I mean... a lot of people put in chapter breaks with titles so I don't know why you're freaking out about a single list flashed on screen for a few seconds lol
here's a clickable version of the index that is at the front of the video, thank you Alexander for the index (you can add this to the description) 00:26 Tracking 05:38 Weather 06:25 Battery 07:26 Test it before you depend on it!!! 07:50 Maps 09:00 Tracks and Routes 09:44 Sharing to Facebook 12:07 Texting with Search and Rescue 13:07 Messaging 13:32 Final Thoughts
I have had one for some time. It gives my children peace of mind because I often travel in areas with out cell coverage. It paid for it's self on one trip. The water pump on my truck failed and I was stranded in a remote area well beyond cell coverage. I was able to contact my daughter and her husband picked up a new water pump and brought it to me. We were back on the road within 24 hours.
Good story, that’s exactly why I just got it. I overland 2-3 times a year. Headed to the Mojave desert in a 30 year old land cruiser for the next 5 days. Eventually something going to fail.
Thank you so much for this info. I’ve seen a bunch of reviews that tell you nothing you can’t read on the box. I really appreciate you getting into the nitty gritty.
You are too kind about the interface. Garmin fails on its manual, instructions, UX and interface. When someone like you of above average intelligence struggles to figure out how to use an inreach it is flat out a poorly engineered device. Like you I’m still finding all the pluses and minuses after a year. Thanks for a great video.
For sending a message with the location. You CAN turn map location on in options so you do not need to click on the little location dot next to the message. You can leave it on the default. For messaging the rescuers that is a little more complicated than you stated. The first text message you will receive is NOT from the SAR group coming to get you. It is from the central emergency response centre who will contact your local SAR agency. So you will likely get a message from the Emergency centre asking you to text a message to a NEW number which is a member of the actual SAR team. They can not send you a message via text unless you send one to them first. NOTE: People can only send you text messages if you send them a message first. Be sure to send a message to your wife or significant other before you leave and check that they can message you. Thanks for the great review.
Perhaps you should have mentioned that tracking at a two-minute interval is only available on the Expedition plan. Otherwise, the tracking is at a 10-minute interval.
Thanks! I just bought one and I haven’t set it up yet. We’re heading off on camping adventures to big bend national park. But I’m also seeing advantages to sending this off when my husband goes hiking in the hills behind our house. The Apple tracking on his iPhone is not necessarily spectacularly accurate. And he’s 80. And I worry. :)
I’m seriously considering getting one of these but have heard of people having a hell of a time getting them set up. You’ve taken some of the mystery out it. Thanks for your input! Great video!
SUPER helpful video! Thanks for creating this. I bought the Garmin inReach Explorer+ in July 2020 and I'm just now diving into all of the nitty gritty features on this thing. This is easily one of my most favorite pieces of gear, mainly for the peace of mind it gives me knowing I have two-way messaging access to friends and family at home and with S&R in an SOS situation.
Hey, I just got my inReach Mini and I've been going through the setup process in preparation for a late March launch on the PCT. Your video was very helpful, informative, and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
thanks for making this video, it was very helpful to me, since I just bought the inreach mini. I would have thought garmin would have had some of this that you covered HOW TO... the tracking feature I have added a password to the mapshare but I think that may make it less used by whoever I'm sending it to since they have to input a pw... and when I tried it the map didn't zoom in and was showing Africa - I'm in USA...
Great information. How do you get your device to sit still on the strap of your pack? It looks like it's just held on with the carabiner, but it's not really flopping around like you'd expect it to. What did you do?
I've had tremendous success with my inReach mini. The device is the workhorse, and I pair it with my Samsung Note 10+ 5G phone and use the Earthmate app for a display. Before a trip, I turn on MapShare and select who can view my travels (link and password required), and then edit my free three PreSet Messages to send out (On the highway, This is my campsite, Going exploring today, etc). I send messages to email addresses, not text messages, and have had no problems with recipients receiving them. From there, they can zoom in/out on the map and follow along. I camp with my Jeep and have the interval set to 10 minutes, so I'm always "pretty close" to being on a forest road or a desert trail here in AZ... as long as I keep showing as moving, then there is no worry. If a problem arose, then all of those intervals wouldn't matter, and I'd show as stationary in one spot repeatedly beaconing, causing a concern. Tremendous technology and quite an asset while getting out there. I also use HAM radio when out of cell phone reception. Travel safe. Pete - KI7LIL
Garmin has become overly money driven and MapShare is just a way for Garmin to nickel & dime their customers. Garmin charges Tracking Points ($0.10 each) to show your location on MapShare and they try to trick you into using MapShare rather than simple internal tracking. So if you “Start Tracking” via your device, you are activating the internal tracking (no cost) but if you “Start Tracking” via the Explorer App, you are activating the MapShare Send Intervals at $0.10 per tracking point? Same “Start Tracking” but two different functions; Nothing confusing about that! Out of the box Garmin sets the Mini 2 to “Standard Detail” tracking which records fewer internal tracking points and saves battery life, the problem is that it records so few tracking points that your actual track doesn’t match what the Mini 2 records so you have no way to navigate back again, And even the Track Back feature fails to operate! Can you say “DANGEROUS”? Now to get the Mini 2 to function properly and record enough detail to actually find your route, set the internal tracking to “High Detail” then Track Back will function properly and the track shown in the Explorer App will display your actual route. You have to ask WHY would Garmin even offer Standard Detail knowing that it could get people lost? Now don’t get confused between SEND INTERVALS which is Garmin sending your location to MapShare so others can view your progress and STANDARD / HIGH DETAIL ACTIVITY which is the devices internal tracking. Again, nothing confusing about that, Thanks Garmin..!
