mini 2-way satellite communicator -Gear Junkie Product of the Year

[Piggy Bank]

I saw this in an email from REI this morning.

This Garmin satellite communicator (along with a paid plan) lets you communicate with the outside world when your cell phone won't work.

There have been threads from time to time about how to stay in contact. Particularly in situations with older parents when daily contact may be necessary.

Product of the Year from Gear Junkie
https://www.rei.com/product/140110/g...8176171&ev11=0

[nryn]

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

I saw this in an email from REI this morning.



This Garmin satellite communicator (along with a paid plan) lets you communicate with the outside world when your cell phone won't work.



There have been threads from time to time about how to stay in contact. Particularly in situations with older parents when daily contact may be necessary.



Product of the Year from Gear Junkie

https://www.rei.com/product/140110/g...8176171&ev11=0

I have off-road van friends who are on an extended trip right now and they use a pair of Garmin (non-mini) InReach devices daily. They often camp for days without cell service in areas that are miles from a road and because they regularly go on solo hikes, they stay in touch via the InReach. They also check in on their elderly parents either through voice or text on the InReach daily. They were just telling me the other day they are very happy with that system.

[Airhead2018]

How much is the subscription?

[drmox]

Originally Posted by Airhead2018

How much is the subscription?

I don't have information on that specific product, or subscription costs, but we had a sat phone issued to us in Iraq in case of emergency.
The biggest thing to remember is that they only work with line of sight to the satellite. You have to be outside, in the open for it to connect with the satellite. It won't work in the Airstream, in forest canopy, or in extremely heavy cloud cover. Same thing as XM radio.

[GMFL]

I have had one of these for years. Delormie started making them and were bought by Garmin.
I use the $64.00 per month plan which is month to month. We only use it and pay when we are traveling in the South American jungle.

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

They work good but not great. There are still limitations based on terrain, tree canopy and cloud cover.

This is what I have.
https://www.rei.com/product/119863/g...e-communicator

[WindRat]

Plans start at $14/mo depending on your needs. We have one but pretty much only have it for emergencies. A good back up gps as the screen is so small and not a lot of features. You can pair it with your phone for a bobber screen and for texting but then you have to keep a close eye on your phone’s battery. Overall we are happy with it just for the piece of mind, if nothing else.

[vintageracer]

IF you boondock camp a lot or like to hike trails in east of nowhere a Garmin Inreach can save your life in an emergency situation.

Don't leave camp without one!