Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - InReach GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Red/Black
Average customer rating
4.1
(729 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 729 reviews
5 Stars
413
4 Stars
134
3 Stars
77
2 Stars
47
1 Star
58
Customer Reviews for Garmin - InReach GPS with Built-In Bluetooth - Red/Black
Customer Rating
4
Needs some work but accomplishes its main purpose.
on May 28, 2021
Posted by: Waymaker JKU
I have been putting off the inReach Mini for a while but after a situation pushed me to be more active in my ability to communicate while off-roading I picked one up. The device itself as a communication device does some great things but with all products there is certainly room to improve. I have found battery life to be good while connected but I can drop 3% on start-up while it hunts for satellites. If you leave it on overnight and it loses connection however the battery will be very low in the morning. Since it's mostly plugged in for my uses that doesn't effect me greatly but something hikers may want to consider. The size is perfect for what it needs to do as well. It's very "out of the way" and light so I can see that this would be great for backpacking and travelling with limited space. The buttons are big enough to use easily even with gloves. The usage is a bit cumbersome as far as features. Since it is a "mini" device I think there should be some enhancements to how the device sets up. I know Garmin is trying to recoup expenses with allowing 3 preset messages being the only "free" option not coming out of your plan but figuring out what 3 messages cover your entire trip or until you can get to a PC can be limiting. Even some adjustment of changing who receives the presets at while out would improve the use of the device. Overall I am satisfied with the inReach and it does a great job of "off network" communication and updating locations and I am sure Garmin will keep improving the experience.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 28, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
1
Pretty Disappointed.
on May 28, 2021
Posted by: Deeznuts
Recently purchased for my trip to Isle Royale. Constantly get poor GPS single when outside with no obstructions. Did a software update and still get poor GPS single. What's the point of having this device if you don't have confidence you will get service. Also pretty disappointed that you need to connect your device to a hard drive for updates, it's 2021. Not worth the money
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 28, 2021
Thank you for your review and your 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
4
It works!
on May 27, 2021
Posted by: Maux1
Just got it, so it’s early to judge. I will say this: out the box, setup was fairly straight forward. Took awhile to understand the need to install an app on your phone, and manage your device from a Garmin website after establishing an account. I tested it once on a day hike to 10,000ft. Got weather, sent texts, and emails - all were received, plus, I received responses. Still learning more, but I feel good about it serving me well on my next through hike.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 28, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Convenient
on May 27, 2021
Posted by: jona
Bought it, set it up, activated, haven't used yet though. Garmin keeps asking me to review so here it is!
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 27, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
My mini
on May 27, 2021
Posted by: Jim3552
I bought this last fall and finally registered it for summer backpacking
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 27, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Don’t know what we would do without it
on May 26, 2021
Posted by: Libby7
On a recent backpacking trip , my husband hurt his foot and could not continue. We had no service at all - save the garmin . I was able to text my sister who arranged a ride for us . Without it , we would still be stuck in the backcountry .
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 27, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Good device providing basic GPS communication
on May 26, 2021
Posted by: fertrail
I have gone out with my new inReach Mini a couple of times and it has worked well, as advertised. Preset messages and standard messages worked well, and operation through iPhone app is well designed and simple to use. The cost of the plan kept me from buying the device sooner, I still think it is outrageously expensive, but the peace of mind is important to me.
Response from GarminBy Garmin , Outdoor, May 27, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Super small, all that I need!
on May 26, 2021
Posted by: Jesh
I just needed a satellite communicator, not another smart phone. I got one of those already. :) This is perfect. It synced up with the satellite service within a couple minutes, setup through my iPhone was fast (this is where you get all the features of the more expensive Garmin devices anyway), and while the actual interface on this device isn't intuitive, it's not a difficult learning curve. It's pretty light, too, as it should be for its intended purpose. If you haven't used the inReach service before, this device lets you set up three "check-in" style messages that can be sent in unlimited quantity to your contact's email addresses. This is helpful for sending messages such as "I'm doing great! Just checking in" or "I'm delayed a little. I'll send more details later" or whatnot. In addition, there are something like 10? preset messages you can edit through your inReach account that make it much faster to send common messages to your contact's mobile phone as a text message. You can also type your own from the device, but it's painful, haha. Definitely best to make use of the presets. These message types have a limited quantity in some of the plans, so I would recommend spending some time setting them up in a way that plays well with the 3 unlimited type messages that you'll want to send more often. You should know this is not a satellite "phone". It just sends and receives text and email messages. Anyway, loving this little device!
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Outdoor, May 27, 2021
Thank you for your review. Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin