Garmin inReach Mini 2 Is it Worth It? | Van Life Safety

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Thanks for watching!

[@compliancereality6420]

I’ve been using the Garmin InReach Explorer for years. It is the next level up in the Garmin devices. I love it. I have used it to share my location and communicate I am doing well or running late but not to worry. I love the preset messages. I’ve never needed the SOS feature yet but there is a mode to test the SOS feature without activating rescue and it worked well. This device gives me a lot of peace of mind.

[@muzerhythm2242]

Was wondering what the monthly fee for service costs? Thanks😁

[@GypsyJvan]

I think it's $15/month..

[@GypsyJvan]

some people only activate it a few months out of the year..when camping or on a hiking trip..

[@Drmikekuna]

Several years ago, I visited Glacier National Park (no cell service) with a friend and his son. They were inexperienced backpackers but decided to do a multi-day backpacking trip. I stayed behind at the campsite and did a lot of day hikes. Their trip took several days longer than originally planned, but we could communicate as we both had Inreach Minis (version 1). Otherwise, I would have freaked out if they had not returned on schedule. We also coordinated a new pick-up location and time, and I handled the hikers' drink and snack requests. They had their treats waiting for them as soon as they got into my car. I'm a big fan of this gadget.

[@mobiltec]

As soon as you said I had to use a phone app, I was done. I'm old, I hate programing anything because I don't have a 12 year old to show me how and there are no instructions out there. The ONLY reason I would need one of these things is to signal for help. If I can do that at a press of a button then that's all I need.

[@nancycain4434]

I would go with the Personal Locator Beacon. I saw Bob Wells demonstrate that in one of his past the videos and I was very impressed with it I would not be interested in paying a subscription. Thanks for the great review Brian

[@theMekanik]

Yes it's worth it if your life depends on it!!!!

[@bridgetmuehlberger5141]

I really appreciate this review! Thanks for delving deeper into the pros and cons, especially the mini tutorial about how to use the texting feature. All very helpful in my decision making!! Thanks, again!!!

[@CataLyst7Continued]

Thanks for the review. Glad to hear everything turned out ok with the paddle boarding incident. Glad you made it back safely! 💙

[@ranger10mm34]

I have a zoleo. Text only but way cheaper on plan. I've had it almost 3 yes. Love it

[@WisconsinWanderer]

Just for peace of mind and some flexibility I would go with the Garmin but I’d have to find the monthly cost on it. Thanks Brian this is great info 😊

[@markkimmerling4251]

I still have mine but i dont use it but for emergency

[@JaniceLalla]

what a beautiful place

[@stanbyme7874]

I strap mine to my chest when hiking. My ONLY issue is I cannot see the buttons without glasses! Old eyes that have seen too much ;) Anyway, I have two pairs of glasses. One in pack. One in waist. I just hope for best.

[@Michelle-bw1xg]

For boondocking or hiking outside cell service I'd want an SOS emergency option as well as sending messages to family. Appreciate your review. Also researching Motorola Defy Satellite lInk attaches to Android or iPhone coming out $99 + yearly subscription, or when replacing my iPhone 7, may consider iPhone 14 with SOS - 2 yrs free but then what cost. Snapdragon Satellite for Android also coming soon.

[@TomSpurlock]

Thanks for the review, very useful. I'm puzzled why charging is an issue when you can put a very lightweight $40 solar panel to hang on your backpack and charge as you hike.

[@ohokcool]

Have you actually tried this? It’s not as reliable as you might hope, takes a looong time to charge

[@brianleonard6885]

Great review, Brian. Thanks so much .

[@William_Rivera_]

Love your videos man keep it up

[@sharkcookie.YouTube]

very useful info!

[@armondlevinia9221]

Very fair analysis. Thanks!

[@GypsyJvan]

great info, thanks for the review .

[@Simply.C]

Great review. Enjoyed the discussion. Much better than just opening the box and giving a one day trial review. Thank you for doing this deep review.

[@michaelnares1217]

Great information thanks

[@rambling_rob7035]

PLB ResQLink is all I need

[@dews3340]

Excellent

[@AzureCaribe10]

You overlooked the connectivity between Garmin Overland and InReach.

[@XiLi-xl5fs]

If you're itchy boots in the middle of the Sahara desert its prolly worth it. If you're itchy jockstrap in quartzite, probably not 😂

[@perrymahnke886]

Really good reviews with real-world experiences, I'm still undecided on what device I will purchase when the time comes. As a rule I'm always near a vehicle so battery life isn't as crucial but there are numerous times I don't have cell service. Hopefully your video on PLBs will help in the search for the right device for me. Really appreciate your videos and all the information you share.

[@collinsfriend1]

One guy had an issue with one that requires a subscription because he got into a crisis and the subscription had run out during his trek. The subscription includes texting. I bought a different brand because the rescue is included by default and extras like texting you can add as accessory. It's battery lasts 5 years without use. It keeps the beacon going for 2-3 days. Can't recall if it turns off, don't think so. I've HEARD you can trade it in for a new one free if you tell your story to the company and send it the expended device. It connects with NOAA and local search and rescue dispatching. It's satellite. For me the point is the emergency beacon. The rest is extra. It does allow a default text, but for more texting you have to have the subscription- but I just care about the beacon. I would encourage everyone planning to go off a beaten path to have some sort of emergency beacon. It is only for use when cell phone service is inaccessible and you have a real medical or lost, or an environmental emergency. People have gotten into trouble for frivolous use. Example is the Dr in OR who was with a group- they got into a bad situation in the snow on a mountain. He left the group and was safe and sheltered, they were still lost and missing. He activated is beacon because he didn't want to walk all the way back... which distracted from the truly endangered members of the group. He got into real trouble since his use was frivolous, convenience oriented and unnecessary.

[@jhemnes1]

I'm thinking I may just want the Personal Beacon because if I'm at that point I need to call for help then I'm needing the calvary 😁

[@TheRock-xj7hs]

Garmin for me… thanks for clearing up some questions I had

[@joeglennaz]

By the way, that video you got there is incredible. I don’t know what kind of camera use them but that looks like broadcast quality TV or better than.

[@TheRemyRomano]

Since the InReach mini 2 provides two way communication after you have make an SOS call, It means that you can make SOS calls that are not necessarily for the most dire situations. You are able to tell them what the issue is and they respond accordingly unlike other systems where you trigger a response and wait for help.

[@gettingintrospective]

Nice to see famed naturalist John Muir getting aome love outside of 'Sam and Max Hit the Road' Seriously though, thanks for this great in-depth review of the emergency gps systems. I'll definitely be getting one before I head out on my journey!

[@judithjeffers7666]

It strikes me a 2 way community is best. I no longer have a 12 year old. Supposed you have an accident they could use the Garmin.

[@michaelnares1217]

Could you test the ACR Bivy stick in the future?

[@MelissaJohnson23408]

Buy a GPS tracker their cheaper and will do the same thing. I'm not planning on being lost in the woods and breaking a leg. Always travel in groups. Never be alone in the woods.

[@togeika]

Bring a spare phone. Doesn't need service. ALso a small battery pack and small solar panels,

[@nejdro1]

LIving and traveling into rural Oregon, I have been concerned with emergency situations where there is no cell service. To this end, I upgraded to the Apple I-Phone 14. If I am not in a cell phone area, the phone will default to a satellite phone to send a HELP message. There is no charge for this service ( at least at this time).

[@MikesPOV]

It would have been helpful to link to your review of the Garmin inReach Mini 2.

[@Writ3r_Dude]

One should have one or the other. Even just as a nomad, there will be places without cell coverage. You need a way of calling for help in an emergency when you have no cell coverage.

[@smooth111012]

Should have voice messages

[@k8barkley]

Do you know anything about sat123 satellite phones?

[@dprespecki]

Satellite connectivity is coming to cell phones this fall....

[@joeglennaz]

It’s still gonna be a very different product and a personal locator beacon. The cell phones don’t have near the power the ACR beacons have a full 5 W of power that’s going to get you out of a canyon or a snow covered canopy. Also, they used three separate satellite constellations which give you coverage constantly you’ll notice with the Apple iPhone you’ve got a point the phone For several minutes towards the satellite. That’s because it’s such a weak signal if you’re deep in a canyon that signals not going to get out also, the ACR personal locator beacons have no monthly fee. The batteries last five years and almost all governments in the world are subscribed to the search and rescue network that they are part of it was built specifically for search and rescue so they are all very different devices. You’ve got to do your research. Make sure you understand the differences in the power of the devices the different satellite systems. They’re on how they’re different why they’re different and what it means to you based on the kind of environment and activity you’re involved in.

