Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator Review - Still the Best?

[@garygill7960]

I bought a Mini three months ago and use it with Earthmate. It is working great for my adventures in the Charles C.Deam Wilderness. It gives my wife some peace of mind when I do not have cell service. Thanks for taking time to make videos.

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

Thanks for watching! I have the same experience. My family enjoys peace of mind when I'm off on my adventures... Especially on solo trips. It's a great little device. It also now has some competition, finally...

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

Very very good vid! Love my inreach!! 3 unlimited texts!!!!!! 1 Everything OK - means our feet hurt, the trail is taking longer than we thought , my pack is too heavy, but that’s what we experience on every other trip , so don’t worry about us. 2 camping here - means we didn’t make it to the place we hoped and if someone comes looking for us ... check here. 3 Hiking Again- finally got my stuff all crammed into the pack and finally got my sore feet into my shoes . I hurt, the trail is hard, it’s hot, I’m hungry, but I’m moving . Might come home early. My wife knows all she needs to know from these three texts!!! And I know I can get out an SOS almost anytime I need to . Great video!!!!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

I literally laughed out loud... So very true... Although it is also understood that at the end of those messages it also reads... "I haven't been eaten by a bear, mountain lion, or rodents of unusual size..."

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

Andy Parrish Outdoors “rodents of unusual size” 🐀 I’ve never hiked in the fire swamp!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

You've never been? It's not that bad. I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home there, but the trees are actually quite lovely. ;)

[@gingertrine2912]

Andy, this is still one of the best comparison reviews of gps devices I have found. I often refer others to this video when I’m asked about them. Thank you for this video! As products come out and are updated, would you please consider doing another video in the future on this subject? Thank you and God bless!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

Wow, thanks! I will have to look at doing an update video in the future...

[@KUEHLKUEST]

We have the Garmin In Reach 66I...and it’s great....thx for sharing!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

How long have you had it?

[@KUEHLKUEST]

Since a June of this year...used it on one canoe trip and a couple of hiking trips here in Michigan.

[@markie3394]

Hey Andy thanks for the info! Was just talking about this with a fellow hiker but didn’t know about the other 2 options. Thanks again! Very helpful!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching... I love the inReach but the other two are definitely worth checking out as well.

[@kgranno]

Okay, but is this useful for device to device communication? I have three daughters all in different locations for college and we want to keep in touch if there is an emergency. I buy 5 of these and we can communicate with each other if there is a problem with the entire communication cellular network?

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

Yes, these work through the satellite system, so I can communicate with my fellow backcountry friends through these devices far from any cell towers.

[@evansommer]

Planning on trying out the Bivystick Blue for the first time while filming a backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park next week! Was really attractive due to the simpler data plans when compared to other devices. Hopefully it works well!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

I'd be really interested to hear about your experiences with it. I think it has a lot of great things going for it.

[@evansommer]

@@AndyParrishOutdoors I'll keep you updated!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@JohnWhitehead]

I'm torn between Bivy and Garmin. My concern is that I am in the trees a lot in the Rockies and I am worried, that when I need it most, I won't have a clear view of the sky. I know the Bivy will light up when there is a satellite connection. Is this available on the Garmin?

[@SouthernHike]

New sub! Great review man! I been backpacking for years and still don't have one! Time to bite the bullet!

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for checking it out. I won't go on trail without it now, but it is great to see some other great options hitting the market too.

[@SouthernHike]

@@AndyParrishOutdoors Decisions ha!

[@ionageman]

I like the idea I can send a prerecorded message to a motor club with coordinates

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

It is nice that you can create preset messages & communicate easily with anyone you need to...

[@BrianWest58]

Spot has been around several more years. Not something you considered?

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

I did look at the spot x because it was their only one with 2 way texting. It is a very solid device but it is more like the Garmin inreach (full sized). I ended up ruling it out because it weighs twice as much as the inReach mini & it didn't offer any feature that I had to have. If I didn't bring my phone for offline maps and texting simplicity, I'd consider the Spot X more...

[@michaelprovost8425]

Did you take it to Philmont? I’m going next summer and I’m considering getting one. Thank you

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

I did not have it yet when we went to Philmont. One of the other dads brought a spot device. So he was able to relay our position to the parents back home. When I go again to Philmont, I would definitely bring one of these devices. Not specifically for the emergency component but more for the tracking and communication that is available. Parents at home would be able to follow along without me even posting messages or sending anything they could just follow the GPS. But I think the parents at home would enjoy getting a daily update that everybody's doing well and just have some peace of mind.

[@ski3435]

How does the cold weather affect its performance? Are freezing temps a problem?

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

As with most batteries, I find that sub-freezing temps can affect them. I took it with me in a snowstorm in February 2020 to the Red River Gorge and I was fairly surprised with how well it did over the 3 days. I was not using any settings that would drastically drain it, but I never had to worry about recharging it over those 3 days with some interval tracking and leaving it on all day to send and receive texting... It never even came close to dropping to 50%.

[@ski3435]

@@AndyParrishOutdoors Thanks! Love the Gorge. Love Miguel's for a post hike pizza!!

[@alexgenereux4704]

Curious how it compares to the zoleo.

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

It has a better unified interface for texting. But it has no screen of its own for texting. It seems to have positive reviews for the most important thing, reliability... It is larger and heavier too... So it has some better features and maybe a few lesser...

[@Ronnieleec]

I like the inreach can end unlimited preset messages with location. Zoleo seems to deduct a message credit for each. Both connect to phone, but you have message redundancy with the Garmin. Once you buy it, I think Garmin safety plan is good, or just bump up via freedom approach. The Zoleo you are paying at least 20 per month then 4 per month to maintain.

[@RobertBrinson]

I enjoyed the video and appreciated the inclusion of the two other satellite communicator options. I was curious if you have heard of the Somewear Global Hotspot (www.somewearlabs.com/global-hotspot)? I'm currently comparing the Garmin Inreach (Mini), Zoleo Satellite Communicator, Somewear Global Hotspot, and Bivy Stick Blue. However, it is really hard finding good reviews of the Somewear and Bivy Stick devices.

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

I have not looked into the Somewear global hotspot yet. I will add it to my research list. Reviews on the newer ones are a bit difficult to come by still... Hopefully as they are out longer we can get better real world comments, articles, and reviews to better compare... Thanks for watching!

[@VolodymyrKrupa]

is starlink is better?

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

The new SpaceX satellite network? The new network is currently under construction. 60 satellites were launched in '19 with 1400+ as the targeted number. These new satellites will supposedly offer broadband internet as well as basic communications... So it could be a massive leap forward. Targets are for 2021 or 2022 last I heard, to get a usable number of satellites in place for it to provide minimal global coverage... I'm not sure yet what consumer services will be offered or what it will cost. But it is worth watching...

[@jaredwhite489]

The rescue ppl know where you are, the garmin send your grid coordinates.

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

very true.