Many people enjoy hiking, skiing, running, camping, fishing, hunting and other outdoor adventures. These remote locations are often beyond the reach of any cell service. Your smartphone then turns into a camera to capture your adventures. But nothing more. Garmin offers various satellite communication devices for your off-grid adventures and the latest addition is the Garmin inReach Mini 2.
The inReach Mini 2 is an ultra-compact satellite communicator, available now for 399.99 euros. We just got one to test out, so stay tuned for a full review after you’ve had a chance to explore the great outdoors and put in a few miles with this essential new tool.
The original inReach Mini was released in 2018 and at first glance it doesn’t seem to have changed much. However, a significant improvement in battery life is the foundation of the inReach Mini 2. Garmin claims that up to 14 days of battery life with 10-minute tracking is available with this model. While 30-minute tracking extends battery life up to 30 days.
Can be connected with a smartphone
And if you charge it, store it in a car, boat, or RV, and then need to turn it on in an emergency, the device should turn back on within a year of charging.
In addition to the extended battery life, Garmin updated the design slightly by switching from microUSB to USB-C for charging. It still measures only 10 centimeters high by 5 centimeters wide and weighs only 100 grams, so you can easily take it on all your outdoor adventures. It’s also IPX7 rated, so you won’t have to worry about using it in any weather condition.
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 also connects to your smartphone through the Garmin Explore app. So you can send text messages using the keyboard of your smartphone with the inReach Mini 2 as a satellite connection. The Garmin Explore app also lets you download maps, plan your trips, and connect to compatible Garmin watches, in-car navigators, aviation systems, and more.
Connectivity subscription
Satellite connectivity requires a subscription with monthly and yearly options available for three tiers of usage. Services are provided by the worldwide network of Iridium satellites. The cheapest subscription is an annual subscription with a monthly fee of 15 euros, with monthly subscriptions being a bit more expensive. The SOS function is available for unlimited use with all subscriptions. It will send a distress signal to Garmin’s International Emergency Response Coordination Center, whose staff are available 24/7 to assist you in an emergency.
Connecting to emergency services is important, but you can also use the Garmin inReach Mini 2 to connect with family and friends and catch up on your adventure or share your experiences as you go. You can share your location with your friends and even receive encouraging messages. If you get lost during your adventure, the inReach Mini 2 can help guide you back to your point of origin with its TracBack feature. Global positioning is provided by GPS, Galileo, QZSS and Beidou.
Source: ZDNet.com