Garmin inReach Mini 2 Compact Satellite Communicator, Flame Red

2024-06-20T20:00:00

I bought this primarily for emergency situations. I already use the Gaia GPS app with a premium membership subscription. I can download a map for my area (with a large variety of map layers) and use it when offline to find my way. I just needed something for emergencies or for sharing location while offline. This product and the two apps that work with it have a lot of functionality that only work when online. Or they provide little value but use precious battery power or satellite time. i.e. creating waypoints and routes, syncing with the device, following those routes, etc. Seems Garmin is providing more functionality to justify its cost to the purchaser but is just muddying the water and making the whole user experience more confusing. I'll give it more learning time out in the wild but it seems the most valuable features to me are SOS messaging and maybe Mapshare. BTW, the Mapshare site should be more intuitive and not require that I 'train' those I'm sharing it with.

Brad A.

Originally posted at

2024-06-18T20:00:00

I bought this a month ago and used it a few times. The unit works well but trying to figure out how to best use it and what plan to get is complicated. This unit has activities, tracks, check in messages, standard messages, routes..... There is significant opportunity to simplify. I bought this for safety when I am off the grid. For that purpose, it does a good job. I would definitely rework the plans and software to improve the user experience.

gfbrett

Originally posted at

2024-06-18T20:00:00

Let's my family know I'm safe while offshore and out of range

Chrisfish

Originally posted at

2024-06-17T20:00:00

I bought this a few weeks ago and am still learning the operating ins and outs! Due to some medical issues, along with remote motorcycle riding, it appealed to me in that I can keep in contact with my family when out and about in areas without cell phone coverage.

MNAdventurer

Originally posted at

2024-06-17T20:00:00

Partway through a 2000 mile bike journey. Have been in several areas without cell service but my family and friends can track/stalk me easily making sure I'm safe. My routes automatically loaded just in case my cell service and my garmin 1030 fail. Haven't sent many messages yet, but tested the functionality. There is a slight delay with messages so you need to tell your family not to expect instant replies.

Bgscuba

Originally posted at

2024-06-17T20:00:00

I bought this a few weeks ago and would like to return it but now I am stuck paying the whole year subscription fee if I cancel it?not happy at all

NOT H.

Originally posted at

2024-06-17T20:00:00

90% happy? bought for safety. Sometimes at the base of the Grand Canyon, I would send a message, but it wouldn't go out for a long time. That concerned me. It is still a great device and current mini 2 price very reasonable.

Mini 2.

Originally posted at

2024-06-16T20:00:00

I like the upgrades from the original Mini but the menus, workflow, and use is very different. I manage a pool of devices, giving them to different users for a few days or several months as needed. The Mini 2 works so differently from the Mini it has caused confusion and frustration for my users. Get it together Garmin. This is a device people rely on for remote communication and SAFETY! If you are going to change the name of a feature from Preset to Check-in messages, do it for everything, not just one model.

AK U.

Originally posted at

2024-06-15T20:00:00

I bought this because my wife didn't like the weight of my Garmin Explorer+ and wouldn't take it hiking (I use it for paragliding). Unfortunately, the 2nd time we tried to use the Mini 2 to send a preset message, it couldn't acquire GPS and sent the message without a location. On the Garmin Explorer you can tell whether it has a good GPS signal, but on the Mini 2 you can't. You can't even get your coordinates with the apps, which appear to be generally less useful than the older Earthmate app. It appears to send messages just fine, but will probably return mine because it can't double as a GPS.

Geomorph

Originally posted at

2024-06-15T20:00:00

Bought the Garmin mini inreach 2 at Rei on sale, a few months ago while I was still in Fairbanks Alaska for my return to the lower 48. I was looking forward to upgrading my original inreach. The mini 2 has more features and now you can use it with Garmin messenger app, as well as Explore app, making your lines of communication much easier. This tracker gives you & your loved ones peace of mind when I'm out mountain biking, hiking or driving between states as a traveling rad tech in the medical field, in which some places I go, there's no cell service, no matter what plan you have.

Mtn J.

Originally posted at

2024-06-14T20:00:00

Not the size, the features! This little featherweight device fits in the palm of your hand but provides me with excellent communications and added safety in the backcountry. I usually hunt and often ski alone outside cell coverage, and until I bought inReach, I had no way to let my wife know exactly where I was or just to tell her that I was doing fine. The inReach has changed all of that. I use the basic subscription which provides 10 messages per month, but unlimited scripted messages that are included in the unit that don't count against the 10. So far they have provided us with everything we need to communicate, and my location is sent automatically so she knows where I am. The inReach will do a whole lot more than this, including navigation and sending an SOS, but thankfully I haven't need these features yet, and hope I don't! I highly recommend this little unit if you need the same piece of mind.

WBrainerd

Originally posted at

2024-06-14T20:00:00

Used it on a first trip. Easy to use. Very effective and reliable. Look forward to using on more trips this summer

todo

Originally posted at

2024-06-14T20:00:00

I'm very happy to have the security of knowing I can alert emergency services if something goes wrong in the backcountry.

Poobah21

Originally posted at

2024-06-14T20:00:00

2 apps, subscriptions? I figured out how to send messages, still trying to figure out the tracker.

Marco7172

Originally posted at

2024-06-13T20:00:00

I bought this because I do a lot of solo hunts and trail runs in Alaska! My wife was always worried about me and not being able to talk to me. Thing mini 2 works perfect and it give me peace of mind that if something happens, I have an emergency out.

CW2424

Originally posted at

2024-06-12T20:00:00

I've had the InReach Mini 2 for about a month now, so far I've used it on backcountry bicycle and fishing trips. It works very well and my wife likes it as well as we can communicate without cell phone coverage. I recently switched from a different brand of communicator as I really like to have the rescue insurance that is available with the Garmin but not with some other brands.

Trouthunter196

Originally posted at

2024-06-12T20:00:00

Giving this a four star - Shall change it to five if it works as advertised in an emergency. I purchased a inReach Mini 2 because of all the backroads travel I / we do. Most of it is dark to cell service. Much all the property we own and all our neighbors own is dark to cell service. To just have the emergency alert beacon available is so hands down worth the money. As far as we are concerned the texting feature is just side candy - as is the tracking? I always know where I am. Be it personally going and coming and doing life in a very rural / wilderness area. Or just coming on to a motorist involved in a life threatening emergency and the nearest phone service can be an hour away if you know where to go.

Rick R.

Originally posted at

2024-06-11T20:00:00

I love everything about it except the battery life. The battery drained from full to zero in about 32 hours with partial tree cover. (AT). Tracking set to 20 min. Bluetooth connected to phone. Farming off overnight. So it needs to be charged every night. Instructions might be clearer on which of the plethora of garmin websites should be used with it, I'm using Explore. Until iOS 18 comes out, I won't leave home without it. Even after that I'll probably continue to use it. It. Makes me look like a YouTuber with it hanging from my pack strap!

Blind b.

Originally posted at

2024-06-11T20:00:00

Im happy that i have something that i can try to use if i need to be rescued. I tried to send a message the other day and it just spun like there was no signal. Hope that was just a fluke. Also it's unclear if I'm using one of my 10 messages. I now have 7 but not clear why?

Dafaq

Originally posted at

2024-06-11T20:00:00

The initial set-up was pretty straight forward, but the MapShare measure is a pain to get to work correctly. I also hate being held hostage by yet another subscription.

Ntlost

Originally posted at

2024-06-11T20:00:00

It is tiny device with long lasting battery and great functionality. Remember, Mini 2 is just part of the package. With it you get access not only to the device but to a great application that expands its use x10 times and RESCUE INSURANCE coverage at a small price!!. Satellite messaging, maps, waypoint, GPS tracking, compass and S.O.S button(!) in your palm worth more than $$

Ed G.

Originally posted at

2024-06-11T20:00:00

I bought a mini 2 on sale at REI and plan selling my mini 1. Although the reviews suggested modest improvements from the original mini, I was shocked at how comparatively fast it was to send messages with the newer model. Worth every penny.

