Garmin InReach mini

[webcraft]

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Amazingly cheap for what it does, esp. when paired with a smartphone via the free app. Airtime is reasonable as well. Seems the ideal solution for at-sea weather.

Any comments?


- W

 

[Major_Clanger]

I echo your thoughts. The current Garmin range is excellent and the InReach especially so. My phone doesn't support the app sadly, but I still find it very useful.

 

[webcraft]

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Have heard reports that the billing is handled by Garmin US and that they are dreadful, anyone had any experience of this?

- W

 

[JVL]

I have the Inreach (explorer ? ) excellent kit I work it through the phone though you can also work through a pad / tablet. Message and tracker system puts loved ones at ease , weather is a great function and very accurate (it’s a forecast) Billing is fine I believe it started in the US though is now U.K. based no problems you have full control online ! I used it from Linnhe to A Coruna last year single handed and rate highly

John

 

[webcraft]

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Looks like if you have the phone app the mini will do everything I need at a substantially lower purchase cost. (En-route weather, basic texts and tracking, SOS backup)

- W

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I too have the explorer+

Great kit. I like the screen as it saves having the iPad on all the time. But with the iPad bluetoothed it gives me GPS and heading so it's a perfectly good navigation solution with long range coms too.

Used it last season from Cumbria down to Falmouth.

Great kit at affordable initial cost and friendly subscription charges for coms.

 

[Mikedefieslife]

Do either them have charging contacts to allow them to be charged in a cradle without using the usb port?

This was a big problem with Oregon GPS devices, the usb port would fail over time. The montana on the other hand, had contact on the side, and could charge via a cradle.

I'd want that functionally my Inreach device.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Explorer+ does.
accessory : https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-12525-00-Powered-Mount/dp/B01N2YKO3L

 

[V1701]

Does anyone have a link to the subscription charges please?

 

[Buck Turgidson]

On the garmin site.
https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/
You need to go through your own location for local rates