The maps on inReach were largely useless. Offline maps on the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Predecessor to the Garmin 970 have more details. There are also no turn-by-turn notifications, like when you enter the Fenix, only a notification if you go out within 50 meters. After a while, I stopped following my route on the inReach Mini 3 Plus.
Beyond live tracking and SOS emergency tools, satellite messaging is InReach’s most important tool. Amplification is a big step forward. Typing messages on a touch screen is too complicated. So for anything other than a preset and specific quick message, it’s very easy to record a quick 30-second voice. Alternatively, you can use the Garmin Messenger app on your phone to type out longer messages and transmit them via Bluetooth to the InReach via satellite. I found that incredibly handy for long missives.
Voice messages are also transcribed for the benefit of recipients in Garmin Messenger, just like replies delivered to you on the InReach Mini 3 Plus. It’s also very easy to take a photo on your phone and send it via Messenger, although sometimes it took a simple text message with a photo up to 10 minutes to send via satellite. Instantly it is not.
Staying Strong
When it comes to battery life, the Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus claims 55 hours using messaging functionality and two-minute location updates. That lasts up to 350 hours in low-power messaging with 10-minute tracking intervals. In testing, I set tracking for 10-minute intervals with the screen at 75 percent brightness and a 15-second timeout. I set the messaging in active mode with GPS on multiple band systems. I also had navigation going and sent a moderate amount of messages.
The 80-mile trip took a total of 51 hours, and I left the inReach on while I slept. I left Florence with 97 percent battery life and arrived in Bologna with 29 percent remaining after a total of 21.5 hours of live tracking and navigation. The overnight burn was pretty high, but obviously you can save some juice by turning on the auto shut-off feature. Or just turn off the device. Plus it is very fast to charge. I fully charged the battery for more than an hour.
Overall, the Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus is an excellent satellite tracker. It’s well-designed, easy to use, and tough enough and compact enough for long adventures. It also has a suite of security and messaging tools that give you complete peace of mind.
However, when you consider the purchase price, activation fee and small monthly payments, it’s a great investment. The InReach Mini 3 Plus is worth the higher price tag than the Mini 2, but it’s probably only worth it if you’re frequently exploring away from cellular network. Alternatively, a combination of your smartphone and a good sports watch that provides live tracking may be all the backup you need.
