Which Inreach device?

[21JLURDG]

I use an Android phone and find the inReach Messenger perfect for back-up communication when away from civilization. Messenger is about a C-note cheaper than the Mini 2, and I can normally mount it above the rollbar on magnets and then forget about it. When I'm on a solo trip, I give my wife and friends access to my tracking information. I also text her my start and end movement so she knows I'm still in one piece when I stop moving.

I believe that I can do everything that the Mini 2 can do but I need the cellphone for texting except for a straight SOS activation. I'm very happy with my messenger but wish the monthly subscription was a little less.

Also, I believe in the future the satellite connectivity of cell phones will be the way to go, but right now the coverage is very limited. The only advantage is cost.

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[txj2go]

I use an inreach Mini that I bought 3 or 4 years ago. I have no complaints about its function, it works well for what I need. It has a small screen and can be hard to work through the menus until you get used to it.
When I'm on trails I set it for extended tracking to send a tracking point every 30 minutes. I will run for several days on one charge. At the end of the day I send a preset message that everything is OK and then turn it off until the next day. My wife at home can log into the Garmin website and see where I am, and if my tracking points stay at the same place for several hours it is possible that something is wrong. I can send my own text messages through the Mini or I can connect to my phone through Bluetooth and text through the Mini using my phone. I can also connect it to my ipad using Bluetooth and run navigation through the ipad. My only complaint about any of this is when I turn on Bluetooth it turns off extended tracking. (Extended tracking is just a way to conserve battery.)
Garmin has a number of plans to cover the amount of use you anticipate. Since I don't use my Mini every month I only turn on my monthly plan when I'm going to be using it and turn it off other times. I also pick a fairly low tier monthly plan and then I pay a little bit for each tracking point.

 

[Dusty Dude]

You might want to consider the Montana 700 series vs the InReach 2. You don’t have to connect your phone to text, and you can view maps on it too. One device to keep charged and use vs two.

 

[bd100]

The Inreach Mini 2 is a pain to type on, perhaps literally. The buttons are ruggedized and hard to press, possibly too hard if you are injured/weak or have arthritis. And the emergency SOS button is covered by a ruggedized flap which requires a fingernail to open, which again may be a problem if you are injured. But it helps protect against false alarms. Meanwhile, the Iphone 14 seems to require several steps to trigger the SOS, which again may be a problem if you are injured, but I don't know how many of those steps are actually required. So the auto tracking of the Garmin unit may be very important should you slide into a ravine and pass out, or such. Is this likely? Well, more so for some people than others. And waiting for someone to respond to the fact that you stopped moving can take a long time. So try to stay safe no matter what you get!

Be sure to carry the thing every time you get out of the vehicle. Does no good if you left it behind for what you thought would be a short hike to a scenic overlook, for example. This is where the small pocket-sized unit can be nice.

I use dumbed down phones so no Garmin app so I have to type directly on the Inreach instead of using Bluetooth. Check the Inreach website for compatible devices. For example, you can link it to their Overlander GPS and use that to type. I wish they also liked them to the RV GPS units, etc. But I'm able to send small messages directly from the device. Nice when the family is in the campground and I'm out roaming some trail nearby but out of GMRS range. (By the way, GMRS can bounce off mountains and down neighboring canyons, so give it a try too!)

A small unit like the Inreach can ride in your pocket or clipped to a back pack or a dashboard mount and stay pointed to the sky for GPS and comms updates. Being small it can ride on the dashboard without taking up much room.

It's also easy for a kid to be trained how to summon SOS even if they don't know how to read or type. Also easy to use when cold or injured and hardly able to think or move. Except for that protective flap, I guess.

As mentioned above, there are also units which combine Inreach with GPS and maps, or GMRS radio.

No matter what you decide, if you go out of cell coverage it can be very nice to have some comms. Inreach is nice for family to reach you if needed. When Iphone can do that as well it'll be great for all.

Edit: When set correctly the Inreach can last many days w/o recharge. More to the point, should an emergency occur, you probably won't be caught with 5% charge remaining at that moment.

 

[bd100]

Slightly humorous:

https://www.geekwire.com/2023/worst...hnology-and-an-inadvertent-wilderness-rescue/

 

[SWVA JLUR]

The Inreach Mini 2 is a pain to type on, perhaps literally. The buttons are ruggedized and hard to press, possibly too hard if you are injured/weak or have arthritis. And the emergency SOS button is covered by a ruggedized flap which requires a fingernail to open, which again may be a problem if you are injured. But it helps protect against false alarms. Meanwhile, the Iphone 14 seems to require several steps to trigger the SOS, which again may be a problem if you are injured, but I don't know how many of those steps are actually required. So the auto tracking of the Garmin unit may be very important should you slide into a ravine and pass out, or such. Is this likely? Well, more so for some people than others. And waiting for someone to respond to the fact that you stopped moving can take a long time. So try to stay safe no matter what you get!

