Inreach Mini 2 Vs Messenger Vs GPSMAP 67i | Best Satellite Communication Device from Garmin ?
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- Опубликовано: 7 авг 2024
- In this video I give the specs, features, and compare the pros and cons of the Mini 2, Messenger, and the 67i to see which is the best device for the backcountry.
#garmin #inreach #mini2 #satellitecommunication
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#commissionsearned
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Similarities
02:03 Differences & Apperances
04:34 Weight
04:54 Screen
05:57 Antenna & Transmit Power
07:10 Satellite Connectivity
08:01 Device Interface
09:17 Navigation
11:34 Messaging Experience
13:48 Battery Life
15:53 Easy of Carry
18:02 Additional Features
19:18 Future Proof
21:53 Concluding Thoughts
As a backcountry snowmobiler, I went 67i, for its stand alone nav. I've had my phone die to many times, and riding places like Salmon La Sac, there's no cell service even in the snowpark. I was riding up on Mt. St. Helens years ago, the clouds blew in, and it was a whiteout. So even though I'm good at finding my way back to the truck, having a screen with nav, can be a life saver, if you can't see landmarks.
Yes agreed completely. And a phone in those conditions just won’t cut it
When did 67i came out?
@@From_Refugee_To_Yacht_Owner 2023
All I need is the Messenger! I already have a battery bank, a solar panel, my foretrex, my phone, paper topo map and a compass. I will be good for weeks!
Excellent info but yes, the music is NG. You tube must instruct creators to use music in the background and it is amazing as a LOT of people complain about it. Me included.
Wow... best review on RUclips. Thank you so much! 67i for me!
I hadn’t given much thought to the phone & satellite possibly making other units obsolete, but other than that, I bought the 67i for all the same reasons you gave. I have an old handheld GPS that I will stop carrying. I want the security of having a navigation device and I want InReach capabilities (messaging, tracking, etc) so for me it was a no brainer. My old GPS weighs just as much, and now it gets upgraded along with InReach. It will give me more comfort doing long thru hikes even though I know people on the trail will scoff at the added weight.
Phones are definitely not a bomb proof solution only a small backup
Very helpful review. I decided to use the 67i for my AT through hike so I would have a good navigation backup if my phone dies.
Excellent video: clear, thorough, and a good presentation. Thank you.
Hi from Colorado!!
I use the inReach Mini when I'm mountain biking, hiking & snow boarding
For the 67i, I use it for when I'm overlanding, backpacking, kayaking & snowmobiling
I also have the Garmin Fenix 6 Solar that I'm always wearing
Well done. I just bought a 67i to replace an old eTrex HCx, and put it through its paces last weekend. I paired it to my Android, and while that's nice for certain things, it can get confusing and a little out of sync (Confucius say, man with 2 GPS never know where he is). I'm glad the 67i can be a stand-alone device in a much more rugged way than a phone, despite the bulk. I plan to use it hiking, hunting, on ATV, and maybe bicycling.
Looking back on the weekend and the Android pairing, I was intrigued about the Mini 2 and its light weight, which led me to your video. Good fit for some people, but not for me.
I never really got the concept of the Messenger, and your video confirms that. I think you're spot-on about the future of mobile comms, but it will be a while.
Mini 2 is an emergency comms and locator device, is it not good enough for just that?
Excellent video, well organized and to the point. Happy that we both picked the 67i.
If cold weather is a factor to consider then its also good to mention that all these Garmin devices have a minimum operating temperature of -20 Celsius (-4F). Below this threshold they will automatically shut down. I haven't found a way to prevent this from happening. This happened to me in Sweden. Because of this I like to have some redundancy in navigation, tracking, and messaging. A combination of a GPS67 and a messenger works well for me.
thanks for that fact there. Yes redundancy is not a bad thing at all especially if your going to depend on it with your life
Good to know. Takk for det. I’m in Norway looking to buy.
Hmm. Interesting.
I go winter hiking, and I live in the Canadian Rockies, so this may be an issue at times
In that case, keep it under your jacket and inside the sleeping bag.
Grab hot hands with adhesive and stick one onto it
Best review of the Garmin devices on the internet hands down! Great job! All this info i wanted!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful
Amazing feature review video on exactly what I was looking for. I just got a mini2 and love it for its simplicity. My goal was to find another unit for my spouse and didn’t want to get another mini2 for inreach to inreach coms, so I think you sold me on the 67i.
I’m sure now you’ve got the Mini 2 your spouse will love the 67i when you give it to her 👍
I was just on a motorcycle trip at the Tail Of The Dragon. A rider went down at 6 PM and wasn't seen laying down in the ravine until Noon the next day (18 hours later). Multiple people who had stopped had iPhones and the SOS feature on them wasn't doing squat. Not saying that would always be the case but it was a snapshot in time...not that far from civilization either. Just mountainous terrain with a dead cell area about 10 miles wide.
This is why I am purchasing an SOS
Absolutely Great Comparison! Thank you!
