GREAT review on this inReach Mini. it made the difference to me. I'm buying one for myself, and one for my Dad. He rides bicycles avidly, and he's 73. So I worry from time to time :)
Thank you for a great video! Yours is the best and very thorough review of this device. Anyone thinking of getting this Garmin InReach Mini, will definitely want to watch this video. Thanks again and have a great one!
Pretty cool as long as you have a means to charge your phone and the device. SOS beacon is a great feature. I’d still carry my compass, map, and signal mirror!
Great review 👍🏽 I have the first gen Inreach when it was owned by Delorme and it still works.. rolled my ankle last year during archery season and was able to let the wife know everything was okay but was ending my hunt early. I pay for the lowest yearly plan.. like $14 a month but always have it in my pick-up truck. Do a lot of weekend trips into the mountains and don't always have cell service.
Great review! I really want one now! Most of my camping is in remote areas of Idaho and Montana where there's no service (hell, even on the Interstate and in small towns there's often no service!) so it would be a godsend. I love that it pairs with a smart phone- that's always going to be better than the UI of a standalone unit.
I’m very interested in this mini. I have the older Delorme InReach and last year actually used the SOS feature after a lightning strike started a forest fire near me. I was able to get International Rescue to alert local services to attend to the strike. I captured the whole thing on video and it was an interesting view of how SOS works in the real world whereas reviews like this can’t cover that aspect. I like to think that my quick response (within 10 minutes of the strike) enabled this fire from getting large (it got hit by an air tanker and then mopped up the next day from reports back that I got).
As a seafarer, and with recent happening with Bourbon Rhode i am seriously considering buying something like this. In addition to some pocketable solar panel...
Thanks for a super-informative video. I’m new to sat devices and am trying to decide what to buy. I completely agree with you about the phone interface: by comparison the Garmin interface (e.g., Explorer) looks like something from the 80s.
Just ordered a Mini because I ride my off-road motorcycle into the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. Good peace of mind in case I crash and injure myself or break down far from civilization.
Tell me about it. I was on a trip once. By myself like I always hunt. On a hill I was able to get some texts out. The last text I sent we me sending a bear track in the snow... I then lost cell service for 48 hours... when I finally got enough service to GET texts I has messages tons of messages. About 10 from my sister 30 from my wife 5 from the local Sheriff’s department notifying me that I was being looked for and to contact the Sheriff’s department as soon as I get this.5 from my wife's friend and her boyfriend... and ofcourse I only had enough cell service to get all the messages TO me but not a single message back out to them. I had to hike 1 hours back to the truck... then drive almost 2 hours back out of the area before I was able to send anything back out... long story short I spent about 7 hours and lost the whole day on the last day of rifle season.. this is the only reason I purchased one this year. And it will be 100% worth it. It and the level of panic in the texts I received was very stressful.
The Iridium system uses four Earth stations. To provide the additional paths thata re needed, space-based backhaul routes are used to send the phone call packets through space to one of the downlinks known as feeder links. These down links are required because onlly a few satellites are within view of an Earth station at any given time. These downlinks are primarily used for calls that need to be routed into the terrestrial phone system. For satellite phone to satellite phone calls, it is possible to route the traffic directly through space with no downlink. Although the satellite to satellite routing and the associated downlinks add a considerable degree of complexity to the Iridium system, it does enable fewer earth stations to be required, and it also enables full global coverage to be provided.
Hello what does that mean That the mini connects to a smartphone Is it possible to navigate Without a smartphone solar network And you can see the progress during the navigation on the smartphone map So in fact the smartphone is used as screen for the mini thank you for the answer
How would I record a location with the mini Inreach? For example, if I see a campsite that I want to come back to at a later hike, is there a way to waypoint the campsite and give it a description via my cellphone bluetooth capability?
Will this work for people sending me messages? I was far offshore fishing and my fishing buddies at home were trying to warn me of an thunderstorm but I was out of cell signal. I have a PLB for emergencies but being able to receive those text messages could have helped keep me out of a very dangerous storm.
Does the Inreach work through any kind of tree canopy? Makes sense it doesn’t work indoors. However, in the Pacific Northwest sometimes the tree cover can be very thick.
Do Sat phones require the service provider to have a ground station with power to function? i.e. in a Grid-Down power outage nationwide will Garmin Sat Phones function?
Outdoorsy Wanna be yes. It’s the whole reason to use the mini. I had the Explorer and traded it for a mini because I always used the Earthmate app and never looked at the actual InReach.
So with the bigger in reach the maps on the device work with no cell reception, is that the case with the mini in using the maps on your phone? Or do the app maps depend on having a cell signal?