Very informative. Thank you. I don't do really long hikes, but I do photography in some remote locations (Death Valley last month) and share my phone's GPS location through Google maps, but have been considering a satellite communicator like this for a while. You may have convinced me to take the leap.
I have used one of these for a couple of years, I set it up and sent pre set text msgs from the device but never realised you could use your phone to create and send a text msg, via Bluetooth. I had no idea I could change waypoint time I have been stuck on 10 minutes for ever. Your 15 minute video has changed everything for me thank you so much.
Yes, 100%. It is still to me the best device for the price and features. I may not be happy with some of the “spare” features, but the ability to communicate from anywhere and share my location works very well, and that to me is essential.
Nicely done. I had researched the larger predecessor InReach a few years ago, but wondered about this little one. About to pull the plug and your video is timely... although the algorithm certainly new I have been searching InReach so no surprise your video popped up... and I'm glad it did.
When texting, especially in urgent situations type in the time, in the messa.message itself, that you are sending the message. This should go for all communicating parties. Lesson we learned the hard way when outside of cellular and we locked our keys and wallets in the truck. It took 14 hours to get the vehicle unlocked. 10pm to 12pm. I received a message at 10am that was sent at 12:30am. The ironic thing is that it fit the current conversation that my other party and I were having. Because of that it caused us to divert plans and prolonged us get unlocked. (Much longer story). The thing is, you are going to be texting through satellite. It is very slow and messages could come out of order.
I had the same problem with my Garmin GPS (Vista) years ago. I tried on six different occasions to read the instruction manual only to be frustrated and quit reading. On my last attempt with the instruction manual I decided that there was a certain amount of knowledge that I needed to possess before I could even make sense of the instruction manual. You know not intuitive. So I referred back to the old school days. I just kept pressing buttons until it finally did what I wanted it to do, then I would just memorize the sequence. Kind of a sad way to learn how to use a $350 device. For me the most important feature was how to set a waypoint. As long as I had a waypoint of where I parked my vehicle I was golden. And don't forget to put a spare set of batteries in your pocket keeping them warm on those cold days. Enjoyed the video and especially the index at the beginning. Thanks.
Having been in the back country alone for days at a time with no way to reach help I plan on having something like this for future trips. Just starting to look at related youtube vids. After watching this & reading comments, especially yours, I’m reminded of the GoPro camera I bought 6-7 years ago. The people that write those manuals must assume everyone works in the device tech field? The manual was worthless and I just started pushing things. I finally gave up and gave to a kid. I would have same problem with this thing. If I understand correctly- this Garmin thing works off the existing system of GPS satellites? I just watched another flyover by a string of near 50 Starlink satellites 2 nights ago and watching those boosters land again & again on a barge in the ocean has convinced me to wait on buying something until I can have a phone that will enable emergency notification or very limited texting. Have seen Elon talking about it, and maybe the new iPhone 14 is doing it?
Excellent, thank you! And thank you for your comments on maps and waypoints. I too have found those functions completely confusing, so glad that I am not alone. Otherwise I agree the Garmin inreach mini is an excellent device for messaging and SOS alone. Thanks again for taking time to create and post this, very helpful
I bought the explorer+ ... battery life is bomb and I don't need a big screen like the montana... although if I got the montana, I would not complain lol
Appreciate your candor about the Garmin's less than intuitive and rather confusing interface. Clearly, these devices are powerful and useful. But no question, usability needs to be rethought.
user interface is the least of it. It can straight up fail due to sat location and your location. Only absolute is rely on yourself. Not in shape? Alien territory? Stay home. My pct 2021 youtube hiker broke her ankle. She pressed her inreach, then nothing. Serious.
@@1193bobmcc Good to have. Absolutely. Is it 100% guaranteed to save your life? Don't bet your life on it. People have died when it did not work, and they're not alive to write about it. That's anecdotal. Also, read the fine print of the Garmin user agreement.
I appreciated your video. It has shown me that the Garmin InReach Mini has the look that I was hoping to find and the complicated features that I was hoping to avoid.
Alexander When you send a tracking notification to someone , does that count toward you messages per month ? When you set up the tracking info on the app, is there a reason you didn’t set up the log interval ?
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 for the informative video. I just purchased the inreach mini. At 74yrs old (young) I figured it would be prudent and give piece of mind to the wife/son to let them know my status and be able to communicate as I travel by motorcycle (alone).....many times out of cell service.
Great video - How do we know what devices the in reach is compatible with? I mean, can in reach messages pop up on a Rino, or is it just ant+ compatible w/ watches? The garmin website is awful
Thank you for your video 😊 I found it very helpful. And, I COULDN'T agree with you more regarding the Garmin software! I think that you were more than kind to Garmin about their "ease of use" or "it's lack of intuitiveness". The lack of intuitive use and navigating their website and software system makes me pull my hair out ( thankfully I seem to have plenty). I started watching a video tutorial on the Garmin site....WTH...the engineer says frequently "pretty straight forward"....well only if you were the engineer that developed it! Making simple straight forward videos on the inReachMini's use seems to be something they are not capable of. Sooo, thank you for your video! You helped me a lot!
Hey, Alexander! Thanks for posting such an informative review! I see that you were near Edwards AFB during the time of this video, and I am wondering if you could recommend some hiking destinations in the surrounding area. I will be living in Lancaster, interning at NASA's AFRC for the next four months, and I'd love to explore the neighboring parks and trails. I'm very fit with intermediate hiking experience and no backpacking experience. Please let me know at your earliest convenience!
Thanks for a great informative video! I've had mine since April but found the instructions difficult to follow so even though I have carried this on 7 backpacking trips since I got it, all I really knew was that I could contact SAR! I am finally putting in contacts and figuring out how to let my family contact me in the event that THEY have an emergency too! Thanks again!
Thank you for the great video! Question: how well does the Mini work in a van? Must it be on the dash so that it can "see" the sky? That'll be a risky place to leave and forget it when you leave the car. Could it be used inside the van where the roof and the body of the van would obscure the sky? Maybe I have to leave it on the dash and disguise it or cover it with a towel...?
One lady said that when it was on her belt rather than up higher on her it didn't work. I think it needs an unobstructed view of the sky for satellite connection. Hope that helps. 😊
Question. I just bought one yesterday and I have not use it yet other than getting it set up so if you share your tracking say every 30 minutes does that count as a text message every time it pings? I realize if you get the unlimited texting and messaging, it would be no issue but it’s $50 a month. I got the basic for 11.95 and you only get 10 messages per month otherwise is $.50 per additional message I will be using mine offshore as we are scuba divers for safety purposes with the Coast Guard.
What all is it capable of with ZERO subscriptions ? I’d hate to spend $300+ on a paper weight. That’s what the Inreach is if I don’t pay them $ every month RIGHT. ?????
I travel to hike often by myself and this device gives me a lot of piece of mind. I love that I can share my location with friends especially when I am thousands of miles away. Like every Garmin device, it's not the most intuitive to use and this video helps a ton. Thanks for the tips.
That tracking bit is awesome! Thank you for this. I have a question. What if I sent Live tracking to another in-reach user in the vicinity, both of us will be in a no-cell-service situation, would live tracking work then?
I wish I had known how completely useless it is for two-way communication. I returned mine, and got a Zoleo instead. And being a Garmin guy all the way, I really wanted to love the damn thing. Sad.
Garmins a really weird brand. They seem to have the potential to make a product that is as user friendly ad a smart phone but fail massively time after time to create a simple interface. Everything you want to do you need to set up on their website, and it is always insanely overly complicated. Creating Way points is painful. This really really needs to be as simple as dropping a pin on the map ON THE DEVICE.
Thanks so much for this Alexander!! I’ve had it since February and thought I was using it correctly on my Trail runs (as if it was automatically sending all the tracking links to my partner etc when i sent a preset message), but only this past week when I delved deeper I realized it was not a route but just the static link! So anyway I’m happy to have your info here along with garmin’s site etc! ShineOnHealth to you!
I'm new to the InReach mini2. I noticed on your video that the display on yours shows elapsed miles. Mine shows the time and I have yet to figure out how to change it to show the elapsed miles. How did you do this? Thank you!
If my wife has a zoleo and I have this inreach mini, I know I can send a message directly to her zoleo, but it seems like she would not be able to send a message directly from the zoleo to the inreach mini except as a reply to a message from me. That's because an inreach mini has no *permanent* fixed phone number, other than a "native inreach number" that (to my knowledge) can only be used by other inreach devices. Am I correct that indeed she would not be able to initiate a message to my inreach mini securely and confidently?
Thanks so much for the excellent breakdown Alex! Not only am I going to buy it but your video will helpful me use it quickly. I'm going on a 5 day long solo offroad and hiking trip in 2 weeks in the Southern Sierras, starting near Mammoth Lakes. I will be brining a new Garmin Mini! and i will test it out first. Thanks again.
JUst got the inreach garmin mini and set it up yesterday. My plan is 24.95 a month. I tested it yesterday but it didnt sent the mapshare location to my husbands phone yet it sent it to mine? I have my husbands number and my dads number under my contacts. Why isnt it sending the tracking to them? Can someone help me understand?
when he mentions texting / messaging to friends and family including emojis etc is that through the iPhone that is wirelessly connected to the Garmin? so using the iPhone to text but using the Garmin as the satellite antennae?
This is a very helpful video. I often think that the developers of these tools really need better user experience designers to help them - it’s startling how non-intuitive then decides and the interfaces are. Also, I was stationed at Edwards for 10 years, and lived for about 5 years in base housing near the western point of the track you showed (I left in 2000! and that house no longer exists). That was a fun surprise, and it also explains why the wind forecast is important to you! The winds around there can be such a beast.
Quick and useful information...appreciated! I skipped the FB part :). I totally agree, I think Garmin is close with a lot of their products but could really use a refresh to nail it down. I do a lot of solo dirt bike/adventure riding, where the chance of injury and needing help is much greater so having a device to be able to get help if I need it is a great peace of mind to me and family as well as being able to shoot a message anywhere letting people know where I am and that I’m ok. For hikes I just use my phone and the same app.
I got lucky in that my backpack has loops I can fish the Garmin-provided carabiner through AND an elastic strap that holds the carabiner firmly against the shoulder strap. It’s a Kelty Redwing backpack.
Thanks for all the info. If I understand correctly, you can only communicate with others do as long as your cell battery last? After that, it's just a trackable distress beacon?
Change phone to airplane mode or WiFi off to save battery and phone will lost a very long time. Text from phone works flawless. Heavy forest cover or ravines can definitely affect signal. I use Gaia as primary mapping but very impressed with the mini.
I live near the Great Smoky Mtn. National Park and with this device you do need a clear view of the sky to send the message and sometimes you have to wait 10 to 20 minutes for a satellite to fly over your position but it has never failed me yet.
For things like wind/weather updates while out on the trail (like you showed in your video), do you need to have cellular connection, or is it sent to your phone via the InReach and Bluetooth? BTW, great video.
The weather updates go through the iridium satellite network just like the text messages. You can request them anywhere in the world where you have a view of the sky.
Just purchased Garmin's newest version. Garmin Montana 750i. Expensive but looks pretty good, much better than previous versions. Mapping is excellent.
I'm a little confused. When you're on a hike, you need to have not just the garmin but also a smartphone running the garmin app in order to send messages? What if there is no cell coverage, or your phone is dead?
