REI’s annual Anniversary Sale doesn’t start until March 15th, but that hasn’t stopped Garmin from rolling out discounts on a range of devices — including its InReach Mini satellite communicators. Right now, for instance, you can grab the Mini 2 at Amazon, REI, and Garmin for $249.99 ($150 off) or the Mini 3 for $399.99 ($50 off) through the same retailers (Amazon, REI, and Garmin). That’s the lowest price we’ve seen on the newer InReach model, which launched in late December.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Where to Buy:
-
$399.99$249.99 at Amazon -
$399.99$249.99 at REI -
$399.99$249.99 at Garmin
Garmin InReach Mini 3
Where to Buy:
-
$449.99$399.99 at Amazon -
$449.99$399.99 at REI -
$449.99$399.99 at Garmin
As someone who has used both the Mini 2 and Mini 3 in the backcountry, I’m a big fan of dedicated satellite communicators over smartphones, even those with support for satellite SOS and messaging. Both the Mini 2 and Mini 3 are far more rugged than your average phone, for one thing, and each device offers multi-day battery life, which certainly isn’t the case with iPhone 17-series phones and Google’s newer Pixel phones. They also operate in higher temperatures and allow you to pull the weather report, which is a massive plus when you’re off the grid and exposed to ever-changing weather patterns.
The core functionality of the Mini 2 and Mini 3 is largely the same, however. The two palm-sized satellite communicators leverage the Iridium satellite network for coverage, allowing you to send text messages, share your location, and even trigger SOS alerts in the event of an emergency. The big differences between the last-gen model and the Mini 3 are that the latter features a color touchscreen interface, which makes it far easier to navigate menus and type messages (the Mini 3 Plus also adds support for photos and voice messages).
Keep in mind that whichever model you choose, you’ll need to sign up for one of Garmin’s InReach Consumer Plans, which start at $7.99 a month for the most basic plan. Each tier requires a $39.99 activation fee and includes a set number of messages per month; however, if you run out, you’ll have to pay an additional fee per message (live tracking always costs extra). Personally, I’ve never found the messaging limits to be that restrictive — my aim in the backcountry is to avoid copious amounts of human contact — but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning a longer trek in the woods or need more constant communication with someone back home.
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More ways to save today
- It’s never been our No. 1 pick, but if you’re looking for a wireless outdoor camera, Blink’s Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $54.99 ($45 off), which is just $5 shy of its best price to date. The battery-powered, 700-lumen cam offers up to two years of battery life, Alexa support, and two-way audio, though, like most budget 1080p cameras, you’ll have to shell out for a premium subscription to leverage its more advanced features.
- Lego’s 2,660-piece replica of Hogwarts Castle is down to $136.99 ($33 off) at Amazon and Target, nearly matching its all-time low. Is it as cool as Lego’s recently announced, LOTR-inspired Minas Tirith set? Probably not, but if you’re a Harry Potter fan obsessed with all things witchcraft and wizardry, the small scale model is a neat way to tide you over until the new HBO series kicks off on December 25th. It’s also, like, significantly cheaper.
- One of our favorite pieces of beauty tech, L’Oréal’s Colorsonic Hair Color Device, is available from Amazon and Target for $87.49 (about $28 off), one of its lowest prices to date. The clever gadget is designed to make at-home hair dyeing less of a hassle, and while we have some gripes about its ability to cover grays and how long the cartridges last, it’s relatively straightforward to use and far quicker than box dye or a trip to your local salon. Read our review.
