inReach Mini 3 Plus - Recent Threads

RE: How large is a large collection to sync

GEOTALIAN — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:36:51 GMT

Thank you for the information and the link.

How large is a large collection to sync

GEOTALIAN — Wed, 13 May 2026 02:34:45 GMT

I have Migrated from a GPS MAP 64ST.

I synced to Garmin Explore , I have 200 waypoints and 31 courses (GPX tracks)

In the sync setting it has a big triangle saying Sync large amounts of data is slow.

Whats is the limit of being considered large?

Sync seems to take a while and Im not sure how to manage my collection.

RE: How large is a large collection to sync

JungleJim — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:45:11 GMT

According to Setting a Collection to Sync Using the Garmin Explore App Garmin considers the following as possibly too large to sync:
"Collections containing over 100 waypoints, 20 routes, 5 tracks, or a track with over 10,000 points may be too large to sync with your device and are marked with a yellow warning icon."

As for managing collections, the way it works is that you can create collections to which you can add items (waypoints, courses, etc). In Explore app you can then select to either synchronize all collections, or synchronize a selection of collections. If you choose the latter, only the items of the selected collections are synced to your device.

The support article I linked to explains how to set this up.

RE: Swimming with the M3+

Cargotourercommuter — Wed, 06 May 2026 11:41:48 GMT

I think dcrainmaker did.

Swimming with the M3+

ninjod — Tue, 05 May 2026 22:32:26 GMT

Has anyone used the M3plus to track a open water swim? Either in swim hat or tow float?

Regards

Paul

M3+ + bike mount + loop carabiner + spine mount adapter

Volker — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:08:48 GMT

I bought the new, necessary bike mount (€ 17,99 including shipping costs), and the new spine mount adapter (€ 22,99 including shipping costs). I don't know if I'll use the M3+ mounted on my handlebars very often, but I was curious to see what it looks like. The spine adapter attaches to the M3+ with a screw, and you can then attach the loop carabiner to it if needed. The spine mount adapter itself weighs 12 grams, and the loop carabiner weighs 14,5 grams, the M3+ weights 126 gramms, so the total weight of the three components is 152,5 grams. I think I'm too lazy to unscrew the adapter and it will stay permanently at the device.Here are a few pictures:

A nice little detail on the bike mount: when you slide the device onto the bike mount, the movable part marked 1 locks and secures the device. To remove it, you have to press the lever (marked 2).

RE: M3+ + bike mount + loop carabiner + spine mount adapter

Cargotourercommuter — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:44:54 GMT

I bought the mount in anticipation of buying the h1i plus back before I realised how buggy and dim it was.

I have since moved on to an edge 850, and I have decided that an inreach mini 3 will be in my future.

I did consider mounting it to the handlebars, but the reality is that I have miles of tubing it can fit onto (frame and a rack that is made from 30mm tubes).the bike is an omnium cargo, if you look it up, it will be very clear.

So, I will get the spine mount adaptor as well as the carabiner when I purchase the mini 3 this summer.

RE: M3+ + bike mount + loop carabiner + spine mount adapter

Volker — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:08:06 GMT

[quote userid="20773" url="~/outdoor-recreation/inreach/f/inreach-mini-3-plus/427661/m3-bike-mount-loop-carabiner-spine-mount-adapter"] I don't know if I'll use the M3+ mounted on my handlebars very often,[/quote]

In four months I've only used it twice on the handlebars, not because it was necessary, but rather because I already have the mount. So, actually not necessary for me...

RE: M3+ + bike mount + loop carabiner + spine mount adapter

8951519 — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:41:35 GMT

Check out Etsy. There is a bike mount, belt clip and attachment for vertical backpack straps etc.

RE: inReach Mini 3 Plus software.5.04

geoffmurray — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:13:35 GMT

yes mine has too now 🙂

inReach Mini 3 Plus software.5.04

geoffmurray — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:12:05 GMT

I saw a post about new software for the Mini 3 Plus. Has anyone been able to update yet as mine on 5.03 still says no updates.

RE: inReach Mini 3 Plus software.5.04

W7GES — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:00:09 GMT

My update just downloaded and installed a few minutes ago. April 2, 2026

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

W7GES — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:48:23 GMT

Thanks. Works great.

Picture send directly to email or SMS

1710479 — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:08:26 GMT

The requirement that recipients have the Garmin app installed is ridiculous.

This is a huge limiting factor what otherwise seems like a great feature. The people I want to be able to send to are multiple family members or friends who are not technical.

