We broke down in rural eastern Turkey with no phone signal. This device is the reason we are here to write about it.

We resisted buying a satellite communicator for two years. The price felt hard to justify; the risk felt manageable. Then we broke down on a mountain road east of Kayseri at 6pm in October. No phone signal. No passing traffic. The van’s alternator had failed. It was getting dark and the temperature was dropping fast.

We sent a non-emergency text message to our emergency contact in the UK via the inReach. Our contact called the international breakdown service included with our RAC European cover. A rescue truck arrived two hours later. We were uncomfortable and stressed, but we were safe. Without the satellite communicator, our options would have been limited to hoping someone drove past.

We now carry the inReach Mini 2 everywhere. It clips to a bag strap, weighs nothing noticeable, and gives us a level of security that has changed how far off-road we are comfortable driving. The subscription cost is real and worth it. Consider it a non-optional cost of remote travel.