The new Garmin inReach Mini is half the weight and size of the existing inReach SE+ and Explorer+. It will be available in late-June/early-July 2018.
Garmin dropped a big surprise this morning: a new addition to its popular inReach line, the inReach Mini. This new device is noteworthy for two reasons:
1. Size
The inReach Mini weighs just 3.5 oz (100 grams) and measures 4″ x 2″ x 1″ (5 cm x 10 cm x 2.5 cm), making it about half the weight and size of Garmin’s two existing inReach devices, the inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+. Its more comparable to the SPOT Gen3 than the other inReach units.
2. Functionality
The Mini retains the essential inReach function: two-way satellite messaging, i.e. it can send and receive text and emergency messages anywhere in the world, using the Iridium satellite network.
To achieve its weight and size, some secondary features had to be sacrificed, like navigation and battery life; the new virtual keyboard is even more painstakingly slow. When paired to a smartphone via the Earthmate app, however, most functionality is fully regained.
The Mini also has functionality that not even the larger SE+ and Explorer+ have, such as compatibility with other Garmin devices like the Fenix 5 GPS watch.
Preview: Garmin inReach Mini
Due to its size and weight, I would expect the inReach Mini to gain traction with user groups that would never consider the SE+/Explorer+. I’m specifically thinking of trail runners and cyclists. Many long-distance and ultralight backpackers will gravitate to this device as well — they’ve been asking Garmin for a Mini-like device for a while now.
I would have thought that such a noteworthy product would be launched at a press or industry event, but I don’t think that was the case here. Garmin did not show it at the last Consumer Electronic Show or Outdoor Retailer, both in January, nor did it seed the Mini for testing with major outdoor media outlets like Outside and GearJunkie. The Mini appears to have launched with just a press release.
According to the Garmin website, the Mini will be available in “5 to 8 weeks,” or mid-June to early-July.
Key product specs
- MSRP: $350
- Weight: 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Size: 2.0″ x 3.9″ x 1.0″ (5.2 x 9.9 x 2.6 cm)
- Service plan required ($12 to $100 per month)
- Connects via Bluetooth with free Earthmate smartphone app and with some Garmin devices
Functionality
As a standalone device
When used independently of other devices, the inReach Mini can:
- Send an SOS message;
- Send preset messages (set beforehand in the inReach online portal);
- Send custom messages, using a painfully slow virtual keyboard;
- Receive messages;
- Send and receive messages with other inReach devices;
- Broadcast its location to an online map, at 2- or 10-minute intervals; and,
- Request a weather forecast for a current or future location.
The Mini can also store 500 waypoints and 20 routes. The 0.9″ x 0.9″ display does not have a grid map (like the SE+) or color topo map (like the Explorer+).
When paired
The functionality and user-friendliness of the inReach Mini greatly improve when it’s paired via Bluetooth to a smartphone using the free Earthmate app. Menus can be more quickly navigated; custom messages can be typed much faster; and your entire contact list can be accessed.
Equally important, Earthmate gives your phone the functionality of a conventional handheld GPS device. View your location (retrieved by the GPS chip in the Mini or in your phone) on a color topo map, create and navigate to waypoints, and record tracks. Multiple map and imagery layers can be downloaded to Earthmate, as detailed here.
Unlike earlier inReach devices, the Mini is also compatible with other Garmin devices, notably the Garmin Fenix 5. Especially on runs, I appreciate being notified by my Suunto Ambit3 watch of incoming phone calls and text messages without needing to stop. Now, this same functionality is possible with messages sent via satellite.
inReach Mini service plans
The inReach Mini requires a service plan. Garmin offers four personal plans for all its inReach devices, ranging from $12 to $100 per month. The more expensive plans include higher (or no) caps on text messages, tracking, and weather forecasts.
The plans are available as an annual contract ($12 to $80 per month) or month-to-month ($15 to $100 per month, plus a $25 annual fee).
Battery life
Relative to the inReach SE+/Explorer+, the Mini has a shorter battery life. It is spec’d at:
- 20 days at the 30-minute interval power save mode
- 50 hours at 10-minute tracking with 2-minute logging
- 30 hours at the 10-minute tracking with 1-second logging
In comparison, the SE+/Explorer+ spec at 30 days, 100 hours, and 75 hours, respectively.
On longer trips, the shorter battery life is easily negated with a portable battery charger like the Anker PowerCore 10000. The Mini’s battery capacity (mAh) is not specified in the press materials, so I’m uncertain how many times it could be recharged with a, say, 10k mAh portable battery.
