Garmin InReach mini or...

[davekeiller]

I'm not trying to fault anyone for choosing to carry one of these devices.

What I'm suggesting is that people should do a risk assessment for themselves and make an informed decision as to whether the risk reduction is worth the financial outlay.

Doing something because "everyone else" does it, isn't a particularly strong argument in my book, especially when I'm not convinced that the "everyone" mentioned is actually a majority.

[davekeiller]

Incidentally, the OP implied that they are just starting out backpacking. If that's the case, then they're probably dropping a fair chunk of change on backpacking kit. It might not be a bad idea to spread the cost by only buying what is actually needed for this trip and then buy additional items as and when the need arises.
As an example, on the WHW you can stay on organised campsites every night and fill your bottles with safe drinking water every morning. This means a water filter is unnecessary, so it's not worth buying one. Doesn't mean it's never going to be worth buying one though.

[malrc]

After a recent circuit of Mullardoch, I intend to purchase an InReach mini for my next trip as phone reception was non existent for full 3 days. This is one of the more remote parts of Scotland however and I agree with many that in most cases satellite Comms are not needed.

The InReach is for my wife's peace of mind though as she worries whether I'm ok. I wouldn't buy one for my own sake, but that isn't to say they don't have significant non-emergency utility for some.

[Marty_JG]

As an example, on the WHW you can stay on organised campsites every night and fill your bottles with safe drinking water every morning.

Clean water? LOL with the honesty boxes its a trail littered with Mars Bars & Fanta.

[Marty_JG]

As an example, on the WHW you can stay on organised campsites every night and fill your bottles with safe drinking water every morning.

Clean water? LOL with the honesty boxes its a trail littered with Mars Bars & Fanta.

I'm not trying to fault anyone for choosing to carry one of these devices.

To be clear I didn't think you were faulting anyone. Was just happy to chat back & forth with someone who knows their stuff and completely willing to change my mind if it comes to it.

[WalkWithWallace]

I remember going out hillwalking in the days when mobile phones were something of a rarity, and most people didn't have GPS either. Somehow we all managed to get home in one piece.

I remember cars without airbags and various other safety features and somehow we all managed to get home in one peice too.

It's all there's just in case, as would a PLB. You hope you never need to use it, but it's there in the event of emergency.

[scogem]

Thanks all who took the time to reply.

I am going to get a Garmin Inreach Mini. The functionality it provides does not appear to be built in to any of the Garmin watches.

I do not need for the West Highland Way and possibly not for my following trip. I will likely pick another fairly safe route. However, I plan to go abroad to somewhere unknown and would like one of these on me for my own peace of mind. I could get an injury and I had a heat related blood pressure issue a few years ago, could crop up again.

Cheers,
scogem

[Marty_JG]

Fair enough.

But don't be a stranger, do write up some trip reports, in Scotland and out. We'd love to see how you get on.

[Scottk]

The 2 options for tracking are Spot and the inreach. They both do tracking which folks at home can follow if they have the web address. I bought the inreach as my wife was getting worried and it is the only one which can send and receive messages. It does struggle in thick tree cover but during a recent trip, the messages always got through-albeit, sometimes later.
There are 3 preset messages which you can send an unlimited amount of. Mine are-starting out, finished for the day and checking in everything is fine. You can change them from a pc but not once you are out and about. I think I will change one to ‘running late but all ok’.
Depending on the subscription plan you go with, it will come with no messages, 40 messages and unlimited. I went with 40 messages as this also comes with unlimited tracking.
I was lucky as I got the garmin mini for £150. I don’t regret the purchase and have suspended the subscription for the moment.
The spot unit doesn’t do messages but there is no subscription costs.
The message count for the garmin is for sent and received! Best to set the unit up and have a trial run before your trip as you need to enter contacts etc before you go. It has an app on your phone which you can use to type messages.
I’m sure there is a company which rents these units if you wanted to try before purchasing.