inReach Mini

Satellite connectivity has always been exciting because of the whole globe coverage. But it was bulky and expensive. DeLorme (now part of Garmin) revolutionized this category now for the second time.

The first time was in  2014 when they introduced the inReach and flexible two-way messaging plans that could be suspended when not used. That dealt with the "expensive" part. Typically it is a couple of weeks in a year when outdoor travelers need satellite communications. And the plan suspension does exactly that - you pay when you need the service. I have been a subscriber ever since.

The second part - the "bulky" remained some sort of a problem. The inReach was not that bulky, but it was adding its almost 250 grams to the backpack. But with the launch of the inReach Mini the bulky part has completely gone. It is now 100 grams and barely bigger than a smartwatch.

Garmin also paves the way of using Bluetooth to network devices around a person wearing them. The fēnix watch now links both to a smartphone and the satellite receiver. The receiver can push messages to the watch or work in tandem with a phone or tablet to do many more things, like receiving weather forecasts via satellites. So it is no longer a tracking / emergency devicem it brings useful features even when you explicitly don't want to be posting on Facebook or Twitter when in remote areas.