Questions about the inReach Mini? Leave a comment.
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The Garmin website says the mini weighs 4.23 oz. Did you get the 3.5 oz weight from somewhere else? Does that difference come because of the optional carabiner?
Per https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592606#specs
Ah, on the ‘spec’ page. I was reading the ‘overview’ page where it says:
“Measuring just under 4” tall by 2” wide and weighing a mere 4.23 oz, …” under the “Travel Lighter, Communicate Smarter” heading.
Seems to be conflicting numbers. I’m curious what the discrepancy comes from…
Yes – it looks like the 3.5 oz number is correct. It weighs 4 oz with the carabiner, so assuming 3.5 without.
The Explorer Mini combined with the carabiner is definitely smaller, lighter in weight and features, and $150.02 more expensive than buying the original Explore which makes it great for the ultralight hiker dialing in their gear and base weight. For the rest of us gravitationally challenged humans the weight difference is equivalent to about a half cup of dry roasted and salted sunflower seeds ;-P
But, yeah, the Mini is wicked cool!
In terms of functionality, you’re right: it offers little more than the original inReach, and at a much higher cost. But if you’re in the market for this kind of device, the Mini could be much more appealing than the SE+/Explorer+ due to its weight, size, and cost; and more appealing also than the original SE/Explorer, which Garmin will not repair and which have a serious SOS button malfunction issue.
What is the SOS malfunction issue on original inreach? Is it just that the button is too easily accessible on front panel causing possible unintended activations?
Considering the inreach explorer+ (model prior to garmin) because I found it on sale for $200.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2291531/garmin-inreach-units
Dan, if you don’t mind, where do you see the original explorer on sale for $200?
Franklin, The $200 deal is here: https://www.cabelas.com/product/DeLorme-InReach-Explorer-Satellite-Communicator-with-Navigation/1926518.uts?slotId=0
What do you all think, go with the new mini for $350 or old Explorer for $200?
Weight is part of the equation, but not huge. Mostly will be used for backpacking and dirtbiking in the backcountry.
I think the mini is a great balance between price/weight/functionality. Although the $150 price difference is intriguing, I personally would probably keep wanting the mini for its light weight and smaller footprint. I unfortunately I got the Explorer + a few weeks before the announcement of the Mini. I love it but I’ll have to live with the fact that I could be carrying 4oz less ;o) At least I’ll have backup maps. Get what you’ll ultimately be happier with and you’ll forget about the price difference in a few weeks ;o)
Looks like REI is having a sale for $75 off the Explorer + Don’t see it on the website, but it’s in the catalog.
Glonass and/or Galileo support this time around?
No mention of either, but that’s not to say there’s not.
I really doubt it. It holds a maximum of 500 waypoints, just like the original Delorme units. I strongly suspect that it has even less functionallity than those. What Garmin needs to do is build the two way messaging feature into one of their fully functional GPS receivers.
I sent a suggestion last year to build the two way messaging feature into the existing Astro range and GPSMap range of GPS receivers.
I want to reduce the number of units I need to carry. Need my Astro unit for GPS and tracking of my dogs while hunting.
Why can’t they just incorporate the 2 way messaging and SOS into the Fenix 5X? That would be a KILLER product if paired with a smartphone.
I think you’d need a much bigger battery and stronger antenna than what can be squeezed into the Fenix 5. One day….
You said it stripped out “navigation”, but stores “500 waypoints and 20 routes.” So no mapping function at all? You need the Earthmate to see the routes?
Also, do you know if it has a barometric altimiter?
Until I have one in-hand or see a review by someone who understands GPS nav, there’s going to be some speculation involved.
I think the nav is really basic, like a digital needle that tells you the direction and distance to your next waypoint. Imagine a GPS from the 1990’s. To bring the nav into this century, you need Earthmate.
Not sure about the barometer. No spec or implication one way or the other.
I have a Foretrex 401, which is super basic, but maybe they are assuming that most users will have a phone, so why bother? That isn’t necessarily wrong.
To me this is quite reasonable; in contrast to a decent phone app, maps on GPS handhelds are pretty painful to use. I’m happy as long as these beacons can display my coordinates.
Yes, most users have a phone, so it makes sense to remove weight and expense that exists for a redundant feature.
Also, there are other ways to navigate, e.g. paper.
