How It Works
The inReach Mini uses the Iridium satellite network to send and receive information. Because it uses satellites, the inReach allows you to communicate when you are in the middle of nowhere, thousands of miles from the nearest cell tower. There are four main types of information that the inReach can transmit: SOS calls, messages, GPS tracking, and weather reports.
The most important of these is SOS calls. If you have an emergency or get lost in the backcountry, you can press the SOS button on the side of the device to call for help. (The button has a plastic cover that you must lift to initiate the call, so you won’t accidentally press it!). Once you press this button, the GEOS International Emergency Rescue Coordination Center (IERCC) is notified. The center contacts you to see what kind of help you need and then sends that information and your coordinates to the appropriate emergency response team. This function could save your life.
Cover of SOS button
The inReach also allows you to communicate through two different types of messages: preset messages and text messages. Preset messages are ones that you program into the inReach ahead of time, and can be sent quickly. Text messages are unique messages that you type out before you send them.
Because text messages are limited (see more on plans and pricing below), preset messages (unlimited) are a great way to keep your friends and family up to date. For example, one of my preset messages is “Delayed, but everything is okay.” If I am running late on a hike for some reason, I can communicate with my loved ones that I am okay and they don’t need to worry or call emergency services. For custom text messages, you can pair your inReach with your phone via bluetooth and use Garmin’s Earthmate app to type messages there. You can send messages without the app, but it takes much longer to type them out since the inReach itself only has a few buttons.
Custom messages I sent via the Earthmate app while hiking Mt. St. Helens (I told my family not to respond since my text messages are limited)
The inReach also allows anyone you message to respond to you. Other SOS devices or Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) allow you to send messages but don’t have any ability to receive messages back.
The inReach Mini is also a GPS device that allows you to track your hikes and send your location to anyone you chose. Your contacts can also request your location if they wish. The Earthmate app also has topographic maps which can be used for navigation. Unlike other Garmin devices, the maps are not downloaded onto the inReach Mini itself and must be accessed through the Earthmate app.
Finally, you can request basic or advanced weather reports for your location. I would sure love to know in the middle of a multi-day backpacking trip whether it’s going to rain on me or not!
inReach Mini (on shoulder) is my companion in the backcountry
Subscription Plans
The inReach Mini is definitely pricey and is more expensive than other SOS and PLB devices. On top of the initial cost, you must pay for a subscription plan in order to use it.
The first decision you must make is if you want a yearly (annual) or monthly (freedom) plan. Even though both plans charge you monthly (like a phone bill), you can essentially pause your subscription on freedom plans. You only pay for the months you chose. For example, if you only hike during summer, you can pause your subscription during the winter.
On an annual plan, you will be billed for the month whether you use your Inreach that month or not. Fortunately, monthly fees for annual plans are cheaper than freedom plans, so if you do plan to use the Inreach year-round, an annual plan will save you money. Additionally, annual plans require a one time activation fee while freedom plans require a yearly fee.
Similar to phone plans, there are three different subscription tiers: the Safety Plan, the Recreation Plan, and the Expedition Plan. All plans include unlimited SOS calls and preset messages.
The table below lays out the differences between each plan. I have included what I consider the most useful information, but more (including exact pricing) can be found on Garmin’s website.
Disclaimer: This information is current as of December 2020
There are a few things to note about text messages. Text messages are limited to 160 characters. Also, if people text you back, that counts towards your message total. For example, if you send a text message to your mom on trail and she responds, you will have used 2 text messages.
You can also change between tiers at no charge. For example, right now I have the annual Safety plan. This summer, when I am going on longer backpacking trips, I will likely change to the annual Recreation plan. When I (hopefully) start hiking long distance trails, I will use the Expedition plan so I can message my loved ones without worrying about overages and how many texts I have left for the month.
Finally, any federal, state, or local taxes are not included in the monthly charges listed on Garmin’s website.
I take the inReach Mini with me even if I am hiking with others
What I Like
One of my favorite things about the inReach Mini is that it’s mini! I keep it clipped to the shoulder strap of my backpack and love that it’s not heavy and banging around on my shoulder as I hike. It also can be held and operated in one hand which is huge for me since I have small hands!
Another thing I love about the inReach Mini is its reliability and notifications for sending and receiving messages. When a message is sent or received, the inReach makes a little noise to notify me. It is so nice to know that my message was actually sent and that I don’t have to wonder about it.
Sometimes it takes a few minutes for the device to find the satellite to send a message, especially if it is cloudy or if I am in a heavily wooded area, but I have never had a message not send. I have even had it receive messages in the trunk of my car while I am driving back from hikes. If a signal can get through the metal roof of my car, I am pretty confident about its ability to send or receive messages outside. Even though I have never pushed the SOS button (and hopefully never will), I am sure that if I did, my signal would get through and help would find me.
I love that the inReach Mini fits in the palm of my hand
What I Don't Like
While the benefits of the inReach Mini are clear, it is not without its faults. One of my biggest complaints is that you cannot set your preset messages in the Earthmate app. Instead, you must log onto your Garmin account online and set them there. You also enter all of your contacts on this online account. Then, you must “sync” the device through the Earthmate app to update the device with your changes. Sometimes, I want to change my presets or update my contacts list, so logging in to do this is time consuming and somewhat cumbersome.
Secondly, while their subscription plans do offer some flexibility, it can be a little complicated to understand. If you’re not careful, your bill can easily be higher than expected. One time I decided to track my hike with my inReach instead of my fitness watch, but I forgot that on my current plan (annual Safety), you are charged $0.10 per tracking point, so my bill was a little higher that month. While it is my responsibility to know this, there are a lot of nuances to the different subscription plans that it can be difficult to keep straight which fees are charged at what times.
Online account allows you to set preset messages, save contacts, and see how many messages you have used that month
Conclusion
I started this post by saying I invested in the inReach and that’s exactly what it is: an investment. It is definitely not a cheap device to start with and can get significantly more expensive depending on what subscription plan you chose. But to me, it’s worth it. It eases my mind to know I still have a way to call for help or communicate with family and friends back home even if I am without cell service. I also love knowing that my loved ones can communicate with me, too. While it may not be an issue on day hikes, I can see myself getting lonely on long backpacking trips. Being able to have even just a short conversation with my parents or boyfriend over text would definitely comfort me. I have never once regretted having an inReach Mini and will take it into the backcountry with me every time I go.
Even if it’s not in the photo, I always have my inReach Mini with me