They sell two versions of their satellite communicators, the Explorer and the Mini. The mini is smaller and more affordable, but doesn’t have a large screen and lots of buttons like the Explorer. This one your pair with the Garmin app on your phone to communicate and use its other functions. The advantage is the phone app allows you to text faster than if you had the larger and more expensive Garmin Explorer. The disadvantage is if you don’t have a phone, it’s harder to text and use the other functions because you have a smaller screen and less buttons. You can still do most everything without a phone, but it’s much harder because of the pint-sized screen and only four buttons.
"Tracking" / "Goo Stalking" is a non-starter for me. Besides, everyone you contact, using this device, has to be well trained to respond and that ain't going to easily happen. I'll stick with my handheld HAM RADIO and hope that the repeaters hold up under an EMP or a Grid Down.
At 6:19 it says that premium was selected for both views in your screenshots. Are you sure the basic is really showing basic? Edit: From Garmins website: The two differences between a Basic and a non-marine Premium forecast are the level of detail and length of the forecast. Basic forecasts include a 3-day forecast reported in 6-hour intervals. A sample of part of a Basic forecast has been included below. Premium forecasts include a 7-day forecast reported in varying intervals (1-2 hour intervals for the first day, 3-6 hour intervals for the next day and 12-hour intervals for the remaining 5 days). A sample of part of a Premium forecast has been included below. Note:1-2 hour intervals are not available outside of North America.
Thanks for the video. I got your video in my lists because I just bought a Garmin Edge 530 bicycle GPS. Garmin "Not user friendly At All. It is Not Intuitive," should be the company's motto. Same kind of issues, too complicated, list of features that are too difficult to bother with. (Why is it that I can buy a Tesla, and having never before even ridden in one and after only ten minutes of videos (watched at home the week before), yet I can get in the Tesla, drive it out of the lot and be on the freeway in less than five minutes - no problem. But a Garmin device? fuss fuss fuss. and heaven help you if you can't have UA-cam on your computer in the same space as your bicycle. I find my use of the features and options to be kept to a minimum, so I'm not two miles at sea, halfway through my bike ride and I'm stuck in some screen about some option I've never been interested in? When I hike I use GAIA (works like All Trails) and MotionX GPS. In Japan five years ago I was in an isolated part of Hokkaido and Motion X was smart enough to give me the line of the trail, when I didn't have enough signal to download anything else. I expected to paper map the two day trek, but the line on my iPhone really helped. I never expect anything Garmin to start at the essentials and then build from there, what I've come to expect from Garmin are killer flaws, unnecessary complexity that just drives you nuts and interferes with what you're trying to do. Shame on me for buying another one of their products.
Awesome vid man, just got mine like 10 hours ago. Agree 100% on the part of the not so friendly interface for maps. What I discovered is that is waaay more easy to create routes from the mobil app. Maybe 2 years ago when you made this video you did bot had that feature or maybe you figure it out by now, but well, works pretty well on cellphone
Hello from 2022 - this was so helpful! And I still cannot figure out waypoints. But understanding how to text and how to make sure people can see location when I share is big!
Do the preset messages include location? Some places (the Garmin manual) says they do... If the preset messages include location and can update the shared map.. why not just use that?
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Imagine that, a content provider that considered his viewers would find an index of his talking points at the beginning of the video. Great job Alex!
It’d be better to have clickable links in the description
I mean... a lot of people put in chapter breaks with titles so I don't know why you're freaking out about a single list flashed on screen for a few seconds lol
@@helpfulcommenter You need a vacation.
@@1193bobmcc You need a permanent vacation
@@helpfulcommenter hater
here's a clickable version of the index that is at the front of the video, thank you Alexander for the index (you can add this to the description)
00:26 Tracking
05:38 Weather
06:25 Battery
07:26 Test it before you depend on it!!!
07:50 Maps
09:00 Tracks and Routes
09:44 Sharing to Facebook
12:07 Texting with Search and Rescue
13:07 Messaging
13:32 Final Thoughts
I have had one for some time. It gives my children peace of mind because I often travel in areas with out cell coverage. It paid for it's self on one trip. The water pump on my truck failed and I was stranded in a remote area well beyond cell coverage. I was able to contact my daughter and her husband picked up a new water pump and brought it to me. We were back on the road within 24 hours.
Good story, that’s exactly why I just got it. I overland 2-3 times a year. Headed to the Mojave desert in a 30 year old land cruiser for the next 5 days. Eventually something going to fail.
@@rightyouareken7587 Have a great trip and peace of mind.
Thank you so much for this info. I’ve seen a bunch of reviews that tell you nothing you can’t read on the box. I really appreciate you getting into the nitty gritty.
You are too kind about the interface. Garmin fails on its manual, instructions, UX and interface. When someone like you of above average intelligence struggles to figure out how to use an inreach it is flat out a poorly engineered device. Like you I’m still finding all the pluses and minuses after a year. Thanks for a great video.
For sending a message with the location. You CAN turn map location on in options so you do not need to click on the little location dot next to the message. You can leave it on the default. For messaging the rescuers that is a little more complicated than you stated. The first text message you will receive is NOT from the SAR group coming to get you. It is from the central emergency response centre who will contact your local SAR agency. So you will likely get a message from the Emergency centre asking you to text a message to a NEW number which is a member of the actual SAR team. They can not send you a message via text unless you send one to them first.
NOTE: People can only send you text messages if you send them a message first. Be sure to send a message to your wife or significant other before you leave and check that they can message you.
Thanks for the great review.
Incredibly helpful. Thank you!!!
Super helpful. Thanks.
Perhaps you should have mentioned that tracking at a two-minute interval is only available on the Expedition plan. Otherwise, the tracking is at a 10-minute interval.
no1 needs 2min tracking + drains
battery like hell.
@@MrProphetius Thanks for deciding that for everyone.
@@1193bobmcc youre welcome, bob
On my way to get one. 64 years old, so I have less room for error health wise. I go solo more than not. Great video.