Now forcing them to install ANOTHER app just to receive messages from me is a huge pain in the rear.

So far having buyers remorse with something I just unboxed and paid extra for which now seems like a feature I will never be able to effectively use without INCONVENIENCING the recipients.

This needs to be addressed.

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

7669645 — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:27:28 GMT

..And i am not sure if anyone is really interested in or if it is even a useful idea it, but I have played around with making a simple web client for Garmin messenger, based on the same framework. Early days, and not everything is reliable yet, but being able to send/receive text & media does work now for now.. But it has only been tested a little bit. But it could definitely use a bit more polishing. Easy to deploy with docker and a reverse proxy github.com/.../gm-webclient. Will implement web push notifications properly, it is only half working now. People don't have to install a new app to use it, and you can access it from a browser.. But it's early days and might break if you hold it the wrong way.

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

7669645 — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:26:00 GMT

It's a yaml list i think

forwarding:
  default_recipients:
    - "alice@example.com"
    - "bob@example.com"
    - "charlie@example.com"

RE: inReach Mini 3 Plus software.5.04

JungleJim — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:46:53 GMT

Garmin rolls out software updates in stages, so it can take a bit of time before you get offered the update. It can take a couple of days.

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

W7GES — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:53:40 GMT

Forgot to mention... The IMAP reply works great as well.

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

W7GES — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:28:51 GMT

Works Great! Setting up SMTP was much more difficult than setting up garmin-messenger-relay

How are the multiple email addresses added to the config.yaml file? separate with a space and quotes? comma?

Thanks again!

InReach Mini 3 Plus Software v5.04

Garmin-Christopher — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:48:50 GMT

Change Log

Fixed potential issue with messages not being delivered

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

W7GES — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:22:15 GMT

I just created a new dedicated gmail account and added the app password. Now I'll create the Garmin Messenger ID and install / configure SMTP and IMAP on the server. I forgot my Mini3 at home so no testing until I head home from work!

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

7669645 — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:14:44 GMT

Most elegant to just have a dedicated mailbox for it, i think! I just tested it with a new gmail address, and that works well

RE: Picture send directly to email or SMS

W7GES — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:39:19 GMT

I loaded your Docker image on my linux server and set up the config file.

I did not have SMTP running on that server so I will need to configure it.

I have noticed that when my email client downloads the messages to my phone they show up as read messages because the garmin-relay application has "read" them. I will create a new email address and use another phone number for this process so this doesn't happen.

It looks like it will work well! Thanks!

RE: FYI, inReach Iridium vs iPhone Globalstar coverage

Cargotourercommuter — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:20:01 GMT

Yup, hence why I don't use anything other than iridium. I do a lot travel in Scandinavia (I live here), and other constellations just aren't there.

Iridium has the coverage. It also covers Africa. Iridium has true global coverage.

There is also another reason I use iridium over, say, Spot/globalstar etc: It actually works. The others are hit and miss, The conditions have to be just-so for them to work.

I don’t have an inreach mini 3 yet, but an old mini 2, and have used iridium go and iridium go exec quite a lot (not on my bike).

FYI, inReach Iridium vs iPhone Globalstar coverage

GreenSub — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:53:33 GMT

A friend is going on a photo safari in South Africa this November and stated he would use his iPhone’s satellite feature in an emergency. I suggested an inReach Mini 3 Plus. So I googled it and the iPhone is not a good option in that location of the world.

Iridium offers true global coverage (including poles) with 66 satellites and superior reliability for remote, worldwide use. Globalstar provides better voice quality and lower costs, but with limited coverage (+/-70° latitude) primarily in developed regions. Iridium is ideal for maritime/extreme environments, while Globalstar suits North American land users.

Key Comparisons

- Coverage: Iridium has 66 satellites providing 100% global coverage, including the poles, according to The Motley Fool. Globalstar coverage is limited to roughly +/-70 degrees latitude, with stronger performance in North America and Europe.

Reliability: Iridium uses inter-satellite links, meaning satellites talk to each other to maintain, say Fierce Network. Globalstar uses "bent-pipe" technology, requiring a direct line of sight to a ground station, explains this YouTube video.
Voice Quality: According to users in this HuntingBC.ca forum thread, Globalstar often provides clearer audio than Iridium.
Devices: Iridium uses rugged, military-standard handsets. Globalstar is known for SPOT emergency devices and powering the Apple iPhone 14+ SOS feature