Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - inReach Mini 2 Compact Satellite Communicator 1.3" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Average customer rating
4.4
(1,305 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 1,305 reviews
5 Stars
918
4 Stars
190
3 Stars
92
2 Stars
41
1 Star
64
Customer Reviews for Garmin - inReach Mini 2 Compact Satellite Communicator 1.3" GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Black
Customer Rating
5
Great product
on May 26, 2024
Posted by: Paul 2157
Only had it for a month and it works likes promised. Had it in Northern Ontario and let me communicate with my family to let them know i was ok.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
No connection
on May 28, 2024
Posted by: tjchillin
took this out on the Foothills trail. Messaged would not send. Or took over an hour if it did at all. Battery only lasted for 2 1/2 days. Not 7-10 as expected.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Mini 2. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great piece of mind
on May 28, 2024
Posted by: Kent21
My wife and son in law love it because I can check in when I am in the back country on my horses
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love it!!!
on May 29, 2024
Posted by: Rescue Pilot
Upgrade from the Delorme InReach SE. The Mini 2 is faster and interfaces better with my iPhone.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Best in class of satelitte based messengers
on May 29, 2024
Posted by: ProfB
The general consensus that the InReach Mini 2 is the best of this type of satellite-based communicators is well-earned based on my personal experience with 2 such devises and two separate trips into the great outdoors in Southern and Central California. They do what they are advertized to do, and do so with the reliability that is key. However ,I will say that two improvements on the software/account dashboard end would be welcome and perhaps one future hardware change.
Software/ Account management:
1. The message inbox and the contact management is clunky and sometimes frustrating. For example, if I type in the devise specific email address of another Mini 2 that I'm trying to communicate with, that should be kept in a recent recipients list so that even if I don't save that address in my contacts using the phone-based messenger app, it should still be accessible. Given how difficult it is to type an address of even medium length, this would be a conveniet feature to have
Software/ Account management:
1. The message inbox and the contact management is clunky and sometimes frustrating. For example, if I type in the devise specific email address of another Mini 2 that I'm trying to communicate with, that should be kept in a recent recipients list so that even if I don't save that address in my contacts using the phone-based messenger app, it should still be accessible. Given how difficult it is to type an address of even medium length, this would be a conveniet feature to have
2. There should be a way for multiple Mini 2s to be accessible, manageable, and visible via the explore.garmin.com/map site without having to enroll in and pay for what Garmin is marketing as a "team" account. I have 3 Mini 2s so that each of my sons and I can have and use one when exploring remote locations or serious camping, but I have to log-in to separate accounts to manage each device. While I am totally fine with paying for 3 subscriptions (1 per device) why can't I manage them under one master log-in account and why can't I view their locations all together in one map? I can understand if an organization had 5 or more of these that Garmin would want to upsell them on a different tier of corporate or commercial plans, but 2-4 devices is something that is not unusual for a typical family of campers or hikers.
Hardware:
The only thing that would get me to upgrade to another Mini 2 would be a slightly larger screen. Don't want color or even better resolution and wouldn't want the hit to battery life that would come with it...but even a small increase say, going to 25mmX25mm or 1.1" X 1.1" (from the current 0.9" X 0.9") would allow for a larger font. If you are blessed with good vision or are under the age of 50---this may not mean much, but trust me that as a 51 yr old, I am just at the borderline of needing reading glasses to view the text on the screen. In a wilderness situation where glasses could be easily lost or damaged, the ability to read the screen with unaided eyes would be super-important.
The only thing that would get me to upgrade to another Mini 2 would be a slightly larger screen. Don't want color or even better resolution and wouldn't want the hit to battery life that would come with it...but even a small increase say, going to 25mmX25mm or 1.1" X 1.1" (from the current 0.9" X 0.9") would allow for a larger font. If you are blessed with good vision or are under the age of 50---this may not mean much, but trust me that as a 51 yr old, I am just at the borderline of needing reading glasses to view the text on the screen. In a wilderness situation where glasses could be easily lost or damaged, the ability to read the screen with unaided eyes would be super-important.
Overall, however, these are minor complaints for what is an excellent device and my revent experiences were excellent.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, May 30, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Effortless to Use, Great Device! But…
on June 1, 2024
Posted by: WhoDat7
This is my new “must carry” device! Hang on to the end of this review, I have a suggestion for Garmin. This thing works perfectly - I love the way check in messages are supplied with a map of your current loc - brilliant! Battery life is excellent as is signal acquisition. I own an iPhone 14 with satellite SOS but wanted the InReach as a “rugged” backip and to send “non-emergency” texts which the iPhone can’t in satellite mode. In fact I like it so much I told an older friend who has had heart trouble about it. He lives on a farm without cell service and the InTeach can get him help in an emergency he otherwise had no access to! SO! Here is my suggestion for Garmin (and 1st time users). I read all of the reviews and most if not all of the low ratings (undeserved) had to do with problems initializing the device. To avoid problems START, STEP 1.0 is GO TO EXPLORE.GARMIN.COM and SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT FIRST!!! You only need to turn the device on to obtain the IMEI and device codes for registration - do EVERYTHING ELSE on your smartphone or PC. After you set up your account, (should take less than 5 minutes) turn on the InReach, walk outside and wait for it to activate. Again should take just a few minutes! It is my opinion that if Garmin emphasized this sequence (rather than simply stating “you need an active account to use the device”) there would be less confusion and more user satisfaction. Thank you Garmin for an amazingly compact layer of security!!
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 3, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Overall great product
on June 1, 2024
Posted by: BallMe
I did the EBC hike in Nepal and I was generally able to keep in contact with family using the unlimited subscription. The other features, including waypoints, were also very handy.
The battery depletes fairly quickly, even on 30 minute tracking intervals, so it is best to keep the device off when you're not using it. Connection is extremely limited on cloudy/overcast days so just be aware of that.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 3, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great for keeping in reach
on June 2, 2024
Posted by: Oscar M
I bought the Mini InReach 2 to use on a bear hunt in Montana. Worked great for keeping in contact with family back in Kentucky.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, June 3, 2024
Thank you for your review.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin