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
Frustrating for me
on August 30, 2021
Posted by: Hal1
I got this as a gift last Christmas, but haven't had the time to check it out in greater detail. However, it does not at all appear to be user-friendly. Probably my fault, but I don't have all the time in the world to learn even the basics. What is missing is the opportunity to have a hands-on lesson on getting started.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, August 30, 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
Just OK
on August 31, 2021
Posted by: bkatfamily
Don't get me wrong, the Mini is great to have for personal responsibility when spending time in remote areas. It just costs too much. Either the device should be cheaper or the service should be cheaper. Instead, both cost too much together. Then after paying too much in general, the associated tech (e.g. explore website and Earthmate app) is pretty old and clunky.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 1, 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
Love it
on September 1, 2021
Posted by: WanderwomanPNW
I’ve only use this one so far on a backpacking trip but loved it’s ease of use. I found a particularly helpful for waypoint marking And for texting a family member. I can’t wait to play with this new toy more. It’s super late and so far I highly recommend it.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 1, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great for information and communication.
on September 1, 2021
Posted by: Hike81
Haven't tried the SOS button and I hope I never have to. Love being able to get a text out to family.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 3, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
Way too complicated
on September 2, 2021
Posted by: naturelover
I find myself continually frustrated how complicated this thing is. It's way too hard to set up and understand, and even after you invest many hours into grappling with the menus and app you'll find that you have to relearn everything if you don't use it every day because it's not at all intuitive. I've already spent several days researching how to use it and I still don't really understand how to send and receive messages. It doesn't help that the experience of sending messages isn't satisfying, and if I'm out in the wilderness sending out a message about when I'll be back at the trailhead or coming home I really want the confidence of knowing that my message went through. I have also found the tiny, complex menus and buttons extremely awkward. All menu items rank equally in the hierarchy so I find myself scrolling through menus I don't understand in search of key items that I want bolded and upfront, such as Send Message, Receive Message, and My Location. Put those three items on the home page, with Other as a submenu at the bottom and it would make a lot more sense. The buttons are also really awkward, no matter how hard I try to learn otherwise I find the Back button and the OK button awkwardly reversed. My thumb rests comfortably on the lower Back button so when I'm scrolling rapidly through the menu it's the button I want to click but that just sends me backwards in the menu and totally jumbles up where I am in the menu. The higher OK button is in an uncomfortable spot and this makes it hard and nonintuitive to move forwards through the menu. I guess, and hope, this thing will come in handy in case of an emergency but the experience otherwise has been less than positive. This includes the web and mobile apps, which both try to do too much and make you jump through too many hoops, to the point where I dread having to use the apps to access more functionality. There's nothing simple or pleasant about this Garmin ecosystem.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 3, 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
Amazing: If you take the time to learn how to use
on September 3, 2021
Posted by: ChukarHunter
Although the Mini is easy to turn on and sign up for a plan, you won't fully understand the value of it until you spend time getting to know it. Garmin Express to Update the Software, Garmin Explore to use to turn your Mini into a Maxi. Old Coach's saying, "put a nickel in get a nickel out, put a dollar in, get a dollar out" Put a Dollar into knowing how to use your Mini and you won't regret it.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 7, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
great for basics
on September 5, 2021
Posted by: harperwc
the antenna seems to be great. i get uninterrupted info even if it is just sitting on the back seat of the airplane. i am somewhat frustrated that the tracklog doesn't send from the device itself. when it "sends" tracking info to the share page, it doesn't share the tracking data, it just shares a single point. if i am incapacitated, 10 minute old info is not super helpful when i am cruising at 125 mph. the actual tracking info is only updated on the share page when you plug in.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 7, 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
2
Didn’t work for my application
on September 6, 2021
Posted by: Wmkk
Own forest property and it kept asking for clear sky. In the forest it wasn’t connecting
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, September 7, 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