There's nothing like getting something for nothing, and Garmin's latest big update to its adventure watch range brings its premium adventure watches new features like Messenger, plus some incremental fixes.
Garmin's watch software update has already started rolling out, two months after the last update, and brings changes to the Fenix 7 series of watches, as well as the Enduro 2, Epix 2, Marq 2 and Quatix models 7.
Chief among them is the long-awaited Garmin Messenger app, which allows messaging using Garmin's satellite connection for standard communications or emergency messages.
The update, System Software 17.20, also allows users to use the Find My Phone feature while doing a GPS activity, such as running outdoors, and switch heart rate tracking sources between the watch or chest strap to ensure accurate data.
It also finally adds Indoor Walk as a trackable activity (useful for those with the best under-desk treadmills) and fixes a number of bugs.
What is Garmin Messenger?
So what is Garmin Messenger? Available on iOS and Android, at first glance it's a pretty standard messaging app. It supports group messages and threads and works through your phone's contacts.
However, it becomes more powerful when users go off the beaten path, thanks to a 24/7 connection to satellites with the inReach service. inReach should be paired with your best Garmin watch, but when it is paired, your messages will automatically be redirected through your inReach connection when cellular service is not available, such as when you are not connected to the network with your Garmin device.
Not only can you send and receive messages with inReach, but you can also share your location, get the weather forecast, and more.
For more information, you can check out Garmin's support page here.