Very comprehensive review! Great job!
I went with the 67i. Map, sat com, can use for both overlanding and backpacking. Sure, it’s more bulk/weight but I find relaying on the phone is unwise-at least for me.
Very thorough review like always.
Quick note that wattage doesn’t really relate to bandwidth and speed of data transfer - it will help you reach other radio/satellites better, which obviously would make things faster - but speed of data transfer is mostly based on TCP/IP settings/standards. For an example, Bluetooth will transfer data faster than 915 MHz open band, because the higher frequency is capable of more bandwidth.
Outstanding. Thank you so much for this incredible comparrison.
your welcome, glad it was helpful.
Assuming a person is carrying a phone when they go backpacking, carrying a GPS 67i would be like carrying two+ phones- extra weight, extra bulk. The messenger is awesome for having less bulk, more tx power, more battery capacity/ powerbank, and less slop if you strategically mount it internally to the top/side of your pack. I fancy the idea of using this with a Etrex SOLAR, or Foretrex 801/901 or Instinct 2x Tactical (SOLAR) for wrist mounted navigation. Then carry a good map and compass as backup.
ive had the mini 1 and mini 2, I and agree, but 67i is superior in every way, and will have more battery capacity if you run it like the messenger with the extra maps feature in addition, and weight is minimal, and id rather leave my phone at home and not worry breaking or losing it and the phone is basically useless in mountaineering so no need to bring it. mini2 is horrible with out the phone. size is great, but thats about it. but if you are going for causal backpacking in the backcountry then its sufficient imo. I lso have the fenix 7 solar with maps, its a backup for me but prefer the 67i way more
Great video. My 8 year old inreach SE got dropped this past week. The screen cover plastic broke and now part of the LCD is unreadable. Works, but the screen is mostly useless. So looking for a replacement and a comparison of the mini2 to the 67i. Thanks
A dedicated device will always beat your smartphone in terms of battery robustness waterproofing, etc.
While the future might bring ubiquitous satellite connectivity for phones, the Messenger & Mini 2 won't be obsolete IMHO since they are way more rugged and have a long-lasting battery thus making them the better choice as a safety device.
Very helpful reviews, thank you.
I am prepping for back country canoe tripping. With my limited eyesight, I need the large screen of my iPad for navigation, tracking, and topo maps. My iPhone screen often is too small for me, for those purposes.
Am I correct in thinking that both the Mini 2 and the 67i will connect by Bluetooth to my iPad so I will have use of that large iPad screen while travelling. - showing my track and present position?
Also, would I be able to use the screens of the iPhone and iPad, through Bluetooth to either the Mini 2 or the 67i, for sending and receiving text messages?
yes, both will be able to connect to your ipad as long as yo have the Garmin explorer app.
@@BackcountryRenegade Thanks for your reply. Sorry to be so picky, but I'm an old man, and for me, technology linking devices is new and strange, and buying either the Mini 2 or the 67i would be a big expense, so I'd like to have some assurance about particular functions, and I ask for clarification:
Through Bluetooth and the Messenger app on my iPad and iPhone:
- Would I have access to topo maps (eg. on the Gaia app) while traveling, showing my track and present position?
- Would I be able to use the keypads and screens of the iPhone and iPad for sending and receiving text messages?
TIA, J
How will it work in the gulf.which one would have for boating in the Gulf?
For me and my motorcycle adventures, the Inreach Mini2 is the one I'm going with. I've already got the Garmin Zumo XT2 for the GPS part so I don't need another GPS! And I can pair the Mini2 with the XT2. THus, the Mini2 is perfect: small, compact, great battery life, better than messenger. And....100 Euros discount since Memorial Day!
Super helpful thank you
Very usefull overview!
Nice video, thank you. does the 67i require the expensive Garmin subscriptions too?
only if you plan to use the inreach sos feature
can you please review the Garmin instinct 2x solar tactical
Which one is best for offshore boating in the Gulf of Mexico
Thank you
Will the SOS button work if the device has no battery? Will the signal be different from a signal from a device with battery?
Can I power the 67i from an external source like car charger and usb external battery? Will the Bluetooth work with my iPad for a larger screen capability? I have issues with eyesight on smaller screens along with a need to use for Overlanding. BTW your Garmin hand held review is the best I’ve seen yet. Thanks!
