You get connection to the Iridium satellite network (widely accepted as the most reliable coverage), an impressive battery life, and a small display and relatively easy-to-learn interface that keep the Mini fully functional even if your smartphone bites the dust.

At just 3.5 ounces, the Mini ties for the lightest device here (along with the Bivy Stick below), but it’s also one of the most capable. Most backcountry enthusiasts are looking for a streamlined, long-lasting satellite messenger that enables them to communicate from the comfort of their smartphone, and the Garmin inReach Mini 2 puts it all together better than most. What we don’t: Garmin’s subscription service is pricey. What we like: Lightweight, great battery life, and fully functional as a standalone device.

Best Payment Plan for Occasional Use: Bivy Stick Satellite Communicatorīest Overall Satellite Messenger 1.

A Close Second (for $120 Less): Somewear Global Hotspot.

Best Overall Satellite Messenger: Garmin inReach Mini 2.

For more information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Our picks below represent a complete view of the market, ranging from high-powered hotspots that pair with your smartphone to simple one-way messengers.

In addition to their ability to send (and-most of the time-receive) messages, these devices tack on a range of other functions, including location sharing, GPS navigation, weather reporting, and more. For organizing a pick up, initiating a rescue, or just checking in, a satellite messenger has become our go-to means of staying connected in areas without cell service. It does not work for audio passed from phone to Zumo via bluetooth.We’re all for big adventures that take us off the grid, but it’s never a bad idea to have a way of getting in touch. : after continuing testing the jog dial does work when playing MP3's on a SD card in the Zumo. Am I now forced to use the Zumo touchscreen to initiate phone calls, and change audio tracks?Īll devices are fully up to date with firmware / software for what that's worth. Now it seems neither the phone or jog dial work as they used to. This seems to be the way most everyone else pairs them. So, this evening I've paired the phone to the Zumo XT, and the headset to the Zumo XT. I tried the same setup with the Zumo XT and it was constantly 'fighting' the phone bluetooth connection, to the point where this morning it was dropping / stopping the streaming phone audio every 5 seconds. I was never a fan of passing all functions through the GPS. The jog dial also worked nicely to skip forward / backward on playing audio tracks (audio from the phone).

That pairing let me tap the phone button and use Siri. For all previous Zumo's I've connected my headset (Sena SMH10) directly to my iPhone 7 and then also to the Zumo.

Garmin mobile xt no keyboard