What is this “paper” of which you speak? 😉
so if I 1) am just looking for something to keep in contact with the family at home 2) use the earth mate app so the text functionality is decent and 3) take an external battery with me to keep other devices charged, this seems to fit thbe bill more than the standard size models? Any other differences?
Ding, ding, yes.
The case for the SE+/Explorer+ is largely undermined by the Mini. In addition to shorter battery life, the Mini’s weakness is as a standalone unit: its navigation features are crude, and the virtual keyboard looks awful (so stick with the preset messages at all costs, and enter your most important contacts through the online portal). But with the Earthmate app, the Mini can do everything that the SE+/inReach+ can do.
Everything except, apparently, the altimeter, which is not listed in the specs. This is probably a deal-breaker for me at that price.
Why do you need the altimeter so badly? Don’t you have an altimeter watch, or can’t you just pull the altitude off your phone?
Mainly it’s because in my case, my current GPS has a barometric altimeter. Switching to a device without it I am losing a valuable tool and have to add another device at a much higher cost. I would rather get the Explorer+ unit in spite if the size because it is replaceing a device, retaining all of it’s functionality, and gaining the satellite and phone-syncing capability and greater battery life.
Getting elevation from the GPS doesn’t provide weather information like a barometer can, and as long as you calibrate the altimeter with known elevations, GPS-based elevation can be a lot less reliable. I am a Backcountry skier and often out in poor visibility (Cascades in winter), so elevation is important to me.
I understand that this is particular to my situation. Obviously the tradeoff may not matter as much, to someone else, especially if the device they are replacing doesn’t have a barometer already.
It definitely looks like a great option for a lot of people. It’s exciting to see it moving in this direction and I would not be surprised to see a more fully-featured version more appealing to serious mountaineers in the near future.
Barometric altimeter watch on your wrist is a good option in place of the GPS, faster to read, and you’re not having to stop and pull out a piece of emergency gear and run it’s batteries down.
Any concerns about switch exposure and accidentally setting off the SOS function on this model – based on what can be seen so far?
It appears well protected, like the SE+/Explorer+, but I’ll have to verify when I see one.
Does anyone know if the GPS data from an InReach device is available to other mobile phone applications, such as GaiaGPS? I’m wondering if I could disable location services on my mobile phone and still get GPS location data via bluetooth.
This was discussed in the context of the SE+/Explorer+. I think the answer was no, i.e. the inReach GPS chip will share its location only with the Earthmate app.
There are a few videos of people using the inreach with Gaia. Search the Gaia forum. It’s over of the main reasons I will get one.
Thank you. Wasn’t clear on it, and haven’t tried myself.
I just did a quick experiment with a wifi-only iPad and my DeLorme inReach SE. It appears to work with Gaia and SEAiq (sailing app).
Results: ±65 m error with inReach off, ±10 m error with inReach on. I toggled it a few times and it was pretty consistent. Also, I kept the inReach showing the location screen, and the jump to ±10 m happened in sync with the inReach actually getting its GPS fix.
However, you won’t be able to disable Location Services as that would prevent your apps from working. (I checked that too.) From other poking about it seems hard to ensure that an external device would be used over an internal device; that’s based on what’s written here: https://icmtgis.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/using-an-external-gps-with-icmtgis-ii-on-ipad/
Andrew, I know you did a talk at google not all that long ago… so you probably have some connections to people with interest in backpacking. This is kind of about GPS also.
I also know you seem to know where the cellular signal etc is when you were talking about mt whitney.
I’m dropping this article here… I’ll explain right below.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/03/missing-hiker-faces-huge-bill-rescue-operation-found-luxury/
So dude has a cell.. he has battery, he has GPS, and a desire to check in… but it fails… now they want a lot of money from him to pay for a search and rescue attempt… while he was like soaking in a hot tub…
You and I both know cell signal out there can be spotty… and if you leave your cell on when there is no signal your battery will be dead in no time flat… so you can’t just leave it on and be like “great.. it’s uploading my tracks to google maps for my family to see”
But here is the thing… Google has all the topos, google probably knows where all the cellular towers are, google can see your GPS location and altitude, google can decide when your cellular antenna goes on and off on your android phone.
