Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - InReach GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Red/Black
Average customer rating
4.1
(717 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 717 reviews
5 Stars
411
4 Stars
133
3 Stars
74
2 Stars
45
1 Star
54
Customer Reviews for Garmin - InReach GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Red/Black
Customer Rating
3
Problematic GPS Connectivity
on August 15, 2021
Posted by: AZhiker
I bought this unit because of the compact size and lighter weight which would be advantageous for backpacking...the unit seems well made and is easy enough to operate but I have consistently had problems with the unit indicating "Poor GPS Strength" when trying to send a Preset message and that I should position the unit so that it has a clear view of the sky...I've had this problem in the Phoenix valley, Sedona and Mt. Rainier, and with one exception, always had a very open view of the sky...although I just wanted to send a Preset message, I am concerned about this happening if I was in a true SOS situation...I talked with a Garmin support person after the first few occurrences of this problem and he had me update the firmware, indicating that this would more than likely fix the problem...the test in my backyard worked fine (but so did the initial activation test when I set up the service plan) but when used on hikes after this, the problem was encountered each time although for all but one time, the message eventually was sent...on several of these hikes, an inReach Explorer in the same area worked with no issue...I switched to Garmin because of the reliability of the inReach full-size units, but, for me, the jury is still out on the mini.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 16, 2021
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Mini. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Thanks Jenny
Thanks Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Confusing
on August 17, 2021
Posted by: Windance
I find that it is confusing to use. Plus half the time it won't sync up to my phone. I can't imagine being out on the trail with no cell service standing there trying to use the Garmin Mini. It's hard to navigate or find the different features. Sometimes you end up pushing several up, down and back arrows to get where you want. It could just be me not being very technical. I was hoping it would be simpler to use on the trail. It may be something I just need to use a few times to get the hang of it.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 18, 2021
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Mini. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Thanks Jenny
Thanks Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Opinions on First Use
on August 19, 2021
Posted by: JSchwalbe
I have used this device on one hike so far, and have gone through all the menu items. I used the tracking and sent some messages. Honestly I find the user interface not very intuitive. I am also surprised that there is no way to observe a connection to the satellite. In the open it seems to work fine, but in the woods it has a hard time connecting, unlike my Garmin eTrex 30x.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 23, 2021
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Mini. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Thanks Jenny
Thanks Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Easy to use
on August 20, 2021
Posted by: HannahC
I bought this a few weeks ago for my solo hiking and camping trips and it has definitely come in handy when checking in with family and friends! Must have for anyone who enjoys the outdoors alone. I will say though, it's frustrating trying to understand which Garmin apps are for the inReach mini compared to other Garmin devices. I have a Garmin watch as well and it's hard keeping track of the two because they each use multiple apps. Regardless, the inReach mini is a necessary purchase for anyone who enjoys the outdoors solo.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 23, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Great Product
on August 23, 2021
Posted by: Smokestack
I bought this for use while offshore fishing. Great product but the service is quite expensive for the little actual use I do. Unfortunately even the basic service is a bit pricey for the recreational angler.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 23, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
weak antennae
on August 24, 2021
Posted by: fishermark
It continuously says "weak GPS" on the screen. Does not matter where I am. I can hold it up for 5 minutes on top of a mountain peak without a single tree or another peak in sight, and it will persist in telling me that I have a weak GPS connection. Sometimes all the messages I sent from the trail go out only after I arrive home. I have found that you can get around the "weak GPS" message and send text without location, but that seems to be short of its advertised capabilities.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 25, 2021
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Mini. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Thanks Jenny
Thanks Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Does the job without the weight!
on August 25, 2021
Posted by: TJFont
With any product your satisfaction depends on how you use it. For me, the InReach Mini perfectly suits my needs. I mostly use it to make people aware of my location and send short stored messages on my status. It would take an unusual circumstance for me to require composing a message through my phone or on the teeny screen. And, of course, in a worst case situation there is the SOS capability.
Having owned the full size InReach I would not go back to it. It weighs considerably more and offers features that I wouldn't use largely because they are available on my phone or GPS. The satellite reception of the Mini seems generally similar to the full size unit and I find battery life is good on both units.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 27, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Works well enough, but could be improved
on August 26, 2021
Posted by: Lando
I have had this device for about two years, and I carry it on every hike/climb/ski trip I go on. It has been good to be able to check in with my family members when I'm on an extended trip. I like being able to send presets for "free" and writing custom messages when I want, it gives a good mix of options.
However, I am not so happy with its reliability. Sometimes even with a great view of the sky it will fail, and I never even try anymore if I'm in a heavily-treed area. Retrying messages is confusing.
Overall I've learned to work around these issues, and the device is still useful. I just wish it worked a little better or gave more transparency to the signal strength, state of attempted messages, retry options, etc.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 27, 2021
Thank you for your review and experience with the inReach Mini. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you would please email us at product.support@garmin.com.
Thanks Jenny
Thanks Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin