GARMIN INREACH MINI W/IPAD OFF ROAD NAVIGATION | Earthmate Topographical Maps | Text & Tracking Test 

🙌🏻 I rely on mine pretty routinely. Particularly the phone app, when I’m just not quite sure which fork in the road to take to get me where I’m headed! Even when I don’t have the Garmin with me!

Right. Internet or LTE/5G phone service.

@@CaptMaxADV I see. I've since explored GPS tracking options for teams (even though my team only has 3 or 4 members) as I was looking for off-grid tracking, no internet or 5G there. Garmin seems to have a couple of satellite options but no reviews of them online. Lets see

I'd be interested in a demo. I've tried to convince myself to buy the Gaia, and the other one, for quite some time. Probably most reluctant to do it simply because my list of monthly subscription fees are out of control! Another service is just another expense. BUT, since I've found the Garmin communicator to be a necessity, having a reasonably useful database complimentary to the subscription service I've deemed mandatory, well that's just dandy! You like the Gaia quite a bit?

You betcha! 🙌🏻

Thanks. The Earthmate databases are selected and downloaded over WiFi, before you leave service. Once on the device you will be able to use the moving map to see where you are and look around the area. The Garmin will give you your current location and yes, leave breadcrumbs and you can select the frequency of those for tracking. And you’ll still be able to text out and in through the Garmin. Does that answer your Q?

@@CaptMaxADV Ok, great. Thanks for the reply. Be safe

On your cell phone, having the GPS chip built in, you can leave your InReach off completely unless you need to communicate via text. The Earthmate app can use the phone itself for tracking, with the same functionality/frequency you’ve opted for in the settings. Super handy on the phone! I’ve used it for quick navigation situations when I either forgot my InReach or didn’t want to dig it out. Different story on an iPad or other device with no GPS chip, where you’d need the location signal from the InReach itself.

@@CaptMaxADV That is an awesome feature. Plus I like the fact that I can use the phone/tablet for it"s screen size vs Garmin's tiny screen. Thanks again for the info !

That’s sweet. I knew it had some sort of functionality. But I don’t fly recreationally unfortunately, as of yet, so I wouldn’t have a use for it on my current avionics.

Yes. But this requires multiple answers. 1. The part where you see me initially using google maps on my phone was while I was in cell service. 2. Beyond that, if you go to the "custom maps" part of google maps and download "offline maps" you can get detailed maps on your device. 3. I've found that if I create a route with directions to that if I don't cancel that route, and rather keep it active, that it will temporarily store the basic map in it's short term memory even while traveling through areas with no cell service. If I cancel the route or close the app down fully, if I'm out of cell service it will not reload the map and you're practically lost as far as google maps is concerned because it can't take your GPS location and load it onto a map that it can't get from a server. The other downside to this aspect is that there is no way to use the Topographical overlays while navigating on google maps, only the basic map function, which I hope they will one day change. 4. Supposing you have downloaded and saved Topo maps/Satellite maps to your iphone within the google app, on a device with a satellite GPS chip (all cell phones, some iPads if they had a data plan, which mine do not) it will show your current location on that map. 5. In the event that you DO NOT have a satellite GPS chip in your device you will need to tether it to a device such as the InReach in order to tell the map where your current position is. 6. The maps you see on the iPad are not Google Maps, rather they are Garmin maps. All of these answers are generally illustrated throughout the video. Are there any other questions?

Good question. Afraid I don’t have an answer for you. And thanks!

If the iPad had a GPS chip it would use that and work independently from the Garmin, for navigation. My iPads do not have GPS chips, which is why it is so handy to Bluetooth it to the Garmin. In addition to the communications capabilities. To help clarify: my iPhone has a GPS chip. I can pull it out any time and use the Garmin Earthmate APP to find trails and maps that I have downloaded. Without even needing my Garmin with me. However, outside of the map and nav capabilities, the Garmin APP can NOT provide communication through satellite without the Garmin tethered to it. Make sense?

Negative. That’s the beauty of this pairing. None of my iPads have ever had a service plan (which includes a GPS chip). BUT, if your iPad DOES have a plan (and a GPS chip) then you can navigate using the map feature completely independent of the Garmin. As I sometimes do with my iPhone. When not bluetoothed to your Garmin InReach, the map & tracking functions all work. You just can’t communicate to satellites for text messages.

Not sure on battery life. Will depends on usage. I’d estimate with minimal texting, and maybe 20 minute tracking pings, it should last 1+ full days. Their website has specs defined for the times you’re after.

@@CaptMaxADV Great rundown showing the tracking. You don't have cell plans active on ipad but is it an ipad that is capable of cell service? A wifi only ipad won't track the same way will it?

This iPad does NOT have a GPS chip. I’ve owned 4 iPads, never had a data plan/GPS chip enabled one. I’ll try to tether mine again, it’s been a while, but I expect it will work as shown in this video. I can’t imagine what problems you were having. Were you able to message out and in? Just no active tracking?

I could see that being a problem. I haven’t used it extensively enough to know. And have since actually converted to a Ram Mounts ball with EZ Roller holder that sits down more in front of the dash instead of up top. My black GoPro’s that sit directly in sunlight will surely get super hot and malfunction. Some shade over it would go a long way.

iPad mini