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The latest incarnation of a much loved satellite communicator with a familiar feel and a host of new features.
Garmin says:
HOME IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.
Stay connected with inReach Mini 3 Plus, the rugged SOS satellite communicator1 with a colour touchscreen display and built-in speaker and microphone. When your adventure takes you beyond cellular range, inReach Plus technology lets you send longer texts, photos and voice messages with an active subscription.
VOICE MESSAGES - Use the built-in speaker and microphone on the device or your compatible smartphone paired to the Garmin Messenger™ app to send a 30-second voice message, no mobile coverage needed. You can also read transcribed voice messages on the colour display.
TEXT MESSAGES - Use the keyboard on the touchscreen display to exchange longer text messages1 with up to 1,600 characters each, directly on the device. Or, connect your compatible smartphone to the Garmin Messenger app, and exchange text messages, send emojis and reactions, or start a group chat.
PHOTO SHARING - Share photos of your adventures when you pair the device with your compatible smartphone using the Garmin Messenger app. You can also view received photos2 right on your device’s color display.
SOS MESSAGING - Explore with peace of mind knowing you can send an interactive SOS message with your GPS coordinates to Garmin Response, our 24/7-staffed international coordination centre, for help in an emergency. And, instead of relying on tower-based mobile phone coverage, your messages are sent via the global Iridium satellite network.
LIVETRACK™ SHARING - With an active inReach satellite subscription, you can easily let friends or family follow your location while you’re on the move; no need to point your device directly toward the sky to find satellites. They can see your progress, including distance, time and elevation.
STAY ON TRACK - Use the Garmin Explore smartphone app to enhance your experience; plan your trip and follow your course to your destination and back.
Our Verdict
The inReach Mini 2 already enjoys almost universal respect in hiking circles, so the Mini 3 Plus has a high bar to clear. In the hand, it feels very similar in size to the Mini 2, and at roughly 127 g it is only 28 g heavier, so it still sits comfortably on a shoulder strap or hipbelt pocket.
The headline change is usability. The colour touchscreen and on-device keyboard mean you can compose messages on the device rather than on a connected mobile phone, and the built-in speaker and microphone (only on the inReach Mini 3 plus) mean you can send short voice messages without needing a phone. Paired with the app, photo sending and richer two-way conversations feel much closer to normal messaging, while Iridium coverage is in the background.
The interface is straightforward, with clear widgets for tracking, weather, mapping and messages, and the updated casing feels robust, with a reassuringly solid USB-C cover and, arguably, the most important feature, the covered SOS button. Battery claims look similar to the Mini 2, which is encouraging given the extra capabilities.
You still need an inReach subscription to make any of this work, so plan to check Garmin’s website and pick a suitable tariff before relying on it. These are early impressions rather than the result of a long trip, but so far the Mini 3 Plus looks like a meaningful upgrade to a much-loved safety device.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- VOICE CONTROL - Use voice commands to conveniently handle many tasks, including check-ins, start tracking and more.
- CHECK-IN MESSAGES - Send simple check-in messages that do not count toward your allotted text messages.
- SYNC YOUR CONTACTS - Easily find your contacts with the Garmin Messenger app and your compatible smartphone.
- SEAMLESS CONNECTION - Use Wi-Fi wireless technology or the cellular connection of your smartphone to send messages. Once you’re beyond mobile service or Wi-Fi connection, the device seamlessly switches to the satellite network.
- CONTROL REMOTELY - Send and receive text messages, or send an interactive SOS message remotely by connecting selected compatible Garmin products.
- GPS ACCURACY - The built-in antenna automatically acquires satellites to update your latitude and longitude positions. You’ll get global satellite reception in wooded, dense and remote locations.
- GARMIN SHARE - Easily share saved locations and courses with friends’ compatible Garmin devices.
- COLOUR TOUCHSCREEN - Tap and swipe through menus, and view photos on the 1.9″ intuitive colour touchscreen display.
- RUGGED DESIGN - Made to operate in extreme temperatures, this compact device is tough, durable, impact-resistant and water-rated to IP67.
- GARMIN WEATHER - Get weather reports and request forecasts for your destinations.
- TRACBACK® ROUTING - Use this feature to navigate back to where you started the same way you came.
- DIGITAL COMPASS - Get accurate bearings even while you are standing still.
- BATTERY THAT LASTS - The internal, rechargeable lithium battery gives you up to 350 hours with 10-minute inReach tracking and up to 95 hours in performance messaging mode.
- SECURE AND GO - Easily secure the device to your vest or pack with the included loop carabiner.
Specifications
- Weight: 127g
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 9.80 x 2.67 cm (2.16″ x 3.85″ x 1.05″)
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Display Type: Transflective colour MIP
- Display Size: 38.56 x 28.98 mm, 48.26 mm diagonal (1.52″ x 1.14,″ 1.9″ diagonal)
- Display Resolution: 306 x 230 pixels
Battery Life
- Up to 14 days at 10-minute tracking send interval with standard activity recording with full sky view
- Up to 4 days with moderate tree cover (default)
- Up to 5 days at 10-minute tracking send interval with high detail activity recording with full sky view
- Up to 2 days with moderate tree cover
- Up to 30 days at 30-minute tracking send interval with standard activity recording with full sky view
- Up to 10 days with moderate tree cover
- Up to 1 year when powered off
Material & Construction
- Water rating: IP67
- MIL-STD-810: Yes (thermal, shock, water); bare unit only
- Battery type: Rechargeable internal lithium-ion
