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BluegrassPicker 80.8K Views
Nov 13, 2020 5:53 PM

Costco Members: Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator Bundle

$250

$350

28% off
+ Free Shippingat Costco Wholesale
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Costco Wholesale has for their Members: Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator Bundle for $249.99. Shipping is free. Thanks USAman.

Bundle includes: Backpack Tether and Free Month of Satellite Airtime

Various Retailers have Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator for $249.99. Shipping is free.

Available at:Features: (Specs)
  • Dimensions: 4" x 2"
  • Weight:3.5 oz
  • Messages, SOS alerts and tracking are transferred via the global Iridium satellite network (satellite subscription required)
  • Internal, rechargeable lithium battery gives up to 50 hours of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode (battery life may vary depending on settings)
  • Rugged, impact resistant and water-rated to IPX73

Editor's Notes

Written by CChoiVA
Valid until 11/30 or while supplies last.

Original Post

Written by BluegrassPicker
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Costco Wholesale has for their Members: Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator Bundle for $249.99. Shipping is free. Thanks USAman.

Bundle includes: Backpack Tether and Free Month of Satellite Airtime

Various Retailers have Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator for $249.99. Shipping is free.

Available at:Features: (Specs)
  • Dimensions: 4" x 2"
  • Weight:3.5 oz
  • Messages, SOS alerts and tracking are transferred via the global Iridium satellite network (satellite subscription required)
  • Internal, rechargeable lithium battery gives up to 50 hours of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode (battery life may vary depending on settings)
  • Rugged, impact resistant and water-rated to IPX73

Editor's Notes

Written by CChoiVA
Valid until 11/30 or while supplies last.

Original Post

Written by BluegrassPicker

Community Voting

Deal Score
+65
Good Deal
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Top Comments

shoulda2
1.1KComments
291Reputation
For those who don't know what this is, it's a two way satellite communication device , virtually 100% of the planet is covered with this device. It's a very popular device in backpacking circles for people that go way out past cell signal land as a safety / communication device.

What it can do..
- Allows you to send messages via the device or your phone paired with bluetooth
- Allows tracking / checkins... useful for loved ones at home that want to check your progress on a trail, they can request your location from the web portal and it pings the device.
- SOS option you can use as an emergency "911" device, even in the middle of BFE
- There are some limited trail marking / navigation options on the device, it's good for maybe set a waypoint at your car and be able to navigate back that way if you get too far off track, or your deer stand etc.

You will need a subscription either monthly or annual, I personally think the monthly is a better value. It's like a 20% premium or so, but I only backpack once every month and some of the trails I know have good cell coverage so wouldn't need on those so plan on only using this device 2-3 months out of the year ( which if I NEED it one time it pays for itself ).
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hkmakes
31Comments
36Reputation
Starlink and Iridium aren't exactly apples to apples. One is high power, high bandwidth. Starlink can replace existing Iridium use-cases like yachts, offshore drilling rigs, etc. You wouldn't be able to use the service in a small handheld with long battery life. Kinda like Wi-Fi versus Bluetooth. Similar idea, different uses, different requirements.
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USAman
22.4KComments
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Here are links to reviews of the inReach mini that I've bookmarked during my research, and some have comparisons to the SpotX:

https://hikingguy.com/hiking-gear...ni-review/
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/re...reach-mini
https://www.rei.com/blog/news/whi...ld-you-get
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/re...con/spot-x
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75 Comments

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Nov 13, 2020 9:24 PM
31 Comments
Joined Jan 2017
hkmakesNov 13, 2020 9:24 PM
31 Comments