[@mikevega8712]

I don’t see a problem with the texting. Don’t know anyone who does not have a old extra phone. Just grab a old phone u don’t use and download the app and setup Bluetooth then keep it off and in your back pack for that emergency u need it and will have full battery when u need it. Use it then off again. Simple

[@joeglennaz]

Thank you for this great review I have heard so many bad things about the spot there’s no way I would trust my life to that they have a private satellite system. There have been life and death emergencies where they have not sent rescue because I guess they have the option to decide to send or not send where is if you go with something like an ACR personal locator beacon there’s no choice if they get a signal if they’re going to respond plus they operate on three or four separate satellite constellations around the earth And almost every orientation so you get a signal no matter what in addition most of the worlds governments are subscribed to the system that ACR uses. It is a true search and rescue life-saving system built just for that for most governments around the world. There’s no monthly fee either the devices batteries last five years there’s no recharging batteries or just built-in, now the downside is there’s very limited texting on those devices you made a very good point those devices are mainly for life and death rescue, but they also have a lot more power so if you’re deep in a canyon or you’re under a snow covered tree canopy. The signal is going to get out where a spot device with 1/10 of 1 W is not gonna get a signal out the ACR devices have a full 5 Watts of power. I think the Garmin in reach is good for specific uses as you were saying if you need that constant two-way communication but if you’re purely looking for a rescue device, I would go with an ACR personal locator beacon. I do think they ACR has models that can do full texting now, I just like not having to pay a monthly fee and not having to worry about recharging the battery. Thanks again for a great review.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

If Samsung delivers their next flagship phone with satellite coms, it will seriously pressure this device's niche category.

[@theMekanik]

1st! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@RLeeVanCamps]

Haven’t used any of these. I think I would prefer the communication device. Seems to me better insurance policy. Wouldn’t want to have anyone think it was dire emergency if it wasn’t.

[@joeglennaz]

Just do your research there very different types of systems for instance, the ACR personal locator beacons the battery last five years there’s no monthly fee and it has a full 5 watts of power. So you’re gonna be able to get out if you’re stuck deep in a canyon or you’re under a snow covered canopy you’re not gonna be able to get out with the Garmin in reach it’s only 1/10 of a white or a spot that’s even worse. So again, it just depends on what your use case is if you’re looking for something to truly get you rescued in other trouble go with a personal locator beacon if you want constant communication with friends or family may be considered a Garmin in reach. I would stay completely away from the spot Also you want to make sure you look at the different satellite systems are on the AC. Our brand is on three separate satellite systems. They cover different positions around the earth so you’re always going to get a signal very quick. They’re also part of a worldwide search and rescue networks at almost all government subscribe to there is no question if they get a signal they’re going to respond that is not true of the Garmin in reach or the spot device. Those are private satellite networks, and they can decide themselves to respond or not respond there have been cases where people have died because spot has not responded to a real emergency again just make sure you do your homework. It’s pretty easy go to the website for each device and read all about it and especially read about the rescues.

[@dtrout]

Many times I have been separated from my brothers while out fishing at night in a remote location without cellular service. The In-reach would have saved a lot of worry and I would have known they were OK or visa versa. But realistically we would each need a device and a subscription service because we are all “out there” but separated by a few hundred yards. Radios tend to fail because of the terrain and the river being at the bottom of a gully and meandering back and forth. It’s a good product but not exactly what we need and it’s expensive. Some sort of cellular link that can be deployed from a vehicle and “create” a cellular intercom service within a 3 mile range .... and work with cell phones.... that would be a possible solution, particularly if the cellular base could also deploy the PLB signal for outside help. Is there such a device?

[@Antonezone]

Read this and closest thing I can think of is a mesh network of sorts like through Meshtastic, an open source, Signal-App-extending, GPS mesh communicator

[@Chubbydippin]

Very informative and useful data. Not from a sales rep, but from someone who has actually used and relied of the device. Thankyou. Question, if you or someone who has this device goes missing AND the battery dies, can the device still be tracked and or located? I'm assuming if the battery of this device dies you can't reach our for help. But can you still be found if carrying this device though it has powered off? Thankyou

[@jifchosehismother]

Garmin shill