Editor's Pick — Peter Burnham owns this and is a huge fan.
Peter's satellite messenger: two-way texts and an SOS button where there's no cell service.
Why we picked this
Peter Burnham carries a Garmin inReach Mini 2 and is a huge fan. A lot of California's public upland country has no cell service, and a satellite messenger lets you text home or call for help from anywhere with a view of the sky.
Quick specs
| Category | First Aid & Safety |
| Brand | Garmin |
| Messaging | Two-way texts of up to 160 characters, by satellite |
| SOS | Dedicated button to a 24/7 response center |
| Battery | Up to 14 days with 10-minute tracking |
| Weight | 100 g (about 3.5 oz) |
| Plan | Needs a separate satellite subscription |
| Price | $349.99 at Sports Basement (checked Oct. 22, 2026) |
| Successor | inReach Mini 3 and Mini 3 Plus |
| Carried by | Peter Burnham |
| Editor's verdict | Texts and an SOS button, anywhere. |
The full review
The Mini 2 sends and receives texts of up to 160 characters over satellite and has a dedicated SOS button that reaches a 24/7 response center. It weighs about 100 g and runs up to 14 days with 10-minute tracking, and it needs a satellite plan on top of the device, according to MEC's listing. Garmin's own product page didn't show those specs when we checked, so these are a retailer's.
Garmin has moved on. In December 2025 it introduced the inReach Mini 3 Plus at $499.99, with voice and photo messages and texts of up to 1,600 characters (Garmin), and REI lists a base Mini 3 with a color touchscreen at $450. The Mini 2 is still sold, and if what you need is texts and an SOS button, it does that for less.
Whichever you buy, activate it and send a test message from home before the trip, and leave your plan with someone who'll notice if you don't check in.
What we love
- Peter's verdict: he's a huge fan.
- Two-way texts from places your phone can't reach.
- A dedicated SOS button.
- Small: about 100 g.
What to know before you buy
- Subscription required on top of the device.
- Superseded by the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Plus.
- Specs here are a retailer's; Garmin's page didn't show them when we checked.
Where to buy
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 (brand-direct)
- Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus (the successor)
California Upland doesn't earn a commission on these links.
See also
- All first aid and safety
- Blue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kit NOW! — Matt's trauma kit
- What I Carry for Alan — Peter's dog kit