cheesewithout

Thought be a good THT question. Which one of these is the best one? Mini, Se, explorer see all these different ones so I thought I'd ask....

Lucky777

I have a mini it was the only one available at the time due to covid. Works great

caltexflanc

They are really nice devices, but I hope you have an EPIRB or PLB for emergencies. The texting feature and ability for someone on shore to visually track where you are is fantastic I'd go with the GPSMap 86 version given the nominal price difference.

capehorn

I have the mini and I use the app on my phone to do the text and it works great. This is not a replacement for the EPIRB but away to communicate with family as I am sure you are aware of.

Luddy6140

I recently abandoned my globstar satphone for the Explorer Inreach. Satphone was nice to have for communications but the easy of texting and the ability to start offshore group info has been amazingly helpful. Wife can track my locations and text me thru the Mapshare website. I have buddies that will up date me with water conditions, weather, and current reports. The fact you can stop youre subscription after the season is a great feature. I went with the Explorer cause Bass Pro was having a sale and it was only 50 dollars more than the mini. 349 compared to 299.

Dhirsh

I have the SE. Bought it several years back and it works great with my iphone for texting and sending email.

Supergumby5000

The mini does everything I need it to. Pretty slick little device, easy to use.

MiamiJay

I have the Explorer and it has been great to use across the Gulf Stream, throughout GB, Abaco, Eleuthera and Berry Islands. It has more features than the Mini but once synced with my iPhone, I don't use those features and do all my text messaging from my phone. Eitehr device will send periodic updates of your location for sharing with those back home. I also have an Iridium Extreme 9575 and thought I would use that to check in but so much easier to use the inReach and text message.


Halfway from Lucayan Waterway to Mangrove Cay

fishin mogul

Are you able to text a short video to your mini and see it on your iphone when offshore with the mini?

William OBrien

I have the explorer and love it. My lady comes with me every time I go out so we have it mostly in case we need to communicate with someone.

Beanctr

You can't post a video on the inreach. I have the regular explorer, without the charts, I take it on offshore sailing trips. Its nice to have a personal text device that the whole boat is not using.
You can text on the unit but its best to text from your phone. That being the case I guess the Mini would be fine. Rick

garagetechnik

If you have Garmin chartplotters buy the InReach Mini.

I bought the Explorer+ and didn't realize that the more expensive unit didn't have the same antenna as the less expensive mini so it will not pair with the chartplotter. Not a huge deal, but it would be nice to have them work in unison.

Regardless, for the price they are an essential piece of equipment in my opinion. As others have said, I think a PLB or EPIRB is necessary and also carry one of those in my ditch bag, but the InReach is great when I am out of cell range and want to let the wife know all is well.

Aix_Sponsa

Another InReach Mini user here. Connect it to my phone to be able to text with wife as needed. She likes being able to see my track on the map. I also use the InReach Mini when hunting out west.

Classic25

inReach Se+ user here. Started with the Delorne inReach before Garmin bought them. Capability of the two is very similar. The SE+ is a little less cumbersome to text with than the mini if you don't have a cell phone to pair it with, or the (more likely) event the cell battery dies without a way to recharge it. I've used mine all over the place and like the slightly larger frame of the SE+. I'd probably lose the mini!

Riptide

86 SCI tons of vey cool features

tsite

i use the in reach mini also works great.i leave it in my pocket and if someone text me it comes through my chart plotter. i use my iPhone to send text.i like it also for when my son fishes offshore i can track him and communicate with him through text.also carry sat phone and epirb

MajSchaefer

I bought the Explorer, but could have just gotten the Mini as I don’t use any of the extra Explorer features anyway.

All of my texts are sent thru my phone.

tazztoo

Inreach Mini paired with Garmin 7607 GPS. I run a single engine boat up to 75 miles offshore and feel safer having communication should something happen.

offsethooker

I have the inreach se and ,it’s a great feeling when your 50 miles offshore and I can check I with the wife. I send her a text and she reply’s back in under a min.

Mak232

same here, wife’s 35 miles inland from the coast and keeps us up to date if afternoon storms are popping up inland before even get to the coast or offshore. Just great to let home know you might be late but are OK, and hooked up or stil fishing and may be late coming back in. Works great and extra piece of mind and another safety factory in our arsenal