Garmin 010-01879-00 InReach Mini, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator, Orange

I had a Spot for 8 years and replaced it with this. Slightly more expensive plan but you get so much more and it works much more reliably. We chose the base plan where you get unlimited pre established text and 10 specific messages free. 0.15$/text after that. You can also use a text to get weather. We go out every weekend and have not had an extra charge yet.

If I could give this product a 1/2 star rating, I would. I bought this for my son to take with him on his first solo 4 day backpacking trip in Colorado, which starts today. He has been trying to set it up for the last 3 days but has not been successful due to the Garmin website being down. I realize this is not Garmin’s fault but really, don’t waste your money if you can’t get consistent support for it. Just get a spot beacon and be done with it.

While not perfect, the Garmin inReach mini provides tremendous piece of mind when one is out of cell phone coverage in the woods or on the ocean. The user interface and synchronization with online user data is a little cumbersome, but I now feel comfortable that I can navigate and communicate with it when my other primary GPS fails offshore. I have not had to use the SOS feature, so I cannot speak to the recovery option on the device. Buy this if you want piece of mind out of contact with others, especially in austere environments.

Ive used the competition for years and the annual service cost has nearly doubled. For less money, I can get 2 way communication in a smaller package with numerous better features.

Perhaps I got a dud, but after 45 minutes in my backyard, which has no ubstructions, the device will not activate. Had to return.

I am underwhelmed with this gem. The user interface was about as friendly as a tiger thats on fire. Trying to input date is a task that made me want to trash this thing. My phone GPS is as accurate as this, it just cant transmit a help signal. I would never think of buying this again. MEH!

Ive owned this little guy for almost three years; never have had any issues sending or receiving messages or weather updates. Pairing it with an iPhone makes it a lot easier to use; never had issues connecting it to my iPhone. The basic plan is super affordable and is easy to switch on and off. I dont know why anyone who does any serious hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, etc. would not buy one of these.

While the device itself and the Garmin interface works great, I received a used vs new unit from Backcountry.com. The item box was bulging when received, the charging cord was out of its packaging and loosely stuffed in the box with the packaging wadded up in the box, the screen cover appeared to be a scrap piece of plastic (not closely fitted as on new items) and there were scuffing/scratches on the back of the unit. I will be ordering another unit, but from a reputable dealer this time; either on Amazon or elsewhere. I didnt expect to pay for a new unit and receive a used item, so this particular sample is going back.

I hope I never have to use the SOS function on this, but I have confidence that it will work should I need it. I do a lot of solo hiking, and having the InReach allows me to spend more time enjoying the trip and less worrying about what if. Friends and family appreciate being able to keep an eye on my progress.

I recently used the Garmin Inreach Mini on a two week backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Northern Cascades of Washington State. The trail is frequently in trees and valleys, and I found that in more than half of the instances where I tried to send a message, the unit simply did not have the power to make a connection. At one campsite, a hiker with a different satellite phone easily made a connection, and my Mini could not. Short story, I would not take a Mini out again. You cant pick the spot where you will have an emergency!