Got mine for $299
Its funny how many refuse technology changes. I'm on the starlink mini decision with a good GPS tracker for $100
Wait a few years. About 60% of society will change.
Starlink or Garmin in reach
- Thread starter Jeep or Tacoma
- Start date
Got mine for $299
Its funny how many refuse technology changes. I'm on the starlink mini decision with a good GPS tracker for $100
Wait a few years. About 60% of society will change.
I consider all emergency communication systems to be essentially obsolete except full bandwidth satellite two-way communication systems. I get that two-way radio is also a lifelong and well established hobby, but that doesn't automatically make it a solid back-country emergency comm system ... in fact it's anything but.
Any two-way radio set-up has distance and/or "who's listening" limitations (think Canyonlands Needles District which has massive swaths of land in which no radio signal exists).
Simple In-Reach type communicators lack the ability to pass high bandwidth information in either direction, and both are also quickly being surpassed in terms of massive numbers of available satellites by StarLink.
The only exception I make to the above is for an expensive, high quality, dedicated emergency beacon (not an In-Reach texting device with a "button" that sends signal to a commercial entity).
I'm not a remote hiker, so I personally can do without an emergency beacon, but if your sole purpose is to send out an emergency message from a remote location only accessible on foot or you'll die in half an hour, then a true emergency beacon is your only real answer.
Because I'm not a remote hiker, my communication device of choice for everything from simple or complex emergencies to general communications is the StarLink Mini.
The Mini does it all at full bandwidth, from basic text, up to high speed two-way live video. A single StarLink Mini will also support multiple devices in your travel party simultaneously, from cell phones to iPads and laptops.
Direct Satellite to Cell is already here (no StarLink required), although it's text only at this point (and therefore no better than an In-Reach), but Sat-to-Cell will eventually replace StarLink completely - and will become the ultimate safety device for all travellers, be they remote or mainline.
I personally believe that hanging on to "old" technology in the realm of personal safety is not a wise choice, especially those hanging on to various forms of two-way-radio comms. If any subject is worthy of staying abreast of the very latest in technology, it's your (or your families) personal safety.
Of course too, anything is far better than nothing at all, although your choice of "anything" should be made as if your life depends on it, which it may someday!
Any two-way radio set-up has distance and/or "who's listening" limitations (think Canyonlands Needles District which has massive swaths of land in which no radio signal exists).
Simple In-Reach type communicators lack the ability to pass high bandwidth information in either direction, and both are also quickly being surpassed in terms of massive numbers of available satellites by StarLink.
The only exception I make to the above is for an expensive, high quality, dedicated emergency beacon (not an In-Reach texting device with a "button" that sends signal to a commercial entity).
I'm not a remote hiker, so I personally can do without an emergency beacon, but if your sole purpose is to send out an emergency message from a remote location only accessible on foot or you'll die in half an hour, then a true emergency beacon is your only real answer.
Because I'm not a remote hiker, my communication device of choice for everything from simple or complex emergencies to general communications is the StarLink Mini.
The Mini does it all at full bandwidth, from basic text, up to high speed two-way live video. A single StarLink Mini will also support multiple devices in your travel party simultaneously, from cell phones to iPads and laptops.
Direct Satellite to Cell is already here (no StarLink required), although it's text only at this point (and therefore no better than an In-Reach), but Sat-to-Cell will eventually replace StarLink completely - and will become the ultimate safety device for all travellers, be they remote or mainline.
I personally believe that hanging on to "old" technology in the realm of personal safety is not a wise choice, especially those hanging on to various forms of two-way-radio comms. If any subject is worthy of staying abreast of the very latest in technology, it's your (or your families) personal safety.
Of course too, anything is far better than nothing at all, although your choice of "anything" should be made as if your life depends on it, which it may someday!
Datsun Man
Member
I will agree and disagree within reason.
Starting with 2 way radios they can be helpful. Will they always work? Of course not, but when they do, you are generally happy that it does. It's just a question of what you need to how it may(or may not) help. Old technology? Yes, but still useful especially if traveling in a group.
For the InReach Devices and similar you can do quite a bit. Yes you have the SOS button on them and they certainly should be used if absolutely needed. Does not matter if you are one that hikes where a vehicle can't go. It is a device that can get you help you get in contact with civilization as needed. In reality you hope you don't have to, but it is there. Yes you can text as well, just don't expect it to be super fast as it takes time, but then again the point of being out in the wilderness is to get away from the norm.
For starlink, it's certainly a new technology, but at the same time not a end all be all type of technology. For the price you have to be able to justify it. It's one thing if you are running a business while remote often. It's another if you are just another traveler getting away from the normal everyday stuff. As one that is trying to get away I find things like Starlink to be a worse idea. Sure I can call someone if I want to, but if I'm out on a trail getting away, I'm going to want to be away and enjoy the silence. Now if I was working out of my truck while remote often, then I would look into Starlink or something similar for as needed Internet. That said I do not have a business like such and can't justify it.
For most individuals a good 2 way radio and a InReach Device of sorts will do all that they need for emergency communication as needed. Both have been proven to do very well. How long will it be around? A lot longer than you would believe.
The key phrase IMO is at the end of your sentence - "you would believe".
This is a topic that is heavily influenced by one's personal beliefs, and is also a topic that folks tend to feel quite strongly about.
IMO, a two way radio needs somebody on the other end (who may not be there), and InReach has already been surpassed by Sat to Cell, with major improvements coming to Sat to Cell within the next year or two. Those improvements will see two-way text, voice, and video.
Two-way radio and InReach, although certainly not obsolete at this point, are already surpassed by newer, and better solutions, with Sat to Cell available with all newer phones, at no additional cost.
But as I noted, anything is certainly better than nothing at all.
I do have a deactivated InReach that I depended on for years (I have no plans to reactivate it), and I have a permanently mounted, always "on" two-way radio in my truck, along with a couple of handhelds that I've no good reason to remove or cease use of.
But 99% of all my off-grid vehicle based communication (emergency or otherwise) is performed with my StarLink Mini.
I own the starlink mini, and android tablet
Monthly cost much less than $50 (since you can pause starlink)
So for a $110 I could use this Dual Electronics XGPS150A
Great — using the Dual Electronics XGPS150A with an Android tablet + Starlink Wi-Fi + onX Maps is a viable and effective setup for off-grid navigation, especially in trucks or remote areas.
✅ Now your tablet uses the XGPS150A for location, and onX Maps will reflect your true position.
Monthly cost much less than $50 (since you can pause starlink)
So for a $110 I could use this Dual Electronics XGPS150A
Great — using the Dual Electronics XGPS150A with an Android tablet + Starlink Wi-Fi + onX Maps is a viable and effective setup for off-grid navigation, especially in trucks or remote areas.
✅ Here's How It All Works Together:
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| XGPS150A | Provides accurate GPS location via Bluetooth |
| Android Tablet | Runs onX Maps and connects to both the XGPS and Starlink |
| Starlink Mini | Provides high-speed internet for downloading map layers, weather, syncing waypoints, etc. |
| onX Maps | Uses GPS data to display position, maps, tracks, and waypoints — supports offline maps too |
🔧 Setup Instructions:
1. Connect XGPS150A to Tablet via Bluetooth
- Power on the XGPS150A.
- Open your Android Bluetooth settings → pair with “XGPS150A”.
2. Feed GPS to onX Maps
- Install the app Bluetooth GPS Provider.
- Open it and tap Connect, then check "Enable Mock GPS Provider".
- Go to Settings > Developer Options > Select mock location app → choose Bluetooth GPS Provider.
✅ Now your tablet uses the XGPS150A for location, and onX Maps will reflect your true position.
3. Connect to Starlink Wi-Fi
- Join the Starlink Mini’s Wi-Fi like any normal network on the tablet.
- This gives you live weather, cloud syncing, and layer downloads in onX.
4. (Optional) Pre-Download Offline Maps in onX
- onX allows saving map areas in advance.
- This ensures you're not dependent on Starlink signal during spotty coverage or power loss.
Datsun Man
Member
I get that you are trying to justify it, but keep in mind that the monthly cost is the same regardless if you pause the plan or not. It's the same thing for InReach Devices. For proof I have attached the monthly price for Starlink.