Does it work with your phone if you're not in cell service? Aka.. do you have to have preloaded maps or do maps load from satellite to mini to phone if you're not in cell service?
Great review!! I am a Garmin user as well. Does the InReach REQUIRE the subscription plan to work? The Garmin watches track without any subscription. Thanks
@@kevinnoall9221 This is a transmitter and receiver. They do sell emergency locator beacons that can sent an sos for help that do not need a subscription, but that is all they do. So if you do not need to send any check-in in messages to family or receive any info from anyone you just want the safety of an emergency rescue if needed you have other choices.
Looks a great piece of kit but works out expensive for how much I’d actually use it. 15 quid minimum a month plus the cost of the devise is a lot to pay for basically sending a text to say I’m here ok. Don’t get me wrong It’s definitely something great to have for peace of mind or if you run into trouble 👍
Hello, could you tell me please if, without an active subscription, is it possible to have full GPS and route functions like in any other no-satellite GPS (with a cell phone)? Also if you can add maps and routes from MapSource as well.... My idea is to use this mainly as a GPS and occasionally, if needed, as a Satellite communication device... Thank you!!!!
Just ordered my mini, but for GPS you don't need it--just use the Gaia phone app---you download the maps of your area ahead of time and then use your phone as your GPS. Great maps, and you don't need cell service--put your phone on airplane mode and it uses the GPS chip in your phone.
When comparing with Zoleo, InReach fans say InReach better because you can describe the nature of your SOS and facilitat the rescue. Seems like you you can only do that easily with a cell phone anyway as you could surely not send details easily using the up and down buttons with shaky hands in an emergency!! SO it invalidates the suggestion that an Inreach is superior because it is independent of a cell phone. Thoughts?
Be sure, if you're out often, to have rescue insurance. It's not expensive. If you do need a rescue, you are charged the tens of thousands of dollars it took to get you to safety.
FINALLY! Someone who shows it being used with their phone!! Thank you, made me seal the deal...going with the mini.
I use my Explorer with my phone, much easier than trying to do it on the device itself
My third, pre-saved text message would be, “Get help, call everyone, save me! But first, delete my web browser history.”
Great overview. Just bought one for remote mc travel. Had a SPOT but got tried of the constant price increases. Much to learn.
GREAT review on this inReach Mini. it made the difference to me. I'm buying one for myself, and one for my Dad. He rides bicycles avidly, and he's 73. So I worry from time to time :)
Thank you for a great video! Yours is the best and very thorough review of this device. Anyone thinking of getting this Garmin InReach Mini, will definitely want to watch this video. Thanks again and have a great one!
Pretty cool as long as you have a means to charge your phone and the device. SOS beacon is a great feature. I’d still carry my compass, map, and signal mirror!
Old school
Best review I’ve seen. Just got one after 59 years of no tech just map and compass getting schooled 😁 on new tech
one of the best overall reviews of the device. Only one i have seen that covers the app. Seems like the app does what GAIA does
Great review 👍🏽 I have the first gen Inreach when it was owned by Delorme and it still works.. rolled my ankle last year during archery season and was able to let the wife know everything was okay but was ending my hunt early. I pay for the lowest yearly plan.. like $14 a month but always have it in my pick-up truck. Do a lot of weekend trips into the mountains and don't always have cell service.
Down load the Maps before hitting the trail! I learned that the hard way!!!
😮😂
Thanks for the super-comprehensive review. Really understand what I'm getting now.
Great review! I really want one now! Most of my camping is in remote areas of Idaho and Montana where there's no service (hell, even on the Interstate and in small towns there's often no service!) so it would be a godsend. I love that it pairs with a smart phone- that's always going to be better than the UI of a standalone unit.
Absolutely brilliant video. It’s great to show how it is used with your mobile cellphone. An almost certainly for me to purchase!!
I’m very interested in this mini.
I have the older Delorme InReach and last year actually used the SOS feature after a lightning strike started a forest fire near me. I was able to get International Rescue to alert local services to attend to the strike. I captured the whole thing on video and it was an interesting view of how SOS works in the real world whereas reviews like this can’t cover that aspect. I like to think that my quick response (within 10 minutes of the strike) enabled this fire from getting large (it got hit by an air tanker and then mopped up the next day from reports back that I got).
Have the Mini works as advertised. Pricey!
Excellent video, professional, articulate, 👍
As a seafarer, and with recent happening with Bourbon Rhode i am seriously considering buying something like this. In addition to some pocketable solar panel...
Thanks for a super-informative video. I’m new to sat devices and am trying to decide what to buy. I completely agree with you about the phone interface: by comparison the Garmin interface (e.g., Explorer) looks like something from the 80s.
