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Garmin InReach Mini: SOS, SMS, Tracking

At 2.04 by 3.90 by 1.0 inches and weighing 3.5 ounces, this thing is tiny. Check that against the Explorer+, which is 2.7 by 6.5 by 1.5 inches and weighs 7.5 ounces. Its a good thing the Mini comes with a carabiner clip (and a spine mount adapter) because if it falls under a seat or in a tight, dark space, finding it could be a challenge. Its durable, though, and fits nicely in the hand.

Larry Anglisano
Verified

When we looked at Garmin’s $499 Iridium-based inReach Explorer+ satellite communicator/tracker in the May 2017 Aviation Consumer, we thought it was nearly the right size for use both inside and outside of the cockpit. But we didn’t think the extra $100 for the preloaded topo maps and compass was worth it for cockpit use. Many pilots already have plenty of mapping capability on a tablet and on a panel navigator.

Now Garmin has the $349 inReach Mini, a repackaged version of the full-size device that literally fits in the palm of the hand, or comfortably in a shirt pocket. If you can live without onscreen mapping, we think it’s the better choice for basic cabin messaging and belt-and-suspender SOS capability.

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.