Why can’t there be an app that while in airplane mode looks for a few things
Your location vs where a cell tower might be
Your location in terms of on a peak or cliff that might have better access
Your time since last check in
If Google thinks you might have signal.. and you have the running it goes “he hasn’t checked in for 4 hours… if he is on a peak or near a cell tower he has picked that after 4 hours no check in he wants me to try and get a signal.. buzz him to let him know (sound or vibrate)… and upload his location to where his family can see it”
Google already uploads the location but it’s like the assumption that you have 24×7 signal in downtown manhatten kinda thing… I’m talking a more refined GPS check-in for backwoods use that uses googles data in a better way to allow it to be usable without eating your battery.
Does this make sense to you? I mean if your family know you got up and were moving in the last 4 hours and it seems like you have been making consistent distances it would help to calm people down.. and if something DID happen.. the search and rescue people would have more accurate data to go by… without using something like a SPOT device which is kinda pricey to most of us who don’t go out as many days as you.
Anyway just trying to get this thought to someone who has more influence in the backpacking world and possibly regular contact with someone at google… I think it would increase public safety, make families feel more secure, and decrease the expenses of communities that have to do regular search and rescue missions which I am sure would help keep our national and stae parks better funded as some of this falls back on them… and funding has been cut and we can’t afford to lose them…
I don’t want money.. I just want to help make a change… just forward it on to someone if you have a contact… see what happens.
Chris , there are a bunch of free GPS tracking apps for cell phones. I like ViewRanger with it’s Buddy Beacon, also have used FollowMe. Sends your GPS location to a web interface so people with the link can see where you are, without cell service. I use my phone for tracking and an InReach for 2 way communication. But if you didn’t have the InReach a free GPS tracking app could have prevented that issue. Hotels also have good ol land lines where he could have actually called his wife. 😉
I don’t believe this is true. GPS data is one way — others cannot see your location unless you had a data connection (cell reception).
I looked up both of these and in a quick scan neither one claims to function without mobile data.
Its the telecom companies that have the towers, not Google. When you agree to using location services you are essentially giving Google permission to use the mobile info as well as other location-based services – wireless networks are far more refined – to provide a location. Pinging cell towers is the least refined of their options.
When SAR is looking for someone law enforcement can get the triangulation from the telecom companies, and that’s as good as it gets out in the backcountry because there are no other sources. But just like GPS accuracy increases with the number of available satellites, tower triangulation is more accurate with the number of towers and signal strength.
In this case, he sent the message from the hotel, where presumably there are other ways of identifying the location of his phone. It does not explain why it didn’t send, but if he was still in airplane mode it may not have registered with a tower or network.
The idea of a set periodic “ping” interval is an interesting one. It takes virtually no power.
Andrew, by chance have you done a field comparison (e.g., open field, forested campsite, atop a summit, in a canyon, along a river) of various satellite messegener systems?
Have had a couple and they generally take anywhere from 5 to 20+ minutes (so long that I stop paying attention) to send a basic text message.
Would be curious if any model has better performance, or if the satellites they use are the reason for better performance.
What units are you suggesting to use? With SPOT and plb’s, you never know if it’s been receieved. That only leaves inReach. Guess you could compare SE/Explorer and +/+, but not sure it’ll help much since older units are hard to come by.
“Have had a couple and they generally take anywhere from 5 to 20+ minutes (so long that I stop paying attention) to send a basic text message.
Would be curious if any model has better performance, or if the satellites they use are the reason for better performance.”
Thread necro, but to answer this, current data transmission rates for both Iridium and Globalstar have around a 1kb per second data transmission rate. Iridium may be able to bump up a little more, but it’s slooooooooow. I know Iridium is updating their network to allow up to 1mb/second and maybe more but replacing dozens of satellites is an expensive process and takes years to accomplish.
In my experience, it’s the initial handshake with the satellites that takes the longest time, and spot and garmin are comparable.
Good morning,
in theory, could test in SEKI anywhere you have a Cellular or Wi-Fi signal, such as JM Lodge, Grants Grove, Wuksachi, etc.
That way your email account on your cellphone, tablet, or laptop could be used to verify reception of messages.
Have a SPOT Gen3 that I’d be willing to ship over for testing, in the interests of science and outdoor safety research.
Busy weekend and busy at work on Monday morning, haven’t had time to sit down and cogitate regarding testing paradigms.
As long as the sending time is recorded, you should be able to check after the fact; just dig through the email headers for the earliest timestamp you can find. It might not be the precise time the message was received by the satellite, and email times are not guaranteed, but in most cases it should be close enough. (Keep in mind that sometimes the message might have traversed the satellite part of the network just fine, but is held up at one of the mail servers; email isn’t a guaranteed service.)
Also possibly worth a look is checking which satellites are visible at the time of sending. (Mostly to know if a message was sent at a particularly bad time.)
Finally, some of the ACR PLBs support limited through-satellite tests, not just unit self-tests, so it should be possible to test all three of the major devices. For that testing, I’d also consider locations both in the open and on a north face, as I believe those require hitting a geostationary bird. E.g. GOES-15 has an elevation of 44° from the SF Bay area, but only 32° from Vancouver.
Quite relieved to see Garmin keep working on the line, was worried it would stall after they bought DeLorme.
Any idea why this wouldn’t be promoted more? The inreach seems to get reviewed well, it’s basically alone in the category, unlike regular GPSs it’s in no danger of being replaced by smartphones, sites like https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-handheld-gps rank it in the top devices…
https://www.findmespot.com/spotx/lander.php
Let the PLB wars begin!
Oof. If that’s the best Spot can come up with, I think Garmin is already winning the war.
Well that’s intriguing. It indicates Garmin will not be alone in this device space. A quick look at the “Quick Start” manual and under “Navigation” it has a compass and waypoints. That appears to be it, and it does not appear to connect with a phone for electronic mapping, so that’s a big difference. Also not truly global, but I am not sure of the extent of the InReach 2-way system either.
Also, still Golbalstar vs Iridium
Globalstar birds need to have both you and a ground station in sight to relay the message, which is why SPOT’s coverage map looks the way it goes. Iridium has global coverage.
Linking to a phone might be nice, but my phone already has a mapping app that I prefer (Gaia) so that’s not a great loss. Both these devices offer communications ability in case my phone gives out, and both appear compatible with paper maps.
Are the chipsets in the Mini an updated version from the Ineeach Explorer +? Will it work faster/better when communicating with other Bluetooth devices, i.e. phones, iPad, watches, etc. ? Is it’s GPS receiver upgraded?
if I have an explorer and want to add the mini to my stable, how do I manage the accounts? Do I need separate accounts and subscriptions? Or can I retire one and swap in the other?
I think they’ll show up as different devices in the inReach portal, with unique settings and saved data for both. Not sure if you can transfer data easily between them.
Can your phone work with this using the Earthmate app while in “airplane” mode? If not, I think it would drain your battery pretty quick.
It should as long as you can turn on bluetooth independently of airplane mode. That’s what connects an external device (like a speaker) to your phone. Operating without a data connection is really kind of the whole point of the device.
I’m really hoping they open up compatibility with older Fenix watches like the Fenix 3, I can’t see a reason why they wouldn’t as it’s just a widget using the same tech..
I bought one after lugging the explorer around Alaska last year, and I can’t wait to snap it to my pack and (almost) forget about it.
Andrew – I’d like to hear your opinion whether the new Garmin InReach Mini is a better stand alone satellite text messenger compared my current Delorme InReach SE. I have a pair of Garmin Rinos that my partner and I use for all traditional GPS functions plus location sharing and communicating via walkie talkie. However, we do carry a Delorme InReach SE for both emergency and routine satellite text messaging. We leave our smartphones behind when going off-grid due to wanting to avoid additional weight and battery demand. So for us, I’m interested in knowing whether you think that the new Garmin InReach Mini is a better stand-alone satellite text messenger compared to the Delorme Inreach SE. Thanks for the unbiased gear reviews and your obvious commitment to your readers!
Context really matters in discussions over better and best.
Nowadays most people carry their phones with them at all times, including into the backcountry. I do as well, because I don’t want to leave it in the car (security issue) and because I use my phone as a backup handheld GPS using the Gaia app.
For this group of users, on paper the Mini would be be definite recommendation. I say “on paper” because I have not played around much with the Mini to rule out bugs or huge quirks, although I think both of those are unlikely. The Mini offers the critical messaging functionality of the SE+/Explorer+, but in a much smaller and lighter package (and it’s slightly less expensive, too). Its native keyboard sucks and it has primitive standalone navigation features, but you can offset completely these shortcomings by pairing it with your phone (which you are already carrying).
In your case, I’m not sure that the Mini would be better. As I said, the keyboard is awful (you must select one letter at a time, from a linear row of letters and symbols) and simple “Yes” and “No” answers would take minutes. So if you often send custom messages and if you don’t want to carry your phone (which is the optimal way of typing messages) then your current SE would be better.
If, on the other hand, nearly all of your messages are preset and/or basic okay messages, then the Mini will send those messages just fine. And, again, you’d save weight and size over the SE.
Hello there,
Can it be used to exchange messages with the very popular WhatsApp?
Thank you,
Samir
It can only pair with the garmin smartphone app for messaging, so no.
Had to hit the SOS on a friend’s InReach mini the other week and it was kind of a pain. The unit functioned properly, however in an emergency, I really wanted to just use one device. I typed one letter with the Mini and then had to find his phone because the typing was awful. Also the phone wasn’t. Synced so I had to go through Bluetooth syncing which was annoying. I also walked away with phone in hand which broke the Bluetooth connection. In “panic mode” sometimes simple things like typing a message becomes a little harder. I have the Explorer + myself and thought I wanted the mini until I actually had to use it for an Emergency. If someone you’re with has to use your InReach to save you, I think the Explorer is much more straight forward and actually not that bad for typing messages on. Just wanted to share my experience.
Thanks Andrew for all your insights and hiking instructions. I’m out here in Colorado hiking on the CT. I ran into a situation where altitude + extremely hot weather caused a scare. Anyway, my family bought me an Inreach Mini to help arrange rides, get weather reports and to say hello every once in awhile. What I was shocked to find out is how slow and erratic transmission of messages can be, yet the opposite is also true that transmissions can be quick. Can you give a fuller explanation that satellites are in space and distances vary and usage varies or point me to an article that explains my questions? Again, thanks for being there for inexperienced hikers. Your videos are invaluable resources.
I’m not a satellite nerd so I can’t give you a detailed explanation. But I think there’s a fairly simple one: you are communicating with orbiting satellites that are way above the earth’s surface. It’s high-tech stuff, and is just not as reliable as the landlines and cell service to which we are accustomed.
Rely on this tech with caution. It works, but not always.
Thankfully, the inReach confirms that your message has been received.
Brad, if you search for some images or animations of the Iridium constellation you’ll see that the satellites are following polar orbits. Those are organized in 6 planes, which effectively slice up the globe into 12 segments, each ~30° in longitude or roughly two time zones wide (think orange wedges). The orbits also slowly precess westward over time, so they don’t just sit in the same place relative to the earth’s surface.
30° covers about 3300 km at the equator (shrinking to 0 km at the poles), but all the satellite footprints are large and have some overlap. They orbit at a height of about 780 km, and so there are times when all the satellites in view aren’t particularly high in the sky. Trees, buildings, or mountains might then block your line of sight to them. (An out-of-service satellite could also leave a small moving hole in coverage.)
Can you export your track data, to a pc in a GPX format with the mini?
I think you need to export it from the Explore portal. I don’t think you can export it directly from the device.
This a bit of a old post, but last week I used a friend’s inreach mini in coldish (in the mid -20f) weather, and the unit would power up, report an error message about being too cold, then power off. We had to warm it up a bit before it would stay on and actually work. My older inreach (one of the yellow ones) worked fine at the temperatures. I have used it (the older model) pretty extensively in reasonably cold temperatures ( sub -40f ) on bike and ski trips and haven’t had any issues with the cold besides a slightly reduced battery life.
It isn’t a deal breaker or anything, but something people should be aware of. It is possible it is just the unit we were using.
Do you mean mid 20s (e.g., 25F) or mid minus 20s (-25F)? I would consider -25 to be a darn sight more than “coldish”. 🙂
By “in the mid -20f” I mean colder than negative 20f. I don’t know what temperature it stops working – once we warmed it up it worked, until it cooled off. -25f is cold, but a pretty common winter temperature where I live, thus the reason I posted.
Below zero batteries stop working. It’s more of a battery issue then any electronic device.
Like I said, the older model works fine at much colder temperatures.
You’re likely seeing the difference between older Metal-Hydride batteries (typically operational, though sluggish, to around -50f) and the newer Lithium-Polymer batteries which don’t like to operate much below freezing.
There is a reason Cold-weather headlamps use remote battery packs you can keep under your clothes. I’d suggest the same with this or a radio or other electronics.
If you use lithium single use batteries they handle colder temps better than alkaline or nickel-cadmium
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/batteries.html
The Mini has an internal rechargeable battery.
Curious about the “preset” messages. I know a graphic of the unit’s position is sent along with the preset messages but do the preset messages provide the actual gps coordinates as well? Thanks for any clarification.
Yes, they do. A present message I recieved from one of my guides this weekend reads exactly:
Everything Hunky Dory. Likely stopping for the day, lunch (or just tagging a great spot)
View the location or send a reply to Alan Dixon: https://inreach.garmin.com/textmessage/txtmsg?extId=62466270-3ced-485d-ba2c-4782294d31ed&adr=andrewskurka%40gmail.com
Alan Dixon sent this message from: Lat 38.987635 Lon -77.032485
I upgraded to the mini recently after owning a Delorme InReach SE. While trying to send a messages out with open sky I had a hard time sending a message even after 20mins. The message went out eventually but I did find the message had no location attached (later on). Maybe the satellite was not over head or the few clouds coming in made it difficult to get a message out? I was wondering if the mini antenna may not work as well as the SE due to size. The mini does seem slower to connect than my prior experiences with the SE. Anyone try these side by side?
In the Earthmate iPhone app, you can go to More>Options>Messages and activate “Include Location”. Mine wasn’t turned on by default. I haven’t found a way to do this in the Mini by itself.
I was online reviewing my messages after the trip. They all have location info except this one. This was the same message the did not want to send after 20 mins with no mountains or trees in the way. Hence thinking antenna or satellite connection delay.
Hi there,
This may be a silly question, but how does the recipient of a 2-way message receive their message, and reply? Email notification?
Many thanks,
Joseph
Depends on whether the message is received by email or text. If by email, the email will read like this:
<>: <>
View the location or send a reply to <
< sent this message from: <>
Do not reply directly to this message.
This message was sent to you using the inReach two-way satellite communicator with GPS. To learn more, visit http://explore.garmin.com/inreach.
I believe I’m right in saying that the Mini does not (unlike the Explorer) allow you to add a contact without using your cell phone. I remember adding someone’s contact details directly with my old Explorer (surprisingly handy in the field). Like I say this doesn’t appear possible with the Mini. Other than that it’s a killer device.
I have a InReach Mini that I got for emergencies. At 70 yrs.old I ride a bike up a 6 mile canyon that goes from 200 ft to 1500 ft. If I have an accident there’s no cell coverage on most of the road. Half of the canyon has intermittent trees, but every block has clear access to sky but you don’t get “wide” open 360º views until you get near the top. Otherwise you’re sky-access might be 15-20%.
After finding that “sending tests” in the first few miles (starting at the bottom) took many blocks or even a mile to get through successfully, I began to think: if I have an accident, even if I send an SOS, I’m out of luck until I get to a location where the “stored” SOS or message can be received by the satellite. Does this sound right to you? I’ve stopped on my bike for several minutes at various locations to see if that would improve reception, but I didn’t notice any change.
Some added context: When travelling up the “mountain,” I’m probably going about 3-7MPG, and on the way down, I can be travelling 20MPH. I have a thin jacket with a zipper pocket up by my shoulder where I keep the Mini. I’ve also travelled with the Mini in my hand with the antenna totally exposed for better communication and didn’t see any improvement.
If I’m right, does the Garmin Explorer offer better reception than the Mini. If not, are their any other options here to give me the safety I seek?
Thank you!
A few thoughts:
1. These devices are not get-out-of-jail-free cards. Make good decisions, stay safe.
2. Canyons are tough on these devices. Lots of the sky can be blocked, and it may take a while for the satellite to come into view long enough to connect with the device.
3. Reception will absolutely be better if it’s pointing straight up at the sky. Consider harnessing it to your bike somehow so that it’s always pointing up.
4. I don’t use the tracking mode because I think it’s unlikely, as a hiker or even a trail runner, to have something so severe happen to me that I couldn’t use the normal messaging. It’s a little different as a biker, rafter, or pilot — I get that. Anyways, I think you’re much more likely to get out a message when the device is not moving.
I’ve actually been using mine to allow parents to track as we go on hikes with their kids. I keep it clipped to the loop on the sternum-strap of my pack and it’s been rock solid reliable about sending off it’s tracking every 10 minutes. I never even think about stopping for the inReach to do it’s thing…
As a side note, the parents absolutely LOVE the fact that they can send a message to their kids out in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal. We’ve had a few decide that their children could come on the hikes because of this capability. So far (fingers crossed!) I haven’t had a parent abuse it…
Thank you so much for reviewing all of these GPS options. I have never found myself to need more than a map and compass. However, with two girls at camp and a non-backpacking husband at home, I suddenly find myself needing to be more “accessible.”