Garmin inReach Messenger Plus wins 2025 CES Best of Innovation award

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Garmin's inReach Messenger Plus has been awarded the prestigious 2025 CES Best of Innovation award in the Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps category. The device stands out among over 3,400 submissions, with less than 1% receiving this honor. This innovative satellite communicator features photo and voice messaging capabilities, along with global two-way texting, location sharing, and SOS functionalities.

The device offers weeks of battery life and can be used standalone or paired with the Garmin Messenger mobile app. In emergencies, it connects to Garmin Response, a 24/7 international emergency assistance center, allowing users to share photo and voice messages during SOS situations. Garmin's inReach technology has already contributed to over 15,000 SOS activations.

Trailblazing satellite communicator brings home prestigious honor ahead of CES 2025, the world's most influential consumer technology event

OLATHE, Kan., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced that its inReach^® Messenger Plus SOS satellite communicator was named a 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES^®) Best of Innovation winner in the Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps category. The annual awards program, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association, honors outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. Of the more than 3400 submissions into this year's program, less than 1% received the coveted Best of Innovation designation.

A technological evolution, the inReach Messenger Plus is Garmin's first satellite communicator with photo and voice messaging in addition to global two-way texting, location sharing and SOS capabilities¹. A valuable tool for anyone who ventures beyond cell service – by land, sea or air – the inReach Messenger Plus offers a more personal and emotional way to communicate with friends and family, along with user-friendly navigation and a way to seek help in case of emergency.

"We are honored to receive a Best of Innovation award from CES, the highest distinction given in their awards program. The inReach Messenger Plus is more than just a breakthrough in technology – it's designed to keep you connected with friends and family and can provide added peace of mind in a worst-case scenario. This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging conventions and relentlessly pursuing innovation to deliver products that are essential part of our customers' lives." –Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President, Global Consumer Marketing

With a battery life that can last for weeks, the inReach Messenger Plus provides seamless and reliable satellite communication either as a standalone device or when paired to the Garmin Messenger^™ mobile app on a compatible Android or iOS smartphone so users can exchange group texts, photo and voice messages and share their location with friends and family.

After testing the inReach Messenger Plus's capabilities in the West Elk Mountains of Colorado, Backpacker contributor, Scott Yorko, dubbed it the "best satellite device on the market":
"The ability to send voice memos and photos is huge, not only for the social aspect, but for first responders, who need all the detail they can get when rescuing lost or injured recreationists. And, depending on the injury, typing out a message might not be possible. For those who will put the Messenger Plus's speed, photo and voice features to regular use – or who want an extra level of emergency communication capability – you won't find a better satellite messenger on the market." 

In the event of an emergency, the inReach Messenger Plus and Garmin Messenger app can send an interactive SOS text message to Garmin Response^℠, a 24/7-staffed international emergency assistance coordination center. Photo and voice messages can also be shared during an SOS, giving response coordinators the ability to see and hear details of the emergency firsthand. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of users globally for communication and peace of mind, Garmin inReach satellite technology has contributed to more than 15,000 SOS activations being responded to, resulting in lives being saved.    

"Having a way to call out during an emergency on an adventure is super important. We hope to never have to use it for an emergency, but we recently started carrying the inReach Messenger Plus just in case. We love it because not only can it send out for help in an emergency, but you can pair it with your phone to send your contacts status updates like whether you'll be back later than expected, and you can send them photo and voice messages, too." –Garmin Ambassadors Gwyn and Ami Manser    

For more information about inReach Messenger Plus and the Garmin Response center, visit garmin.com/inReach, and for more about the CES Innovation Awards^®, visit the CES Awards Page.

CES 2025 will take place from Jan. 7-12, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Garmin will showcase its award-winning inReach series, along with its full range of fitness and outdoor smartwatches, marine electronics, automotive OEM solutions and much more in booth #3540 in the LVCC West Hall.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminoutdoor on social, or follow our blog.

¹Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is your responsibility to know and follow applicable laws in jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.  

About Garmin Ltd. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and inReach are registered trademarks, Garmin Messenger is a trademark, and Garmin Response is a service mark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/en-US/company/investors/earnings/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Carly Hysell / 913-397-8200 / media.relations@garmin.com

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SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What features make the Garmin (GRMN) inReach Messenger Plus award-winning at CES 2025?

The device won for its photo and voice messaging capabilities, global two-way texting, location sharing, and SOS functionalities, along with weeks-long battery life and seamless integration with the Garmin Messenger mobile app.

How many SOS activations has Garmin's inReach technology responded to?

Garmin's inReach technology has contributed to more than 15,000 SOS activations, helping save lives through its emergency response capabilities.

What emergency services does the Garmin inReach Messenger Plus provide?

It connects users to Garmin Response, a 24/7 international emergency assistance center, allowing them to send interactive SOS messages with photo and voice capabilities for detailed emergency communication.

When and where will Garmin (GRMN) showcase the inReach Messenger Plus at CES 2025?

Garmin will showcase the device at CES 2025 from January 7-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at booth #3540 in the LVCC West Hall.