After a spirited conversation with my wife and with the arrival of Baby Bidon, we decided it would be best if I purchase a GPS device for my future adventures. I have long depended on spotty cellular service in the past to stay connected and to provide my family with real time location pings. Because of the limited cellular service I have modified my trips in the past to stay close to campgrounds and other civilization to be more safe. Now with the Garmin inReach Mini (Mini) I will be able to go where no married man was allowed to venture before he had a GPS tracking device.
Post Contents (Hyperlinks):
1. Available Accessories
2. Service Plan Calculator
Before I dive into my review of the Mini let me explain my thought process on why I ended up choosing the Mini over the options. There are a number of Personal Locator Beacons and SOS Messenger Devices on the market. Depending on how you might use one it will sway your decision from one side of the scale to the other.
Personal Locator Beacon
A Personal Locator Beacon or “PLB” can only send a SOS signal, so no GPS messaging, no live tracking and no SOS cancellation. There are no subscription plans or other hidden fees. The battery can lay dormant for up to ~5 years and then provide 24+ hours of emergency signalling. Once activated for an emergency you will need to replace the battery. Some companies will replace the battery for free after an emergency activation.
SOS Messenger Device
A SOS Messenger Device is a subscription based device with a lot more functionality than PLB’s. Their functionality ranges from preset messages to detailed tracking and waypointing. The subscription is needed to constantly use the Iridium satellite network for messaging, tracking and SOS signalling. With the subscription plans the unit’s life cost can add up quickly depending on the type of plan you purchase and how often you plan to use it. Garmin has the Freedom Plan or Annual Plan to choose from. The Freedom Plan would be great for the semi-annual adventurer and the Annual Plan would be great for the weekend adventurer and who spends a ton of time in the backcountry.
Unboxing Pictures:
I haven’t gotten around to using it so I’ll share these pictures I took during my unboxing. Once I activate my account and use it for the first time, I’ll be sure to update this post and provide a detailed review.
inReach Mini Accessories:
Buying options:
- Silicone Protective Cover: AliExpress $7 or Amazon $12
- Screen Protector: AliExpress $5 or Amazon $7
- Travel Case: AliExpress $7 or Amazon $15
- Battery Replacement: AliExpress $84
- Replacement Screen: AliExpress $60
Service Plan Calculator:
I created this Service Plan Calculator (“SPC”) to help me find the break-even between the two plans and to help me decide based on my expected usage which plan I should choose. In doing so, I decided to share it so you and others can make the right financial decision.
Key information:
- Online Mini Manual
- Send Interval Points: Are the tracking points that are transmitted at set intervals to MapShare so family and friends can check on you (Tracking Points are 10 cents for the Safety Plan). Default interval is 10 minutes or you can select 20′, 30′, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours or off. Longer the interval = longer battery life.
- Log Interval: The interval the Mini records and saves your track to the device itself. There is no additional cost to use this function. It is also useful if you want to use the track-back function. Default interval is set to off or you can select 5′, 2′, 1′, 30″ or 1″ second. Like the Send Interval, longer the interval = great battery performance.
- Location Pings: Are pings your family and friends can issue from their MapShare account but do cost 10 cents each for the Safety Plan.
- Auto Track: Sets device to start tracking when turned on. Extended Tracking (Ext. Tracking) disables Bluetooth, detailed track lines and message checking to put the device into a sleep mode between tracking points to extend battery life (up to 90 hours with max interval settings).
- 3 Preset Messages: Are free to use and can be edited prior to your trip using your Garmin Explore account. *Quick Text Messages are not unlimited!
The calculator assumes you will only use preset messages which are unlimited for all plans. The Safety has a limit of 10 custom messages and the Recreation has a limit of 40 custom messages, while the other plans include unlimited custom messages.
Link to Google Sheets Service Plan Calculator.
Disclaimer: As mentioned on my other posts and like most sites, if not all websites, the links above are affiliate links that help to keep this site running. Feel free to follow them if you like or you may search for them yourselves on both marketplaces
Have any questions about the service plan calculator?
-theBidon
Hi!
Do you make a difference between “pre-set” messages and “quick set” messages (referring to subscription plans, costs)
Thanks!
P. Clement
No, I did not factor in text messages.
Thanks for a great spreadsheet!