Watch This Before Buying // GARMIN INREACH MINI 2 Review

CHECK IT OUT HERE ➡️ geni.us/InReachMini2
Disclosure: This item was sent for free for review purposes. My conclusions in the video are my own and were not influenced by the company or external factors. You can read my full disclosure statement at gearpriority.com/disclosure/.
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[@RG-wy1ol]

Thanks man for making this video very helpful and educational 👍🏽👍🏽

[@michaellorenzen8200]

however it would be nice if someone , anyone made an entire video of different plans in detail for this and syncing it your phone

[@governor9934]

Good video. Very informative and right to the point. Thanks!!

[@Justin-uc8sc]

Thank you for review Justin

[@normanc.2021]

Very nice safety device. A good part of a hiking pack 👍

[@Mr_J_J]

Picked up the Mini 2 with my annual REI rebate and signed-up for the annual safety plan until I head out on the JMT when I’ll upgrade to the mid-tier since you can switch plans easily. It would be awesome to learn more about the plans in the future. Thanks for showing the weather etc on the phone app. I haven’t used that yet since I didn’t want to use up my 10 messages yet. Oh, and it might have been because I had it indoors after activating it the first night but I think having the expanded satellite GNSS network on was draining the battery crazy fast. When I went back to GPS only and was outdoors the battery life only dropped a percent or two on an hour long loop while just navigating. Also, I removed the lanyard loop and keep it stored in a mesh pocked on my backpack - much easier to check and handle than with the carabiner IMHO. Last comment was that I really enjoyed determining my daily waypoint for each day using the Garmin website to sync to the device, but I would love love love more help with how to plan trips (routes, tracks, waypoints) using the Garmin, Gaia, AllTrails, Komoot and FarOut. That would be extremely helpful! Thank you!

[@WasatchWill]

Annual Plan is the way to go now if you're getting out into the backcountry at least once or twice every month or even most months of the year. I had been on the Freedom plan because I typically suspended it for a few months every winter when I'm not as active way from cell coverage areas, but now they've hiked up the annual fee on that one that even the safety plan on the Freedom plan type is way more costly than just paying the Annual plan Safety rate every month all year long even if I don't use it for a few months a year and then upgrade to the mid-tier one for a month or two in the summer when I get much more active with several trips and a week long trip or two.

[@aaronphillips2728]

Its silly to have to pay monthly. It should just cost more initially for free service. More then 50% of people who buy these only really need them a few times a year/month

[@adriandurlej9266]

Which is why people would prefer a monthly service no? Since you’d only pay for the time you’re using it.

[@nologrocomprender1]

Nice review! Have been using a Mini 2 for 2 months, paired with my Garmin Epix 2 to send and check msgs from it. Use it for kitesurfing downwinders in the ocean, take it inside a water pouch under my life jacket. Sends and receives msgs right away, super fast. Also share my position every 10 minuts. Really happy with it!

[@eduardmoon2010]

Battery life with InReach and Epix how works for you? I noticed that my battery drains way too fast for both, the watch and the InReach.

[@serga2112]

Hi, do you use the smartwatch and InReach for the same gmail accout or you have a different gmail and googlemail for both? thank you

[@albinekb]

Good video. Very informative and right to the point. Thanks!! Could you do one on the new Apple iOS satellite sms+sos features?

[@13634landing]

Nice review, although I haven’t pulled the trigger on the purchase yet. I do like the waterproof case so we can use the Mini 2 for scuba diving as well as an added precaution.

[@georgezimmerman3334]

I haven't pulled the trigger on scuba gear but I feel like it would be useful for breathing underwater

[@WISEMARTIAL]

Very good presentation.😊

[@RadReelingFishing]

I have a question. I just started learning mine today. I enabled tracking, took a short walk and stopped tracking. I enabled the trackback and saw a breadcrumb line, but I decided to venture off the trackback course and it beeped and said I was off course. The actual line on the garmin which was the breadcrumb trail disappeared. When that happens do I just walk in the direction that the arrow is pointing?

[@tomd1914]

Great video, thank you. But I just bought the InReach Mini 2, only to find out that they have discontinued Preset messages. I’m not happy with Garmin right now.

[@WildlandExplorer]

Welcome to Arizona!

[@andiestuart751]

Great video, as always. Will you be doing a review on the new Hoka Speedgoat 5s??

[@GearPriority]

Thanks! I will be! Wearing them right now in Utah!

