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
3
Untapped Potential
on December 30, 2018
Posted by: Doug B
I assume the mini will work for the main reason I bought it, to save me in the woods if I don't have a cell phone signal and need help. Beyond that, I'm a little disappointed because this item has so much untapped potential. For example, I would like to upload GPX files into the companion map, Earthmate. This is possible but you must convert tracks (thousands to tens of thousands of points) to routes (limit of 200 points). I uploaded a 100 mile gpx track file and when I converted it to a route, it took over 20 miles off the course. This is because it reduces the points and makes a straight line between the reduced points. Since trails are windy, much of the run is missed. I would like this product to work like some of the free apps so I could upload a GPX file and keep every track point so I can follow a very detailed course in the Earthmate app to make sure I am not going off course. In the area I run, there are many intersecting trails so the potential for error with only 200 track points and straight lines between them is great. How can I get this from a free app, but a leader in GPS technology fails to provide this feature?
Also, I would like the ability to have family accurately track my location. If you use one of the less expensive subscription plans, you are limited to sending a track point out every 10 minutes. When it does this, it only sends your current point. Why can't it send all the track points for the previous 10 minutes so it accurately plots your route. One point would be fine if your family could follow you on an accurate route, but as previously mentioned, the routes aren't accurate because they reduce the track points to 200. Since there are straight lines between the points, I would guess I would be "off course" most of the time.
The Earthmate app is clunky as is the website. It is clear Garmin hasn't put much thought into this portion of the company since acquiring it from Delorme. I also have a Fenix watch and use the Livetrack option. This is a great feature which works wonderfully, but requires a cell signal. I was hoping to get the same via the InReach Mini and a satellite signal, but this has not been the case. Since Garmin is collecting money from InReach customers every month, I would think they would invest that money in product development.
Overall I am happy I have it so I can communicate in an emergency or just to send a quick text, but I hope Garmin invests some time into improvements.
Response from GarminBy Jenny, Outdoor, December 31, 2018
Thank you for your review and sorry to hear about your experience with the inReach Mini. We would like to discuss this further over email. If you could please email us at social.support@garmin.com.
Thanks
Jenny
Thanks
Jenny
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
This thing works well
on December 29, 2018
Posted by: J6496
Use it for hunting. Worked very close to normal texting speed off grid.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Early indications are good
on December 28, 2018
Posted by: Brett
I have only had this device for one week but I can say that the setup was very easy and intuitive. Initial feature tests have had perfect results. Looking forward to trying this in the field.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Great size
on December 27, 2018
Posted by: Bayly
Great size and better than ELT beacon. You can text back and forth with SOS personal in an emergency. It would be nice to have more than 3 preset messages to choose from to send free of charge and it would also be nice to be able to choose those messages on your phone instead of only on the unit.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Compact and well made
on December 26, 2018
Posted by: Jerry
I would have given 5 stars, but data plans are a rip-off. You should be able to keep it active all the time and pay for data if used rather that paying for months when not in use. If you do pay as you go (have to activate month to month), the monthly rate is crazy high. Love the unit and hope as more competition data providers will come down.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Does what it's supposed to do
on December 10, 2018
Posted by: AG6QR
Before purchasing, I did a lot of online research, so I was well acquainted with the capabilities of the inReach.
It's very small, lightweight, and sturdy-feeling. The buttons take a lot of pressure to activate, with a solid click when pressed. I'm afraid it would be downright painful to compose much of a free form message directly on the device. I'm glad that capability is there, but I intend to keep a well-charged phone nearby at all times.
It makes it easy to keep in touch with family when I'm out of cell phone reach, and it does this in a tiny, fairly simple to use package.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Just as advertised!
on December 3, 2018
Posted by: PA Toeknee
Works great to send and receive texts via satellite. Friends were able to follow my hike online. Tested in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks where there is no cell service except on a few of the summits.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
great innovation
on November 23, 2018
Posted by: Pier Veilleux
I am very happy with the device however I was desapointed not to receice some messges as well as delays up to one hour on some other communication
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin