Inreach Mini not reliably transmitting via satelllite.

The conventional wisdom is that the M1 and M2 should be carried high on your shoulder - for example, on a pack strap. Lower on your body really means that at least half the sky is blocked by your body.

There are several reasons why a Mini might not successfully send track points.

a) Obstructed sky view. A pocket is not the ideal place for a Mini. Like any iR device, the Minis are subject to the usual sky view issues - for example, not good in narrow canyons. If this is the problem, you should see a warning about "unsent data" when you power down. If you can get a clear sky view at that point, you can delay power-down until everything is sent. This will update the map on the web site - but all in one burst.

b) Lack of a GPS fix. I am not sure how the Minis handle this. Some iR devices just skip points for which there is no fix. The Minis are notorious for slow acquisition and re-acquisition. Anecdotally, I once carried a Mini in my hand, at my side, with antenna protruding between thumb and forefinger for 15 minutes WITHOUT acquiring a fix. The solution to this problem is to be sure that the unit has a clear sky view.

c) The device is standing still. Regardless of your "send interval" setting, the device automatically falls back to send at 4 hour intervals when the device is stationary. For example, even if you are set for 10 minute intervals, the unit will NOT transmit every 10 minutes if you are standing still (for example, lunch stop or camping for the night). The unit continues to check for motion (moved a sufficiently long distance, whatever that is) at the set interval (every 10 minutes in the example). 

d) Hardware problem.

Note - the "logged points" (at one minute intervals in your example) are NOT transmitted via the Iridium network. They do not leave the device until you sync. Your family should not be looking for these detailed points.

Bottom line: Try carrying the device in a better position. Keep moving. If points are not sent in this situation, open a support ticket (as you may have a hardware problem). As an additional test, check for an unsent data warning when you power down.

Thank you!  Yep, I understand the logged points don't transmit via sat - I'm not expecting that.  On my most recent ride, the Inreach stopped transmitting waypoints about halfway through a 90 minute ride, and I never got an "unsent data" message.  I'm gonna go with the obstructed view theory and do some experimenting.  Thank you!

I can certainly confirm as main reason the b) part in twolpert text

Mini is rather complicated when it comes to gps fix. Often it works when we do not expect it to, but mostly it somehow stops working when it should. Then it takes sometimes long time make fix. Recently, I was underway with Mini and it lost fix and was not able to find itself until I switched it off and on again.

Note also that unsent items you will get only when such item was created, meaning having a gps fix at least so track point could be created. In such case, even nice Iridium satellite in view will not help.

twolpert said:

The Minis are notorious for slow acquisition and re-acquisition. Anecdotally, I once carried a Mini in my hand, at my side, with antenna protruding between thumb and forefinger for 15 minutes WITHOUT acquiring a fix.

skyeye said:

Mini is rather complicated when it comes to gps fix. Often it works when we do not expect it to, but mostly it somehow stops working when it should. Then it takes sometimes long time make fix.

I assume your experiences are with the inReach Mini.

The inReach Mini 2 is fast and stable on acquiring position fix. As good as the latest iPhone.   

I have seen similar problems with the M2. All of my experience is anecdotal. No scientific basis. 

I will say that the M2 seems a bit better. But still not up to par with full-sized iR devices.