inReach Mini 2 vs GPSMAP 66i

[@bradl2636]

I bought a Mini 2 after watching one or two of your reviews plus a few others so thanks for that.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Glad I could help. The Mini 2 is one of my favorite satellite communicators and is right up there with the GPSMAP 67i. Let me know if you have any questions. Rick

[@stephaniehenson7710]

Great and timely review! I bought the 66i recently to upgrade from my old DeLorme InReach SE, but I’m on the fence about returning it to get the Mini 2. The primary reason I bought the 66i was to have a standalone satellite communicator with robust maps so I wouldn’t have to be tethered to a phone app or my Fenix 7SS to navigate. But…the battery life and size/ weight of the 66i is why I keep thinking about returning it to get the Mini 2. I’ll always have a battery bank with me. It’s just a tough call because I think they’re both quality devices with different strengths.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Hi Stephanie. I agree they're both great satellite messengers. This is a personal decision, but I'm switching my subscription back to the Mini 2 because it has everything I like to use, it has a lot longer battery life and it's really small, plus I prefer to use my cell phone to message and look at the maps. Good luck with your decision. Rick

[@stephaniehenson7710]

@@outdooremergencytech Makes perfect sense!

[@TheShays]

Personnally I bought the 66i for an Aviation emergency situation. It’s always charged in my hanger and when I go out flying I take it with me in a case with a charger as part of my preflight. The scenario I would use it is If I have an emergancy landing in some place I have never been to. I like the SOS flashlight feature so rescuer can see me at night or to use it if I need to as a flash light. I also like the map zoom out on my device so I can try and figure out if I can walk to a safe destination by myself. Understanding topography is important, I don’t want to find myself walking the wrong direction or the wrong topographical path from civilizaiton and exhaust myself with minimal water or food. If am really far from civilizaion I like the “Geographic Points” to try and help me find water/land features/man made places. So my thesis is that I will be found in 200 hours on 30 mintues tracking and that it will work for an emergency situation like this. For that reason I only have the Annual Safety Plan, I really don’t need more than that. With that said, for hiking multiple nights, I would take the Mini 2 without hesitation, battery and weight are more important in situations like these IMO. Thank you for the detailed review!

[@outdooremergencytech]

Thanks for the great insight and your thoughts on how you use it. It's funny because my daughter just walked by and we started talking about how you use the 66i. I am a private pilot and she is a few weeks from taking her private FAA check ride and will be going on to become a commercial pilot. I have the 66i, plus many other satellite messengers, and we both agreed that I need to sign my 66i over to her so she can use it in emergency situations as you have just described as a pilot. I would love to hear more from you about how you have used it or plans on using it if you care to share more. Thanks again for the great comments. Rick

[@TheShays]

@@outdooremergencytech That’s awesome Rick! Good luck to her on her check ride! My dad was a pilot and I started flying at 18 because of him. Now my boys who are only 7 and 4 fly RCs and drones. In terms of using it. I was an Air Force pilot prior to flying private and I always had a GPS on my torso. That is the reason I wanted one, I was used to it. In terms of other features I like pressing MARK to get my location. I also carry a hand held emergency radio in my bag, I can call on gaurd 121.5 and hopfully I can give someone in the area my coordinates. This is in addtion to the SOS function and messages that I add my coordintaes to. I set mine with the compass on my map as default so if I do find myself walking to make sure I hold the heading. Display timeout I have on 15 seconds to save battery. Another nice feature is moon light if you are at night, I have navigated in training 100s of miles at night. When the moon is up or down makes a huge difference, it’s more of a decision making tool to if I would want to walk at night or not. I hope it helps, just my 2 cents.

[@TheShays]

I just noticed you are in Colorado, I am hangered in colorado air and space. Where do you fly out of?

[@outdooremergencytech]

I really appreciate the additional information. I was also in the Air Force and started my private pilot training while at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City. I did most of my flying out of Wiley Post Airport and almost finished my instrument training before deciding to spend my time and money on a civil engineering degree at OU. I wish I would have continued in aviation after receiving my degree. Now, I'm helping my daughter become a pilot, plus I am studying back up on ground school to get checked out again, and will continue my instrument training as my daughter is in her training. I'll get back in the air again, after I make sure my daughter's training is financed. We will definitely keep satellite messengers with us when we fly and not only when hiking. Thanks again for the advice and information. Rick

[@outdooremergencytech]

I am currently not flying. I'm helping pay for my daughter's training, but will get back into it when she finishes her commercial license. Grace trains at the Broomfield airport. It was the only part 141 program we could find in the area. We live near Larkspur and I work in Lone Tree so we're not far apart. I would like to meet up with you somewhere if you're open to it. Have you ever eaten at the Perfect Landing at the Centennial Airport? Let me know if you're open to breakfast or lunch someday, or want to check out airplanes some time. Rick

