My son and I have a Garmin inReach Explorer+ and a Garmin inReach Mini and I recently shared a route I had created with him but it didn’t work out as well as expected, so I decided to test it out again before hitting a new trail.
- Earthmate App Maps
- Earthmate App Tutorial
- Earthmate App Reviews
- Earthmate Apple Watch
- Earthmate App Manual
- Earthmate App Manual
Earthmate provides a robust navigation platform for your smartphone or tablet. What’s more, Earthmate is included with your purchase of any inReach satellite communicator. By pairing your mobile device (via Bluetooth ® technology) with inReach, the Earthmate app turns your mobile device into a true off-the-grid satellite companion. All online planning automatically syncs to your Earthmate app through the cloud. When used in conjunction with an inReach, updates are then synced through Bluetooth to your active inReach device. By pairing your mobile device (via Bluetooth® technology) with inReach, the Earthmate app turns your mobile device into a true satellite communication, GPS navigation and safety tool. To access the 100% global Iridium® satellite network for live tracking and messaging – including SOS capabilities – from the Earthmate app, an inReach. It's much easier using the Explore app. I was also having issues where my tracks and waypoints would re-appear after playing with the various apps. Turns out that's the Earthmate Apps doing. If you are using both Earthmate (which seems pretty much required for the inReach mini), you'll want to first delete items from there.
Let me walk you through, step by step, how you can create a route, waypoints, export it and then import it to another account and have it show up perfectly.
Garmin Earthmate Route & Waypoint Creation
My first step when I get ready for a hike is to research the trail on AllTrail. This is a great resource that seems to have every trail around and has the information I need to help me decide on my next adventure.
The next step is to go to your inReach page at www.inreach.garmin.com and select the Map tab at the top of the page and find your trail location.
Step 1: Create a Collection – I always name this the trail name.
Select the “+” to the right of Collections to create it and then give it a name. You can add a route and waypoints to the collection at this time if you already have it but as we don’t, we will add them later.
Make sure you share your MapShare page and sync to you Garmin device.
Earthmate App Maps
After you create the collection, you’ll need to create the route. Select the route at the top of the page and begin placing the points along the trail.
After you reach the end of your trail, you select the last point laid down to end the route. At this time, you can name the route and change the color.
This trail is rated as easy, so I have chosen green for the route color.
The next step is to create waypoints. I always start with the trailhead waypoint and you have the option to give it a name and chose the best waypoint.
I always select the hiker icon for each trailhead.
Once you create the route and waypoints, you will need to sync the Explorer map with the Earthmate app. We still need to add a few more waypoints so I will sync the inReach and Garmin after I am finished.
I will be adding two restaurants and a kayak rental location to this collection.
You can see in this next photo that completed route and waypoints.
Now it’s time to export the collection but before you do this, you should use the filter to show only the trail you want to export. You should turn off all the trails and waypoints as well. If you don’t do this, hundreds of points will be exported and will cause import and display problems with other users.
Another thing you can do is to zoom out and see if any other routes or waypoints are visible, prior to exporting the collection.
Next, select the box with the up arrow in the top right corner to begin the export process.
Select where you want the exported file to be placed, and it’s just that easy. Now, let’s look at the Import process.
Garmin Route Import
Importing the Garmin route is easier but there are still a few things you need to pay attention to.
First, select the box with the down arrow in the top right corner.
Next, import lines as routes.
Select Import Items as New Collections.
Select MapShare, then select your Garmin device to sync and finally give the import file a name.
Go ahead and find your GPX file and drag it into the box.
This next area is where you will want to verify what is being imported. I knew that I should only have one route and 4 waypoints but you can see below that there are 5 waypoints. One extra waypoint is okay to me because that is easy to find and delete but if you had 7 routes and hundreds of waypoints then you would want to close the box and start again.
You can see in the next slide that the route and waypoints came in correctly but the route color is red and the waypoint icons are blue flags, but these are all easy to correct.
You can see below an example of how to change a waypoint icon.
Earthmate App Tutorial
This next slide shows the completed edits of the route and waypoints.
Once this import is competed you will need to sync your Earthmate app to ensure the Garmin is updated with this data.
After this is complete, you will be ready to hit the trail.
You can see a short video of this route and waypoint creation below.
Check the information below to learn more about the Garmin inReach Explorer+ and the Garmin inReach Mini.
Earthmate App Reviews
Garmin InReach Mini, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator, Orange- Small, rugged, lightweight satellite communicator enables two way text messaging using the 100 percentage global Iridiumnetwork (satellite subscription required)
- Trigger an interactive SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center (satellite subscription required)
- Access downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery and more by using the free Garmin Earthmate app and compatibledevices
- Optional inReach weather forecast service provides detailed updates directly to your inReach Mini or paired device; basic and premium weather packages available
- Send and receive inReach messages through compatible Garmin devices, including connected wearables and handhelds.Display resolution:128 x 128 pixels
- NOTICE: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communications devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used
Earthmate Apple Watch
This product was presentation was made with AAWP plugin.
Earthmate App Manual
I would like to hear your thoughts on the Garmin inReach features. Please leave a Comment Below or send me an Email.
Earthmate App Manual
Return to Home Page