Imagine that, a content provider that considered his viewers would find an index of his talking points at the beginning of the video. Great job Alex!

here's a clickable version of the index that is at the front of the video, thank you Alexander for the index (you can add this to the description) 00:26 Tracking 05:38 Weather 06:25 Battery 07:26 Test it before you depend on it!!! 07:50 Maps 09:00 Tracks and Routes 09:44 Sharing to Facebook 12:07 Texting with Search and Rescue 13:07 Messaging 13:32 Final Thoughts

I have had one for some time. It gives my children peace of mind because I often travel in areas with out cell coverage. It paid for it's self on one trip. The water pump on my truck failed and I was stranded in a remote area well beyond cell coverage. I was able to contact my daughter and her husband picked up a new water pump and brought it to me. We were back on the road within 24 hours.

For sending a message with the location. You CAN turn map location on in options so you do not need to click on the little location dot next to the message. You can leave it on the default. For messaging the rescuers that is a little more complicated than you stated. The first text message you will receive is NOT from the SAR group coming to get you. It is from the central emergency response centre who will contact your local SAR agency. So you will likely get a message from the Emergency centre asking you to text a message to a NEW number which is a member of the actual SAR team. They can not send you a message via text unless you send one to them first. NOTE: People can only send you text messages if you send them a message first. Be sure to send a message to your wife or significant other before you leave and check that they can message you. Thanks for the great review.

Thank you so much for this info. I’ve seen a bunch of reviews that tell you nothing you can’t read on the box. I really appreciate you getting into the nitty gritty.

SUPER helpful video! Thanks for creating this. I bought the Garmin inReach Explorer+ in July 2020 and I'm just now diving into all of the nitty gritty features on this thing. This is easily one of my most favorite pieces of gear, mainly for the peace of mind it gives me knowing I have two-way messaging access to friends and family at home and with S&R in an SOS situation.

I've been using the inReach mini for a couple of years; found this very useful. Thank you.

I travel to hike often by myself and this device gives me a lot of piece of mind. I love that I can share my location with friends especially when I am thousands of miles away. Like every Garmin device, it's not the most intuitive to use and this video helps a ton. Thanks for the tips.

Great video... I have come back to it several times, as I am learning the ins and outs of the InReach mini. You video has been the most intuitive by far. Thanks again.

Thanks so much for this Alexander!! I’ve had it since February and thought I was using it correctly on my Trail runs (as if it was automatically sending all the tracking links to my partner etc when i sent a preset message), but only this past week when I delved deeper I realized it was not a route but just the static link! So anyway I’m happy to have your info here along with garmin’s site etc! ShineOnHealth to you!

Thanks so much for the excellent breakdown Alex! Not only am I going to buy it but your video will helpful me use it quickly. I'm going on a 5 day long solo offroad and hiking trip in 2 weeks in the Southern Sierras, starting near Mammoth Lakes. I will be brining a new Garmin Mini! and i will test it out first. Thanks again.

I just purchased my inreach mini and I am so thankful you made this video. Great job!

Just purchased two minis for my sons to use. This video was VERY useful. THANK YOU.

Great video. Love the table of contents at the beginning to allow me to focus on the info i needed right away!

Quick and useful information...appreciated! I skipped the FB part :). I totally agree, I think Garmin is close with a lot of their products but could really use a refresh to nail it down. I do a lot of solo dirt bike/adventure riding, where the chance of injury and needing help is much greater so having a device to be able to get help if I need it is a great peace of mind to me and family as well as being able to shoot a message anywhere letting people know where I am and that I’m ok. For hikes I just use my phone and the same app.

Thanks for a great informative video! I've had mine since April but found the instructions difficult to follow so even though I have carried this on 7 backpacking trips since I got it, all I really knew was that I could contact SAR! I am finally putting in contacts and figuring out how to let my family contact me in the event that THEY have an emergency too! Thanks again!

The intro with the time stamp got my like right away. The details of the video made me go back and re watch the whole thing.

Thanks, this is valuable information that I was unable to find elsewhere.

Nice video mate. Thank you. It was a big help in the decision making process.

I’m seriously considering getting one of these but have heard of people having a hell of a time getting them set up. You’ve taken some of the mystery out it. Thanks for your input! Great video!

Nicely done. I had researched the larger predecessor InReach a few years ago, but wondered about this little one. About to pull the plug and your video is timely... although the algorithm certainly new I have been searching InReach so no surprise your video popped up... and I'm glad it did.

Very informative. Thank you. I don't do really long hikes, but I do photography in some remote locations (Death Valley last month) and share my phone's GPS location through Google maps, but have been considering a satellite communicator like this for a while. You may have convinced me to take the leap.

Alex, awesome video. I appreciate the effort you put into producing the content you publish.

Thanks for the easy to understand posting. Much appreciated.

great clip - very informative; i'm just about to buy a garmin mini and your clip opened my eyes to what i need to learn...before hiking. Thanks for taking the time to make this.