yes you can as long as it has a usc-c cord you can charge it up. I bring a powerbank to charge it up when im out extended days. Thanks for the kind words and for watching
i’m probably going to roll with the 67, but i wish i could find more out about the maps and navigation. nearly all of
my hiking isn’t “on trail” so i’m interested in how it works for tracking my own routes instead of loading someone else’s routes
@@patrickcoyne1292 how I do it is i am subscribed to Garmin’s Outdoor Maps + annual subscription. This gives me access higher quality maps and features. This makes sense because I can also put it on my other garmin devices like my fenix 7 watch and my rhino. You could probably find similar maps to upload for free but would have to manually import them. In the software you can go in a manually plant pinpoints you want to get to and then in navigation mode it will take you to those points. I also have it synced to my all trails account so I can import all trails grx points for specific trails and it will load them on my 67i and navigate through it. Maybe I’ll do a dedicated vid on this if there is interest for it
@@BackcountryRenegadei’m pretty interested in the mapping aspect of it 67i i’d use it in conjunction with a phone i don’t really go out for long periods of time less than a week at the moment but it’s all real back country, no trails so being able to have reliable topo maps to help route finding while i’m out there is nice. i carry usgs maps now typically and probably still would as a back up but yeah i can’t find much on using the mapping on the 67i
@@patrickcoyne1292 sounds good I’ll try to do a vid on it soon. Have a few other projects trying to get done then I’ll look at tackling it. So stay tuned
The 67i is really bulky and heavy. And (to my taste) it doesn't beat an iPhone with a good topo map. And the iPhone is 2 ounces lighter and good for note taking and photo shooting which can't be done with the Garmin. So I would choose an iPhone to navigate and a second spare iPhone (fully charged and shut off) as backup for emergency situations like loosing or breaking the primary iPhone.
not a bad idea to have a 2nd iphone. as long as you dont only have one as your only primary way of communication. see my vid on ios18 does NOT kill garmin
How well functions the smartphone battery loading? How much battery life can for example the in reach messenger transfer on a smartphone like an iphone? does it takes mich time to do?
Just to register... I absolutely agree with your statements!... Mainly regarding choosing the 67i for future proof.
It's clear that, unlike many so called outdoors experts willing to share knowledge and to give advices, you know what you are talking about through experience and reflection! Thanks 👍
any chance you could get a bivy stick and add that to your reviews?
I love to if I can get my hands on one.
Good review, but you didn't say whether you need to to pay a monthly subscription to Garmin or not.
yes, sorry i assumed people knew about that. Ill have another video on the plan options and how to pick the best one for you.
What is best for emergency's, not hiking or backpacking, just in case you have to bug out.
messenger probably be sufficient for
The 67 only. "Bug out" you need the navigation more than anything else. But you should also just have paper maps. Handheld GPS are being used extensively in Ukraine
The upfront cost of these units and what you get , I'm just going to backpack without these like the old days ,seems none of them are worth the price, especially the garmen inreach mini 2 , that things a waste ,my buddy almost died relying on that pos last month ,he had to hit the sos button after breaking his leg and it couldn't reach anything just kept getting an error code and he was in the middle of a field with clear view of the sky . We actually hiked up looking for him when he didn't make basecamp and found him , used my regular gsmr radio to call in to the sar team for extraction
I think in a lot of ways I'm a bit like you. I pretty much solo hike without them relying instead on leaving a proper plan with my spouse, not deviating from that plan, having a proper map and compass with me and knowing how to use them, and trying as best I can to make wise decisions in the knowledge that help is not coming at the press of a button. I suppose I've been lucky thus far but it's not hard to picture the times when my luck could have gone differently......so......
That said.....I'm not unaware of the countless number of times these luck went bad for otherwise capable people and such devices have been instrumental and effective in calling for help and made all the difference to someone in trouble. So I'm not sure that the anecdotes where such devices did not perform as desired is a great one. The ability to call for help and have that work correctly 99 times out of 100 is pretty compelling. Citing the one failure as reason to forego the ability to call for help altogether doesn't seem like a strongly rational argument.
I admit this is coming from someone who does not use one at all and so I think the narrative becomes, whether you have one or not, good planning, prudence, skills and awareness are probably the most important risk mitigating tools you have out there......but the argument of "it might not work" against tools that usually does isn't a strong one I think. Though I must admit I hate the idea that some people regard these tools as substitutes for planning, skills, and prudence on the trails.
Far and away, the most common reason for getting an error code is because you don't have an active inreach subscription.
@@neologian1783 there is an old Alaskan say “go alone, don’t come home “
@@AcrylicGoblin😂
People don't have money but hiking is most expensive thing out there to do safely but so worth it when u learn those lessons
What would you recommend for someone who lives in the city like NY to use if the grid goes down?
If you’re looking for just emergency communication when the grid goes down, I would go with just the messenger because you don’t need any GPS mapping just solid communication and long battery life
Thanks
Repost without the annoying background music.
What are the extra maps for sale for on the website for the 67i? I see USA, then USA West, USA East, etc...
they are more elaborate and detailed map options pending on your needs. the smaller the location the more detailed it is, so for example, if i bought just the state of Washington, its far mor detailed and has extras like hunting gmu's and property boundaries, and USA west will be less detailed but more so then just the USA map. So basically you decide how detailed and specific you get.
@@BackcountryRenegade thanks. Pretty pricey add-ons, that's for sure.
@@z352kdaf8324 yep unfortunately that’s the case. I recommend the one and done
If monny whasnt an issue id go with thec67 untill sametinget better comeback around.
Will the 671 work anywhere in the world? