Garmin Overlander & InReach Mini. First Impressions! (2020) [ROAM]

Now these are two phenomenal products in our world, and Garmin makes a bold statement by calling their latest GPS the "Overlander" So I wanted to find out, is this Garmin suited to the Overlander, and what feautres does it command with its equally as bold price tag! Along side the Overlander we have the InReach Mini Satellite communicator, an essential when doing remote travel like myself. I unpack some of the features, and am VERY keen to get out there and put these two to the test in the wilderness of Southern Africa for sure!
Check out the products in Detail below:
Garmin Overlander: bit.ly/GOverlander
Garmin InReach Mini: bit.ly/GInReachMini
Check out bit.ly/ROAMSITE for more information about the Vehicle, and to tune into the Podcast, and purchase T-shirts and Hoodies to support the Channel.
Product Links:
The North Face Camp Duffel: Medium: amzn.to/2MB9d0J
National Luna 50L Legacy Fridge bit.ly/NL50LEG
FlexoPower 150W Solar Panel bit.ly/FlexoPanel
Frontrunner Expander Chair: amzn.to/2ZuWPVq
Frontunner Strachit: amzn.to/39n72rk
Frontrunner Flat Pack: amzn.to/2MDBDHz
RAM Mount M8 Ball: amzn.to/2ZwHx2l
RAM Cellphone Mount: amzn.to/37lilyr
Generic Air Compressor: amzn.to/2Q6NZdA
Blueridge Overland Water Bottle Pouch: amzn.to/2t9MSk6
Blueridge Overlanding Personal First Aid Kit: amzn.to/39lCzKz
SUV Doorstep: amzn.to/2Fpd9xM
Tire Pressure Gauge: amzn.to/357oWv0
Vehicle Equipment:
Tyres: 215/75/15 BF Goodrich KO2's on Stock Rims
Suspenion: bit.ly/DesSol4x4
Roofrack: bit.ly/EeziAwn
Awning: bit.ly/EeziAwn
Rooftop Tent: bit.ly/EeziAwn
Front & Rear Bumpers: bit.ly/Wildog4x4
Rock Sliders: bit.ly/Wildog4x4

[@jaredwhite489]

What’s the difference between the overland and tread?

[@RoamOverlanding]

The tread has a new user interface, slightly different way of being able to plot and edit your routes and instead of using the Garmin Explore App it uses the Garmin Tread App. The tread also has more accurate GPS tracking, so if you're doing small fast trails, the tread will stick on your where as the overlander is a tad slower to keep up. They use different reverse camera's too, the tread's camera is completely wireless and runs off a battery, where as the overlander needs to be connected to power and wired to a reverse light. There are more changes but these are the ones that are noticable in use. If you are in America or EU then the difference gets bigger because the Tread is capable of using the Group ride mount from Garmin which allows you to communicate to other Tread devices with a hand held radio as well as connecting and be able to track them on the map; in Africa you can only track them on the map and send premade messages via radio. OH And a big one is that the new Tread Overland editions come with InReach built into it, meaning you dont need to buy an Inreach Mini for satellite communication

[@maraiskotze9241]

huge price difference

[@theunheardprophet4315]

10/10 edit: Responding to your like - I watched the entire video without skipping a single time even though I probably will not need this product in the next five years. Your presentation and video quality is truly on point and at this point I would watch practically anything from you. Keep going, you're doing great!

[@RoamOverlanding]

Thanks man! I really appreciate the positive feedback and the support! 🤟🏻

[@shauncooper9942]

Yours is the best information video I've seen. Thanks very much mate (from Sydney)

[@RoamOverlanding]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeff503]

Very nicely done. I don`t know about camping in the wild of Botswana though. I`ve been doing alot of research and you showed how simple it can be. Thank you.

[@OverlandTrax]

Nice video, keep them coming 👍

[@Carricknagavna]

Excellent presentational skills. I was hoping for a bit more discussion about the interface of the Garmin Mini (one on order now) and the Overlander, which I have had for almost a year and I think is an outstanding unit - if not a bit pricey. That said, I appreciated your video so much I'll hit the like and subscribe. Thank you!

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

Thanks for this review! I have been looking at a system for navigation and out of cellphone range communication, and you have made the decision easy! Now just to save up a couple grand!

[@RoamOverlanding]

Excellent! It’s a great product!

[@tonydownunder5703]

I’m in Australia and in the market for a Garmin Overlander. Thanks for the video mate 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RoamOverlanding]

You are most welcome!

[@nawiribrahim]

Thanks for this review. I wonder if Garmin has updated their zumo so bikers can have the same functionality as an overlander

[@malphotography953]

Great review, thanks

[@RoamOverlanding]

Thanks for watching!

[@rumplestiltskin1]

Forgot to add that I have the In-Reach Mini and its great. The issue is the Earthmate App for cellphones that it sync's with is crap; especially if you are using it for maps.

[@leenderdhoutzager9389]

Thanks, I have a Garmin, think time to upgrade to this model, but I always take a good map aswell.

[@RoamOverlanding]

I like a good paper map too, and love my big map in my studio 👌🏻

[@brucekendall52]

You do a fine job of presentation.Thank you.JHB-SA

[@trickster8635]

How do you navigate to co-ordinates? Example, I have lon/lat co-ords for a particular point and I want the device to show me distance and bearing??

[@mafia7gti]

Hi Roam. I have a overlander gps and I was wondering if you could share your journeys that you have logged, so we can explore the same tracks as what you did 👣. It will be such a great help to use your tracks for journeys and explore places that one isn't sure of where to go 😀. Many thanks

[@peterpontikos3786]

Adrian/Peter did you receive the Garmin Overlander updated or did you have to update it yourself? I read that it is the one real issue this device has. Any other practical observations prior to heading out once the lockdown is lifted?

[@RoamOverlanding]

I did install firmware and map update when it arrived and I think there is a new update already

[@peTeMelster]

Does the 890 and 1090 offer anything better than the Overlander? It seems the Overlander has both on and off road maps, while the 890 and 1090 only have on road maps? So doesn't the Overlander have better specs since it offers both?

[@rumplestiltskin1]

Not sure if its available on the In-Reach plans in SA but in Australia Garmin resell the GEOS worldwide rescue insurance (from memory its about USD$20 per year). Well worth the investment as it covers a lot of stuff that travel insurance doesn't -like helicopter rescue due to being stranded vs having to have a life-threatening illness/injury.

[@RoamOverlanding]

Very interesting! Will look into it 👌🏻

[@christianjason]

Completely agree with you regarding the overlander. I am lucky in one respect,the Jeeps new media screen works with Apple car play and Android auto, using those apps for navigation is great. I usually download a large section so I can use it even without network connection. Have you tried an app called Gaia Gps? It is very popular here and its app now also works via apple or android connection.

[@RoamOverlanding]

Haven’t tried it yet, will give a go

[@mrinmoy1285]

Saw you videos.. those are awesome. Camping video is just amazing. All the stuff carry. Awesome. I have one question. What do you do for toilet when camping? Shower is something we can ignore for couple of days but toilet....

[@RoamOverlanding]

Dig a hole! 😂

[@garysmith82]

Good review, bought one recently, my only complaint is when using the explore function you seem to have to download the route you want to use, if i knew the route i want to use i wouldn’t need a sat nav ?? I was hoping it would tell me of a route between two points like on the normal drive sat nav

[@RoamOverlanding]

Try treat the explore function like a traditional map, just in a digits form. But it’s always best to use 2/3 different maps plus some paper ones just to get different perspectives and Incase one set doesn’t have the exact routes. So I have a map book of the whole of Southern Africa, then I have my Garmin for my big picture on the trip, like you know you want to go from poInt A-B-C and you have that route pre setup before you do the trip, on either your computer or your cellphone through the Explore app/webpage. Then as you want to explore each day you can look around for nice new spots, but usually tourist maps in each area are a nice indicator of things to do in the area etc. I don’t know.. it’s complicated 😂 you have to find your navigation style!

[@davidrumbolt7940]

Good video, is the overlander water resistant? Going to use it on my Atv and snowmobile

[@RoamOverlanding]

Hey David, it’s not water resistant. I think Garmin do have some more compact units with better sealing. Have a look at they current product lineup and see if you can find something. Alternatively some of their new watches like the Fenix solar have gps capability and are water proof etc and have solar charging 👌🏻

[@Kiwiadventurerandoverlander]

How about just pairing an ipad with inreach mini to achieve similar functionality?

[@RoamOverlanding]

I've never tried that but I cant see why that wouldnt work, let me know if you ever do it!

[@phinmac]

So is the overlander subscription based? Can you send emergency text without the In Reach mini?

[@RoamOverlanding]

The overlander connects to your InReach Mini to send the satellite messages, and your InReach Mini must have a subscription. If you get the newer Tread Overland edition, it has the InReach built into it and in that case the gps will need the subscription but you can message straight from the gps without any additional units

[@phinmac]

@@RoamOverlanding Thanks, im in need of a device to do some trails in my area but id rather have it satellite-based because cellular service is very sketchy in the areas because its mountainous. Sounds like this may not be the product for me. I dont really want to purchase two expensive devices at this point. Thanks for the information.

[@RoamOverlanding]

@@phinmac well obviously the overlander is satellite based; but the InReach is a seperate type of device and by subscription on any of the Inreach products; they are a satellite subscription not cellular

[@charlieridgway6576]

Thanks for the video. Can the Overlander be used like a car cam as well and loop record, or is it mainly just for a reverse camera?

[@RoamOverlanding]

As far as I know, it’s for a reverse camera. I think they have dedicated dash cams 👍🏻

[@charlieridgway6576]

@@RoamOverlanding Thanks

[@asherdog9248]

Can I create a route using Google my Maps, export it as a .KML file into the Garmon overland and get turn by turn directions for the routs I created? The Nation Park Service (USA) has 30 National Historic Trails which they have PDF maps only of the current roads which most closely follow the historic roadbed. It would be great to use Google my maps to create turn by turn driving directions for these historic trails

[@RoamOverlanding]

good question, not sure. I think you can import it into Garmin Explore and then It could sync into the Overlander

[@azzanal-sinani3413]

it has a lot of lag and slow but it depends how much it cost

[@abrahamespinosa2297]

😎👍

[@denverrobertson7175]

So this thing needs internet connection to route ???

[@RoamOverlanding]

Nope, it’s all offline maps

[@rubenvandermerwe3551]

Thank you!!! Dus garmen have a more luxury screen

[@RoamOverlanding]

I’m not too sure, but I think the Overlander is one of the best they have 👌🏻

[@leedaleseidle]

I’m assuming that he overlander can connect to our cars via Bluetooth?

[@RoamOverlanding]

It can connect to your phone via Bluetooth, I will try and connect it to the car too.

[@damienjones481]

@@RoamOverlanding Can you control music through the Bluetooth connection? Pause/Skip ect...

[@thabisonkone4636]

How much traveling/overlanding have you done throughout the African continent? The reason I’m asking is that this is a second video I have heard you make generalized comments about the continent “ In Africa...”whereas I suspect your impressions are largely drawn from SA, particularly around Joburg.. I have had a friend leave his car in Botswana for almost a week nothing happened, I experienced the same when I had a breakdown in Transkei, two years ago we had a similar experience in Namibia. Around joburd I wouldn’t leave my car unattended for even a day, but joburg is not Africa!! Nice videos otherwise!

[@RoamOverlanding]

Hey Thabiso, this was just information I got from my insurance company 👍🏻 It’s one of the reasons you need to get specialized insurance when traveling across the borders, even in lovely countries like Botswana and Namibia. Some people will leave their vehicles in the middle of nowhere and go to a hotel until they can arrange a tow truck or any assistance. That could be 2-3days, and the risk of what could potentially happen to the vehicle in that time, doesn’t make the insurance companies too happy. It wasn’t a stab at Africa or anything like that, but the point I wanted to make was, I would rather be with my vehicle regardless of where it is. 👍🏻

[@thabisonkone4636]

Roam Overlanding I have never needed to get specialized insurance for traveling within SADC in the past 10 years in which I have been exploring the region. I’ve been with 4 different insurance companies in that period. Maybe you should change your insurer . Take care !

[@nnsskk135]

اشكرك ممتاز

[@KaYO_M]

R11K for a 7" Android tablet. For R7k you can have a decent tablet with trecks4africa that would probably do better than the overlander.

[@RoamOverlanding]

I really don’t think it would be better, plus this had Tracks4Africa built into it plus iOverlander and all the Garmin maps. It’s a much more robust and well put together product. With super reliable GPS connectivity. Its not just an android tablet

[@BlaineVorster]

Tracks for Africa app sucks. Garmin with opensource maps a lot more reliable. www.openstreetmap.org

[@wiganrugby]

With Tracks4Africa, can you set your home location?? Great videos by the way 👍🏻

[@Gothanza1]

Looks awesome, but nope sorry, not for that price . Give me the Garmin Montana anytime of the day. A lot more versatile . But it could do with a 7” screen most definitely

[@RoamOverlanding]

Fair point! Thanks for watching

[@quintusvandermerwe4138]

Please disclose EVERYTHING about something you review. The inReach is not just a SMALL monthly fee There is a yearly fee as well. And the fee is NOT just a monthly fee. It is paid monthly UNTIL you stop it. AND there is no option to just subscribe for a month and forget about it. The payment is recurring UNTIL you stop it. So if you forget to cancel the subscription (People are human after all and forget things)you WILL be charged. Do not get me wrong. I love watching your videos and the info in most of your videos is very useful. But please just disclose everything about something you review. I bought both the Garmin Overlander and the inReach Mini2, after watching this video and with both more accurate info would have been beneficial for me to make a more informed decision. Inreach Mini2 is a very good buy but was shocked to find I have to incur extra costs. Overlander, well I have voiced my opinion in another comment. I am swapping the useless OVerlander for a Tread Overland

[@RoamOverlanding]

Hey Quintus, please bare in mind this was done during lock down, so I hadn’t had the opportunity to use the product much at the time. It was more of a general overview and first impression, not a review. 👍🏻