InReach Mini
Why We Like The InReach Mini
We bring Garmin's InReach Mini along when "getting away from it all" includes going beyond cellphone reception. While we appreciate the lack of work emails, phone calls, and social media notifications when we're appreciating the great outdoors, there are some situations we like being prepared for. The ability to send an SOS to GEOS—Garmin-powered International Emergency Response Coordination Center—brings peace to our minds whenever we're biking, climbing, skiing, paddling, and backpacking off the beaten path. Our loved ones especially like the ability to send us messages on extended hut trips and mountaineering missions.
Details
- Compact satellite communicator for off-grid contact
- Two-way messaging allows texting, posting, and inReach communication
- SOS alerts triggers messages to GEOS in emergencies
- GPS tracking location shares with folks back home
- Global Iridium satellite network goes beyond cellphone coverage
- InReach weather forecasting gives detailed weather updates
- Impact-resistant housing water-rated to IPX7 standards
- Rechargeable battery gives up to 90 hours in default mode
- Please see size chart for complete list of technical features
- Item #GRM009K
- Housing Material
- plastic
- Technical Features
- see size chart
- Operating System
- Bluetooth, ANT+
- Battery Type
- rechargeable lithium ion
- Battery Life
- [10-minute track mode] 50 hours
- Dimensions
- 2.04 x 3.9 x 1.03in
- Claimed Weight
- 3.5oz
- Face Size
- 23 x 23mm
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 1 year
- Activity
- backcountry riding, backcountry skiing, backcountry snowshoeing, backpacking, canyoneering, flatwater paddling, gravel, hiking, mountaineering, river paddling, ski mountaineering, snowshoe hiking, snowshoe running, trail, trail running, travel
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4 based on 712 ratings
Review Summary
Customer Images
Here's what customers have to say
The satellite communicator provides reliable two-way messaging, GPS tracking, and emergency SOS capabilities for outdoor activities. Users praise its compact size, long battery life, and ease of use, especially when paired with a smartphone app. The device excels at keeping users connected and providing peace of mind in areas without cell service. However, some found the setup and navigation confusing, and the subscription costs high. Overall, it is considered an essential piece of gear for solo hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to stay connected and safe in remote areas.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews.
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageSeptember 5, 2025
I hate this thing
No messages ever got to the recipients, it is stupid to use. In a day where there a amazing smart phones, we have to deal with beeper like technology to rely on in situations where it should be just as simple as sending a message.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
September 2, 2025
Safety Offshore
When we go offshore we like redundant everything. My InReach is just that. Something happens to the radio, we have a back up way to communicate to folks on shore.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 28, 2025
Fees are terrible
The only reason I am writing a review is because Garmin kicked me off my subscription plan and forced me to pay another activation fee for a change I didn’t want. The fact that I just paid an activation fee must have triggered a message to leave a review even though the device is years old and I have had a subscription from the beginning. This is all happening while phones are adding built in satellite data, and it boggles my mind that Garmin is giving customers new reasons to want to leave.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 7, 2025
Didn’t work
Got it and activated the unit, tested at home and everything worked great. Went on a bdr and had no cell signal, needed to let my wife know I’m ok and she never received the messages. The one thing I got it for, didn’t work so wasn’t happy and cancelled my suspension
Originally reviewed on Garmin
August 5, 2025
Stopped working below tree line
Inreach stopped working on miles 30 through 40 on my 40 mile mountain run, causing my support to lose track of me for over 2 hours. Very frustrating I’d pay for a GPS that doesn’t even work in the mountains, definitely regret buying and continuing my support of garmin. Definitely my last garmin device.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
July 24, 2025
Good interface with ios
Bought to learn about satellite communication with emergency applications. Works well
Originally reviewed on Garmin
July 10, 2025
InReach doesn't work well in Blue Ridge mountains
I bought this to stay in touch in the mountains since where I horseback ride has limited to no cell service. I tried to send a couple of messages, however where I am in the Blue Ridge mountains has dense canopy so it won't send out the message until you can see the sky...so that's not helpful if it was a real emergency. Out west, where there are no/limited trees it would be great. Back to the drawing board for me.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
July 8, 2025
Failed the first test
The first time I took it out into the field it failed me. I turned it on and synced it to the satellite before I left on my hike in the bush upstate NY. It kept telling me it was waiting for a satellite when I’m standing in the middle of an open field. Then it kept shutting off like it was over heating or something. Very disappointed.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
July 8, 2025
Hard to use
Hard to set up, hard to use, web interface difficult, at best.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
June 20, 2025
Terrible Garmin Support
The inReach Mini is a fantastic little device. I've owned it since 2019 and it has been great but Earthmate is by far the worst connection app I have ever had to use. The fact that there is still no way to connect to Garmin Messenger like you can with the inReach Mini 2 is in my opinion a cash grab by Garmin. They make the app so terrible that you have to get a new device instead of being able to use your old one. I know it says to focus on the device when writing a review but seeing as you have to use Earthmate in order to use the device it's one in the same in my opinion. If you could use Garmin Messenger it would be a five star. Please make something happen for us long time customers.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
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July 15, 2021