![]() What we like: Incredibly easy to use and the addition of cellular/Wi-Fi support. It’s the complete package for most, and it’s for good reason that we see the InReach Mini 2 being used in the field more than any other device here.Ī Close Second (for $120 Less) 2. It’s worth noting that unlike many offerings below, the Mini 2 can be used without a smartphone, which is a nice safety measure to have if your phone malfunctions or loses power. And with a recent firmware update, the Mini 2 is now compatible with Garmin’s new Messenger app for seamless communication between satellite, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks. Garmin recently updated the Mini to the “2”, which offers an improved battery life, expanded storage, higher resolution display, connection with a greater variety of satellite systems, and a more powerful USB-C connection. Tack on features like weather forecasting, location tracking and sharing, and maps and navigation via the Garmin Explore app, and the Mini 2 is the full package for most backcountry-goers. You get connection to the Iridium satellite network (widely accepted as the most reliable coverage), an impressive battery life, and a small display and relatively easy-to-learn interface that keep the Mini fully functional even if your smartphone bites the dust. At just 3.5 ounces, the Mini ties for the lightest device here (along with the Bivy Stick below), but it’s also one of the most capable. Most backcountry enthusiasts are looking for a streamlined, long-lasting satellite messenger that enables them to communicate from the comfort of their smartphone, and the Garmin inReach Mini 2 puts it all together better than most. What we don’t: Larger upfront cost than the options below. What we like: Lightweight, great battery life, and fully functional as a standalone device. Best Satellite Messenger for Organized Groups: ACR Electronics Bivy Stickīest Overall Satellite Messenger 1.Best Budget Satellite Messenger: ZOLEO Satellite Communicator.A Close Second (for $120 Less): Somewear Global Hotspot.Best Overall Satellite Messenger: Garmin inReach Mini 2.For more information, see our comparison table and buying advice. Below are our picks for the best satellite messengers of 2023, ranging from high-powered hotspots that pair with your smartphone to simple one-way messengers. In addition to their ability to send (and-most of the time-receive) messages, these devices tack on a range of other functions, including location sharing, GPS navigation, weather reporting, and more. For organizing a pick up, initiating a rescue, or just checking in, a satellite messenger has become our go-to means of staying connected in areas without cell service. We’re all for big adventures that take us off the grid, but it’s never a bad idea to have a way of getting in touch.
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