Be sure to carry the thing every time you get out of the vehicle. Does no good if you left it behind for what you thought would be a short hike to a scenic overlook, for example. This is where the small pocket-sized unit can be nice.

I use dumbed down phones so no Garmin app so I have to type directly on the Inreach instead of using Bluetooth. Check the Inreach website for compatible devices. For example, you can link it to their Overlander GPS and use that to type. I wish they also liked them to the RV GPS units, etc. But I'm able to send small messages directly from the device. Nice when the family is in the campground and I'm out roaming some trail nearby but out of GMRS range. (By the way, GMRS can bounce off mountains and down neighboring canyons, so give it a try too!)

A small unit like the Inreach can ride in your pocket or clipped to a back pack or a dashboard mount and stay pointed to the sky for GPS and comms updates. Being small it can ride on the dashboard without taking up much room.

It's also easy for a kid to be trained how to summon SOS even if they don't know how to read or type. Also easy to use when cold or injured and hardly able to think or move. Except for that protective flap, I guess.

As mentioned above, there are also units which combine Inreach with GPS and maps, or GMRS radio.

No matter what you decide, if you go out of cell coverage it can be very nice to have some comms. Inreach is nice for family to reach you if needed. When Iphone can do that as well it'll be great for all.

Edit: When set correctly the Inreach can last many days w/o recharge. More to the point, should an emergency occur, you probably won't be caught with 5% charge remaining at that moment.

Wow…. Thank you for taking the time to write this. This is the type of feedback/review you’ll never get on a website or YouTube. I just placed my order for the Mini 2. I have a portable battery pack that I will throw into the recovery bag should battery be an issue, but based upon your review, I should be good.

Thanks again!

 

[SWVA JLUR]

You might want to consider the Montana 700 series vs the InReach 2. You don’t have to connect your phone to text, and you can view maps on it too. One device to keep charged and use vs two.

I was looking at this one as well as the 67i. Most people have gone with the Mini 2 so that is the direction I was leaning.

 

[BobW]

I wasn’t aware the 14 allowed non emergency texting and emails by satellite

Never (yet) had an SOS event.

Sat txting is the one feature I've used regularly, updating my wife when out of cell reach (often enough in Sierra or Mojave, even when skiing Mt Baldy).
Yes, while txt on inReach is clumsy, bluetooth synch to phone in jeep makes it easy.

I like the battery life when hiking.

 

[roaniecowpony]

You might want to consider the Montana 700 series vs the InReach 2. You don’t have to connect your phone to text, and you can view maps on it too. One device to keep charged and use vs two.

This is similar to my Garmin Alpha 200i with InReach. The Alpha 200i is a full featured GPS, similar to the Montana 700, but with dog tracking features. I bought it because I hunt with a pointer. I'd had the earlier model without InReach, but when I upgraded to the latest model, I got the InReach feature for another $50. I activated InReach last fall and have only used it to test the text function several times.

I recently put my subscription on hold since I wasn't using it.

For the OP, there are more and more Garmin devices that they have incorporated InReach capabilities into. Check out their product lineup. I like the idea of a portable standalone GPS device.

 

[Ratbert]

Thank you! Unfortunately I’m running a iPhone 13 Pro so that’s no help.

It might be cheaper / easier / better to simply upgrade your phone.

 

[3TV]

I'm a total newby about sat phones. Has anyone used an Inmarsat phone? Feedback on them would be appreciated.
Buy Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 - Standard Package | Satellite Phone Store

It is a $895 phone that you get for "free" if you buy a one-year prepaid service plan. The plan includes 150 minutes a month, which is way more than I would ever need. The 150 minute per month plan cost $895. So, you could look at it like you are buying the phone and getting the plan for free, or like you are buying the plan and getting the phone for free. They also have cheaper plans starting at $49 a month, but you don't get the phone for free with that plan.

 

[THAW]

iPhone 14 on up or InReach Mini 2 with monthly subscription. The only current clear advantage for the InReach is weather and crumb trail right now.

InReach Mini 2 also has a superior satellite antenna.

 

[Odyssey USA]

InReach Mini 2 also has a superior satellite antenna.

I have the mini and a phone so I should be good.

 

[Nokones]

I'm using the Garmin Tread 10 Overlander Navigation System.

 

[Dusty Dude]

I was looking at this one as well as the 67i. Most people have gone with the Mini 2 so that is the direction I was leaning.

My daughter has been a counselor/emt/nurse at a christian camp in southern Montana for a few summers. They have had to use the SOS systems for health emergencies. The 700 was able to be passed around to others for communications en route, whereas the inreach 2 was tied to one phone. If the phone went to standby, you had to log in again or default to the limited functions of the InReach 2.

Something that came up after I asked her about it.

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