Great review, very useful and easy to understand, thank you and happy trails!
"Hey babe, I'm going to be late, make sure dinner's ready" 😂 Cook your own m8
Ok yeah i laughed at that one too 😂.
More like "Hey babe, I'm going to be late. Please don't kick my ass when I get home" :)
Thanks for the information. It was exactly what I was looking for and very thorough. (165/7.5)
Great review but laughed when you said 'hey babe running late, have the dinner ready'
Just ordered a Mini because I ride my off-road motorcycle into the middle of nowhere in New Mexico. Good peace of mind in case I crash and injure myself or break down far from civilization.
"Bring Lawyers, Guns and Money"
But seriously folks.....this looks like a very useful Sat Phone.
Jas Holden thumbs up for the Warren Zevon reference!
@@LazyHomestead Always a thumbs up for Warren Zevon :)
I can see a use for this as I like to hunt alone an the wifey would have peace of mind when I'm in the swamp.
Tell me about it. I was on a trip once. By myself like I always hunt. On a hill I was able to get some texts out. The last text I sent we me sending a bear track in the snow... I then lost cell service for 48 hours... when I finally got enough service to GET texts I has messages tons of messages. About 10 from my sister 30 from my wife 5 from the local Sheriff’s department notifying me that I was being looked for and to contact the Sheriff’s department as soon as I get this.5 from my wife's friend and her boyfriend... and ofcourse I only had enough cell service to get all the messages TO me but not a single message back out to them. I had to hike 1 hours back to the truck... then drive almost 2 hours back out of the area before I was able to send anything back out... long story short I spent about 7 hours and lost the whole day on the last day of rifle season.. this is the only reason I purchased one this year. And it will be 100% worth it. It and the level of panic in the texts I received was very stressful.
Thanks great review. A piece of equipment I never knew existed and one that I’m definitely going to be adding to my kit.
Fantastic coverage! Thanks
The Iridium system uses four Earth stations. To provide the additional paths thata re needed, space-based backhaul routes are used to send the phone call packets through space to one of the downlinks known as feeder links. These down links are required because onlly a few satellites are within view of an Earth station at any given time. These downlinks are primarily used for calls that need to be routed into the terrestrial phone system. For satellite phone to satellite phone calls, it is possible to route the traffic directly through space with no downlink. Although the satellite to satellite routing and the associated downlinks add a considerable degree of complexity to the Iridium system, it does enable fewer earth stations to be required, and it also enables full global coverage to be provided.
Echo Papa thank you satellite nerd
Thank you for he review, super helpful.
Great video , thanks mate . Please tell me which maps do you recommend to download ? I'm in Australia !
Hello
what does that mean
That the mini connects to a smartphone
Is it possible to navigate Without a smartphone solar network
And you can see the progress during the navigation on the smartphone map
So in fact the smartphone is used as screen for the mini
thank you for the answer
How would I record a location with the mini Inreach? For example, if I see a campsite that I want to come back to at a later hike, is there a way to waypoint the campsite and give it a description via my cellphone bluetooth capability?
Alex yup. Right in the Earthmate app.
Any thoughts on the new Montana 700i
Will this work for people sending me messages? I was far offshore fishing and my fishing buddies at home were trying to warn me of an thunderstorm but I was out of cell signal. I have a PLB for emergencies but being able to receive those text messages could have helped keep me out of a very dangerous storm.
yes it will.
Does the Inreach work through any kind of tree canopy? Makes sense it doesn’t work indoors. However, in the Pacific Northwest sometimes the tree cover can be very thick.
Do Sat phones require the service provider to have a ground station with power to function? i.e. in a Grid-Down power outage nationwide will Garmin Sat Phones function?
Great review!
Cool device!
Would this work for a truck driver if you get into an accident in rural area
brettduffy19992 exactly what I use mine for 9 months out of the year.
Can you layer in a unit map with public vs private land?
Will the app on phone work if there isnt a cell service when you want to sent txt? Of course I pair my inreach first. But will work?
I was wondering that myself
Outdoorsy Wanna be yes. It’s the whole reason to use the mini. I had the Explorer and traded it for a mini because I always used the Earthmate app and never looked at the actual InReach.
How much did it drain the battery on your phone? What’s the phone number that a person receiving gets ?
Great video and sold me on the unit. I’m based in Tampa we should meet up!
So with the bigger in reach the maps on the device work with no cell reception, is that the case with the mini in using the maps on your phone? Or do the app maps depend on having a cell signal?
ABSV /a beautiful sunset vlog you must download maps to the phone ahead of time. It’s very simple though.
