Watch this Field Test between the Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs SPOT X, and see if you think there is a clear winner.

First, Let’s Look at the Differences

The SPOT X is two or three times larger than the Mini 2
The SPOT X has a larger keyboard
The inReach Mini 2 can display maps on a synced smartphone
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 can get weather forecasts on a synced smartphone
The SPOT X has a built-in keyboard
The Mini 2 has Global, Pole-to-Pole satellite coverage

Now, What About the Similarities?

SOS Function
Two-way Messaging
Satellite Messenger
Navigation
Tracking
Waypoint Creation

Here’s a quick look at some of the specifications between both satellite messengers.

The Navigation Field Test

I headed out to an open space trail near my home in Colorado to field test these two satellite messengers, primarily with respect to navigation, and here’s what I found out between the two.

First, make sure your device is ready to go before heading out. Make sure you have a subscription and that your satellite messenger is connected to your smartphone by Bluetooth.

Next, set your waypoint in the SPOT X and/or the Garmin inReach Mini 2. In this test, I created a route in the Explore App and was able to find my way through the scrub oak because I could see a gap in the trees from the aerial I was using in the App. I could not see this on the SPOT X and would have struggled more with finding a way through the trees.

Now, start navigating to your waypoint. You can see in the following photo that the SPOT X only gives me a direction and distance, while the Mini 2 and the Explore App gives me that information, plus the aerial and waypoints to find my way through the trees more easily.