Best review thus far. I'm glad you showed how you can use 2 together, front and rear. I'm gonna get it for my motorcycle. The form factor is perfect. May not be waterproof but I dont ride in the rain anyways.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I expect you’ll get some great shots being on a motorcycle. Next time you’re sharing a story about another moron driver, you’ll have video to back you up!
Agreed! I’ve never used another dash cam, but I can’t imagine a bigger unit providing any additional benefit. I may give one of mine to someone else and try a Garmin Dash Cam 47 or 57, for comparison’s sake.
I'm running a Garmin 56 and 57 in a semi side by side. Going to try the mini 2 also. I use the voice feature to keep my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. I absolutely love the voice feature.
Thanks for the video! I just got this camera as a gift and have a question about the ball adapter. Is it difficult to disconnect if we have the second adapter in another car? Does the camera pop out easily, or is there a way to do this without breakage since the connections are plastic as opposed to metal. Any suggestions appreciated!
I just recently pulled mine off the adapter! I needed to reinstall the memory card and I couldn’t see what I was doing in my dark garage. Popped right off and back on, no issues! I might only be concerned if the camera stayed in direct sunlight every day for years, MAYBE the plastic could become brittle? Literally time will tell. So far so good. Hope you enjoy as much I as have! Thanks for watching!
First, each camera MUST have a memory card installed. All footage is saved to the memory card, so regardless of who is driving, it will save the footage to the camera memory card. I don't have a second phone to test this, but the phone is just how you access the footage from within the vehicle. So any phone with the Garmin Drive app, logged into the registered account, SHOULD be able to pair with the camera and retrieve the footage,. After using this for 6+months now, I've found the easiest way to access the footage is to take the memory card to my computer and access the files from there. I want to reiterate a couple things regarding accessing the saved files: 1. The only footage you can access remotely, away from the camera, are files saved to your "Vault". Files are saved to your vault when you say "Ok Garmin, Save Video" while driving, OR if you have parking mode enabled and the camera detects something. Those files will upload to your vault when the camera connects to your HOME Wi-Fi network. 2. All other footage must be accessed by either pulling the memory card into your computer or connecting to the camera with the Garmin Drive app while IN the vehicle. 3. If you do NOT pay for the Garmin Drive subscription, you can only access your vault files remotely for 24 hours after the file is uploaded. The file will still be saved to your memory card. 4. I also need to specify, if your camera is not plugged into a constant power port in your vehicle, it might not upload to the cloud through Wi-Fi. I feel like it waits for the car to be shut off, and then send the files. But I may just jump out of my car to fast. Now that I have it on constant power, I get a notification on my phone when new files are ready. I hope that helps! Please let me know if I can answer anything else!! Thanks for stopping by!
@@TheGardenDefenderReviews Much thanks for responding so quickly. If my memory is correct, I think you said in the video that the problem with taking the chip to the home computer, it divides the videos into 1 min clips. I presume that if the chip is restored back to the garmin the videos remain connected? Or are they permanently chopped up?
Good memory! You are correct, accessing by computer will provide 60 second clips, named sequentially (GRMN0257, GRMN0258, Etc.) The file is time stamped (Date Modified file attribute) so they are in order, and you can easily find the file you need if you know the time. Accessing the files with the app does NOT break them up. The whole trip (car on to car off) is saved as 1 event. You can then trim the clip like editing the length of a video on you phone, and then export. The longer the trip, the longer it takes the app to render the file. I'll be honest, it's not ideal if you're in a hurry. But it does work if you're patient. I wish I had multiple cameras to compare interfaces, but I do not. I really bought mine for proof in the event of an accident. So I'm not really trying to access the files often enough for ME to worry about the speed/difficulty. But if you plan on viewing, say your children's driving, on a regular basis, it might become frustrating.
I’m more interested in accident capture but I’m guessing the 1 min partition would ignore where the accident actually happen. Most accidents happened within 1-2 seconds. What’s the odds that the 1 min dividend occurs right in the middle of that event. One would have to splice the videos together. But if the internal version is still whole, then I guess I would stick the chip back into the Garmin and try to grab the even without a break? Presume one could grab a video by defining a start and finish time when the chip is in the Garmin? Or better to upload to the vault and then grab a whole even video from there and escaping the need to add clips together?
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I'm also a little disappointed with the license plate visibility at distance. But in my testing, I found that I was able to clearly read plates while stopped at traffic lights. I feel that any time I would want a plate number, the car would have to be closer than that, presumably having hit me. My ultimate goal was a small form factor, and this really worked for me. Thanks for watching!
