Garmin Inreach Mini 2

[Fenlander]

For some years I've been aware once out of mobile signal and handheld radio range from any help if things are going pear shaped it's a big step to pull out the PLB and alert the boys. Hence since I upgraded my handheld Garmin plotter and decided against the option of the more expensive model with Inreach satellite connectivity I've wondered if that comms gap needed filling.

I've just gone with the very neat Garmin Inreach Mini 2. So far only set up and home tested the comms/mapping but it looks spot on for what I wanted.

For those not familiar it means you can text contacts via satellite so you could update a contact to a modest developing problem that may not immediately need a full on PLB initiated response but at least get someone ashore aware of your situation.

Also it transmits your tracking for the whole trip which you can Mapshare to a contact so they are able to view your track.

There is also a full SOS button that works via a Garmin comms centre.

As well as buying the device you need a Garmin subscription starting at £12.99/mth which seems fine given other boating costs and the extra level of safety it offers.

The main image compares the size to my PLB and handheld plotter. Another image shows some of the standard messages you can send to avoid slow messaging on the device, see the image of how you have to input via up, down and OK buttons. Final image though is of the default method of operation using the screen on your paired smartphone for easier messaging.

[Steve509926]

Looks an interesting bit of kit. Can you subscribe just for the month or is it an annual subscription?

[Fenlander]

The plan I've taken out is annual but there is another leisure use plan, the Freedom one. However that is £34.99 per year registration and then the monthly is £14.99 for each month you need it and you have to pre pay those months. Part months used are payable as full months.

So my 12mths is £155.40 compared to say a 5mth summer only pre paid use inc subscription payment totalling £110.94. The yearly plan suits me as I off road cycle by myself all year in many places with zero phone signal so the device will cover that use too.

It also has a basic navigation function so you can Trak Back following a line on the (small) screen either turn by turn the way you travelled or straight to any previous waypoint.

[jonp]

I first bought their inreach version 1 when they were first launched which I found a bit frustrating due to the slow speed of sending messages. I upgraded to the mk2 which I gave to my daughter who hunts in remote wilderness areas. Again it's slow and you really need clear view of the sky to get the messages out.

I also bought a 67i when they first came out a couple of years ago. Apparently the power is the same, however messages are normally sent within 15 seconds. I own various Garmin products which interact with the inreach such as my 8412 and 8410 while in my boat.

There are a few features which really made the 67i worth the extra money.
Firstly 160hrs battery time.
Door to door road and off-road mapping.
Detailed marine charts, with marine park boundaries.
State and national park boundaries, ideal for hunting.
The biggest winner for me is being able to download free aerial maps like those found on google earth.
When I travel on friends boats Im able to take my own gps and all my fishing marks from my own units.
I also do remote offshore boating trips where I have no phone or radio reception for several weeks at a time, so being able to get detailed weather forecasts for my exact location allow me to avoid cyclones or any other extreme weather.
Im about to do a remote mountain river trip which should take around 4 days, which Ive downloaded the entire river section, showing all the sets of rapids, areas that look ok to camp and hunt from, even pre planned where I will target fish.

[Fenlander]

Jon you have loads more experience than me both boating wise and re the tech you might use. And of course land based hunting trips have different needs so no argument from me... but just info for anyone UK based thinking about buying the Inreach 2.

The 67i is a quite different unit being twice the size, weight and cost but most of all aimed at those who want mapping whereas the Mini 2 is mainly just a communicator (with basic track back ability). I already have a cracking larger screen Garmin Montana 700 with mapping so only needed the communicator element.

Re message times with the Inreach Mini 2 leaning against an outside window facing our garden with trees and other features I sent a message and it reached my phone in 5sec. Of course for our use and most UK boaters a clear sky to satellites is a given so that was actually quite a severe test.

The Inreach Mini 2 has a stated clear sky battery life of 240hrs, 720hrs if you cut the tracking to 30min intervals. Plenty of battery hours for UK on the water use.

So yep as an emergency or out of phone signal communicator that will only need a charge every few days at most I reckon it's worthwhile.

[jonp]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Jon you have loads more experience than me both boating wise and re the tech you might use. And of course land based hunting trips have different needs so no argument from me... but just info for anyone UK based thinking about buying the Inreach 2.

The 67i is a quite different unit being twice the size, weight and cost but most of all aimed at those who want mapping whereas the Mini 2 is mainly just a communicator (with basic track back ability). I already have a cracking larger screen Garmin Montana 700 with mapping so only needed the communicator element.

Re message times with the Inreach Mini 2 leaning against an outside window facing our garden with trees and other features I sent a message and it reached my phone in 5sec. Of course for our use and most UK boaters a clear sky to satellites is a given so that was actually quite a severe test.


The Inreach Mini 2 has a stated clear sky battery life of 240hrs, 720hrs if you cut the tracking to 30min intervals. Plenty of battery hours for UK on the water use.

So yep as an emergency or out of phone signal communicator that will only need a charge every few days at most I reckon it's worthwhile.

We also have to carry an Epirb in boats if more than 2nm offshore and a PLB in many National parks. Unfortunately the inreach doesn't count towards these rules. The mini inreach can also be used for weather forecasts and basic navigation and tracking. Great gadgets to have have.