Why We Like The Garmin inReach Mini 2
The inReach Mini 2 gives us the same compact communication means as its predecessor but now with loads more battery life and features. Rather than lasting hours, it lasts days, letting us use it for much more than just check-ins on our multi-day missions. With the new ability to sync with Garmin Explorer, we can plan our course on the computer screen and save it to this palm-sized device. As we venture well beyond cell coverage, the new electronic compass gives us an accurate heading as we stand still, while the addition of Galileo gives us a quicker and more precise satellite lock, even with some tree cover. If we get turned around, the addition of TracBack routing helps us find our way.
Details
- Compact satellite communicator for making contact when off-grid
- Impact-resistant, submersible housing for your rugged pursuits
- Rechargeable battery lasts 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode
- Two-way messaging and location sharing give loved ones peace of mind
- Interactive SOS connects to a 24/7 staffed emergency response center
- Increased memory holds 1000 waypoints, 100 courses, and 200 trips
- Detailed weather updates and unlimited cloud storage for trip planning
- Please see size chart for complete list of technical features
- Item #GRMF038
- Housing Material
- plastic
- Digital Compass
- yes (accurate heading when not moving), GPS compass (while moving)
- Technical Features
- see size chart
- Operating System
- Bluetooth, ANT+, USB-C interface, [compatability] Garmin Explore app, Garmin Explore website, Garmin Pilot app
- Backlight
- yes
- Battery Type
- rechargeable internal lithium-ion
- Battery Life
- [10-minute tracking with standard activity] (full sky view) 14 days, (moderate tree cover) 4 days, [10-minute tracking with high detail activity] (full sky view) 5 days, (moderate tree cover) 2 days, [30-minute tracking with standard activity] (fully sky view) 30 days, (moderate tree cover) 10 days, [powered off] 1 year
- Low Battery Indicator
- yes
- Dimensions
- 2.04 x 3.9 x 1.03in
- Claimed Weight
- 3.5oz
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 1 year
- Activity
- backcountry riding, backcountry skiing, backcountry splitboarding, backcountry showshoeing, backpacking, canyoneering, cross-country, mountaineering, paddling, fishing, nordic touring, ultra running, travel
- Submersible
- IPX7 (1m for 30min)
- Face Size
- [dimensions] 0.9 x 0.9in, [resolution] 176 x 176px
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4 based on 564 ratings
Review Summary
Customer Images
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageFebruary 16, 2025
Peace of mind
I got this about a month ago. Learning curve took a while. Still can’t figure out all the features, but did figure out the text part and the tracking so I can use track back since I’m directionally challenged. I’m actually carrying it quite a bit for work as I frequently visit snowy areas that have no phone signal. So far so good.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 16, 2025
Works Great in the Everglades
I used it for the first time in the Everglades. Check In messages are simple and quick to send from the device. Two Way messages are easy to send from my iPhone. The Messenger app feels just like normal texting. There was very little delay and every message was successful.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 14, 2025
appears a great, safe unit, highly recommended!
A Xmas gift from a friend who values my life! Which i am glad of!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 12, 2025
Great hardware, apps not so great
The enrich mini as a piece of hardware is exceptional. Compact, super efficiency with power consumption. The apps, and the fact that there's more than one app to interface with the device is my main complaint.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 7, 2025
Amazing front end, back end still has more to be desired
First off, let me say: for 99% of people this product is absolutely great. The menu is intuitive, creating waypoints is great, being able to send texts through the satellite network is amazing and it gets good reception just about everywhere I’ve used it in the world. The only gripe I have is the back end. When viewing multiple devices it can look and feel clunky and the map view is a bit dated compared to google maps or GIS data. It would also be nice if you could group multiple trackers into different “teams” and also set perimeters up to get notifications of when a unit leaves that area. Like I said, for the absolute majority of people, this will do everything you could want or need it to do besides make phone calls.
Originally reviewed on ExpertVoice.com
February 3, 2025
Awesome device for those who go off grid
This was a gift, and since using the inReach Mini 2 it has been so much easier for those who know about my travels. Sharing locations, downloading offline maps, and texting without cellular service has made getting outdoors a safer and even more enjoyable experience overall. Thanks Garmin!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 2, 2025
Peace of mind
I bought the Garmin on the advice of my son, who enjoys long hiking and backpacking trips. I moved to a mountainous area in California where most of the property has no available cell service, and I am a senior citizen who loves hiking alone on our 127 acres with no close neighbors. I wanted the ability to get help if I fell and couldn't get home. The Garmin was very easy to set up, and I have tested it with the automated system and also texting my husband at work. I'm challenged with technology, and the InReach Mini2 is easy to figure out. I have also used it to map hikes and mark waypoints to landmarks around the property. The device is smaller than a deck of cards or a cellphone, clips to my waistband, and appears rugged and well made. The subscription for the service is minimal compared to our peace of mind. The charge seems to last for many days (with daily treks). I have only recharged it once (from about 50% remaining charge) in the 2 weeks since I bought it, using the power pack that came with the device, to make sure it also worked.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 2, 2025
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 Performs as Advertised-
I heard from folks who have previously used the inReach platform that this version 2 has some significant upgrades from V1. I am a busy hiker in the New England area...happy to walk on local trails and the AT, wherever there is some nature. Not really doing any ice climbing or such, but I do go out in the winter, and like the idea of having a potential SOS capability. Just finished a trip up to the White Mountains, staying in AMC huts, down to -5 degrees F. The inReach Mini 2 held a single charge for 3 days of hiking; I did turn the unit off upon reaching destinations at night. There was good integration of the unit with the Explore and Messenger apps. I was easily able to track my routes on iphone, and document ascents, times, etc. Able to communicate easily via Messenger to my family via texts originating from the phone, simply by placing the Mini 2 outside with antenna pointed to the sky. No need to find a satellite as will the iPhone off grid app; that is done automatically. Controls on the Mini 2 are straightforward with "menu" style functionality, which would be familiar to most. There was no communication between my older Garmin Forerunner 945 watch, I believe due to older version of watch, but I was able to track the walks with the watch which does communicate quite well with Connect app on iPhone, thereby having two methods of tracking locations and stats on a map grid. Pretty great combination of components: inReach Mini 2, Forerunner 945, and iPhone apps Connect, Explore, and Messenger. Good job Garmin!
Originally reviewed on Garmin
February 1, 2025
Worked Across the Baja!
I bought my Garmin before crossing the full length of Baja California by car. I sent route tracking and tracking texts every 2 hours to family in the U.S. when we were on the road. Communication in much of the remote Baja would have been impossible by means other than satellite devices such as this. Fortunately we did not need the SOS feature, but it is your only means of soliciting help, no matter how long it would take to actually receive that help! You definitely need to ensure the antenna is open to the sky so messaging efficiently sends in the deep remote areas.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
January 30, 2025
Easy to use
The more I learn about this little gadget the more I like it.
Originally reviewed on Garmin
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