Garmin  inReach Mini 3

I've owned both of the earlier models. There was nothing wrong with them, but the Mini 2 had a couple of refinements making it worth my trading my old for that one. Then this version appeared. What I really wanted to try out was the touch-screen features thinking that might be easier than a bunch of button pushing to get to the various menus. And for me, I was right. I wouldn't necessarily suggest trading in a 2 for the 3, but I do like my touchscreens. I also like that it has a color display, though that really doesn't matter. It works pretty much like the others, so there's no learning curve. I definitely feel safer having this with me on hikes and when I'm traveling solo in my camper van.

Replacement for an original inReach Explorer. Overall construction seems more solid. Much smaller, lighter, and with a much improved color touch screen. Best suited to pairing with a phone for a bigger screen, but you can use it stand alone. Easy to transfer the account to the new device. Initial testing shows better connection in wooded areas. Only gripe so far is the Up/Down, OK, and Back button labels are very difficult to see in good light, and impossible in low light.

I bought 2 of these, out of nessessity. Long story very short - my wife and were out driving on a boundary road between the US and Canada, we broke down, no cell service whatsoever. I decided to leave me wife in the truck while I walked back (9 miles) where I could get a signal and call for help. So... After all that I decided I needed a device that would work 'off grid'. This indeed does that, yes you have to get a subscription, but you have to do that for everything these days. It's cute, small, battery seems to last forever.. However... it is almost (for me with larger hands/fingers) to type on. I keep hitting the 'other' letter, can't seem to get the keyboard back button to work at all.

Used my Inreach mini 3 for the first time hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains. The mini paired easily with my cellphone via the Garman Messenger App as well as my non-Inreach Gpsmap66. I bought the Mini as a communication device and was able to send my contact trail start and end and check-in messages in areas with no cell service without any problem (NOTE: you have to pay for a subscription with Garmin for the Inreach features to work). I hope never to have to use the SOS function but as an older, occasionally-solo hiker it's nice to have that peace-of-mind.

the inreach Mini 3 have great features is easy to use Easy to charge and is super the size the size Factor it makes it easy to carry around makes it easy to put in your center console of your vehicle or in your backpack wherever you need it so I really like the inreach Mini 3 it's a great personal tracker and I highly recommend it

I have used GPS devices in airplanes and boats as well as hiking for decades. The Mini 3 is very difficult to use. Totally unintuitive touch screen. Little in the way of user's guide from Garmin. Frequently the nav functions simply do not work, or quit in mid-hike. Garmin products for air and sea are good. I'm surprised they put their name on such a poorly designed and executed product.

Works how it’s supposed to. I’ve used it on a three day trip. But absolutely wouldn’t buy this one. Go ahead and get the plus it’s not that much more expensive but expand your capabilities drastically even if you don’t think you’re gonna use it. Maybe if this model had a legacy subscription which was less expensive or something on those lines it would be worthwhile but I think this is a poor choice at the price they have it at. I actually plan on returning or selling it and getting a plus model

I use this when flying gliders. I replaced an old inReach explorer. I guess it’s OK. Certainly smaller and lighter. I didn’t think I would like the touchscreen in turbulence but it requires two hands to use the mechanical buttons so touch is better. I wish it had a clip like my explorer so I could attach it to my parachute. The Messenger app is nice. When someone responds to an inReach message directly I see it on my phone right away. With the explorer I could only see and respond on the device. There is something going on with the message list. I have many people following me. I send takeoff and landing preset messages plus in-flight presets. I include myself on the t/o & ldg to be sure they are getting through. So far I get those msgs via email only even though they are also supposed to be texts. Not sure what is up with that

The InReach Mini 3 finally clicks all the buttons. I had the original one and traded it in for the Mini 2. But when the MIni 3 came out, I really wanted the touch screen feature. There was nothing I didn't like about the Mini 2, but having the touch screen makes it so much easier for me to operate quickly. I'm very pleased. This is a keeper!

Using Maps on your phone (in offline mode) is hit or miss. Not as accurate as a dedicated handheld GPS. Thought we could save some money but it looks like a dedicated Maps GPS unit with the communicator feature built in is the only way to go.