Let me help you do the math. Let's say you decide you want to have starlink for 2 months out of the year because you can justify the use for those 2 months of the year. For those two months it will cost you a total minimum of $100 assuming you use the 50 GB plan. It does not bring the monthly cost lower because you didn't use it and have it active for the other 10 months, but it did lower the yearly cost because you did not use it for those 10 months. The same thing applies to Garmin InReach Devices. Depending on the plan and how often it is truly active will affect the Yearly cost. Regardless the monthly cost is going to be the same for the selected plan.
Another thing to keep in mind with an InReach Device. It has a SOS button on it to get you help ASAP. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Starlink doesn't? If that is the case I hope the setup you have doesn't take much to get ready. If it does, that could easily be the difference between life and death. Not that I hope for death, but it will make a difference.
Put simple I myself will stick to the InReach Device as it is helpful at getting the help I need if and when I need it.
Attachments
kmcintyre
Observer
I admit I didn't read through all the replies but here's my .2 cents worth (and .1 cent is probably not worth it)....
I have a zoleo (similar to garmin) and it has it's purpose. I could go on about pros/cons of it vs. garmin but regardless, I think the 2 options you are looking at serve (potentially) different purposes. The garmin can be used in places that doesn't make sense for starlink (backpacking, etc.). Oh, and your pricing has changed. The standard starlink is now free for the hardware (depending on where you live) but you still have the monthly cost. The mini price just dropped too. As the Amazon product rolls out this summer (they say), expect prices to drop further. With either system, you can "call" for help. Garmin (and zoleo) have their own SAR (search and rescue) costs. With starlink you could contact anyone you want assuming you don't want "press the SOS buttom capabilities). If you start factoring the cost for SARS you start to enter into the spreadsheet nightmare (eg Garmin h/w is more expensive as is their monthly plans BUT SARS has a lower cost; Zoleo h/w is cheaper, plans are cheaper but SARS is more expensive). With Starlink you'd have to have some type of SARS insurance (ie life flight, etc.) and they'd have to support you at your given location. Garmin/Zoleo, etc. are pretty much world wide. Let us know what you decide. I've tried to come up with something before for my situations/life-style, but your's is probably unique to you. I do a lot of dispursed camping, world wide travel, etc.
Datsun Man
Member
Fair points with the insurance for SARS. I can't speak for the rest of the world, but to my understanding in the US if you have a fishing license(regardless of you fish or not) then you do have some coverage for SAR to an extent(I don't recall all the details). Assuming one is state side that is a helpful start at least
Sparse Gray Hackle
Geezer
That is something I’ve never heard of. I’ve fished in most of the western states, but never seen any documentation that would imply or specify a SAR association with an activity like fishing. I wish you had more details.
I just bought the 9 hour battery for the starlink mini. Trouble to set up, I doubt it!
(mobile internet on the mobile phone no longer required)
Backpacking, not on my list. Its size does fit in a backpack, easily.
Garmin , single use device.
Starlink mini, 100's of uses you may need.
Last edited:
Datsun Man
Member
When one is off grid, one would try to stay away from the normal world that Starlink would provide. Also Garmin InReach has more than one use. Yes you have the SOS. Yes you have the two way messaging as needed. Yeas you do have weather updates as needed. Depending on the device you might even have a display with map. Does it let you stream the Internet? Of course not because when you are off grid in such a way, chance are one would rather not be on the Internet
Datsun Man
Member
It's is available through different states and it is state by state specific. You might even be able to go through the State Forest Service to get the SAR insurance for a year. In Colorado it's only $30 for a year and I confirmed it with a guy I head to the trails with
Starlink adoption by off grid folks has a uptake at a huge pace. So many folks do not have the opinion you communicate.
Sparse Gray Hackle
Geezer
I’m beginning to believe Richard Proenneke had the right idea.
deserteagle56
Adventurer
Something I just don't understand...going out into a remote area to get away from everybody - but taking all that electronic crap with you to stay connected??? Me, when I head into the outback I even turn off my cell phone. I don't want ANYTHING to disrupt the wilderness experience, I want to communicate with nature and not that hectic world I just left behind.
Yes, I do have an InReach with me but thankfully I've never had to use it (other than to test it).
Yes, I do have an InReach with me but thankfully I've never had to use it (other than to test it).