[@AshWeststar]

Please link your mentioned videos in the description in the future too because KZbin for android won't show the videos you're referencing anywhere.

[@ernestfernandezii639]

Great video, would the mini2 be visible from my Garmin Alpha 200i?

[@marcusoroberts]

Thanks, but can I use this device to send a SMS to conventional phone in another country please?

[@WasatchWill]

Haha! I'm still rocking an old Delorme InReach Explorer that I got for $250 on close-out when Garmin took over and released their newer devices that didn't really do anything different functionally. Only got a makeover on the exteriors. It still works just fine so I don't think it's worth paying $400 to knock down 3 oz of weight. But I would happily take one for free too if Garmin ever wanted to send me one for review purposes. The Zoleo looks tempting though, but again, probably not worth the $200 or even $150 for their device when I can keep using my current device with monthly plans at almost half the cost of Zoleo's cheapest option. Garmin's basic weather forecasts appear to be more detailed than Zoleo's among some of the other Garmin perks you've already mentioned here that don't cost extra (e.g. preset messages with location links). Most folks starting out now though will probably lean into Zoleo for its significantly cheaper point of entry, but then Garmin now runs GEOS, so it'll be interesting to see if Garmin ever muscles Zoleo off that network if they ever think Zoleo is taking away too much business.

[@Yggdrasil42]

I'm not so sure that the Zoleo will become the more popular option. Most reviewers seem to be favoring the Inreach.

[@WasatchWill]

@@Yggdrasil42 You could be right. I've been running through some use cases between the two and other devices out there to get a much bigger picture on costs associated with them and will be releasing my video on that in a couple weeks. Garmin is definitely the cheaper route, by a few hundred dollars over 5 years, if you're a light user and are able to stick with the Safety subscription on the Annual Plan there.

[@ryanesau8147]

Can you use the mini and your phone to get topo maps?

[@michaelthompson7570]

My first gps just sent me numbers,,,,,amazing the tech now,,and whats next?

[@85Gute]

Great video! I was laughing when you started talking about how it’s a pain to text from the device. I was thinking, this guy is too young to have used a Nokia brick phone 🤣 Great review. I’m actually considering getting one. Have it in the cart just need to hit the order button.

[@GearPriority]

Bring back T9! haha

[@dustyoldhat]

@@GearPriority Good lord no

[@RollModel724]

does it do routes or tracks? I thought tracks gave you the detailed travel turns and routes is for streets or big roads

[@trevscott93]

So do you send messages from your phone? And does it use your phone number?

[@hockeynutt9434]

Hello, just to clarify, when messaging, you can text anyone with a cell phone, not just a sat phone?

[@variapog]

So can use your phone to type message to send through the in reach mini 2?

[@MostlyIC]

I wish you could have been more precise about how messaging works on the "2", on the one hand you say its like the "1" in that you can send pre-recorded text messages, on the other hand you later say you can use a "scroll-to-select-letters" interface to create new text messages, so what's the difference, does texting require a higher subscription, and why can't you use your iPhone app to text with ???

[@dustyoldhat]

Justin do you like the Helium jacket? Do you know why REI suddenly marked the OR Helium rain jacket on their website as a "new arrival"? Do you know if OR made some upgrades or something? Why is REI calling it a "new arrival" ?

[@GearPriority]

Don't like it

[@radekczadek]

Garmin inReach mini 2 can be used for tracking. I mean offline activity recording. Based on your experience, what is the highest interval of activity tracking on this device? Is it possible to record 2m direction changes every 1s? Is it possible to create a log for every 1s? In documentation I see only “high detail activity recording” - does it mean even every 1s?

[@InTheLab3d]

Hey :) great videol.. Im headed to canada where 2 way radios SUCk around corners and trees/rock.. This should work.. question.. if i buy two of them, could i use 1 to track the location of the second? We are always asking the other fishing group "where are you guys". and instead of writing custom texts ($$$$$) if we could just track them that would be nice... Or if one of the presets could be "where are you" and the other inreach 2 has a preset of a location... is that possible? thanks

[@ROMEKBNY]

So what can you do without a subscription? All I really want to be able to do is plot waypoints either before or during a hike. Is there a device that will let you do that without signing up?

