I'm a professional hiker here are 3 reasons you should take advantage of Garmin's new one-year free inReach offer and consider buying a pocket communicator

Date:
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Description:
Garmin's inReach communicators allow you to stay connected both to nature
and your family back home.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Garmin made a massive U-turn this week when it announced that Garmin inReach users who suspend their subscriptions will receive free SOS access for up to 12 months.

Garmin inReach is a service which allows you to signal emergency services and send two-way messages without mobile service. This can be done from some of the best Garmin watches like the Fenix 8 Pro, Quatix 8 Pro or D2 Mach Pro 2, or more affordably on one of Garmins dedicated inReach pocket-sized satellite communicators, such as my inReach Mini 2 pictured above. Only the sender
needs the inReach device, as others can receive messages and reply via SMS, email or the Garmin Messenger app. The service also provides GPS navigation, location tracking and weather updates. As an outdoor and travel journalist,
my inReach Mini 2 comes with me on all of my backcountry adventures Ive
taken it to Everest Base Camp, the Swiss Alps and on three long-distance trails through remote sections of the UK over the last year. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

Previously, users had to hold an active subscription costing anywhere from $7.99 / 7.99 to $49.99 / 49.99 a month to send SOS alerts, which drives up
the price of Garmin's already-expensive smartwatches and pocket
communicators. With over 10,000 SOS alerts from inReach devices each year,
the move reveals the increasing pressure to stay competitive against brands such as Apple and Google , as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Google Pixel Watch
4 both allow device users to contact emergency services via satellite when theyre out of signal.

This news means big savings you could, in theory, only pay for one month a year now, or even suspend the service during the free trial and still get SOS connectivity and makes the dedicated Garmin inReach devices a more appealing buy for outdoorsy types. But with these devices starting at $249.99 / 249.99, you might also be wondering if you cant just rely on your phone instead. You may like I asked over 1,000 Garmin users what they thought of the last year
of Garmin's Connect+ premium tier One year after Garmin's divisive Connect+ launch, how do you feel about it? Weve tested the best Garmin watches through runs, rides and workouts to show which ones are worth your money.

Here Ive shared three things I really like about my Garmin inReach subscription and my inReach Mini 2, plus one I dont, to help you make up your mind. That price tag is a lot more palatable when you get a years worth of
SOS messages for free. 1. Peace of mind My favourite adventures take me well off the grid, over days or weeks at a time, and Im usually alone. The wilderness can be a dangerous place, and while Ive never got myself into a situation I couldnt get out of, theres always a chance I could break an ankle or pick up a bacterial infection that could render me immobile miles from the nearest town. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me
with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Yes, I have a Google Pixel 9 Pro in my pocket and here in the UK, that now means I can send a text via satellite. But like Apples service, thats currently only available in select countries (North America, Western Europe and Australia), whereas Garmins reach spans the entire globe.

Knowing that as long as Im conscious, Ill be able to call for help with the simple press of a button really does give me peace of mind and more
confidence in the wild. 2. Keeping in touch Hiking is about getting off screens and back to nature for me, but because I tend to travel solo, I love being able to keep in touch with family and friends no matter what. What to read next Garmin Tactix 8 review: Bringing military-grade tech to the elite adventurer I swapped my phone for a cycle computer after a crash but a tiny, underrated device was the real safety upgrade The 'powerhouse' The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is on sale now

In the Himalayas, I sent an excited text to my editor when I met the son of the famous Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay in a Buddhist monastery, and my parents appreciated being able to track my progress over the 11 days using
the MapShare web feature.

When I arrived at an alpine hut in the Alps last summer to discover there was no WiFi, I was still able to check in with my partner and parents, letting them know all was well. Sometimes, its frivolous, but I enjoy being able to stay a little connected and share my adventures in the moment, while not
being able to access my full suite of apps. (Image credit: Future / Julia Clarke) 3. Staying power I use my phone and my Garmin Fenix 8 watch a lot
more than my inReach device, but those devices both have limited battery
life, and if I do have an accident, they could easily end up with shattered screens. The inReach device is a hardy piece of equipment thats got real staying power.

The inReach just bounces when I drop it onto rocks from height, thanks to rugged materials like impact-resistant polymer, chemically strengthened glass and shock-absorbing rubber buttons. With a waterproof rating of IPX7, it can sit in a pool of water up to a metre deep for up to 30 minutes and still
work.

Its also got an incredible battery life. If I were using it constantly, Id
get 14 days between charges, but since I only occasionally turn mine on, I
can go months (though I check it before every outing). I never have to worry about carrying a portable charger, running out of juice or finding an electrical outlet on my travels. What I don't love: Tedious texting on the inReach Mini 2 The only thing I dont love about most inReach devices, such as my Mini 2, is that it isnt as easy to type a message on as your phone. I have to use arrows to scroll up and down through the alphabet and select each letter; its like searching for a YouTube video on a smart TV, except the screen is tiny. Its not a dealbreaker, and I can get around it by using the Garmin Explore app on my phone, but it is a tedious task.

That said, the Mini 3 has solved this problem with a full keyboard on the touchscreen, so if all of this has convinced you to take the plunge, it may
be worth going with the latest tech. Garmin InReach deals 225.98 at Amazon (Black) 230.07 at Amazon (Orange) 232.43 at Amazon 234 at Amazon (Orange) Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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