Features:

  • Small, rugged, lightweight satellite communicator enables two-way text messaging using the 100% global Iridium network (satellite subscription required)
  • Trigger an interactive SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center (satellite subscription required)
  • Access downloadable maps, U.S. NOAA charts, color aerial imagery and more by using the free Garmin Earthmate app and compatible devices
  • Optional inReach weather forecast service provides detailed updates directly to your inReach Mini or paired device; basic and premium weather packages available
  • Send and receive inReach messages through compatible Garmin devices, including connected wearables and handhelds
  • NOTICE: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communications devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
Perfect Size and Funtionality

This is a great little device for providing peace of mind while on the trail outside of cell phone coverage. The user interface is a little primitive but functional. It really shines when paired to a smartphone using the Earthmate app.

Fantastic communication device if you travel to remote locations.

Fantastic communication device if you travel to remote locations. Works great with an iPhone app to send/receive texts and email messages.

Useful

Back in my day, you went to the backcountry prepared to save your life without help. As in, we had wilderness first aid training, backup water purification, knew orienteering, guarded the topo maps like our firestarters, knew exactly how many calories we'd packed so we could stand delays, learned to read clouds and fronts, etc. Also, daily checkins were a ridiculous concept. This was the '90s, an era of rugged disconnection. Older and softer, I recently enticed my husband to spend 10 days with me in the Glacier Bay Wilderness, just the two of us, and decided that maaaaybe we should take a buoyant personal locator beacon (also not yet extant when I was last in Glacier Bay), and we also bought one of these things at the last minute. We would have been fine without it--we knew the points we could get to in an emergency and how to signal boats--but it was useful to send an email confirming a pickup, to check on a storm, and to send another email confirming which antibiotic to take for a soft tissue infection from an infected fly bite. We noticed the marine forecast was totally useless for specifying currents and winds in Glacier Bay, despite its size, but the extended forecast was okay. Unlike other reviewers, we had no problems with the battery. We only turned ours on once or twice a day, to notify others of our location (which tbh felt like helicopter something) and occasionally to check weather. I don't think it dropped below 60%. This suggests, however, that the promised bazillion days of passive continuous tracking were not really feasible. But I'm impelled like the 38-y-old codger-woman I am to point out that we ran into two other groups with the fancier Garmin devices, the ones with the screens showing maps, and it was disconcerting to realize that these people seemed to be using the devices as their primary method of navigation. The terrain is really, really easy to read in the bay if you have a map. You practically don't need a compass. While we were taking a break from stormy water in a small cove, someone else saw me with my map out and came over with her device to show me where we were. I had had no doubts. Another group we crossed on the water was trying to estimate distances between points using their device and were struggling to pace themselves. Don't be those people. Learn to use a map and compass. The main advantage is that I see this as possibly enabling me to do short 2-3 night backcountry trips on my own, which is not something I would otherwise do (for safety concerns). That's a big deal.

Great, must have for back country

Gave us peace of mind the whole trip in the back country. Kept us in touch with family.

Great product

Wonderful product. Easy to use. Was able to stay in touch with my family while offshore for days without a satphone

2 Way Emergency Com, Heck ya...

I've 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. Use your setting wisely and you can get a lot of battery life for being such a small unit, if you don't it will drain quickly. Pretty easy to set up and get it running. Highly recommended for back country adventures for everyone's peace of mind..

Great essential hiking equipment

Worked great used on the Northville lake placid trail. Trail had almost no phone reception so this was needed. Friends and family were able to text me whenever they wanted and received updates add to where i was located. Great to know if something happens i could get help.

It can save your life

This product is seriously good. It saved my life on more than one occasion. It never gave me trouble

Great Product

I had been using a spot device and after getting a 225 dollar renewal charge from spot I had enough. I used this on a 5 day trip in the sierra Nevada mountains. It was small enough to wear on my pack strap which made it easy to check out miles for the day. Battery life wasn't bad in tracking mode I recharged it off a solar charger but I think it could have gone two days in tracking mode. miles traveled was dead on with the map trail mileage. Pairing the unit with a iphone and sending a message was pretty easy.

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