5 gadgets I can’t go off-grid without (and why they make such a big difference)

It’s easy to take for granted constant communications — cellular and Wi-Fi blanket a large amount of the world. But once you step outside of that coverage, you’re on your own. While I love being away from it, the people around me appreciate a message or two. Also, if something goes bad — I have a medical emergency, something happens to my vehicle, or I’m delayed — having the ability to send a message is actually priceless.

I’ve tested a lot of satellite messengers, and the one that I find myself using the most is the Garmin InReach Messenger. It’s a small, puck-sized unit that works both as a self-contained messenger device and when connected to a smartphone. 

It sends and uploads your location every 10 minutes to Garmin’s MapShare website, where you can give friends and family a special URL (and optional password) to see your location on a map in real-time. Yes, there is a subscription needed to access the satellite network, but you can pause this when you’re not using it. 

Also: This tiny satellite communicator impressed me during one off-grid adventure