Thanks! I just bought one and I haven’t set it up yet. We’re heading off on camping adventures to big bend national park. But I’m also seeing advantages to sending this off when my husband goes hiking in the hills behind our house. The Apple tracking on his iPhone is not necessarily spectacularly accurate. And he’s 80. And I worry. :)
I’m not going back to big bend without one of these. Beautiful park though 😀
I’m seriously considering getting one of these but have heard of people having a hell of a time getting them set up. You’ve taken some of the mystery out it. Thanks for your input! Great video!
Thank you!
SUPER helpful video! Thanks for creating this. I bought the Garmin inReach Explorer+ in July 2020 and I'm just now diving into all of the nitty gritty features on this thing. This is easily one of my most favorite pieces of gear, mainly for the peace of mind it gives me knowing I have two-way messaging access to friends and family at home and with S&R in an SOS situation.
Hey, I just got my inReach Mini and I've been going through the setup process in preparation for a late March launch on the PCT. Your video was very helpful, informative, and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
Thank you! And good luck on your hike!
Nice review!!! Thinking about this unit for Cycling in the mountains. You have any issues with messages up in the mountains?
I bought it for this exact purpose. I highly recommend it.
thanks for making this video, it was very helpful to me, since I just bought the inreach mini. I would have thought garmin would have had some of this that you covered HOW TO... the tracking feature I have added a password to the mapshare but I think that may make it less used by whoever I'm sending it to since they have to input a pw... and when I tried it the map didn't zoom in and was showing Africa - I'm in USA...
Great information. How do you get your device to sit still on the strap of your pack? It looks like it's just held on with the carabiner, but it's not really flopping around like you'd expect it to. What did you do?
I also had this question.
I've had tremendous success with my inReach mini. The device is the workhorse, and I pair it with my Samsung Note 10+ 5G phone and use the Earthmate app for a display. Before a trip, I turn on MapShare and select who can view my travels (link and password required), and then edit my free three PreSet Messages to send out (On the highway, This is my campsite, Going exploring today, etc). I send messages to email addresses, not text messages, and have had no problems with recipients receiving them. From there, they can zoom in/out on the map and follow along. I camp with my Jeep and have the interval set to 10 minutes, so I'm always "pretty close" to being on a forest road or a desert trail here in AZ... as long as I keep showing as moving, then there is no worry. If a problem arose, then all of those intervals wouldn't matter, and I'd show as stationary in one spot repeatedly beaconing, causing a concern. Tremendous technology and quite an asset while getting out there. I also use HAM radio when out of cell phone reception. Travel safe. Pete - KI7LIL
Garmin has become overly money driven and MapShare is just a way for Garmin to nickel & dime their customers. Garmin charges Tracking Points ($0.10 each) to show your location on MapShare and they try to trick you into using MapShare rather than simple internal tracking. So if you “Start Tracking” via your device, you are activating the internal tracking (no cost) but if you “Start Tracking” via the Explorer App, you are activating the MapShare Send Intervals at $0.10 per tracking point? Same “Start Tracking” but two different functions; Nothing confusing about that! Out of the box Garmin sets the Mini 2 to “Standard Detail” tracking which records fewer internal tracking points and saves battery life, the problem is that it records so few tracking points that your actual track doesn’t match what the Mini 2 records so you have no way to navigate back again, And even the Track Back feature fails to operate! Can you say “DANGEROUS”? Now to get the Mini 2 to function properly and record enough detail to actually find your route, set the internal tracking to “High Detail” then Track Back will function properly and the track shown in the Explorer App will display your actual route. You have to ask WHY would Garmin even offer Standard Detail knowing that it could get people lost? Now don’t get confused between SEND INTERVALS which is Garmin sending your location to MapShare so others can view your progress and STANDARD / HIGH DETAIL ACTIVITY which is the devices internal tracking. Again, nothing confusing about that, Thanks Garmin..!
The intro with the time stamp got my like right away. The details of the video made me go back and re watch the whole thing.
Right! Dude is good.
Very informative. Thank you. I don't do really long hikes, but I do photography in some remote locations (Death Valley last month) and share my phone's GPS location through Google maps, but have been considering a satellite communicator like this for a while. You may have convinced me to take the leap.
I have used one of these for a couple of years, I set it up and sent pre set text msgs from the device but never realised you could use your phone to create and send a text msg, via Bluetooth. I had no idea I could change waypoint time I have been stuck on 10 minutes for ever. Your 15 minute video has changed everything for me thank you so much.
can u send text msg via blue tooth even with no service on ur phone?
@@sarahvmcintyre yes
@@sarahvmcintyre Yes. The bluetooth sends your phone text to the InReach and the InReach sends it out over satellite.
I have the Explorer+ (the bigger version) and AllTrails subscription. Overkill, but better than not having it when you need it. Nice review.
Thank you very much for your review. You leave me a bit skeptical. Would you buy it again? Tommy in NC.
Yes, 100%. It is still to me the best device for the price and features. I may not be happy with some of the “spare” features, but the ability to communicate from anywhere and share my location works very well, and that to me is essential.
Nicely done. I had researched the larger predecessor InReach a few years ago, but wondered about this little one. About to pull the plug and your video is timely... although the algorithm certainly new I have been searching InReach so no surprise your video popped up... and I'm glad it did.
When texting, especially in urgent situations type in the time, in the messa.message itself, that you are sending the message. This should go for all communicating parties. Lesson we learned the hard way when outside of cellular and we locked our keys and wallets in the truck. It took 14 hours to get the vehicle unlocked. 10pm to 12pm. I received a message at 10am that was sent at 12:30am. The ironic thing is that it fit the current conversation that my other party and I were having. Because of that it caused us to divert plans and prolonged us get unlocked. (Much longer story). The thing is, you are going to be texting through satellite. It is very slow and messages could come out of order.
