'Review' of the Garmin inReach Mini

Any questions or thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments!

[@Yggdrasil42]

Thanks. Finally a video that compares these two options from a diving perspective.

[@DiveHard]

very glad that you found it helpful!

[@SeattleRingHunter]

InReach mini 2 with the Garmin SCUBA dive case hands down the winner! Also the inReach devices have a much wider capability across multiple use cases adding heaps of value to the small monthly subscription. Here in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, Washington we use the InReach mini during dive operations, hiking excursions and for sending OK messages back home when cellular service drops out. It really is a great choice. Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter

[@DiveHard]

I do love it! Hope never to use the SOS button but it makes me feel a lot better when diving in open ocean 🌊 glad you’re finding it useful for all the things! Cheers

[@bevtecdiving6853]

Hi guys. We have been experimenting with using an inReach on the boat and a inReach mini on the diver. After surfacing it’s possible to send a message to the inReach on the boat for pick up. They can simply press navigate and the compass will point to the direction. Also worth mentioning if you have a Garmin Descent dive computer you can activate the inReach mini right from your wrist without opening the case.

[@DiveHard]

Nice! With two units between diver and boat, I bet the options open up a lot! I also didn't know about the interface with the Garmin Descent... now only if they would allow that with Shearwaters :D

[@bevtecdiving6853]

@@DiveHard We can only hope but it requires ANT+ connection which I believe is Garmin proprietary.

[@razorseal]

You can actually use your phone to activate an sos or send messages via Bluetooth and the app. So I guess there would be a way to have your Apple Watch connect

[@rubiksfaq9214]

I was hoping you could clarify something while using the inReach while at the surface; Is the Mini waterproof/resistant enough so you can get it out of the case and use its features while floating on the ocean especially in choppy waters and using gloves? I presume that most people would be using this device while in trouble when floating with their BCDs inflated rather than nice and dry on a boat like you were showing in the video, so I was hoping you could let us know what you think about using it in this situation

[@DiveHard]

Yes of course! It was designed with this in mind and is water resistant enough to be used at the surface with wet gloves etc. It just can’t handle anything below 1m which is why you need the dive housing. I have friends who have used it in this situation

[@rod383]

Great review! I have a trip to Socorro in couple weeks, will pick up the cheaper of the transmitters.

[@DiveHard]

Glad it was helpful, maybe we will meet in Socorro 😉 safe diving!

👍✌️

[@luciano.a]

How do you attach it to you when diving? I see some zip tie like things dangling there...

[@DiveHard]

I just looped zip ties (3 to be sure) so I can easily clip it to the back of my BCD using a double ender. not the most elegant but it works!

[@davea7250]

So how do you send sos when in the water if its in its case ? you have to take it out ! Btw i have one and not sure how that would work .

[@DiveHard]

You do have to take it out of the dive housing to use it but that’s fine since it’s meant to be activated at the surface. The unit without the housing is waterproof to 3 meters which is fine for high swell conditions. The dive housing is so that divers can take the unit with them on a dive and still have a functioning unit when they surface. If you don’t dive, there is no reason to buy a dive housing for it

[@davea7250]

Ok Thankyou.

[@kasihstore7196]

Inreach have location gps also?

[@DiveHard]

It sure does! And you can track / drop points on a pre downloaded map on your phone via app

[@Broski319]

killer reel brother. does the size bother you? Another issue with Lifeline (unless I am thinking of a different gadget), is that the inside is not that waterproof right? If water gets inside, it could be sabotaged? Especially in swell or if your hand goes under. By the way, nice shot of Carlos 😂 Lets hit RAJA!

[@DiveHard]

hey man - size is just fine for me. The inside of the lifeline is water resistant but not totally waterproof. Once you deploy the antenna at the surface there is no way you will ever get it curled back up enough to close the unit / seal the o-rings, so good point re: potential water damage in crazy seas. Philippines is open... cautiously optimistic that Indo will follow suit!

[@Broski319]

@@DiveHard just got off the Naut Exp. Very helpful video. We had a semi-lost diver briefly. Some guy went off solo diving. We found him thankfully. He said he couldn’t figure out for the life of him how to activate the Lifeline. Interesting point though that you should really be carrying the garmin and the nautilus. We were told on board the lifeline only works within a 5 mile radius. Best bet is to always stay with the group.

[@josilunatu]

How do you carry it while diving?

[@DiveHard]

I either carry it in a pouch / cargo shorts or, more often, just clip it to the back of my bcd with a double ender out of the way (since it is only to be used at the surface anyway)

[@josilunatu]

Thanks, it fits perfectly on the scuba pro hydros' pouches

[@razorseal]

I have an inreach that goes everywhere with me with questionable service. Without the dive case, it’s a fairly small dongle that can attach to your backpack or even throw it in your pocket

[@DiveHard]

It really is an amazing little piece of safety tech! I recommend it to anyone that goes off grid and/or needs to stay in text communication. I’ve had friends need to use the SOS function and apparently it worked great 👍🏽

[@davidedebenedictis]

Ciao Kabir, Great start and interesting subject!!!

[@DiveHard]

Happy new year Davide! Stay safe!

[@jchantw]

Inreach Achilles heel is the need to have a constant subscription to use. Lifeline dont need.. also inreach need satellite link to communicate while lifeline is line of sight.. of course costs are different.. both hv uses in their own right

[@DiveHard]

Agreed! For certain situations I’m okay with just the lifeline. But when I’m in the middle of the ocean with few boats around, I carry both