Excellent, thank you! And thank you for your comments on maps and waypoints. I too have found those functions completely confusing, so glad that I am not alone. Otherwise I agree the Garmin inreach mini is an excellent device for messaging and SOS alone. Thanks again for taking time to create and post this, very helpful

Hey, I just got my inReach Mini and I've been going through the setup process in preparation for a late March launch on the PCT. Your video was very helpful, informative, and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

I appreciated your video. It has shown me that the Garmin InReach Mini has the look that I was hoping to find and the complicated features that I was hoping to avoid.

Thank you! I was LOST now I'm FOUND. Great work!

I plan to get one as I fish alone in the boon docks in Wyoming and Colorado, helpful video, thanks for the tips of the features.

This is a very helpful video. I often think that the developers of these tools really need better user experience designers to help them - it’s startling how non-intuitive then decides and the interfaces are. Also, I was stationed at Edwards for 10 years, and lived for about 5 years in base housing near the western point of the track you showed (I left in 2000! and that house no longer exists). That was a fun surprise, and it also explains why the wind forecast is important to you! The winds around there can be such a beast.

Great video Alexander! Thanks for pulling this together and posting this video.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 for the informative video. I just purchased the inreach mini. At 74yrs old (young) I figured it would be prudent and give piece of mind to the wife/son to let them know my status and be able to communicate as I travel by motorcycle (alone).....many times out of cell service.

Helpful breakdown. Thanks

Very helpful and informative!

I've had tremendous success with my inReach mini. The device is the workhorse, and I pair it with my Samsung Note 10+ 5G phone and use the Earthmate app for a display. Before a trip, I turn on MapShare and select who can view my travels (link and password required), and then edit my free three PreSet Messages to send out (On the highway, This is my campsite, Going exploring today, etc). I send messages to email addresses, not text messages, and have had no problems with recipients receiving them. From there, they can zoom in/out on the map and follow along. I camp with my Jeep and have the interval set to 10 minutes, so I'm always "pretty close" to being on a forest road or a desert trail here in AZ... as long as I keep showing as moving, then there is no worry. If a problem arose, then all of those intervals wouldn't matter, and I'd show as stationary in one spot repeatedly beaconing, causing a concern. Tremendous technology and quite an asset while getting out there. I also use HAM radio when out of cell phone reception. Travel safe. Pete - KI7LIL

Just ordered one, and this video is very helpful. Will be using it in the SoCal desert where there is very little cell service.

soo helpful! thank you!!

You made a great job of this, thank you 🙏

Nice summary. I agree that messaging and location ID are terrific. Mapping better on other apps.

This is gold. Thank you!

On my way to get one. 64 years old, so I have less room for error health wise. I go solo more than not. Great video.

Well done-super helpful. Thanks!

Thanks for the pro tips!

I had the same problem with my Garmin GPS (Vista) years ago. I tried on six different occasions to read the instruction manual only to be frustrated and quit reading. On my last attempt with the instruction manual I decided that there was a certain amount of knowledge that I needed to possess before I could even make sense of the instruction manual. You know not intuitive. So I referred back to the old school days. I just kept pressing buttons until it finally did what I wanted it to do, then I would just memorize the sequence. Kind of a sad way to learn how to use a $350 device. For me the most important feature was how to set a waypoint. As long as I had a waypoint of where I parked my vehicle I was golden. And don't forget to put a spare set of batteries in your pocket keeping them warm on those cold days. Enjoyed the video and especially the index at the beginning. Thanks.

Thanks so much for this. Just bought one. Very helpful.

thanks for making this video, it was very helpful to me, since I just bought the inreach mini. I would have thought garmin would have had some of this that you covered HOW TO... the tracking feature I have added a password to the mapshare but I think that may make it less used by whoever I'm sending it to since they have to input a pw... and when I tried it the map didn't zoom in and was showing Africa - I'm in USA...

Thank you for your video 😊 I found it very helpful. And, I COULDN'T agree with you more regarding the Garmin software! I think that you were more than kind to Garmin about their "ease of use" or "it's lack of intuitiveness". The lack of intuitive use and navigating their website and software system makes me pull my hair out ( thankfully I seem to have plenty). I started watching a video tutorial on the Garmin site....WTH...the engineer says frequently "pretty straight forward"....well only if you were the engineer that developed it! Making simple straight forward videos on the inReachMini's use seems to be something they are not capable of. Sooo, thank you for your video! You helped me a lot!

Great informative video! Thank you!

I have used one of these for a couple of years, I set it up and sent pre set text msgs from the device but never realised you could use your phone to create and send a text msg, via Bluetooth. I had no idea I could change waypoint time I have been stuck on 10 minutes for ever. Your 15 minute video has changed everything for me thank you so much.

This was very succinct and to the point and way more helpful than the manual. I came from Spot to the inReach Mini and there's definitely a bit of a learning curve especially with the additional features. I wish it was tighter integrated with the other Garmin ecosphere I already have (Connect app and website) but I think that's the Delorme legacy.

Well done, thanks for an informative video that will help us make an informed purchase.

I have the Explorer+ (the bigger version) and AllTrails subscription. Overkill, but better than not having it when you need it. Nice review.

