The original post asks for suggestions about Preset Messages but we may also want to give some thought to Quick Text messages while we're at it.
Those of us who use the Inreach without a smartphone or tablet (i.e., using the Inreach keys to select from the on-screen keyboard) may find Quick Text messages more useful than smartphone users do. Still, it's an interesting option for, say, tablet users who don't take their tablet along on a hike. Or perhaps someone who suddenly finds the phone or tablet battery dead.
-------
'Presets' are free to send but go to a pre-programmed set of recipients. Those are sent from the Preset icon on our Inreach screen and all we do is hit SEND.
I currently have these Presets:
"OK" (I used to have something like "We're OK and here's where we are" but then realized that phrase is propagated to the map and takes up a lot of space. I shortened to 'We're OK' but then that causes confusion among recipients when I travel alone, thus the "OK")
"OK. Interesting place". Two family members love to explore interesting places vicariously so this is my signal to them that they may want to 'look around' at this place, i.e., zoom into the map, google the location, perhaps transfer the coordinates to Google Maps to get nearby photos, etc. They get the OK messages daily and an occasional 'Interesting place' message.
"Currently out of range of internet and cellular services but you can reach me/us via the Reply box on the map". Before any trip, we generally send an email to the recipient list telling them to use the Reply box in any of our OK reports to reach us in any urgent situation. But when we're about to go into an area where we know we'll be out of reach for a few days, we sometimes send this reminder and a fresh map with the Reply box in it so they don't have to go looking for an old OK message.
'Quick Text Messages' are the stored message text only. It's creating a new message but the text portion is filled in for you. However, you also have to populate the TO: section of the message with the recipients you want it to go to, either by laboriously entering them or by checking them off in the Select list (if you previously entered them). That's not as easy as a pre-programmed list of recipients in a Preset but allows you to target who gets the message. Reminder: Quick texts are deducted from your message allowance where presets are not.
If you've not noticed the Quick Text messages on your Inreach, you can see them by selecting Messages | New Message | (scroll down one to highlight the Message block) | (scroll right to highlight the Select block) | ('Select Quick Text Message' will show.) After selecting the message you'll be taken back to a highlight Recipients screen to start entering recipients. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want to edit the message contents to provide more details, scroll down one to highlight the Message block and hit the check-mark button to be taken to the editing screen. After you're done editing, complete and send the message as you normally would.
You create the Quick Text messages in your online account under the Messages tab for download to your Inreach unit. A set of default messages is provided. I'm not sure which I may have modified so can only list my current ones:
1- Can't reply now. Will contact you later.
2 - Having a problem and am currently out of range of cell phone and internet services. Details to follow. Please reply if you can help look for assistance via web.
3- Camping here tonight.
4 - Having a great time. Wish you were here!
5 - Remember this place?
6 -Broken down but working on it. Will send an update later.
7- Returning home. Will provide more details when we get to cellular or internet services.
8 - Yes
9 - No
10 - Just checking in. Everything is okay.
11 - Awaiting rescue. Sent a 911 Alert via InReach to GEOS. More to follow. THIS IS NOT A TEST.
12 - GEOS/International Emergency Response Coordination Center emergency contact info: Phone: 1.877.444.2937, Email: iercc@geos911.com