DrbobinSLO

Originally posted at

2024-06-10T20:00:00

Great for you and family peace of mind while out exploring

Seansmd

Originally posted at

2024-06-10T20:00:00

I like the improvements. I've never had to use my old unit for an emergency (thank goodness) but it was very difficult to use to communicate with back home with general emails. This new mini with the Bluetooth allowing it to use the phone to type solves that issue completely.

TMC56

Originally posted at

2024-06-10T20:00:00

Have not used it in the woods yet. I am just figuring out how to use it. I feel like there are too many apps involved. The billing is also confusing. You are instructed to test it before each use but you have to pay extra for more than 5 test messages. I would think that necessary service would be included. Much of the instruction is online and won't be much help if you are somewhere without service. I may be able to give more stars once I get used to it but there seems to be a pretty steep learning curve in the beginning.

KDK_AK

Originally posted at

2024-06-09T20:00:00

The Garmin Inreach Mini 2 is a great product. Works awesome! But Garmin need to update their plans to be competitive with other companies. Had I known about the new ACR satellite messenger I would have purchased it instead.

AaronOR

Originally posted at

2024-06-08T20:00:00

I bought the Mini 2 as a replacement for the Mini and possibly the Explorer+. The Mini worked for me, but I found the battery life and GPS sensitivity did not fully meet my needs. The Explorer+ had better battery life, a map display and a better interface for typing messages, but it is larger and heavier. I am a SCUBA diver and the dive housing for the Mini greatly expanded its utility, but the relatively short battery life negated much of that capability. I found the Mini didn't quite cut it on two rafting trips through the Grand Canyon due to the poor sensitivity of the GPS, which was necessary to download weather forecasts. After using the Mini 2 for a couple of weeks I've very pleased with the enhanced battery life and GPS performance using the GPS Multi-GNSS Setting. The Mini 2 navigation and satellite communication are greatly enhanced using the Explore and Messenger smartphone apps. Kudos for Garmin keeping the size and shape the same so that the Mini 2 fits in the same dive housing! The only place where the Mini 2 is a bit deficient is with stand-alone navigation (no maps) and stand-alone entry of text. I can foresee applications where the limitations of carrying and charging a phone just isn't going to be practical, forcing a reliance on the stand-alone functions. Given the inherent limitations of the size and shape of the device that might be asking a bit too much. Overall, I'm very pleased with the upgrade of the Mini 2 over the original Mini and am looking forward to using it to its full potential.

HIker-Diver-Rafter

Originally posted at

2024-06-08T20:00:00

I took my new inreach mini 2 for a trial run in the Laurel Highlands of PA and was initially disappointed. I'm glad I did this before taking it out backpacking alone in a secluded area where I depended on it. On my trial run I was very disappointed with its lack of ability to find and send my location and messages. The tree canopy on these small mountains does not give a clear view of the sky anywhere, and the garmin was essentially useless. What I learned from this is that apparently the test function should be used at the start point of the excursion, not at home before leaving. I assume this was my problem because after testing with open sky at the campground it worked flawlessly, even in forest. For my first solo wilderness with the inreach I stood in the road at the entry point before heading into the forest and hit the test button. It took a few minutes to signal a successful test. But after this it was quite impressive. I was able to navigate the trailless forest using the inreach mini 2, and sent my location and messages home flawlessly. I was very impressed. Hopefully I will never use the SOS button, but I now feel confident that it is really there if needed. I am very happy with the size, light weight, and ability to function in the forest (at least after initial synch with open sky).

Radicle

Originally posted at

2024-06-05T20:00:00

Had the Inreach Explorer for years and it worked well for my motorcycle adventures. BUT I mounted it on the motorcycle vs on me due to its size. In the unfortunate event of a crash I might have found myself in a situation where I was unable to reach the Inreach thus making it useless when needed most. The Inreach Mini2 solves this issue due to its much smaller size. Also the UI is much easier to navigate! So far I am very happy with the upgrade to the Mini2 and look forward to using it on my next 11 day moto camping trip. BONUS, my wife has much more peace of mind when I am out adventuring as she know when I am starting, stopping and on the move. And should the unfortunate happen knows where I am to send help short of a send everyone emergency. Thanks Garmin!!

Mike1200

Originally posted at

2024-06-05T20:00:00

Very easy to use and super small and long battery life!!

superArt

Originally posted at