The Garmin In Reach mini saved us in the Idaho Backcountry. I have posted the story before. The Lifeflight membership also saved me financially. These were two of the best investments I have made. My wife had a displaced hip in the Idaho backcountry while we were hiking. Lifeflight was overhead within 50 minutes. Great system. I highly recommend both.

Flyer

Thanks for info. Just signed up. I’ll be in Backcountry for the next week and a half. Did you update membership on your inreach account?

I will be getting an InReach, just need to figure out the full-size or mini version. I have used the mini version bluetoothed to a phone, is that the best way to go?

I believe so, yep, that’s what I use.

I have a mini as stated. Works grea

Utah-Jay wrote:I will be getting an InReach, just need to figure out the full-size or mini version. I have used the mini version bluetoothed to a phone, is that the best way to go?

I prefer the Explorer, it's an easier unit to use. Battery lasts much longer as well.

Bonanza Man wrote:

Utah-Jay wrote:I will be getting an InReach, just need to figure out the full-size or mini version. I have used the mini version bluetoothed to a phone, is that the best way to go?

I prefer the Explorer, it's an easier unit to use. Battery lasts much longer as well.

Agreed. And for the mini, I really need to maintain the battery on my phone also to make the inreach viable. For an emergency device, I'd rather have one battery to worry about instead of two.

flyer wrote:The Garmin In Reach mini saved us in the Idaho Backcountry. I have posted the story before. The Lifeflight membership also saved me financially. These were two of the best investments I have made. My wife had a displaced hip in the Idaho backcountry while we were hiking. Lifeflight was overhead within 50 minutes. Great system. I highly recommend both.

This one? https://member.lifeflight.org/#lp-pom-block-370

If so, I wonder if anyone knows of a similar offering that covers Utah.

rw2 wrote:

Bonanza Man wrote:

Utah-Jay wrote:I will be getting an InReach, just need to figure out the full-size or mini version. I have used the mini version bluetoothed to a phone, is that the best way to go?

I prefer the Explorer, it's an easier unit to use. Battery lasts much longer as well.

Agreed. And for the mini, I really need to maintain the battery on my phone also to make the inreach viable. For an emergency device, I'd rather have one battery to worry about instead of two.

This is my concern for the mini

The mini is independent of your phone for SOS purposes. Texting via phone is an added benefit. You can send messages from mini directly if you so choose.

As to battery life there are many useful videos on YouTube as to how to best maximize battery life.

MW

185Midwest wrote:The mini is independent of your phone for SOS purposes. Texting via phone is an added benefit. You can send messages from mini directly if you so choose.

As to battery life there are many useful videos on YouTube as to how to best maximize battery life.

I don't need youtube videos on how to maximize battery life. I have the explorer instead of the mini.

I have a Mini, and frankly, I've been amazed at the length of battery life.

BUT, I also carry a "Jump pack" with me in the plane at all times. Can start the engine if I do something real stupid, and provides multiple charges to In Reach, phone, etc, etc.

Finally, I have a small solar panel in the plane as well.....can't hurt. Mostly, I use it to help keep the jump pack charged at OSH, since that unit recharges my phone there every night.

MTV

good to be king RW2

Utah-Jay wrote:

rw2 wrote:

Bonanza Man wrote:

Utah-Jay wrote:I will be getting an InReach, just need to figure out the full-size or mini version. I have used the mini version bluetoothed to a phone, is that the best way to go?

I prefer the Explorer, it's an easier unit to use. Battery lasts much longer as well.

Agreed. And for the mini, I really need to maintain the battery on my phone also to make the inreach viable. For an emergency device, I'd rather have one battery to worry about instead of two.

This is my concern for the mini

I’ve had the SE (previous gen), current Explorer, and the Minis. Out of all of them, the battery life in practical use has been identical, I want to say I feel like the mini lasts longest but that would be subjective I’ve never analytically measured it. The differences haven’t been notable, that I can say for certain.

What I can say for certain is the mini’s battery life is astonishing, and you can still text from it without a phone (letter by letter, done it many times). I’ve done many a 10 day trip without ever topping up the mini or explorer by shutting them down when not in use. A single 20,000 mAh lithium charge pack would run it for a month or more used wisely. Battery life with the mini is not a concern.