Oh wow, I’m sure that wasn’t a fun night. We’re you in a wooded areas by chance?
@@AlexanderThickstunsChannel yes. About 20 minutes outside of Lake City Colorado.
@@josephkahlich3326 Lake City CO, arguably the most beautiful town in the U.S
@@And-rc9yy Truth!
Nice video mate. Thank you. It was a big help in the decision making process.
I had the same problem with my Garmin GPS (Vista) years ago. I tried on six different occasions to read the instruction manual only to be frustrated and quit reading. On my last attempt with the instruction manual I decided that there was a certain amount of knowledge that I needed to possess before I could even make sense of the instruction manual. You know not intuitive. So I referred back to the old school days. I just kept pressing buttons until it finally did what I wanted it to do, then I would just memorize the sequence. Kind of a sad way to learn how to use a $350 device. For me the most important feature was how to set a waypoint. As long as I had a waypoint of where I parked my vehicle I was golden. And don't forget to put a spare set of batteries in your pocket keeping them warm on those cold days.
Enjoyed the video and especially the index at the beginning. Thanks.
Thank you! It’s good to know people liked the index, which I’ll try to do for longer videos for now on.
Having been in the back country alone for days at a time with no way to reach help I plan on having something like this for future trips. Just starting to look at related youtube vids. After watching this & reading comments, especially yours, I’m reminded of the GoPro camera I bought 6-7 years ago. The people that write those manuals must assume everyone works in the device tech field? The manual was worthless and I just started pushing things. I finally gave up and gave to a kid. I would have same problem with this thing. If I understand correctly- this Garmin thing works off the existing system of GPS satellites?
I just watched another flyover by a string of near 50 Starlink satellites 2 nights ago and watching those boosters land again & again on a barge in the ocean has convinced me to wait on buying something until I can have a phone that will enable emergency notification or very limited texting. Have seen Elon talking about it, and maybe the new iPhone 14 is doing it?
I highly recommend Gaia GPS over AllTrails for anyone looking into backcountry hiking. More options, detail, etc
Excellent, thank you! And thank you for your comments on maps and waypoints. I too have found those functions completely confusing, so glad that I am not alone. Otherwise I agree the Garmin inreach mini is an excellent device for messaging and SOS alone. Thanks again for taking time to create and post this, very helpful
I appreciate the feedback. Thank you!
I bought the explorer+ ... battery life is bomb and I don't need a big screen like the montana... although if I got the montana, I would not complain lol
Appreciate your candor about the Garmin's less than intuitive and rather confusing interface. Clearly, these devices are powerful and useful. But no question, usability needs to be rethought.
user interface is the least of it. It can straight up fail due to sat location and your location. Only absolute is rely on yourself. Not in shape? Alien territory? Stay home. My pct 2021 youtube hiker broke her ankle. She pressed her inreach, then nothing. Serious.
@@trexinvert Your antidotal evidence is not needed. These devices save lives.
@@1193bobmcc Good to have. Absolutely. Is it 100% guaranteed to save your life? Don't bet your life on it. People have died when it did not work, and they're not alive to write about it. That's anecdotal. Also, read the fine print of the Garmin user agreement.
I appreciated your video. It has shown me that the Garmin InReach Mini has the look that I was hoping to find and the complicated features that I was hoping to avoid.
Alexander
When you send a tracking notification to someone , does that count toward you messages per month ?
When you set up the tracking info on the app, is there a reason you didn’t set up the log interval ?
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 for the informative video. I just purchased the inreach mini. At 74yrs old (young) I figured it would be prudent and give piece of mind to the wife/son to let them know my status and be able to communicate as I travel by motorcycle (alone).....many times out of cell service.
It’s one of those things that’s worth hundreds of times more when you need it 👍🏻
Thanks, this is valuable information that I was unable to find elsewhere.
Great video - How do we know what devices the in reach is compatible with? I mean, can in reach messages pop up on a Rino, or is it just ant+ compatible w/ watches? The garmin website is awful
Thank you for your video 😊 I found it very helpful. And, I COULDN'T agree with you more regarding the Garmin software! I think that you were more than kind to Garmin about their "ease of use" or "it's lack of intuitiveness". The lack of intuitive use and navigating their website and software system makes me pull my hair out ( thankfully I seem to have plenty). I started watching a video tutorial on the Garmin site....WTH...the engineer says frequently "pretty straight forward"....well only if you were the engineer that developed it! Making simple straight forward videos on the inReachMini's use seems to be something they are not capable of. Sooo, thank you for your video! You helped me a lot!
Hey, Alexander! Thanks for posting such an informative review! I see that you were near Edwards AFB during the time of this video, and I am wondering if you could recommend some hiking destinations in the surrounding area. I will be living in Lancaster, interning at NASA's AFRC for the next four months, and I'd love to explore the neighboring parks and trails. I'm very fit with intermediate hiking experience and no backpacking experience. Please let me know at your earliest convenience!
Just purchased two minis for my sons to use. This video was VERY useful. THANK YOU.
Thanks for a great informative video! I've had mine since April but found the instructions difficult to follow so even though I have carried this on 7 backpacking trips since I got it, all I really knew was that I could contact SAR! I am finally putting in contacts and figuring out how to let my family contact me in the event that THEY have an emergency too! Thanks again!
Thank you for the great video! Question: how well does the Mini work in a van? Must it be on the dash so that it can "see" the sky? That'll be a risky place to leave and forget it when you leave the car. Could it be used inside the van where the roof and the body of the van would obscure the sky? Maybe I have to leave it on the dash and disguise it or cover it with a towel...?
One lady said that when it was on her belt rather than up higher on her it didn't work.
I think it needs an unobstructed view of the sky for satellite connection.
