Satellite Messengers - Which is the best for hunting

[NIGHTHAWK]

What is your experience with Satellite Messengers? Been Thinking about getting a Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus or a Mini 2. Price point being the biggest consideration.

Any thoughts on the better option for these two?

Or a better choice in brand or type?

I realize these are subscription based for key features. I don't want something that is dependent on my iPhone.

Garmin simplified its personal inReach Consumer Plans into four monthly rolling tiers: Enabled ($7.99/mo), Essential ($14.99/mo), Standard ($29.99/mo), and Premium ($49.99/mo). Annual contracts are eliminated, a one-time ~$39.99 activation fee applies, and all options include 24/7 interactive emergency.

Fee Guidelines & Exceptions

• • New Devices: A standard $39.99 activation fee applies to new handheld satellite communicators.
  • Suspended Plans: Reactivating a plan that was put on a temporary suspension within a 12-month window carries no fee.
  • Smartwatches: First-time activations for Garmin watches featuring built-in inReach have their activation fee waived.
  • Canceled Plans: Completely canceling a subscription rather than suspending it means a new activation fee will apply if you start service again later.

 

[Mekaniks]

The Mini 3 will send pics. The mini 2 will not.

If you dont need to send pics the mini 2 will work for about 100 bucks less.

I have the original mini and the only thing stopping me from upgrading to the 3 is the upfront cost and I don't really need it send pics....

I have the Essential package because it allows me to do everything that I need.

I also have the a Garmin watch (Fenix 6) that I added several years ago, it did not cost me an activation fee at the time.

 

[revturbo9967]

I use an inreach mini 2. Works well enough when paired with phone. If I didn’t own it already I would go with the three, but I don’t see a need to upgrade at this point.

 

[wesheltonj]

Personally, I would not buy one. Communication is changing fast. Apple is working with Starlink for an IPhone on the Starlink network, that will be a satellite phone killer. It might even be a cellular phone killer too.

So far, I have not been anywhere in Africa where I did not have either in camp WiFi or Cellular data.

 

[Mekaniks]

Personally, I would not buy one. Communication is changing fast. Apple is working with Starlink for an IPhone on the Starlink network, that will be a satellite phone killer. It might even be a cellular phone killer too.

So far, I have not been anywhere in Africa where I did not have either in camp WiFi or Cellular data.

Thats a good point. It won't be long until cell towers are replaced by satellite service. They are almost there now

 

[K-man]

I have the mini 2. Have used it for many years. If I was starting today, probably wouldn't need one. Check into T-mobile, they have a plan where your phone picks up a satellite if no cell service available.

 

[Tgood1]

Tmobile is absolutely horrible

 

[MntMan82]

I have inreach on my garmin gps unit I use both here at home hunting and take it with me to Africa in the event camp wifi goes down etc. Plus the wife and kids like being able to pull up the map and see my tracks and just how much stalking I'm doing to Rum consumption Like others have said starlink and satellite tech is coming online quick and will probably make a lot of this obsolete in the next few years. I still like having my gps but that may be in part due to my career and the situations I find myself in on the side of a mountain from time to time trying to help rescue someone.

 

[wesheltonj]

Tmobile is absolutely horrible

That depends where you live. Sure AT&T and Verizon have more towers. Traveling overseas they beat the other two.

 

[BradR504]

i use a Spot X and have the unlimited plan. The Unit is $199.00 and $29.99 a month for unlimited ($35.69 with tax), its a $29.99 activation fee. I got it mainly for fishing out on the boat because there is no cell service in the marsh. I do use it hunting but i fish a lot more. It works great, i never have a problem sending or receiving messages. www.findmespot.com

Brad

 

[Tanks]

I have been using Garmin InReach+ for the last several years.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Primary reasons are for emergency use when there is no cell phone service, but I like the messaging capabilities . There’s times when we’re offshore fishing for tuna and have zero cell phone reception. Also hunting in the mountains where there is no cell phone service.

 

[revturbo9967]

Primary reasons are for emergency use when there is no cell phone service, but I like the messaging capabilities . There’s times when we’re offshore fishing for tuna and have zero cell phone reception. Also hunting in the mountains where there is no cell phone service.

any of the mini's work well for any of that. I've used mine everywhere and always works perfectly as long as I can see the sky

 

[Tanks]

One other thing. I had set my Garmin Inreach+ to track me so my mother, who was interested, could follow my tracks on the web site including waypoints of where I had shot all the animals, camps, water holes etc.. It allowed her to be with me on the hunt in a manner of speaking.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Garmin Inreach works well for location and messaging anywhere I have been in the world. For the small cost they are well worth it. Just activate service when you need it or change plan when you need more use.

I'm a T mobile customer and have participated in the satellite service, it is far from useable yet.

 

[Kalthoff]

What is your experience with Satellite Messengers? Been Thinking about getting a Garmin InReach Mini 3 Plus or a Mini 2. Price point being the biggest consideration.

What are your requirements?

Messaging:

1. Distress signalling
2. Daily "I am well, my position is 12.34 N 56.78 E" messages sent to a small number of friends & family
3. Send & receive a few short text messages per day
4. The occasional phonecall
5. Plenty of emails and phonecalls per day ie. "bring the office into the wilderness"

Geography:

• Will Iridium coverage and latency be suitable for your trips or shall we look at alternatives?
• Do you travel to countries that restrict satellite communication?

Zoleo
Personally I have been happy with the Canadian product Zoleo, it covers "messaging requirement" 1-3.

Zoleo uses the Iridium satellites or the local cellphone network depending on availability, switching automatically to save cost.

 

[CJNJ]

I have the Garmin Messenger Plus. Less expensive and smaller that the mini 3. Can send texts, photos, and voicemails. SOS of course. Where I hunt deer and bear there is no cell service.

 

[BAY]

Not sure about the new gens but my first gen InReach works just fine with my iphone to text. Most of my hunting is solo, so it stays on me when in the backcountry.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I bought the Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus. On sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse for $399 and I got $40 off through a promotional code. Delivery date is Sept 18th…

 

[Safari Dave]

An iPhone 14 or newer will send satellite text when cellular service is unavailable.

About Messages via satellite - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 or later, you can send iMessages or SMS messages via satellite when you’re off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

support.apple.com