Review: Garmin inReach Mini

The Garmin inReach Mini is a compact satellite communicator, offering a wide range of worldwide, off-the-grid functionality – including emergency SOS, two-way communication via text and email, live online tracking, and even weather forecasting. I tested it over 12 months cycling through Africa and Asia.

The hardware is impressively small and hardy, with a solid battery life. It lasts for days with 10-minute tracking and weeks without, so my worries of having yet another thing to charge on tour were quickly dispelled.

For me, the big draw was the peace of mind offered by the ability to send for help anywhere in the world (provided you have an active subscription). We never had to use it but were reassured by quick connection to satellites whenever we were out in the wild.

An emergency response, if needed, is coordinated by an international team, then delivered by local services. Various reports can be found online proving that this functionality can and has saved lives.

Unlike many competitors, the inReach backs this up with fantastic two-way communication, even if your phone is dead, so you can send and receive crucial information to and from the team coordinating the response.

This standout two-way communication also really shines when all is well. On isolated stretches through the Namib Desert and Kyrgyz mountains, where just getting phone signal could be days away, a simple nightly message to parents letting them know we were well ensured everyone could sleep soundly.

Bluetooth connectivity with your smartphone makes this as simple as sending a text, and we could also add waymarks each night to share our location with friends and family online. This can be upped to live tracking at regular intervals if desired.

The only disappointment was the technical support offered to fix a persistent issue with our online map. Despite connecting to satellites each night, our marked location didn’t always update.

Eight months of back and forth led nowhere, until I eventually discovered that I had to turn on ‘tracking’, alongside adding the waypoints, to update the map. Although this could be seen as user error, I would have expected more comprehensive help and troubleshooting assistance from the support team.

Verdict

Impressively small and hardy. The easy, two-way communication is a real bonus, which offers immense peace of mind for you and loved ones back home. In an emergency, it could be lifesaving.

Other options

Ocean Signal Rescueme £260

If you simply want the ability to call for emergency help without two-way communication or fancy features, the rescureMe is cheaper in the long term as it requires no subscription.

ACR Bivy Stick £275 (plus subscription)

The Bivy Stick uses the same satellite network and offers similar functionality to the inReach, but two-way messaging is only possible when connected to a smartphone.

First published in Cycle magazine, April/May 2023 issue. All information correct at time of publishing.