Don’t want a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro? You can get one of its best features separately with the inReach Mini 3 Plus

• Garmin has just launched the inReach Mini 3 Plus device
• It has a color touchscreen and voice-activated satellite communications
• You get some of the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro’s best features for a lower price

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is one of the priciest smartwatches on the market. When first launched, one of its standout features is its satellite messaging tool that lets you contact people when you’re off the grid. But if that smartwatch just isn’t for you – maybe you've already got one of the best Garmin watches and you don't want to upgrade – Garmin has a new device that offers the same functionality in a very different form factor.

The new inReach Mini 3 Plus is a dedicated satellite communicator that can get you out of a sticky spot if you need to contact emergency services without any cell signal, or simply send photos and voice messages to your friends and family from the wilderness. Costing $499.99 / £439.99 / AU$899 in the US, it’s a much more affordable way to get the Fenix 8 Pro’s satellite SOS feature without the hefty $1,299.99 / £1,029.99 / AU$2,299 price tag.

As well as sending emergency messages when needed, the inReach Mini 3 Plus can share your location with friends and family. That’s not only useful for letting them know you’re safe but can also help keep them up to speed with whatever location you’ve decided to explore.

One of its most notable new features is its color touchscreen display, which lets you send photos from your trips and receive those sent from loved ones. You can also exchange text messages (including as part of group chats) thanks to that touchscreen panel. The product also offers a built-in speaker and microphone, too.

If you’d rather communicate with your voice, the device allows you to send spoken clips up to 30 seconds in length. Incoming voice messages can also be transcribed if it’s impractical to listen to them out loud.

Made for extreme conditions

The inReach Mini 3 Plus is also a hotline to the Garmin Response Center, a team of emergency responders who can contact your loved ones, call search and rescue organizations and other bodies, and provide updates when needed. As well as texts, you can also send photos and voice messages to the Garmin Response center to supplement your SOS.

Garmin says the inReach Mini 3 Plus is “made to operate in extreme temperatures” and comes with an “impact-resistant design” and an IP67 water rating. You can also use it to plan trips when pairing it up with Garmin’s Explore app.

As for battery life, Garmin says you can expect up to 95 hours in performance messaging mode or up to 350 hours in 10-minute inReach tracking mode. That should give you plenty of juice when you’re out in the wilderness and need an easy way to get in touch with the outside world.

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