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Quote from timp View quoted comment :
Are these going to be obsolete once Starlink completes deployment? With their beta unlimited internet at $100/mo, it seems like they should be able to offer a satellite messaging service for next to nothing.
Starlink and Iridium aren't exactly apples to apples. One is high power, high bandwidth. Starlink can replace existing Iridium use-cases like yachts, offshore drilling rigs, etc. You wouldn't be able to use the service in a small handheld with long battery life. Kinda like Wi-Fi versus Bluetooth. Similar idea, different uses, different requirements.
1
1
Nov 13, 2020 9:25 PM
1.4K Comments
Joined Dec 2008
JLee50Nov 13, 2020 9:25 PM
1.4K Comments
Quote from lainghk View quoted comment :
What are the airtime plans after the initial free month?
https://discover.garmin.com/en-US.../personal/
Nov 13, 2020 9:43 PM
12 Comments
Joined Jul 2017
schoolisfunNov 13, 2020 9:43 PM
12 Comments
Quote from alazyguy View quoted comment :
Can I buy, but not activate until later when I actually use it?
Possibly. Not sure how it works with the free month of that is your question, but in general you can activate it during certain time frames if you want to.
Nov 13, 2020 9:45 PM
12.7K Comments
Joined Nov 2010
PeteyTheStrikerNov 13, 2020 9:45 PM
12.7K Comments
Quote from lainghk View quoted comment :
What are the airtime plans after the initial free month?
Quote from warezdog View quoted comment :
Would also like to know this too
Safety Recreation Expedition
SOS Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Text Messages* 10 40 Unlimited
Preset Messages Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Tracking Intervals 10 min+ 10 min+ 2 min+
Send/Track Points $0.10 ea Unlimited Unlimited
Location Requests $0.10 ea Unlimited Unlimited
Basic Weather 1 text message ea 1 text message ea Unlimited
Premium Weather $1.00 ea $1.00 ea $1.00 ea
Premium Marine Weather $1.00 ea $1.00 ea $1.00 ea
Monthly Charges
Annual Plans $11.95/mo $24.95/mo $49.95/mo
Freedom Plans $14.95/mo $34.95/mo $64.95/mo
Overage Charges
Messages (Each)* $0.50 $0.50 N/A
2
2
Nov 13, 2020 9:58 PM
3.3K Comments
Joined Jan 2007
flatlightNov 13, 2020 9:58 PM
3.3K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

I have the mini and actually had to use it a week after I got it for someone outside of my party. There were 2 helicopters on site 1 hour after I sent the SOS - YMMV
1
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Nov 13, 2020 10:44 PM
275 Comments
Joined Jul 2005
whiteninjaNov 13, 2020 10:44 PM
275 Comments
so can this also be used for following a map when hiking or is it just for communications and tracking?
Nov 13, 2020 10:54 PM
142 Comments
Joined Jul 2013
ChadC4361Nov 13, 2020 10:54 PM
142 Comments
Spot X is probably a better value for most depending on your needs.
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Nov 13, 2020 11:01 PM
3.3K Comments
Joined May 2006
FarmeroakNov 13, 2020 11:01 PM
3.3K Comments
Quote from ChadC4361 View quoted comment :
Spot X is probably a better value for most depending on your needs.
Yeah seems cheaper. Curious the pros/cons
Nov 13, 2020 11:37 PM
130 Comments
Joined Aug 2007
sd0170822Nov 13, 2020 11:37 PM
130 Comments
Can I pay for the service on-the-spot?
Nov 13, 2020 11:40 PM
3.3K Comments
Joined Jan 2007
flatlightNov 13, 2020 11:40 PM
3.3K Comments
Quote from sd0170822 View quoted comment :
Can I pay for the service on-the-spot?
No you should activate and test your service before your adventure
Nov 13, 2020 11:56 PM
142 Comments
Joined Jul 2013
ChadC4361Nov 13, 2020 11:56 PM
142 Comments
Quote from Farmeroak View quoted comment :
Yeah seems cheaper. Curious the pros/cons
I have a Spot X. I buy the annual plan which has a nice feature in that you get all of your custom messages up front. So on the basic plan you get all 240 upfront. This allows you to use more some months and less some other months and still not pay for overages. With well thought out predefined messages you can save your custom messages.
Nov 14, 2020 12:03 AM
69 Comments
Joined Feb 2008
AlexKidd1977Nov 14, 2020 12:03 AM
69 Comments
Quote from semper_fi View quoted comment :
Have it. Love it. Now I feel I like overpaid for it. Haha. Great deal for those of us who love the backcountry.
Do you mind describing how you input your text message to send/receive on this Mini unit? It just looks like a tiny display, no keyboard?

Thanks!
--Kidd
Nov 14, 2020 1:12 AM
16.5K Comments
Joined Jan 2007
uniquenameNov 14, 2020 1:12 AM
16.5K Comments
Quote from ChadC4361 View quoted comment :
Spot X is probably a better value for most depending on your needs.
Spot trackers dropped in price currently as well. Good to see these are as well. Spot monthly is less, but everyone has different needs. I think this would be better if you are already in the Garmin ecosystem (watch, etc).
Nov 14, 2020 1:13 AM
181 Comments
Joined Nov 2014
BigIron_Nov 14, 2020 1:13 AM
181 Comments
Interesting. Waiting for more comments to learn more about this Smilie
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Nov 14, 2020 1:14 AM
455 Comments
Joined Feb 2009
codemancerNov 14, 2020 1:14 AM
455 Comments
Quote from AlexKidd1977 View quoted comment :
Do you mind describing how you input your text message to send/receive on this Mini unit? It just looks like a tiny display, no keyboard?

Thanks!
--Kidd
I believe you use an app on your phone, or you can select from preset messages on the device.

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