Bello 👍
Does it work with your phone if you're not in cell service? Aka.. do you have to have preloaded maps or do maps load from satellite to mini to phone if you're not in cell service?
Two Bananas Adventures you’ll download the maps ahead of time.
That is a great product.
Hey Dispatch thanks for the vid and info did you experinece a tree canopy loss as well IE: jungle/forest?
Will the Garmin communicate Simplex from Sat Transmitter to Sat Receiver without requiring the ground based Sat provider to function as a Repeater?
Yeah I messed up and got the 66i. Wish I got the little guy.
Great review!! I am a Garmin user as well. Does the InReach REQUIRE the subscription plan to work? The Garmin watches track without any subscription. Thanks
@@SurvivalDispatch Do you know if there is any sat transmitter device that does not require a subscription?
@@kevinnoall9221 This is a transmitter and receiver. They do sell emergency locator beacons that can sent an sos for help that do not need a subscription, but that is all they do. So if you do not need to send any check-in in messages to family or receive any info from anyone you just want the safety of an emergency rescue if needed you have other choices.
Looks a great piece of kit but works out expensive for how much I’d actually use it. 15 quid minimum a month plus the cost of the devise is a lot to pay for basically sending a text to say I’m here ok. Don’t get me wrong It’s definitely something great to have for peace of mind or if you run into trouble 👍
Paul B a lot cheaper than a divorce attorney.
bpdp379 I bought one 😃
is Earthmate working without a subscription? Thanks
Does the app work when there’s no cell phone signal? If I can’t use the app/maps in the desolate, remote areas that would be a huge problem.
The Earthmate app works fine without a cell signal, but you will need to download the maps you need before you head out.
Can you sync it and use it with a tablet such Ipad, Amazon Fire, etc??
zodiacbase1 it works with my iPad.
Hello, could you tell me please if, without an active subscription, is it possible to have full GPS and route functions like in any other no-satellite GPS (with a cell phone)? Also if you can add maps and routes from MapSource as well.... My idea is to use this mainly as a GPS and occasionally, if needed, as a Satellite communication device... Thank you!!!!
Just ordered my mini, but for GPS you don't need it--just use the Gaia phone app---you download the maps of your area ahead of time and then use your phone as your GPS. Great maps, and you don't need cell service--put your phone on airplane mode and it uses the GPS chip in your phone.
what happens if your phone has no data or cell phone service
Do you guys know if you have to get the subscription? Will the SOS work without it?
Nothing works on it without the subscription. It has to be set up and initialized for you before it works.
Its on Amazon for sale rn for $275 is it worth it?
Does the map on the cell phone work even if the cell towers are down ?, Most maps are downloaded every time you look at them from the net.
Yes it works offline. The maps are downloaded.
Can you record a breadcrumb trail for your own usage not sending tracking info to outside world?
Josh
Looks like you can share collections
Josh yes.
What if you don't own a smart phone would this GPS still be as good ?
Is this device back-lit?
When comparing with Zoleo, InReach fans say InReach better because you can describe the nature of your SOS and facilitat the rescue. Seems like you you can only do that easily with a cell phone anyway as you could surely not send details easily using the up and down buttons with shaky hands in an emergency!! SO it invalidates the suggestion that an Inreach is superior because it is independent of a cell phone. Thoughts?
Be sure, if you're out often, to have rescue insurance. It's not expensive. If you do need a rescue, you are charged the tens of thousands of dollars it took to get you to safety.
Will the Inreach Mini send or receive photos via text message?
No photos just text.
Good job for the video!!One question; I want to be able to send message to a satellite phone, is it possible?
@dany ouellet
If it receives txts I don’t see why not
Four minutes into the video and he finally starts talking about what it does.
I MENT TO SAY WE PAID TO INVENT GPS, AND PUT IT IN SPACE. WHO OUNS THIS EQUIPMENT NOW AND HOW.?
Thanks for not doing a stupid unboxing!
Would love to have one, but the 350.00 price tag is a little out of reach for a B O B.
Sometimes online and retail stores have 20% one item sales. This is exactly the kind of hardware I would try and get for that.
4:30 - unless you break your phone falling down a waterfall. Then you can’t access shit.
You can get them for $177 now !
Where?
$20k to hit the sos button?
Where’s Christopher
SOS people bring Champagne 🥂 though
Great device but far too expensive atm. If they brought the price down to $99 everyone (sensible) would buy one.
FOR 99.00 A MONTH IT SHOULD BE FREE
David Hayden my InReach safety plan is $12 per month.
insult unboxers, great plan
Looks expensive
Hope your wife didn't watch.
9:00 - “Auditorial Beep.” No dude, just no. Look up the word Auditorial please.