Garmin InReach Mini + Apple iPad Mini for navigation

[Zorba]

There is just something about a guy, a jeep, a rifle w/ a bayonet , and skirt that crakes me up. Which one is not like the others

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Here ya go, no rifle this time though...

 

[MikekiM]

Huh forreal, no music at all?

No music at all. I have a BT head unit, Kicker speakers and tons of music on my phone from when I was younger. Just never feel the desire to break the silence.

I've been told I have Isolophilia..

 

[lBasket]

No music at all. I have a BT head unit, Kicker speakers and tons of music on my phone from when I was younger. Just never feel the desire to break the silence.

Interesting, so you grew into it too.

I've been told I have Isolophilia..

Hey, nothing wrong with that. Being happy by yourself is a good thing. Not enough people my age are willing to be alone with their thoughts it seems like. As long as you don't take it too far in the other direction, which I am slightly guilty of.

 

[red02tj]

No music creeps me out, it’s like the guys who run marathons without headphones…something ain’t right

 

[MikekiM]

No music creeps me out, it’s like the guys who run marathons without headphones…something ain’t right

I don't do marathons, but I trail run. I never wear headphones.

 

[lBasket]

I don't do marathons, but I trail run. I never wear headphones.

He's a maniac!!!

I always have the LOTR soundtrack playing when I'm walking in the woods

 

[MikekiM]

He's a maniac!!!

I always have the LOTR soundtrack playing when I'm walking in the woods

Maybe it comes from all the backpacking I do. Crazy how quiet some four legged can be so I want every advantage I can get. Or, maybe I just like the sound of silence.

 

[Zorba]

No music creeps me out, it’s like the guys who run marathons without headphones…something ain’t right

My best bud in High School friggin' ALWAYS had a radio blaring nearby. Drove me nuts!

 

[Stinkbug]

I've been relying on my iPhone for gps & navigation and started looking for a solution . I don't want to install a double DIN headunit and the iPhone is a bit too small most times.

I was looking for a solution that would let me use an old, retired non-cellular iPad mini 4, for nav with GaiaGPS, Google/orApple Maps and Garmin Earthmate.

Since a non-cellular iPad doesn't have onboard GPS (cellular equipped units do, and they can be used even if you don't have a cellular subscription activated), I could mount a nearby iPhone and use its GPS via Personal Hot Spot, but it is slow as molasses and stresses two important batteries simultaneously .

I purchased a Garmin Glo2 external GPS receiver and paired it with the iPad and it seemed to work fairly well. Although the battery performance on the Glo2 is questionable.. I think they report 13 hours of tracking but it takes more than that to fully charge if depleted.

Then it dawned on me that I might be able to pair the Garmin InReach Mini I already have (and use primarily for SOS security when solo backpacking) and use it with the iPad. Sure enough, as long as I unpair the Mini from my iPhone (it can only be paired to one device at a time) it paired to the iPad with no problem. Gaia's technical bulletin says the iPad+InReach Mini won't work, but it seems to perform great. The two devices pair in a few seconds, the Mini locks onto satellites faster than the Glo2 and my experience with the Mini over the last few years of backpacking with it is that the battery is an absolute rockstar.

The InReach Mini works with Gaia, CalTopo, Garmin Earthmate, Garmin Explore, Apple & Google maps. Also found that with the Mini clipped to the footmans loop on the windshield surround it was able to secure and hold satellite connection through the soft top fabric. I returned the Glo2, repurposed the old iPad and now have all the mapping apps I use most. The aging pad battery might be the weak link.. it draws down faster than it charges. If needed I have a newer iPad Mini 6 that might be at battery management.

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Any idea if it works with Ipad (wifi only version) + Inreach mini + OnX?

 

[squirrelmaster]

Any idea if it works with Ipad (wifi only version) + Inreach mini + OnX?

It should, as I used a full-size InReach with a 9.7" wifi iPad and OnX for several years.

 

[MikekiM]

Any idea if it works with Ipad (wifi only version) + Inreach mini + OnX?

Can't see any reason it wouldn't. The wifi only iPad and InReach Mini work with Google Maps, Apple Maps, GaiaGPS, CalTopo, Garmin Earthmate & Explore.. (download offline maps is recommended for both if you're out of WiFi range).
I don't use OnX