Still Need a Garmin or Is Your Phone Enough?

Staying connected off-grid with satellite messaging, whether through the Garmin Mini or your smartphone’s satellite capabilities. We compare both options to help you decide which one fits your needs. For short trips, a smartphone’s satellite messaging might be all you need, but for longer adventures, a dedicated Garmin device offers advantages in tracking, navigation, and battery life. We’ll break down hardware and subscription costs, ease of use, emergency features, and real-world scenarios where each device excels. Plus, we’ll share our experience using both and what we’ve ultimately chosen for our own adventures whether it's backpacking or heading out in our Winnebago Revel adventure van.