Hope that helps. 😊
That area looks a lot like where Kobe Bryants crash was.
Southern California near Tehachapi.
Question. I just bought one yesterday and I have not use it yet other than getting it set up so if you share your tracking say every 30 minutes does that count as a text message every time it pings? I realize if you get the unlimited texting and messaging, it would be no issue but it’s $50 a month. I got the basic for 11.95 and you only get 10 messages per month otherwise is $.50 per additional message I will be using mine offshore as we are scuba divers for safety purposes with the Coast Guard.
What all is it capable of with ZERO subscriptions ?
I’d hate to spend $300+ on a paper weight. That’s what the Inreach is if I don’t pay them $ every month RIGHT. ?????
I travel to hike often by myself and this device gives me a lot of piece of mind. I love that I can share my location with friends especially when I am thousands of miles away. Like every Garmin device, it's not the most intuitive to use and this video helps a ton. Thanks for the tips.
Things I wish I knew....
I wish I knew that the inReach mini doesn’t like cold weather.
Mine went black at only minus 18*C.
That’s good to know
Did it come back or was the screen/device ruined at that point?
@@wayward03 it came back.
That tracking bit is awesome! Thank you for this. I have a question. What if I sent Live tracking to another in-reach user in the vicinity, both of us will be in a no-cell-service situation, would live tracking work then?
I wish I had known how completely useless it is for two-way communication. I returned mine, and got a Zoleo instead. And being a Garmin guy all the way, I really wanted to love the damn thing. Sad.
Garmins a really weird brand. They seem to have the potential to make a product that is as user friendly ad a smart phone but fail massively time after time to create a simple interface.
Everything you want to do you need to set up on their website, and it is always insanely overly complicated.
Creating Way points is painful. This really really needs to be as simple as dropping a pin on the map ON THE DEVICE.
soo helpful! thank you!!
Thanks for the easy to understand posting. Much appreciated.
Thanks so much for this Alexander!! I’ve had it since February and thought I was using it correctly on my Trail runs (as if it was automatically sending all the tracking links to my partner etc when i sent a preset message), but only this past week when I delved deeper I realized it was not a route but just the static link!
So anyway I’m happy to have your info here along with garmin’s site etc!
ShineOnHealth to you!
Great video! I’m confused about the maps.. so if my phone fell in a river I’d have no way of navigating using the inreach?
I've been using the inReach mini for a couple of years; found this very useful. Thank you.
I'm new to the InReach mini2. I noticed on your video that the display on yours shows elapsed miles. Mine shows the time and I have yet to figure out how to change it to show the elapsed miles. How did you do this? Thank you!
If my wife has a zoleo and I have this inreach mini, I know I can send a message directly to her zoleo, but it seems like she would not be able to send a message directly from the zoleo to the inreach mini except as a reply to a message from me. That's because an inreach mini has no *permanent* fixed phone number, other than a "native inreach number" that (to my knowledge) can only be used by other inreach devices. Am I correct that indeed she would not be able to initiate a message to my inreach mini securely and confidently?
Thanks so much for the excellent breakdown Alex! Not only am I going to buy it but your video will helpful me use it quickly. I'm going on a 5 day long solo offroad and hiking trip in 2 weeks in the Southern Sierras, starting near Mammoth Lakes. I will be brining a new Garmin Mini! and i will test it out first. Thanks again.
Alex, awesome video. I appreciate the effort you put into producing the content you publish.
Helpful breakdown. Thanks
Is there ANY way to get an ASSIGNED Sat number for the Garmins?
JUst got the inreach garmin mini and set it up yesterday. My plan is 24.95 a month. I tested it yesterday but it didnt sent the mapshare location to my husbands phone yet it sent it to mine? I have my husbands number and my dads number under my contacts. Why isnt it sending the tracking to them? Can someone help me understand?
when he mentions texting / messaging to friends and family including emojis etc is that through the iPhone that is wirelessly connected to the Garmin? so using the iPhone to text but using the Garmin as the satellite antennae?
This is a very helpful video. I often think that the developers of these tools really need better user experience designers to help them - it’s startling how non-intuitive then decides and the interfaces are.
Also, I was stationed at Edwards for 10 years, and lived for about 5 years in base housing near the western point of the track you showed (I left in 2000! and that house no longer exists). That was a fun surprise, and it also explains why the wind forecast is important to you! The winds around there can be such a beast.
Will the Starlink constellation provide an alternative to the Inmarsat?
What is the best way to attach it to your backpack strap? More than just a flopping caribiner.
Just ordered one, and this video is very helpful. Will be using it in the SoCal desert where there is very little cell service.
Very good review!! Thanks!!
Quick and useful information...appreciated! I skipped the FB part :). I totally agree, I think Garmin is close with a lot of their products but could really use a refresh to nail it down.
I do a lot of solo dirt bike/adventure riding, where the chance of injury and needing help is much greater so having a device to be able to get help if I need it is a great peace of mind to me and family as well as being able to shoot a message anywhere letting people know where I am and that I’m ok. For hikes I just use my phone and the same app.
How did you attach the mini to your pack. It is staying in place very well.
I got lucky in that my backpack has loops I can fish the Garmin-provided carabiner through AND an elastic strap that holds the carabiner firmly against the shoulder strap. It’s a Kelty Redwing backpack.
@@AlexanderThickstunsChannel Thank you...that was a fast reply. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the pro tips!
Khabib's ultimate gadget.
under-appreciated comment for sure.
How are you securing the mini to your shoulder strap so it doesn’t dangle?
Very helpful and informative!
Agreed with the user non/friendliness. :(
Thanks for all the info.
If I understand correctly, you can only communicate with others do as long as your cell battery last?
After that, it's just a trackable distress beacon?
You can text from the device itself, but it’s going to be very time consuming using the limited controls. It’s more for like an emergency.
