Garmin inReach Mini 2, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator, Hiking Handheld, Black

I purchased my inreach mini 2 knowing I would do long trips into valleys with little to no signal, one trip to snowdon and i've come to realise how important it has really been to have this device with me. There were some beautiful scenerys, mountains, local farms but the scariest part of it all, no phone signal at all. I sent a message to my folks and although it wasn't instant it sent and I recieved a message back not too long after. My dad was really impressed, he received a text with the message and a link to the location the message was sent. it all comes down to what you choose in the garmin explore settings, send via email or by text message so make sure you choose wisely. The battery is likely to be hit and miss, it gets affected with the weather. If the signal has to fight its way through cloud it will use more battery, simple as but in summer with clearer skies you will probably find the device lasts longer and messages come through and send quicker. If you are using this with the safety package just turn it off and only use it if needed, battery will last months in that case. These inreach devices do end up costing a lot of money, the unit itself even this cheapest option, about £30/40 one time fee per year for freedom plans with £15 safety package per month. you can stop and start the monthly fee when you like which is good but it is costly to operate one of these. Best way to think about it is picturing yourself in a situation where you wished you had it. Dark, alone, raining, broken limb. I was alone for a lot of my trip with some of it in the dark, luckily there was a group that I passed but other than that I'd have no help coming if I was in trouble. All in all if you do or are commiting to travel/explore what the world has to offer where help may not be around the corner, invest in one of these. fortunately in the uk, mountain rescues and helicopter support are free of charge, in the rest of the world its a different case, this is why an insurance package is offered by garmin.

If your mobile telephone drops out of network coverage a device such as this is a solid emergency option. It allows you to send and receive text message and emails to family, friends, and colleagues; and to call for emergency assistance via an SOS button. Primarily designed for those going off the beaten track this device offers an additional level of assurance via its satellite connectivity that could save your, or another’s, life. That said, even those who don’t regularly go off the beaten track but who do have significant medical conditions, and know they live in areas with unpredictable mobile phone coverage, could benefit from carrying the inReach Mini 2. The only real downsides of the device are its relatively high initial purchase cost and the monthly contract fees, though there are a number of options offered by Garmin with respect to the latter.

Great tech, gives you confidence when in the back and beyond