Garmin’s new inReach Messenger Plus is an upgraded version of the company’s satellite communicator that expands the original’s text messaging capabilities with the ability to now send photos and audio clips through the Iridium satellite network.

The original Garmin inReach Messenger debuted in 2022 and is still available for $299.99 for those content with relying on just text messages. The new multimedia capabilities of the inReach Messenger Plus come with a significant price bump to $499.99, which doesn’t include service. inReach subscriptions range in price from $11.95 to $49.95 per month for consumers (with a 12-month commitment), with even pricier plans available for pros (search and rescue teams, for example) and larger groups.

Even while away from Wi-Fi or a reliable cellular connection it can constantly update others with your current GPS location, and the inReach Messenger Plus can be used to download weather reports and forecasts for your destination. The added photo and audio sharing capabilities can potentially make it easier for rescuers to locate you and to better understand your emergency, including what equipment may be needed based on photos of an injury.

The inReach Messenger Plus also features a dedicated SOS button which will put you in contact with Garmin’s own emergency coordination center that’s staffed 24/7, and automatically shares your current location.

The other big advantage to using the inReach Messenger Plus is that it takes the battery drain off your smartphone. Garmin claims the communicator can run for up to 600 hours while sending a text message or GPS location data every 10 minutes. When using its new multimedia capabilities, Garmin says up to 250 photos or audio clips can be sent on a full charge.