Garmin InReach vs. InReach Mini with phone?

I’ve been using the mini for several years. I turn it on at the start of every ride and share the live map with my wife. Like you, I frequently ride out of cell range, and my wife likes the ability and track me and send messages to me. Sometimes, a route will take longer than expected and she can easily see me on the map and know that I am heading home. 

as for the mini vs the larger, get the mini. The battery is crazy long, and you are better off using the app in your phone anyway.  The phone app is very simple and probably easier to use than just the larger inReach by itself. When you are riding, just think of the mini as a modem for your phone - it just sits there connecting to satellites, but your phone is the user interface.  I rarely have to use it, but when I do, I just pull out my phone and send a message. 

CrankShaft wrote:

I’ve been using the mini for several years. I turn it on at the start of every ride and share the live map with my wife. Like you, I frequently ride out of cell range, and my wife likes the ability and track me and send messages to me. Sometimes, a route will take longer than expected and she can easily see me on the map and know that I am heading home. 

as for the mini vs the larger, get the mini. The battery is crazy long, and you are better off using the app in your phone anyway.  The phone app is very simple and probably easier to use than just the larger inReach by itself. When you are riding, just think of the mini as a modem for your phone - it just sits there connecting to satellites, but your phone is the user interface.  I rarely have to use it, but when I do, I just pull out my phone and send a message. 

clarksonxc wrote:I have had the inReach Mini since late 2019, and I really like it.  It's small form factor is ideal for bikepacking and hiking.  But, to use it easily, you need to download the EarthMate app on your phone.  Since the Mini doesn't have a keyboard, it's much easier to type messages out on your phone versus navigating the alphabet one letter at a time via the device (but it CAN be done if your phone is out of commission).  You can also pre-download maps to your phone, which will update your location and path via a bluetooth connection.  Let me know if you have any specific questions; it takes some getting used to but it's a very powerful tool.

texastutt wrote:
The one thing that I hope I never use, is the SOS sends out a 911 signal to rescue you. Which gives me peace of mind as I've gotten on some pretty technical stuff (for a rodie) and if something were to happen.

In late 2020, a canoeist was rescued out of the BWCA in northern Minnesota. His canoe had capsized and he was entering hypothermia. He triggered the SOS on his inReach and was successfully recused.

I frequently ride my bike up in that area. When my wife read about the rescue in the news, she asked me if that was the same devise I use to alert her my whereabouts. She was very happy to know it was the same unit and that it worked. I hope I never have to use the SOS.