[@GearPriority]

A standard GPS device or your phone

[@sludgetrudger]

I just bought the Garmin Montana 700i which cost me around a grand with taxes. It uses micro USB. This truly baffles me after seeing this mini having USB C. Unbelievable 😢

[@huntii]

Back to the SOS part, you said after you push the SOS button someone will get you in touch with the nearest rescue station. How do they do that ? Does the inreach turns into a cellphone or via text or ?

[@DarkoZaboravko]

1. Button Press: Pressing the SOS button activates the distress signal. 2. Device GPS Activation: The device activates its GPS system to pinpoint your exact location. 3. Distress Signal Transmission: The distress signal, along with your GPS coordinates, is transmitted via satellite communication systems. 4. Garmin’s Emergency Response Center: The distress signal is received by Garmin’s Emergency Response Center. 5. Emergency Contact: Garmin’s team contacts the emergency contacts you’ve preconfigured in your device settings. 6. Communication with Authorities: If necessary, Garmin’s Emergency Response Center communicates with local authorities to facilitate rescue efforts. 7. Two-way Communication: Some Garmin devices with SOS features support two-way communication. You may be able to communicate directly with the response center or emergency services.

[@HerrFinsternis]

..... They contact the emergency contact ...... What good is that?

[@FrozensAdventures]

Preset messages have been replaced by non editable check in message. 1 I'm ok 2. Starting my trip. 3. Ending my trip. Who knows why they made it non editable as the only useful message is the first one. So far bad customer service on my plan. My wife cannot received any messages via text, it works over email but Garmin has been working on this case for 4 weeks now and can't figure it out. So far not a good experience with them.

[@beararms6945]

So this only works with a cellphone? Sounds like the spot x is better

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot5939]

I’m honestly surprised garmin hasn’t stepped up to start challenging starlink, all starlink would have to do is start making handhelds instead of their big white base and garmin would fall pretty fast

[@analactica]

10 messages per what ? Day ? Week ? Month ?

[@frosty_soda]

out of curiosity, do you not use a paper map and compass? I mean, it isn't that difficult to learn. Just wondering why everyone uses apps, phones or sat navs. I've used map and compass since I was young in the amry cadets!

[@GearPriority]

I used a map and compass growing up but an app on a phone is a lot easier and quicker and has more detail.

[@Texg1rl_]

What app is this on iOS?

[@paulellsworth7679]

Great review. Unfortunately I'll no longer be using any Garmin products. Their customer service is the worst I've ever encountered. They are all about 💰 💰 💰 and could care less about customers. Makes it easy for me to throw away my inreach mini and start the search for something else for my back country saftey.

[@paulellsworth7679]

@Atticus Hexcel Well isn't that special. I'm so glad you had a great experience. But tell me why would you want to silence my experience. Because in my experience, they were nowhere close to pleasant they were like Nazis during the holocaust. No wait I see you're both kindred spirits because you want to silence me and ignore my experience all together. So I guess piss off garmin employee would be an appropriate reply.

[@marktechsci]

Ha. Try Suunto. I’ve had both for years and Garmin has been head and shoulders above Suunto.

[@christian7200]

Did you find any good replacements?

[@paulellsworth7679]

@@christian7200 No, I haven't. Unfortunately.

[@beararms6945]

I use the spot x myself since it's stand alone

[@coffeedollsvp]

Is this a PLB?

[@georgezimmerman3334]

Got this for grandpa for hunting. He can use it.

[@dustyoldhat]

So the "Preset" messages don't count towards your text messages?

[@GearPriority]

Correct!

[@Sundheden]

An updated product after 4 years, with increased price tag... I would have expected more than only incremental upgrades.

[@jbstuff]

Yeah that's the same with pretty much anything. Plus the price he puts out in the video is really high.

[@BlownMacTruck]

Eh… that’s Garmin. They’re king of the hill so they’re extremely conservative with products.

[@lanceblack888]

Did you say this device can send messages direct to someone’s iPhone? Or do they also need an inreach? Thanks, L

[@yourface3154]

Sounds like it will send the msg directly to them.

[@Elu5iV3]

I’m new to all of this. Would this work even if the grid is down?

[@handdaddy1]

As a satellite connection you should. However if there was a EMP yiu need to store in a faraday bag. Same as recipients

[@kong.615]

Im looking into getting me one too, Do you have to pay service fee monthly or yearly?

[@ashleytopper9910]

You can opt for an annual plan that is at a monthly discount (not sure if it is charged by the month or paid in full upfront), or you can do a monthly plan and activate it when you need it for a few more dollars for the month (or 30 days) which I find convenient as I can't get out as often as I would like so you can activate and deactivate as often as you want. I love the flexibility of that, it is super practical for those of us who have to travel long distances and plan way in advance to get our fill.

