Garmin Inreach mini

[sagerat]

Anyone have thoughts on this new little toy? Other than a reduced battery life it seems great to me.

[CarbonHunter]

Until they add the sos feature to the rino I don’t see any need to make a change to the inReach. I carry an inReach, rino and cell phone; shrinking the inReach won’t make me buy a new one. When they add the features to the rino I will consider making an upgrade.

[archery288]

I was just thinking about getting this myself.  I have a buddy with the InReach but I don't like how you can't use all the Onx maps chips I've accumulated over the years.  Granted I mostly use the Onx cell phone app now and save maps when I don't have service, but it's just a backup. 

I might get the mini just to be able to communicate via text to check-in vs sending a programmed message from my SPOT messenger.

[Magnum_Willys]

The Delorme Inreach is $249 and this mini is $100 more for same features only 20% smaller.  But the Garmin Branded Inreach is $349 so you may as well get the mini - its identical it appears to it larger cousin in features.

[aaronoto]

I've wanted to get an inReach, but I already have a nice Garmin GPS.  The fact that they're now making the inReach features as a standalone is cool, but I'd like to the see the price point about $75 cheaper.  Maybe I'll keep holding out to see if they add to the Rhino before making a decision.

[Magnum_Willys]

I was just thinking about getting this myself.  I have a buddy with the InReach but I don't like how you can't use all the Onx maps chips I've accumulated over the years.  Granted I mostly use the Onx cell phone app now and save maps when I don't have service, but it's just a backup. 

I might get the mini just to be able to communicate via text to check-in vs sending a programmed message from my SPOT messenger.

IMO - Inreach is great for txting. Poor for use as gps.
Get it now for txting. You would still prefer your phone for gps/onx.

[sagerat]

I was just thinking about getting this myself.  I have a buddy with the InReach but I don't like how you can't use all the Onx maps chips I've accumulated over the years.  Granted I mostly use the Onx cell phone app now and save maps when I don't have service, but it's just a backup. 

I might get the mini just to be able to communicate via text to check-in vs sending a programmed message from my SPOT messenger.

IMO - Inreach is great for txting. Poor for use as gps.
Get it now for txting. You would still prefer your phone for gps/onx.

Will all Inreach units work as a standard gps unit? Meaning just basic waypoints, like marking your truck or camp “just in case”.

[Magnum_Willys]

Yes.  I think with the mini they are recognizing you don’t need an interface if you have a phone.   It is a backup to your primary gps ( phone or Rhino)

[jmscon]

Pretty sure Garmin bought the DeLorm Inreach and DeLorm won’t be producing anything new. The DeLorm still works but anything new is through Garmin.

[CarbonHunter]

I've wanted to get an inReach, but I already have a nice Garmin GPS.  The fact that they're now making the inReach features as a standalone is cool, but I'd like to the see the price point about $75 cheaper.  Maybe I'll keep holding out to see if they add to the Rhino before making a decision.

 I wouldn’t worry about $75, keep in mind once you have one you have to pay a monthly fee to use it. It is great for texting and for your wife to track you so she has a piece of mind while your gone but it sucks as a gps. The rino gets way better service and the map is easier to see on the rino.

[sagerat]

I've wanted to get an inReach, but I already have a nice Garmin GPS.  The fact that they're now making the inReach features as a standalone is cool, but I'd like to the see the price point about $75 cheaper.  Maybe I'll keep holding out to see if they add to the Rhino before making a decision.

 I wouldn’t worry about $75, keep in mind once you have one you have to pay a monthly fee to use it. It is great for texting and for your wife to track you so she has a piece of mind while your gone but it sucks as a gps. The rino gets way better service and the map is easier to see on the rino.

True, but I get tired of packing all these gadgets. I plan on using an Inreach and iPhone, leaving my old reliable Garmin gps at home. Hope it works out.

[carpsniperg2]

Just a FYI for all my local bi Mart has the regular se on sale for 199.99
So I picked one up, I have a plb but communication will be nice.

[spoonman]

I was just thinking about getting this myself.  I have a buddy with the InReach but I don't like how you can't use all the Onx maps chips I've accumulated over the years.  Granted I mostly use the Onx cell phone app now and save maps when I don't have service, but it's just a backup. 

I might get the mini just to be able to communicate via text to check-in vs sending a programmed message from my SPOT messenger.

When you save the maps to your phone, how do you know where you are at on the map?