The Garmin Mini 2 just cost me a lot of money because it failed when I needed it most. When the camera senses a drop in voltage overnight from your vehicle's battery, it switches itself off. Then, sometimes, fails to switch back on when you turn on your ignition. You end up with no camera in park mode and when you pull away in the morning it can fail to boot up, leaving you with no video recording. I had an accident shortly after I left the house, and the camera was still off from the night before... I now need a new van and the Mini 2 will be getting scrapped along with the old van...
first, i hope nobody is injured. Then.. I don’t understand what the camera has to do with your accident. This is an insurance issue, unless it was your fault, than the damage wouldr save money anyway
@@thijs.k932The camera failed to record the incident and therefore, I could not prove the diver of the other vehicle was 100% to blame. Without witnesses or photographic evidence, it's basically my word against his, and that's not good enough for my insurance company to pay for my rental vehicle or to prevent the loss of my no claims bonus and a hike in my insurance. Oh, and while I will receive a cheque for the market value of my vehicle, I will not get the full amount that I paid for it, so yes, I am out of pocket and by a long way because the mini II, failed to switch on.
The camera failed to record the incident and therefore, I could not prove the diver of the other vehicle was 100% to blame. Without witnesses or photographic evidence, it's basically my word against his, and that's not good enough for my insurance company to pay for my rental vehicle or to prevent the loss of my no claims bonus and a hike in my insurance. Oh, and while I will receive a cheque for the market value of my vehicle, I will not get the full amount that I paid for it, so yes, I am out of pocket and by a long way because the mini II, failed to switch on.
Very sorry to hear this! I too have experienced this issue when plugged in to my Jeep’s constant power USB port. Never when plugged into a switched port, however. For anyone reading this, pressing the save button on the back of camera will wake it up. I check every time I get in now. Not helpful after the fact unfortunately. Would you be willing to share if you were using the Garmin Constant Power Cable? Or were you plugged into a vehicle USB port with constant power? I have a feeling this accessory, plugged into the ODB-II port would provide more consistent results. Trying to decide if I should get one for myself. Sorry again
@@TheGardenDefenderReviews I wired it in myself with Garmin Constant Power Cable, and it was all genuine Garmin kit. The irony is, I had a Nextbase 422 dash cam in my previous van but I sold it with the van. The only reason I bought the Garmin was because of its small size and Wi-Fi phone hook up. The nextbase app is rubbish for Wi-Fi connection but the camera never faltered but I didn't think I needed all that functionality of Alexa, GPS and the like... never again!!!
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Best review thus far. I'm glad you showed how you can use 2 together, front and rear. I'm gonna get it for my motorcycle. The form factor is perfect. May not be waterproof but I dont ride in the rain anyways.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I expect you’ll get some great shots being on a motorcycle. Next time you’re sharing a story about another moron driver, you’ll have video to back you up!
Just bought mine. High quality in every way and love being able to pull videos from app. Oh and the size not blocking windshield hardly is great!
Agreed! I’ve never used another dash cam, but I can’t imagine a bigger unit providing any additional benefit. I may give one of mine to someone else and try a Garmin Dash Cam 47 or 57, for comparison’s sake.
I'm running a Garmin 56 and 57 in a semi side by side. Going to try the mini 2 also. I use the voice feature to keep my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. I absolutely love the voice feature.
Great video, love that you added clips of different lighting and weather.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Let me know if I didn’t cover any questions you have. Thanks for watching!
Great video! Thank you so much!
Thanks for watching! Hope it helped
Very informative video, bought on your own review. Thank you
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video! I just got this camera as a gift and have a question about the ball adapter. Is it difficult to disconnect if we have the second adapter in another car? Does the camera pop out easily, or is there a way to do this without breakage since the connections are plastic as opposed to metal. Any suggestions appreciated!
I just recently pulled mine off the adapter! I needed to reinstall the memory card and I couldn’t see what I was doing in my dark garage.
Popped right off and back on, no issues!
I might only be concerned if the camera stayed in direct sunlight every day for years, MAYBE the plastic could become brittle? Literally time will tell.
So far so good. Hope you enjoy as much I as have! Thanks for watching!
@@TheGardenDefenderReviews Thanks for the quick response!! I will keep my fingers crossed, lol!
Best review! 👌🏼
Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Can several phones be linked to the one camera? Have several drivers with the car and wondering if can have each driver link to the same camera?
First, each camera MUST have a memory card installed. All footage is saved to the memory card, so regardless of who is driving, it will save the footage to the camera memory card.
I don't have a second phone to test this, but the phone is just how you access the footage from within the vehicle. So any phone with the Garmin Drive app, logged into the registered account, SHOULD be able to pair with the camera and retrieve the footage,.
After using this for 6+months now, I've found the easiest way to access the footage is to take the memory card to my computer and access the files from there.
I want to reiterate a couple things regarding accessing the saved files:
1. The only footage you can access remotely, away from the camera, are files saved to your "Vault". Files are saved to your vault when you say "Ok Garmin, Save Video" while driving, OR if you have parking mode enabled and the camera detects something. Those files will upload to your vault when the camera connects to your HOME Wi-Fi network.
2. All other footage must be accessed by either pulling the memory card into your computer or connecting to the camera with the Garmin Drive app while IN the vehicle.
3. If you do NOT pay for the Garmin Drive subscription, you can only access your vault files remotely for 24 hours after the file is uploaded. The file will still be saved to your memory card.
