A:AnswerinReach® satellite communicators use GPS satellites to find your position but send and receive messages through the Iridium satellite network. Under ideal conditions, messages can be sent within 30 seconds to a minute, but may take up to 5 minutes depending on your surroundings. In certain situations, it could take longer, especially if tracking is not actively being used. For inReach devices to connect to the Iridium communication satellites, they need to be outside. There is only one Iridium satellite in the sky at a time. Each Iridium satellite passes by approximately every 9 minutes, travels North-South, and rarely flies directly overhead. Iridium satellites have a much lower orbit compared to GPS satellites, and an area surrounded by mountains, heavy tree cover, buildings, or other solid structures will increase the time it takes to send and receive messages or track points. Clouds have no effect on the communication between the Iridium satellites and the inReach device. The signal transmitted by the device may be too weak to reach the satellites through windows, so if you cannot connect to satellites indoors or in a vehicle, then you need to take the inReach device outside. When the inReach device is used around a building or obstruction, it is best to be on the North or South side. For more information please view our Support Center, https://support.garmin.com/en-US/. You can also contact Product Support or email us at [email protected]. Thanks Garmin
