the battery, not very handy.

The app as better than no app at all and doesn't crash. That's good. Having used the app with an InReach SE I miss this functionality: - ability to edit contacts in the app without internet access. - ability edit preset messages and recipient lists for preset messages in the app without internet access. - ability to copy location coordinates from messages that were received through iridium or, even better, start navigation to those coordinates (using e.g. Google maps) without internet. The story behind this is: I go to a paragliding event where I meet people in the middle of nowhere to go fly. Before flying we exchange direct InReach addresses. We have to tediously enter those on our InReach devices. Inevitable the preset messages don't have the right recipients but can't be changed at that point as there is no internet and often no computers. Then we fly (with tracking enabled) and some people end up landing far from our cars. Upon landing we send a message to our friends. Whoever happens to get to one of our cars first starts picking up the others.

While this app, device, and service has improved, the app is now draining 20% of the battery without the app being used. Hmm, hopefully the devs can sort this out quickly.

Does not pair by Bluetooth to Inreach For Android. Customer support says 'buy a newer device'.

When I zoom out the backcountry roads disappear.

I installed this app a couple days ago, after purchasing an inReach SE communicator. It may make texting with that device easier (haven't tried that yet) but beyond that, I can see little value added unless (perhaps) you have the inReach Explorer. I like that the app locates me on a map, but since I cannot navigate with it, that's of limited value. And whatever other convenience it might add comes at a price. This app drains my phone's battery RAPIDLY, even with the phone's GPS turned off. Can't see how that would be a good thing when out in the wilds on my motorcycle, which is where I will be using the inReach device. I will be uninstalling it.

Sadly no way to update the firmware within this app. In this new world where everyone has a tablet, fewer have pc or laptops ... this is a problem. Then the website interface will force you accept the new terms even if you don't have the time to read it while your crew in the field. If you decline Garmin will still charge you.

Still buggy. Clicking the notification doesn't open the app. Tracking isn't smart enough to end when you power off the device.

I would like to see a bit more functionality

This is great! The one downside of the Inreach system was the bad worldwide maps. I complained about it a year ago and suggested they use OSM... and now, they do. I wish more developers would listen to their customers. Thank you Delorme/Garmin

First of all, don't waste your time downloading this unless you have an Inreach Explorer to link it to. That unit has a GPS, and when linked, you can use a phone or tablet WITHOUT its GPS active, majorly saving battery power. I like it in the Jeep because even with a Uconnect full nav unit, that's just road maps. Now, I have quadrangle topo maps and aerial views on a Nexus 7 tablet. Update 4/2017. Now I have a Galaxy Tab S 8.4. OMG that screen with quad maps!! And with an external card slot, just about unlimited maps can be downloaded. The perfect companion for an Inreach Explorer.

No way to import GPX or KML files from phone. Does app only work with GPS route import with one model or both?

The app needs a search option!! Very outdated

Really needs British OS Grid Support as does InReach

Wish it had more features like the pn series GPS by Delorme. Like hunt and fish calendars, sun and moon data etc. They don't make the PN anymore so was hoping this would be more like it just on a phone. That would be truly a incredible GPS.

What happened to the quick text option and the Garmin/Delorme icons in the address book? Added addresses are no longer deducted from text messages. So far the Garmin takeover hasn't exactly proven to be a hit.

Kind of work, but when finished using it there is no stop or graceful way to exit Leaves useless notifications on your screen .