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

They offer 2 plan choices at 3 levels.

I am in the backcountry mountain biking a lot. I ping my wife every hour and when i arrive and leave a destination.

I took it out on a 2 week unsupported hike on the Ozark Trail. Most of the trail is without cell service so It was my primary means of communication. It allowed me to keep family updated on my progress and wellbeing as well as coordinate pickup when I was done. I did have the tracking set to 30 min. I checked the weather probably daily. I did have to recharge a couple of times for my sanity. I dont like the charge getting too low. I could have done the whole trip with just one recharge from empty to full in the middle. I like the ability to send messages when necessary and unlimited pre-recorded messages.

Does everything I need to go off grid on my own. Could have done without the bells and whistles but that is the way the world is today. Have not had to use it for the intended SOS purpose, but it lets the wife know Im OK.

I recommend visiting the Garmin website and doing research on plans and how to use the unit BEFORE purchasing it. The unit is well built and the battery lasts a long time but managing the account and understanding plans and how to manage the account is difficult. The website is poorly laid out and rather opaque and it is easy to to make unintended changes. Using the device is also not intuitive and requires patient study and youtube videos to do even a basic setup with it. Their customer service staff are very nice and helpful so do call if you need help. Unfortunately I have had the device for 6 months and it is still not properly set up. I suspect most people using it must be very motivated to learn or have previous Garmin experience. I would probably look at other devices before getting this if I were starting over.

Horrible billing / customer service practices.

I bought this after talking to Garmin to be sure it would last a backpack trip without recharging and was assured I should get up to 20 days in extended tracking mode, and would at least be able to get 5-7 days out a charge. I only needed to change the send interval to off. Finally got the device. Its a great size and seems well made, but it ends there. Apparently I cant turn off the send interval, Garmin is not sure why, but, hey! Theyre working on it! And I was assured the devices they have in the office work fine (great! send me one of those please!). I turned off the log interval to save the battery. Nope. I got maybe 12 hours out of it. Turned it to extended tracking. Now I can get about 20 hours out of it, while doing nothing (no way points, no messages, no bluetooth, no compass....) and it takes over 12 hours to fully charge again. Worse yet, Garmin decided that a device you use in the back country shouldnt have a user replaceable battery. Im left with a useless device or carrying a couple of pounds worth of external batteries. Fortunately I bought it at REI so it can go back. Very unfortunately, I signed up for a years subscription. And now I have to pony up more cash to rent a satellite phone.

Bought for a friend who is planning a big hiking trip this year. She was so happy to receive it as it was the item she will need to keep in touch with her family at all times. It was small and light to carry and is perfect for her needs.

The pairing was ok with the phone . It was having a very hard time finding a satellite out in the clear . messages could take up to an hour to send . I am sure if I needed the SOS it would be a slow process .

good product