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Using inReach Mini 2 without a cellphone

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Hello. 

I was recently given an inReach Mini 2 that has never been activated.  We have an upcoming trip to Utah and plan on visiting some of the parks there where I know cell service simply does not exist.  I mention this as I mainly want the inReach Mini 2 for emergency communication if the need should arise but if there are other features on the device that could be useful, I would try and utilize those as well. 

From what I have read thus far, it appears I can use the inReach Mini 2 without my cell phone.  If I were to activate it now, can I get familiar with the device without running up any charges on the account?  When I read the info at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/837461/ about the plans available for this device, it appears that just about anything one does on the inReach Mini 2 has a cost associated with it.  

Can I activate an inReach Mini 2 on a home computer (and not involved a cell phone at all)?  

It appears that it may be wise to activate (and use for a month) on the Essential plan to learn how to use (and how I might use) the Mini 2 and then drop back to the Enabled plan if my needs better align with that plan.  Is that possible with Garmin subscriptions?  The info on the web page noted above says this is the case, but I would like to verify this info is still current and correct. 

Also, is the subscription pausing still an option?  That would really help me justify a subscription if I am allowed the ability to turn the device on / off as travel needs demand. 

 

Thanks for any ideas offered. 

  • 0

    It’s possible to change between plans. When upgrading to a higher plan, the change happens immediately. Downgrading happens at the end of your billing cycle (30 day period).

    Pausing is also possible, it’s called the Suspend plan. You won’t have to pay a monthly fee and you can still use SOS messaging with your device. Note that you can suspend up to 12 consecutive months, after that your subscription gets cancelled and you will need to resubscribe and pay the activation fee.

    Personally I only switch to the Essential or Standard plan when on holidays. The rest of the year it’s on Suspend.

    You should be able to activate your subscription via the web without an app. Go to explore.garmin.com and follow the steps as explained on https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Vl2TAPXskn5Bvm12FzZ5u7 under Activating an inReach Subscription on the Garmin Explore Website.

    But I find using the Messenger app easier and you can use the inReach functions via the Messenger app paired to your Mini 2 even if you don’t have internet access.

    If it’s a second hand device, make sure the previous owner removed it from his/her subscription and reset the device. If there’s still an active subscription linked to the device, you won’t be able to activate yours.

  • 0

    Thanks for that info JungleJim - the usage pattern you describe is increasingly sounding like a good match for our needs!

  • 0

    It sounds like you're just asking if you can use it on a particular outing without a cell phone or without cell signal coverage? The answer is definitely yes. It's pretty awkward to type messages with the buttons though. It is scrolling through the alphabet to choose one letter at a time until it can offer a "predicted" word based on its internal dictionary.

    Also, if you setup the Messenger app there is an additional "suspended with SOS" option. Unlike "enabled" it doesn't support pay-as-you-go usage, but the core SOS feature is supposed to work. From what I've read, this one also auto-enables rather than auto-cancels at the end of 12 months if you fail to take action. Without this app, you can only do the original "suspended" option that does not support SOS.

    I think it is easier to use the device long term with a paired phone app to manage the device, e.g. sync data and handle firmware updates. It may be possible to use it completely standalone, never paired with a phone, but I think that is so far from the supported and documented path that it could be difficult.

    I manage mine the slightly old fashioned way. I activated via the website and never adopted the Messenger app. But, I do use the Explore mobile app to manage firmware updates and to sync courses and recorded tracks, as well as to view the offline Topo maps.