InReach Mini pay to track?

In general, iR devices (including the Mini) are intended as emergency communication devices. Different devices have different features for recording your "track", as well as for navigation. But the main intent is emergency communications.

Real-time track logging ("sent points", the ones you pay for on your plan) are part of the safety feature. These are sent via the Iridium network in near real-time. The are sent at fairly wide intervals. Low end depends on your plan. Might be as low as 2 minutes, or as high as 10. 

Local tracking ("logged points", aka "activity recording" in ever-changing Garmin parlance, which you do not pay for) do not leave the device (or, at least, the device/phone app combination) until you sync. These are the ones most likely to be useful for recording your track. The available recording intervals vary wildly depending on the device. I do not remember details, especially for M1 vs. M2 devices.

The point here is that you do not need to pay for "activity logging" PROVIDED your device allows you to enable it WITHOUT also enabling sent points.

One of the reasons I purchased the mini was the SOS function in case of an emergency. While that feature is reserved for "emergencies", I also need utility out of my GPS device, such as route tracking without having to pay for individua tracking points.

I cover a lot of ground during a day of riding single track on motorcycles so it's fairly easy to get XX+ miles out on uncharted trails and need to have a reliable source of navigation. This is where route tracking is a necessity. I like to log my routes so I know where I have been. Unfortunately, I spent an entire day mapping "waypoints" and was unable to log any of my routes.

Is there a video or link to show how to use the log feature. The inreach is so popular that any search brings up thousands of results and shows mostly reviews.

A good place to start is always here: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/

Select your device and explore the knowledge base articles in various categories. Also, see the "Search other topics" category. And the manual.

To the specifics here, the M1 retains the ability to select a Send Interval of "Never" and any of the available log intervals (fixed time intervals). This allows you to log without sending - so you can record the more detailed on-board-only track without charging anything against your plan.

Every device is different. For example, the M2 does allow you to log without sending. But you cannot set a specific time interval for the logged points. You are limited to "standard" or "high detail" - which means the device decides when to log a point. I suspect this has something to do with the lack of "extended tracking" on the M2. But it's just a guess.

The more capable iR devices (for example, the 66i and the 7x0i) have really complicated interactions between sending and logging. These tend to make it more difficult to log with out sending - but you can do it.

Return the MINI and get a Mini 2, far superior for tracking and navigation with a real compass.