4. I also need to specify, if your camera is not plugged into a constant power port in your vehicle, it might not upload to the cloud through Wi-Fi. I feel like it waits for the car to be shut off, and then send the files. But I may just jump out of my car to fast. Now that I have it on constant power, I get a notification on my phone when new files are ready.
I hope that helps! Please let me know if I can answer anything else!!
Thanks for stopping by!
@@TheGardenDefenderReviews Much thanks for responding so quickly. If my memory is correct, I think you said in the video that the problem with taking the chip to the home computer, it divides the videos into 1 min clips. I presume that if the chip is restored back to the garmin the videos remain connected? Or are they permanently chopped up?
Good memory! You are correct, accessing by computer will provide 60 second clips, named sequentially (GRMN0257, GRMN0258, Etc.) The file is time stamped (Date Modified file attribute) so they are in order, and you can easily find the file you need if you know the time.
Accessing the files with the app does NOT break them up. The whole trip (car on to car off) is saved as 1 event. You can then trim the clip like editing the length of a video on you phone, and then export. The longer the trip, the longer it takes the app to render the file. I'll be honest, it's not ideal if you're in a hurry. But it does work if you're patient.
I wish I had multiple cameras to compare interfaces, but I do not.
I really bought mine for proof in the event of an accident. So I'm not really trying to access the files often enough for ME to worry about the speed/difficulty. But if you plan on viewing, say your children's driving, on a regular basis, it might become frustrating.
I’m more interested in accident capture but I’m guessing the 1 min partition would ignore where the accident actually happen. Most accidents happened within 1-2 seconds. What’s the odds that the 1 min dividend occurs right in the middle of that event. One would have to splice the videos together. But if the internal version is still whole, then I guess I would stick the chip back into the Garmin and try to grab the even without a break? Presume one could grab a video by defining a start and finish time when the chip is in the Garmin? Or better to upload to the vault and then grab a whole even video from there and escaping the need to add clips together?
Just looking for a good entry level for event capture. Would you recommend something else that beats this at the same price point?
Can't see numberplates very well? Then it is no good as a dashcam. Childs toy, perhaps.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I'm also a little disappointed with the license plate visibility at distance. But in my testing, I found that I was able to clearly read plates while stopped at traffic lights. I feel that any time I would want a plate number, the car would have to be closer than that, presumably having hit me.
My ultimate goal was a small form factor, and this really worked for me.
Thanks for watching!
The Garmin Mini 2 just cost me a lot of money because it failed when I needed it most. When the camera senses a drop in voltage overnight from your vehicle's battery, it switches itself off. Then, sometimes, fails to switch back on when you turn on your ignition. You end up with no camera in park mode and when you pull away in the morning it can fail to boot up, leaving you with no video recording. I had an accident shortly after I left the house, and the camera was still off from the night before... I now need a new van and the Mini 2 will be getting scrapped along with the old van...
first, i hope nobody is injured.
Then.. I don’t understand what the camera has to do with your accident. This is an insurance issue, unless it was your fault, than the damage wouldr save money anyway
@@thijs.k932The camera failed to record the incident and therefore, I could not prove the diver of the other vehicle was 100% to blame. Without witnesses or photographic evidence, it's basically my word against his, and that's not good enough for my insurance company to pay for my rental vehicle or to prevent the loss of my no claims bonus and a hike in my insurance. Oh, and while I will receive a cheque for the market value of my vehicle, I will not get the full amount that I paid for it, so yes, I am out of pocket and by a long way because the mini II, failed to switch on.
The camera failed to record the incident and therefore, I could not prove the diver of the other vehicle was 100% to blame. Without witnesses or photographic evidence, it's basically my word against his, and that's not good enough for my insurance company to pay for my rental vehicle or to prevent the loss of my no claims bonus and a hike in my insurance. Oh, and while I will receive a cheque for the market value of my vehicle, I will not get the full amount that I paid for it, so yes, I am out of pocket and by a long way because the mini II, failed to switch on.
Very sorry to hear this! I too have experienced this issue when plugged in to my Jeep’s constant power USB port. Never when plugged into a switched port, however.
For anyone reading this, pressing the save button on the back of camera will wake it up. I check every time I get in now. Not helpful after the fact unfortunately.
Would you be willing to share if you were using the Garmin Constant Power Cable? Or were you plugged into a vehicle USB port with constant power? I have a feeling this accessory, plugged into the ODB-II port would provide more consistent results.
Trying to decide if I should get one for myself.
Sorry again
@@TheGardenDefenderReviews I wired it in myself with Garmin Constant Power Cable, and it was all genuine Garmin kit. The irony is, I had a Nextbase 422 dash cam in my previous van but I sold it with the van. The only reason I bought the Garmin was because of its small size and Wi-Fi phone hook up. The nextbase app is rubbish for Wi-Fi connection but the camera never faltered but I didn't think I needed all that functionality of Alexa, GPS and the like... never again!!!