[@salsalvio821]

I bought the 66i. Granted, I didn’t set it up for great battery but I did a day and a half of hiking and then it died. I bought the mini 2 for $300 over Christmas. I’m trying to justify keeping it. Your video was helpful. Thank you

[@outdooremergencytech]

Honestly, I would sell the 66i and keep the Mini 2 and maybe upgrade to the 67i at some point. It's much better than the 66i. Rick

[@kristaps2010]

I’m suprised 66i got also flashlight with adjustable brightness. I feel Garmin will release new gpsmap handheld navigators. It’s about time, maybe towards September. Inreach mini 2 released on 2nd February 2022 Inreach mini was released on 3rd May 2018 66sr and 65 series released on 24th September 2020 66i released on 5th June 2019 66s and 66st released on 5th September 2018 Inreach SE+ and explorer+ released on 4th Jan 2017 . This indicates that according to 4 year release span we are really close to receive next improved models. Maybe ones with Solar technology and Powerglass will be announced. Garmin Cycling GPS now supports multi band satellite and Solar charging, so expecting big things from gpsmap 66 successors. Thank you Rick for video.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Thanks for the information Kris. Every time I talk to Garmin customer service I ask them and the last one said the dealers will get the information first, but I'm with you that we should be watching for something new soon. In the mean time, I'll keep reviewing and comparing. The only issue I have right now is to figure out what one I want to buy next. I own most of them. I don't think I want the Montana 750i yet, until I get an ATV. I was looking at some of the handhelds that focus more on the maps, but then I noticed the really nice 2-way radios, but they cost more then the satellite messengers, plus I would need two of them. Let me know if you have any thoughts on a new satellite messenger to buy and field test. Thanks, Rick

[@kristaps2010]

@@outdooremergencytech I can share my experience. Last week I did my first long distance walk. I don’t walk at all, it’s usually cycle to work or run in familiar area and bit of hiking/kayaking. So I did 200 mile Coast to Coast walk UK. I did upload my route gpx file split in 14 days on garmin fenix 5 watch. I could see only a line (my track) and arrow to follow with notification if I’m on the track or how far is to join track. It also shows north arrow. It helped me out massively couple times, especially when I lost my bearings on windy chilly mountain. Mostly I used a guidebook/map 1:25k and a compass what I learned on route. My satmap active 12 gps (old one) I borrowed was no use as it could not proceed with the route on the mountain where I got lost. I completed walk and also met a guy with gpsmap 66i who finished Cape Wrath trail (most challenging wild and unmarked 200mile trail in Scotland). He said 66i map was very useful. This experience helped me figure out what I need. First I need is satellite communicator. 90% of my walk I had no phone reception, if I would get in difficulty that would be serious trouble. Paper map and compass is very satisfying to use and most times I knew where I am and which path to take. But when in doubt I would turn on my watch and join/follow the route line. In theory if I would have unlimited battery, the watch would be enough. But then it has no map and taking a short cut or alternative/parallel route would be i possible. What would you suggest? Thank you

[@outdooremergencytech]

Kris, I have recently tested out the 66i as you know, but after doing several field tests, I agree that it is an incredible and powerful satellite messenger, but personally, I have gone back to my Mini 2 as my "go-to" satellite messenger. The Mini 2 is really powerful, it has everything that is important to me and it is small, which I really like. The Garmin GPSMAP 66i is larger than I like. So the Mini 2 is my recommendation, plus it costs less then the 66i. Let me know if you have any more questions. Rick

[@albertharting4094]

It seems like the most common complaint about the 66i is the battery life (well, and the complexity), which is demanding because of the power requirements for Iridium sat communication. Many of us prefer replaceable AA batteries that we can easily swap on the fly, and we always have back-up power. I wonder why these combo devices that have both topo navigation and InReach functions, can't allow for the InReach function to be toggled on/off (only enabled when needed for emergencies) so that the high output internal lithium would only be necessary when the InReach was on. That is, there would be separate power sources for the InReach vs Navigation modes, so in the normal navigation mode, replaceable AA batteries would supply all of the power requirements, just like on many other Garmin models. Just wondering...

