offshorebri

A few questions......they both can use earthmate, the mini is obviously smaller. The se has the screen. Can either link up with the 8600 series mfds? If size didn’t matter which is preferred for strictly marine use? The mini is 50 bucks more locally? What am I missing?

Vitalsigns

I have a mini that links with a 1242 xsv so I'm sure it would link with any 8600 series, I get notifications on it , the map is on my phone, as well as all of the controls, I'm not sure that having a small map screen would be helpful for navigation in the event of MFD failure, I'm happy with a compass to get me home.

Buttapollock1010

I use the explore +. In my ditch bag. I like the screen feature in the event your in the water phones may be bad..... I don’t sync the unit up to the GPS. Using the Bluetooth to my phone it a lot easier/faster to text. Very good piece of mind when your running far offshore and able to keep in touch. Best of luck.

mfeen1

mini and 86sci and 86i are the only models that link up to compatible Garmin displays..

melnic

I totally prefer being able to use it w/o any other device in an emergency. Although I have a PLB but being able to text back and forth while floating in the water would be a big deal.for me.

spearfish25

I use the explorer se+. Also wanted the stand alone screen ability.

Captinlon

I bought the se with the screen, just because its nice to be able to use it as a stand alone, if problems arise. I have it linked to iphone and havnt bothered to try my plotter. Text show on on my 1042 from iphone anyway.

Clamcove23

Just got the explorer +
even though it’s the “big” one it’s still very small.
its an amazing piece of equipment!
really not that expensive if you consider what it provides
$60 a month is nothing if you own any boat.
ive been telling everyone I know about it
surprisingly nobody has really heard about it
or at least never quite understood what it does.
i use it a lot, only bad thing is now wife is texting me all day when I’m out fishing!!

dcgator

My mini will link simultaneously to my 8616’s and my phone. Messages pop up on my 8616 and can reply using the app on my phone. All while the mini stays in a compartment beneath my helm seat.

Lemonbayboating

Good info been thinking of getting one myself and i did see on my garmins the inreach tab

Vitalsigns

I just received the RAM mount with a suction cup today and it's very nice, I can attach it to the dash in a clear spot and keep it plugged in.

jimmydkid

SE will not link up with Garmin, just updated the software and tried. could not get to work, called Garmin and they confirmed, no go

MiamiJay

No need to link them with Garmin plotters. Much more important to have it link with your phone which means you can use your phone to text message all day long and never even touch the inReach. To me, it does no good to have the text messages show up on your plotters if you still need your phone to text.

Just wondering ... if text messages and alerts show up on my Garmin 7612s, I think that they still would show up on the plotter if using the inReach to the iPhone.