[@Legatus2kx]

I'll have a solar charger with this, or a portable solar station. Or with my car charger, nice.

[@Max_Arjona]

These are like $250 or so at Costco right now

[@youling1997]

Are the preset texts customizable?

[@GearPriority]

yes!

[@godbackwards]

do these ever go on sale? black friday? prime day?

[@justin-ux3pk]

$50 off at REI until the 29th right now

[@EmilyZapotocny]

I believe these will be $100 off tonight! May 17th for the REI Anniversary sale.

[@beep_beep_beep]

It does everything your phone does.

[@guimafx2]

Is it a push to talk ?

[@jaredwhite489]

It doesn’t connect to 4 different satellite systems, just iridium

[@tommyrq180]

He was talking about positioning (location) and navigation, that is, GPS-not communication, which is Iridium only. According to this video, the Mini 2 connects to position signals from Beidou (PRC), GPS (US), QZSS (Japan), and Galileo (EU). When I search the product information, however, I only see that it tracks GPS, QZSS (only good for East Asia), and Galileo. And you can thank the United States Air Force for building, launching, and maintaining the GPS constellation, a global utility that provides more than positioning and navigation-it also provides atomic-precision timing that runs…everything. 😊

[@mel-sp5nh]

The downfall for me here is 1 the size to easy to lose 2 it still relies in small ways on your phone

[@jsherzog]

What happens if you hit your text limit - does Garmin just bill you or are you gonna face a message "Sorry, no rescue - you didn't pay for that level"

[@jaredwhite489]

You just get charged

[@us24575]

Can you send messages from it to a cell phone? Or it only sends messages to other inreach mini devices?

[@xrs1257]

Is this global uses? Or only can be use in USA?

[@GearPriority]

global

[@markd.9422]

The video is not detail enough that i'm bying me this device.

[@avalex6603]

Cry some more bro 😂

[@jonathanmichel6399]

An other thing which is IMO idiotic for a safety device : you cannot change the battery! You are out of battery, and lack sunshine to charge it, well too bad for you, there is no spare battery to put in.

[@adriandurlej9266]

Get a hand crank radio that can generate power and charge ur devices. Bringing extra batteries for that is also clutch

[@jonathanmichel6399]

@@adriandurlej9266 An extra battery is like 50g for 10 days; hand crank radio + cables + battery = 500g. What the point in having a very lightweight device then ?

[@jonathanmichel6399]

@@adriandurlej9266 add to this if you battery died (happened to mine), you are screwed, you cannot recharge it nor use it.

[@adriandurlej9266]

The point of the lightweight device is for its function, which is sat com. The point of the extra weight is to charge all your devices. I’d also bring an iPod, ereader and camera… so the hand crank radio would service multiple charging functions and be perfect if you’re hiking for longer periods of time. If you just need extra power for 10 days… bring an external portable battery that’s lightweight and fully charged. Just offering solutions. Aim to fix the issues instead of complaining 😉

[@jonathanmichel6399]

@@adriandurlej9266 Of course there is solutions; i am not complaining, just pointing out what I think are the flaws ;) When my battery died in the field (wouldn't charge at all) and had to pay $100 to replace it back home for what is a standard battery, I wasn't that happy

[@jaredwhite489]

I’m calling bullllllshite on that 60 days

[@dustyoldhat]

Are human beings the only intelligent life in the galaxy? Do we think that other intelligent life has satellite networks? I'm just wondering.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

No and other intelligence is light years ahead of modulating radio waves for communications and navigation - even with affordable quantum cryogenic devices coming this century, we're still in the dark ages compared to civilizations 100, 1,000, 1,000,000 or even 1,000,000,000 years ahead of us! If you have any doubt, look back 100 years to see how far we've come in a blink of the eye of the universe!

[@beep_beep_beep]

No,yes.

[@solarwind907]

Is there something wrong with this guy that he has his mouth open?

[@Hdhugeo234]

Garmin products are absolute dog shit and don’t get me started on the customer service

[@williamhudson3208]

I will not buy anything from Garmin. Overpriced and rubbish customer service.

[@AndyC2_]

Yet you watched the video anyway ? 😂

[@TVSNOWOWL]

you dont need this SOS BS for pay pay for help wow.