Help Center
Everything you need to know about using OneBar
Getting Started
How to Start
- Text SIGNUP WELCOME to (855) 767-2111 to create your account (5 free credits)
- Text a skill keyword or any question to the same number
- Get your reply in seconds and keep going
Examples: "WX Purple Mountain, CO" for the NWS forecast, or "How long is the hike to Conundrum Hot Springs?" for the AI assistant.
Backcountry Skills
Send a keyword followed by a place name or coordinates. Each lookup costs 1 credit and returns official data with no AI in between. Text SKILLS for this list on your phone.
WX Purple Mountain, CONWS point forecast, next ~36h
WX7 Lake City7-day outlook
WXH 38.87,-106.98Hourly, next 12h
WXZ GothicNWS zone (regional) forecast
ALERTS Crested ButteActive NWS watches and warnings
AVY Schofield PassCBAC/CAIC avalanche forecast for that point
AVY CBACAll zones for a center (or AVY CAIC)
SNOW Schofield PassNearest SNOTEL: depth, new snow, SWE, temps
SNOWFC GothicNWS 72h snowfall, gusts, snow level
AQI Crested ButteAir quality and smoke: nearby PurpleAir sensors and official monitors
FIRES Lake CityActive wildfires within 50 miles, with acres and distance
FIRE OurayFire danger for the area containing that point
FIRE ALLAll Western Colorado fire danger areas
FIREGunnison-area rating (default)
Coordinates: decimal (38.87,-106.98), N/W (38.87N 106.98W) or Garmin degrees-minutes (N38 52.2 W106 58.8). Aliases also work: WEATHER, HOURLY, AVALANCHE, WARNINGS. Forecasts are informational; verify with official sources and use 911 or SOS in an emergency.
Using a Garmin inReach
In the Garmin Messenger or Explore app, open Settings > SMS Message Configuration and keep "Include a link to an online map with the location of my message" checked (it is on by default). Turning on "Latitude and longitude as text" also works and saves us a lookup.
With the link included, a bare keyword answers for where you are: text WX, AVY, SNOW or FIRES with nothing after it. A place name or coordinates still overrides.
Linking: Garmin includes your phone number in that link, so if your phone already has an account the device is linked on its first text and shares the credits. Otherwise text LINK from your phone to get a code, then LINK 123456 from the device. No phone at all? SIGNUP WELCOME from the device creates an account, and we remember the device even when Garmin changes the number it sends from.
Satellite replies can take a few minutes and count toward your Garmin message plan, so replies are kept short.
SMS Commands
Basic Commands
HELPShow available commands
SKILLSList the backcountry lookup keywords
LINKAttach an inReach or second device to this account (LINK for a code, LINK 123456 from the device)
USAGECheck your credit balance
BUYGet link to purchase credits
STOPUnsubscribe from service
AI Model Selection
Credit System
How Credits Work
Free Credits
- • New users get 5 free credits
- • One-time allocation
- • No expiration
Credit Usage
- • 1 credit per lookup or question (SKILLS and HELP are free)
- • Same cost for all AI models
- • Check balance with "USAGE"
Note: During beta testing, payment features are coming soon. Enjoy your free credits!
Troubleshooting
Not receiving responses?
- • Have you signed up? Numbers without an account get no reply. Text "SIGNUP WELCOME" first.
- • Check you're texting the correct number: (855) 767-2111
- • Verify you have cell service and can send/receive SMS
- • Make sure you have available credits (text "USAGE")
- • Responses typically arrive within 10-30 seconds
Getting error messages?
- • "Insufficient credits" - Purchase more credits or contact support
- • "Message too long" - Keep messages under 1600 characters
- • "Service temporarily unavailable" - Try again in a few minutes
Conversation not working?
- • Conversations last 2 hours automatically
- • We remember your last 10 messages for context
- • Each new question starts a fresh conversation if > 2 hours passed
Still need help?
Our support team is here to help with any questions or issues.
Response time: Within 24 hours