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
Great features but....
on August 29, 2018
Posted by: BigCooly
I finally purchased the inReach Mini! I chose the mini over the inReach full feature models for the size and weight. I figured with what i read about the Earthmate app that this setup would do everything I wanted it to do.
I'll start off by saying I did not find the system and documentation very intuitive. i am a technical guy so I managed. Since this is the first generation of inReach under the Garmin name, they apparently have not done much with the systems that are required to make everything come together. By systems I am referring to the Earthmate App and the Garmin inReach portal site. you really have to learn 3 things and they are all documented separately. 1. The inReach mini unit. 2. The Earthmate App 3. The inReach Portal Web site where you set up your plan, contacts, quick messages and map sharing.
I tested everything. I used the unit along with my iPhone and started tracking a short walk in a local park. I turned off my phones data and wi-fi. Messages sent fine and replies were received. The tracking interval of 10 minutes ( lowest option available with my plan ) worked ok too. I set a logging interval of 2 minutes and that seemed to work as well. You will have to read the documentation to learn the different in tracking and logging intervals.
I then tested navigating to an established way-point. I created a way-point from the map on the web portal and synced up my Earthmate app with automatically synced to the inReach over blue tooth. I used the inReach without the smart phone to navigate to the way-point ( a couple of blocks from my house ) and it worked fine. This navigation is a simple arrow point in the straight line direction of the way-point giving you the distance as the crow flies to that point. I did the same test using the Earthmate App on the iPhone. In both cases the navigation worked. When I got to within a few feet of the way-point the inReach and the App both alerted me that I had arrived.
It seems as if once you buy an inReach mini unit you get all the Earthmate features and maps and the only purpose the mini serves is to allow SAT Com messaging. You could turn the mini off and still get map share tracking points via your GPS on your phone. Don't take my word on that as I have not tested that exact use case. That is next.
Things I find odd:
1. While the Earthmate App will tap into your phone contact list for sending messages through the app, it will not sync those contacts up to the inReach device. To get contacts loaded on the inReach mini you have to add them manually one at a time form the web portal.
1. While the Earthmate App will tap into your phone contact list for sending messages through the app, it will not sync those contacts up to the inReach device. To get contacts loaded on the inReach mini you have to add them manually one at a time form the web portal.
2. While you can use the App and the Mini independently of one another, the app seems to require use of the phones GPS chip rather than using the GPS on the mini for map positioning in the app. I though I could turn location services off on my iPhone to save battery life and the Earthmate app would still show my location on the map by use of the blue tooth paired mini. This appears to not be so.
3. The inReach mini is not compatible with Garmin Connect.
4. You cannot set way-point proximity alerts with the mini. Not sure about the SE or Explorer.
Overall the mini is a strong unit. If I had it to do over again I may have gone with the full Explorer for a few more ounces just to have the better integrated interface on the unit. Earthmate works with all 3 units so there is no sacrifice there. I do recommend this product.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Easy to use
on August 29, 2018
Posted by: Barbar56
Being new to this technology we are finding the InReach mini fairly easy to use. The setup and confirmation check took a little longer than expected to get a satellite feed but otherwise it has performed well. We have been able to send and receive email messages while on a cross country trek and out of standard connection zones.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Unit is just "Too Cu
on August 27, 2018
Posted by: gsmX2
I have been using a competitor's unit for six years. Each year, when it is time to renew my subscription, I evaluate what is on the market. This is the first unit that made me make the upgrade. Two way communication, improved network, confirmed delivery, and customization messages did it for me. Still, I had a little apprehension about getting something to replace something that worked "OK".
That apprehension went away IMMEDIATELY when I opened the package. This unit is just TOO CUTE to return. I love it. It is really well made, easy to operate, easy to customize, and can be carried in a number ways.
I keep it in my car at all times unless I am on the trail. The fact that it is available and usable 365 days a year makes it worth the extra cost of the subscription.
I am recommending this to my friends.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Peace during the adventure
on August 27, 2018
Posted by: SmatterPunk
This filled a need perfectly for my family. I like to go on adventures and climb mountains, hike, sail, etc. and my family likes to follow along (but aren't too interested in joining). Being able to check in at night from Tanzania, deep in the Montana wilderness or from the mid-atlantic has brought a lot of peace to our family while I'm out and about. Also, been a moral booster to get message from folks that things are okay.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Small but Powerful
on August 25, 2018
Posted by: AH Hiker
My wife especially loves my inreach Mini whenever I go hiking in wilderness areas. My first trip was 4 days and it was not set up completely, but it still allowed her to get and send messages. You have to manage battery charge on longer trips much like cell phone or GPS. It provides a high level of security and safety when venturing off the grid.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Let's others track you and enable messaging
on August 25, 2018
Posted by: John h
The tracking worked well, but the displayed mileage was consistently 10 to 20 percent lower each day compared to maps and other known sources. You should not use this product to find landmarks at specific mileages on trail.
The satellite messaging works pretty well, but slowed down considerably each evening around 8pm PST. Messages would take up to 20 minutes to send, or they would fail and be sent in the morning hours.
My #1 complaint was if you looked at a message on the in reach, you could never get that message to appear on application on the phone. Checking messages involved checking them on the phone, and then checking on in reach to see if there were others that didn't show up.
There is also an issue with some messages showing up as unread messages on the in reach that you can never clear out. We tried opening and scrolling through viewing every message, but none of us could clear them out on the mini.
Others on my trip using the mini also had similar experiences.
Response from GarminBy Enrique, Outdoor, August 27, 2018
Hi John h,
Thanks for the review. I'm sorry you encountered some issues. If you haven't already I would suggest updating the software on your device and if the issues persist I would contact us direct. https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Ja89gOYt437HdPcppbz4C9&productID=592606&searchQuery=software
Thanks for the review. I'm sorry you encountered some issues. If you haven't already I would suggest updating the software on your device and if the issues persist I would contact us direct. https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Ja89gOYt437HdPcppbz4C9&productID=592606&searchQuery=software
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Awesome communicator, take everywhere size
on August 25, 2018
Posted by: Ownedbymalamutes
This communicator works great with very fast and reliable message sending and receiving. The device logging settings allow the recording of GPS tracks like a standard GPS unit and the uploading of track points allow others to easily track you on a nice map page where they can also request your current position or send a message if you allow those options.
The ability to send unlimited preset messages for no extra cost was the most important feature for me. Because the device is so small, I use an annual plan and take it any time I may be out of cellular coverage.
The Earthmate app works perfectly on my iPhone X with good offline mapping.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great size. Powerful features.
on August 25, 2018
Posted by: EdMo
Love this unit. Small size makes it hard to beat. Paired with an iPHone, great graphics and interface. Peace of mind knowing I have the SOS button. Nice to text family occasionally via sattelites when out of cell service range.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin