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Gaia inreach mini 2 and iPad mini 6 … JUNK

Hogan

Rank V
Member

Advocate I

I have an iPad Mini 6 (cell version) and had a Garmin InReach Explorer+ that worked totally fine for me.
The iPad has built-in GPS because it was the cellular model, the inReach did/does nothing to improve GPS/mapping/nav on the iPad.
 

Hogan

Rank V
Member

Advocate I

I wouldn't say you are too stupid at all. I work in tech and have seen many times where something works for many and the same setup doesn't work for others, but no fault of their own. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel that it is common for this to be the case.

I still have my Mini 6, but I sold my Garmin. Now that the iPhone has the emergency satellite, I don't need the Garmin. But before I get shot down, I know the iPhone emergency service is not "robust" yet, for lack of better terms. It will get there though. I like not having to carry a dedicated device that only gets used occasionally.
The concern is lack of redundancy and relying on one-tool-does-it-all. If that one tool breaks you're SOL. Safety and being prepared includes redundancies in the event of emergency and failure. That inReach may have only been used occasionally, but you can suspend service when it's not in use by paying like $4/mo and then you don't have to pay to re-activate it. No matter how good the satellite SOS is with the iPhone I wouldn't count on it or your phone as your primary means of emergency, off-grid communications.

You are sacrificing safety for convenience.

My $0.02 and I'll leave it at that.
 

Enthusiast III

return the ipad mini and buy a Samsung galaxy tab a7 lite. I have one and it works deadly with Gaia. No connection issues, the GPS inside tthe tablet is accurate etc. I would keep the inreach for communication when off grid.
 

wishihada4runner

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

A lot of good information here, thanks all for taking the time to respond. I ended up buying an iPad mini with cellular and returning the Garmin. I will investigate good satellite communicators and probably pick something up later this or early next year. So far, the GPS has been really great on the iPad.
 

MiamiC70

Rank VI
Launch Member

Influencer I

Garmin PURPOSEFULLY disabled the ability for the inreach mini 2 to pair with iPad and deliver GPS data.
 

smritte

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

Garmin PURPOSEFULLY disabled the ability for the inreach mini 2 to pair with iPad and deliver GPS data.
Not sure I understand your comment.
Are you saying that Garmin disabled the ability to pair the mini 2 to an Ipad or the ability to deliver GPS or both.
 

MiamiC70

Rank VI
Launch Member

Influencer I

Garmin PURPOSEFULLY disabled the ability for the inreach mini 2 to pair with iPad and deliver GPS data.
Not sure I understand your comment.
Are you saying that Garmin disabled the ability to pair the mini 2 to an Ipad or the ability to deliver GPS or both.
Garmin now forces you to use their Earthmate app. You cannot use a 3rd party app and the Inreach Mini 2 will no longer send GPS data to other apps i.e. Gaia, Google Maps, etc…
 
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