[@outdooremergencytech]

Good point Albert. I guess we could make our own toggle button and leave the 66i off until we actually need it. I guess that's something to consider, plus a portable charger. Rick

[@321southtube]

If your phone dies...is lost or loses cell coverage....the 66i is a MUCH better and capable unit as far as being a stand alone device. It has a flash light as well. The SOS function on both is the same BUT a rescuer may try to contact you to confirm situation, confirm location, set up a rendezvous point, assess your level of consciousness or medical/trauma needs. Without the benefit of a phone...navigate solely with the mini...send and receive messages with the mini. Now you get it. The mini is a great tool if you are 100% certain your phone will be with you, is fully charged and has a continuous strong signal or if you are traveling with someone on busy established trails. ANY unknowns or possible SHTF scenarios possible??....get the 66i. Remember...when you need this device...something has already gone bad.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Thanks Daren. I agree that the 66i is more powerful and a better satellite messenger and I am currently testing it more to understand everything it offers, and I have found ways to extend the battery life, but I will always carry a portable charger with me, no matter what satellite messenger I am using. Thanks for a lot of great comments. Rick

[@LuxuryRumble]

Thank you for your review

[@outdooremergencytech]

Glad it was helpful! Rick

[@byemrahozd]

Do you have any information about a new garmin product like solar hand gps will come soon?

[@outdooremergencytech]

I just talked to Garmin and they don't have any information about satellite messengers coming out that can recharge by solar. They do have some watches that can sync to your device and have solar power but no satellite messengers yet. I hope that helps. Rick

[@byemrahozd]

@@outdooremergencytech thanks friend. Will be following you. ✋ from Türkiye.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Thanks. I appreciate that. I just bought the new inReach Messenger and will be getting many more satellite messengers in the future and comparing them to each other to help everyone research and decide what is the best one for you. Rick

[@serenityjewel]

I wanted the Explorer+ but Garmin is no longer making it. The rep said it's only available at retailers while supplies last. Eventually they're going to stop supporting the Earthmate app so the Explorer+ is not going to work worth crap. The rep referred me to the. 66i.

[@outdooremergencytech]

That's also exactly what they referred to me. I like the GPSMAP 66i a lot, but my buddy likes the Montana 750i more, even though that's more for mounting on a jeep, bike, etc. I personally like the new Mini 2 that came out recently. Rick

[@serenityjewel]

@@outdooremergencytech So do I. Someone listed the release date for past Garmin navigators and it suggests Garmin maybe coming out with a new Explorer or something to take it's place in September. I'm going to wait until the first of October to see if they do and if they don't, I'll get the mini 2.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Good idea. Let me know if you see a new release, in case I miss it. Rick

[@moccaenak1]

hello hiking emergency beacon... i wanna ask, do u prefer 66i vs 66sr plus inreach mini 2 ?

[@outdooremergencytech]

I have the GPSMAP 66i and am only a little familiar with the 66sr. As far as my opinion today, I like the Mini 2 better, primarily because it's small and I get a lot of the functions the 66i and the Explorer+ has when synced to my phone. Also, I primarily take day hikes so I'm not concerned about the battery life of either the Mini 2 or my cell phone, plus I carry a portable charger with me. I am testing the 66i out more because it is a more powerful satellite communicator and much better as a stand alone device. If I were heading out on a longer outdoor adventure, I would take the 66i with me, but this is good point as we all have different priorities and do different things in the outdoors. To sum this up, I would go for the Mini 2 if you primarily take day hikes or you're near your camp each night and can easily charge your phone, assuming you like to sync it to your device. I would would use the 66i on longer outdoor trips when I want everything in one convenient device and don't want to rely on my cell phone battery. My only caution here is you need to change your settings on the 66i to make the battery last longer, plus always have a portable charger with you. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions. Rick

[@moccaenak1]

@@outdooremergencytech woww very detailed.. thanks for your advice, Rick. God bless you... I hope your channel is growing. Regards from Indonesia :)

[@outdooremergencytech]

You're welcome. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick

[@smokyebk]

So if I'm going hunting in an area with zero to very little cell coverage should I gravitate to 66i? I want it mainly for an emergency situation than anything. I can download offline maps on my phone for navigation

[@310PPU]

As an outdoors tool.. i dont get the whole internal battery... i perfer to just replace my batteries..and can get batteries just about anywhere.. replace and go..vs charging its not a good idea..waiting for it to carge.. common garmin..smh

[@outdooremergencytech]

You make a good point, but I have never had issues with the internal battery, especially on the Mini 2. I always keep a portable charger with me and when I'm in my tent at night, I charge it over night when the battery starts to get low, but that hardly ever happens as this thing will keep a charge for several weeks. Rick

[@grandmesalodge3526]

long winded! lol. Get to the point :) It will help your videos.

[@outdooremergencytech]

I appreciate the comment. This has been a learning experience and hopefully I'm getting to the point better now. I appreciate the advice. Rick