At lot of my dream destinations involve hard-to-reach places with limited cell service. As a fairly safety conscious traveler, the inability to communicate with the outside world has often made me nervous. After doing some research, however, I realized there were devices out there that could bring me and my family peace of mind.
There are many different options for communicating outside of cell range and I’d encourage you to do your research on multiple options. I personally recommend the Garmin inReach Mini 2.
What is the Garmin inReach Mini 2?
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact satellite communicator. This small but mighty device boasts the following features:
- An SOS button that routes to a 24/7 search and rescue center
- Garmin also offers a Search and Rescue insurance policy you can buy that will cover a certain amount of any search and rescue fees that occur if you were to press the SOS button
- Text communication for non-emergencies
- This is a really nice feature to keep your friends and family up-to-date with how your trip is going. For example, it allows you to send a text letting them know your arrival time may be later than expected. This is great for those times when you wouldn’t normally be able to contact folks and let them know you’re okay and just running late!
- Map and compass features that allow you to navigate back to where you started without cell service
- Location sharing with family and friends so they can track your location without you even sending them a text!
- The device itself is super light, you most likely won’t even notice it in your pack
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Cons
Although there are a lot of beneficial features with this device, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 also has the following cons:
- A subscription is needed for the device to function
- You do have the option to only pay for months in which you’ll be traveling, although that comes with an annual fee of $34.95. Click here to read more about the subscription options.
- Although you can pair your smartphone to the device and compose the texts from your cell phone, it can feel a little clunky and confusing. When you first get the device, you’ll definitely want to spend some time playing around with it prior to actually using it.
- Some countries don’t allow satellite devices to be used within their boundaries. If traveling abroad, you’ll want to confirm that you can legally use this emergency device.
The Garmin Alternative: iPhone 14
If you’re someone who isn’t frequently out of cell service, you might be averse to spending the money on an inReach mini. The good news? The iPhone 14 comes with a new emergency feature that can save your life! The feature allows you to send an Emergency SOS via satellite. The pros of using this feature include:
- The ability to text emergency services when out of cell range
- The option to notify your emergency contacts that you’ve contacted emergency services
- Manually sharing your location via satellite in the “Find My” app
- No additional subscription fee
Overall, either of these devices can be lifesaving when you’re out of cell service. If you’re an avid hiker, however, I highly recommend purchasing the Garmin inReach mini 2 for your peace of mind. The additional features of non-emergent texting and the mapping features are worth it in my book!
Looking for other hiking tips? Check out my post on how to get in shape for a hiking trip.
Happy Travels!
XOXO, Mackenzie