Hello from 2022 - this was so helpful! And I still cannot figure out waypoints. But understanding how to text and how to make sure people can see location when I share is big!

Very helpful content, thanks

I highly recommend Gaia GPS over AllTrails for anyone looking into backcountry hiking. More options, detail, etc

Really helpful video, thanks so much for taking the time to make and share it.

Excellent! Thank you.

Awesome vid man, just got mine like 10 hours ago. Agree 100% on the part of the not so friendly interface for maps. What I discovered is that is waaay more easy to create routes from the mobil app. Maybe 2 years ago when you made this video you did bot had that feature or maybe you figure it out by now, but well, works pretty well on cellphone

Super helpful video!

Very informative and helpful. Thanks for sharing.

Very good review!! Thanks!!

Great video. Thanks for sharing

Excellent video. No idea what the rest of your content looks like but subbed.

Really good video. Thank you.

Thanks! I just bought one and I haven’t set it up yet. We’re heading off on camping adventures to big bend national park. But I’m also seeing advantages to sending this off when my husband goes hiking in the hills behind our house. The Apple tracking on his iPhone is not necessarily spectacularly accurate. And he’s 80. And I worry. :)

Alexander When you send a tracking notification to someone , does that count toward you messages per month ? When you set up the tracking info on the app, is there a reason you didn’t set up the log interval ?

Was wondering if this is good or should go for the montana 750 i

do you have to have a plan for it to work ?

Great video. Just got mine.

This is a excellent review,very well done & informative.

Will the Starlink constellation provide an alternative to the Inmarsat?

Thank You It will make my purchase easy mow.

when he mentions texting / messaging to friends and family including emojis etc is that through the iPhone that is wirelessly connected to the Garmin? so using the iPhone to text but using the Garmin as the satellite antennae?

Nice video. Thank you

Good video and very useful. It would have been good to hear how to set up the standard and custom text messages.

helpful video - thanks

What is the best way to attach it to your backpack strap? More than just a flopping caribiner.

How are you securing the mini to your shoulder strap so it doesn’t dangle?

That tracking bit is awesome! Thank you for this. I have a question. What if I sent Live tracking to another in-reach user in the vicinity, both of us will be in a no-cell-service situation, would live tracking work then?

I bought the explorer+ ... battery life is bomb and I don't need a big screen like the montana... although if I got the montana, I would not complain lol

Appreciate your candor about the Garmin's less than intuitive and rather confusing interface. Clearly, these devices are powerful and useful. But no question, usability needs to be rethought.

Is there ANY way to get an ASSIGNED Sat number for the Garmins?

I'm new to the InReach mini2. I noticed on your video that the display on yours shows elapsed miles. Mine shows the time and I have yet to figure out how to change it to show the elapsed miles. How did you do this? Thank you!

Just purchased Garmin's newest version. Garmin Montana 750i. Expensive but looks pretty good, much better than previous versions. Mapping is excellent.

Great video - How do we know what devices the in reach is compatible with? I mean, can in reach messages pop up on a Rino, or is it just ant+ compatible w/ watches? The garmin website is awful

Thank you for the great video! Question: how well does the Mini work in a van? Must it be on the dash so that it can "see" the sky? That'll be a risky place to leave and forget it when you leave the car. Could it be used inside the van where the roof and the body of the van would obscure the sky? Maybe I have to leave it on the dash and disguise it or cover it with a towel...?

Perhaps you should have mentioned that tracking at a two-minute interval is only available on the Expedition plan. Otherwise, the tracking is at a 10-minute interval.

Question. I just bought one yesterday and I have not use it yet other than getting it set up so if you share your tracking say every 30 minutes does that count as a text message every time it pings? I realize if you get the unlimited texting and messaging, it would be no issue but it’s $50 a month. I got the basic for 11.95 and you only get 10 messages per month otherwise is $.50 per additional message I will be using mine offshore as we are scuba divers for safety purposes with the Coast Guard.

Great information. How do you get your device to sit still on the strap of your pack? It looks like it's just held on with the carabiner, but it's not really flopping around like you'd expect it to. What did you do?

Nice review!!! Thinking about this unit for Cycling in the mountains. You have any issues with messages up in the mountains?

I'm getting one but gonna keep it away from my head!! Thanks bro..

Good info. Learned a lot. I've been planing on getting one. Not sure if I should get the next model up to be able to text from the unit itself.

Would this be a good devise for like if the grid ever went down I could communicate with family members scattered around the US? they would also have to have an in-reach I would think...great video‼️

Great vid. Keep it up

Is this the mini 1 or mini 2? Not sure which i should buy

Thanks for all the info. If I understand correctly, you can only communicate with others do as long as your cell battery last? After that, it's just a trackable distress beacon?

For things like wind/weather updates while out on the trail (like you showed in your video), do you need to have cellular connection, or is it sent to your phone via the InReach and Bluetooth? BTW, great video.

seems like a good system

Great video! I’m confused about the maps.. so if my phone fell in a river I’d have no way of navigating using the inreach?