Garmin’s inReach series has been the gold standard for satellite communication for years. The inReach Mini 2 has been a favourite for a long time, but the newly released Mini 3 brings some serious upgrades to the table. Let us dive into what makes the Mini 3 so special, how it compares to its predecessor, and which one you should be looking to buy.

Meet the Garmin inReach Mini 3

Priced at an RRP of £389.99, the Garmin inReach Mini 3 takes everything we loved about the ultra-compact SOS communicator and brings it firmly into the modern era. Here are the standout features that make it an essential upgrade for anyone heading out of mobile phone range.

1. A Brilliant Colour Touchscreen
The most obvious upgrade is the screen. The Mini 3 features a 1.9-inch transflective colour touchscreen display. If you have ever tried typing out a custom message using the physical buttons on older models whilst being bounced around on the waves, you will know it can be a bit of a chore. The new colour touchscreen with a virtual keyboard makes sending messages, swiping through menus, and viewing your route incredibly intuitive and fast.

2. Photo and Voice Messaging
This is a game-changer. When paired with the Garmin Messenger app on your smartphone, the inReach Mini 3 allows you to send photos and voice messages over the Iridium satellite network. From a marine engineering perspective, this is brilliant. If you are off-grid and have an engine fault or an electrical issue with your Victron setup, you can now send a photo or a quick voice note to a mechanic (or a friend) back home for troubleshooting. Of course, it is also perfect for sending a photo of a brilliant sunset or a prized catch to your family!

3. Multi-Band GPS
Garmin has upgraded the internal sensors to include multi-band frequency support. In plain English, this means it uses multiple satellite frequencies to pinpoint your location much faster and more accurately, even if you are tucked under a heavy fibreglass hardtop or surrounded by deep fjords.

What About the inReach Mini 2?

With all these new bells and whistles on the Mini 3, you might be wondering if there is any reason to even look at the older inReach Mini 2. The short answer is yes.

With an RRP of £289.99, the Mini 2 remains a fantastic, reliable piece of safety equipment. It features a smaller 0.9-inch monochrome display and relies entirely on physical buttons. It does not support photo or voice messaging, and it uses standard GPS rather than the newer multi-band system.

However, they share the exact same outstanding 14-day battery life (in 10-minute tracking mode), the same rugged IPX7/IP67 water ratings, and the same access to the global Iridium satellite network for SOS alerts and two-way text messaging. The Mini 2 is also ever so slightly lighter (100g compared to the Mini 3's 122.2g) and a tiny bit more compact.

When should you buy the Mini 2?
If you are on a strict budget, or if you are looking for a "set it and forget it" emergency device that will live inside a ditch bag or a lifejacket pouch, the Mini 2 is still a superb choice. If your primary goal is simply to have an SOS button and basic text check-ins just in case things go pear-shaped, the Mini 2 will serve you flawlessly without breaking the bank.

The Verdict

The introduction of a colour touchscreen transforms the user experience from something slightly clunky into something genuinely effortless. Add in the ability to send photos and voice messages - a massive leap forward for remote communication and troubleshooting - and the £100 price difference feels more than justified.

If you are planning to upgrade your boat's safety gear this season, or you are fitting out a campervan for a remote Scottish Highlands tour, the inReach Mini 3 is an investment you will not regret.