Was wondering if this is good or should go for the montana 750 i
Good info. Learned a lot. I've been planing on getting one. Not sure if I should get the next model up to be able to text from the unit itself.
Since I always have my phone with me on hikes, and I use navigation apps from my phone, I just went ahead and got the mini.
Change phone to airplane mode or WiFi off to save battery and phone will lost a very long time. Text from phone works flawless. Heavy forest cover or ravines can definitely affect signal. I use Gaia as primary mapping but very impressed with the mini.
Good job! Have you had any problems with messages not going through?
Every message has gone through. I haven’t tested this in dense forests yet, but I was in a deep valley and I had a message take 5 minutes to send.
I live near the Great Smoky Mtn. National Park and with this device you do need a clear view of the sky to send the message and sometimes you have to wait 10 to 20 minutes for a satellite to fly over your position but it has never failed me yet.
For things like wind/weather updates while out on the trail (like you showed in your video), do you need to have cellular connection, or is it sent to your phone via the InReach and Bluetooth? BTW, great video.
The weather updates go through the iridium satellite network just like the text messages. You can request them anywhere in the world where you have a view of the sky.
Really helpful video, thanks so much for taking the time to make and share it.
Thank you!
Is it accurate for elevation? Does the app on your phone show better map resolution when you connect via Bluetooth? Thanks!
Accurate for elevation. The maps have to be preloaded on your phone before your hike. The mini does not pull map data during your hike.
Great vid. Keep it up
Thank you!
Just purchased Garmin's newest version. Garmin Montana 750i. Expensive but looks pretty good, much better than previous versions. Mapping is excellent.
Still satisfied with your 750i? - Wondering if I should buy one myself ...
@@OmmerSyssel Very satisfied, plan alot of hiking this summer in Ireland and Europe so we'll test it out properly then.
Is this the mini 1 or mini 2? Not sure which i should buy
Really good video. Thank you.
How do you secure the device on the shoulder strap without it flopping around?
I have an elastic band on my shoulder strap that I tuck the carabiner under. It helps keep it against the shoulder strap.
Great video Alexander! Thanks for pulling this together and posting this video.
Thanks!
do you have to have a plan for it to work ?
Excellent! Thank you.
Nice video. Thank you
This is gold. Thank you!
I'm a little confused. When you're on a hike, you need to have not just the garmin but also a smartphone running the garmin app in order to send messages? What if there is no cell coverage, or your phone is dead?
They sell two versions of their satellite communicators, the Explorer and the Mini. The mini is smaller and more affordable, but doesn’t have a large screen and lots of buttons like the Explorer.
This one your pair with the Garmin app on your phone to communicate and use its other functions. The advantage is the phone app allows you to text faster than if you had the larger and more expensive Garmin Explorer. The disadvantage is if you don’t have a phone, it’s harder to text and use the other functions because you have a smaller screen and less buttons. You can still do most everything without a phone, but it’s much harder because of the pint-sized screen and only four buttons.
Excellent video. No idea what the rest of your content looks like but subbed.
"Tracking" / "Goo Stalking" is a non-starter for me. Besides, everyone you contact, using this device, has to be well trained to respond and that ain't going to easily happen.
I'll stick with my handheld HAM RADIO and hope that the repeaters hold up under an EMP or a Grid Down.
At 6:19 it says that premium was selected for both views in your screenshots. Are you sure the basic is really showing basic?
Edit: From Garmins website:
The two differences between a Basic and a non-marine Premium forecast are the level of detail and length of the forecast.
Basic forecasts include a 3-day forecast reported in 6-hour intervals. A sample of part of a Basic forecast has been included below.
Premium forecasts include a 7-day forecast reported in varying intervals (1-2 hour intervals for the first day, 3-6 hour intervals for the next day and 12-hour intervals for the remaining 5 days). A sample of part of a Premium forecast has been included below.
Note:1-2 hour intervals are not available outside of North America.
I've found the same difficulty and confusion trying to use Garmin GPS watches. They obviously don't care about the UI.
Super helpful video!
Thanks for the video. I got your video in my lists because I just bought a Garmin Edge 530 bicycle GPS. Garmin "Not user friendly At All. It is Not Intuitive," should be the company's motto.
Same kind of issues, too complicated, list of features that are too difficult to bother with. (Why is it that I can buy a Tesla, and having never before even ridden in one and after only ten minutes of videos (watched at home the week before), yet I can get in the Tesla, drive it out of the lot and be on the freeway in less than five minutes - no problem. But a Garmin device? fuss fuss fuss. and heaven help you if you can't have UA-cam on your computer in the same space as your bicycle. I find my use of the features and options to be kept to a minimum, so I'm not two miles at sea, halfway through my bike ride and I'm stuck in some screen about some option I've never been interested in?
When I hike I use GAIA (works like All Trails) and MotionX GPS. In Japan five years ago I was in an isolated part of Hokkaido and Motion X was smart enough to give me the line of the trail, when I didn't have enough signal to download anything else. I expected to paper map the two day trek, but the line on my iPhone really helped. I never expect anything Garmin to start at the essentials and then build from there, what I've come to expect from Garmin are killer flaws, unnecessary complexity that just drives you nuts and interferes with what you're trying to do. Shame on me for buying another one of their products.
Awesome vid man, just got mine like 10 hours ago. Agree 100% on the part of the not so friendly interface for maps. What I discovered is that is waaay more easy to create routes from the mobil app. Maybe 2 years ago when you made this video you did bot had that feature or maybe you figure it out by now, but well, works pretty well on cellphone
Hello from 2022 - this was so helpful! And I still cannot figure out waypoints. But understanding how to text and how to make sure people can see location when I share is big!
Do the preset messages include location? Some places (the Garmin manual) says they do... If the preset messages include location and can update the shared map.. why not just use that?