Garmin inReach Mini 3

[1jeds]

It looks like Garmin released an inReach Mini 3 today:

Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus Gets the Biggest Glow-Up Yet

Garmin adds voice tools, photo sharing, and a touchscreen to its most compact satellite device yet.

gearjunkie.com

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1756582/

I'm sure more and more people will be turning to phones for satellite messaging, but these are much needed upgrades IMO to keep the inReach relevant.

 

[ShakoMako]

Hard sell at $500 when as you mention satellite phone tech may very well render this unnecessary soon. I think I’ll look for a current gen 2 for a discount as backup for backcountry, marine/sailing purposes.

 

[pirogue]

Yep, hard sell and poor timing, considering the hunting seasons are mostly ended, and that market has almost another year to see what new technology reveals before a need arises.

 

[mtnbound]

People forget that the most significant advantage of the InReach over phone satellite messaging is the tracking. Just saw it again on a SAR recovery; the guy could not send a message due to a cardiac event. It was almost 12 hours later before he was located. If he had an InReach with Tracking enabled, he would have been found within the first hour.

 

[swavescatter]

People forget that the most significant advantage of the InReach over phone satellite messaging is the tracking. Just saw it again on a SAR recovery; the guy could not send a message due to a cardiac event. It was almost 12 hours later before he was located. If he had an InReach with Tracking enabled, he would have been found within the first hour.

Sounds like Garmin should just build an iPhone app.

With T-mobile my Starlink data costs $10/month (maybe $15). Allows me to text pretty much like normal now and send pics. Some of my apps work also like Google Maps directions in Carplay. Getting better on a weekly basis....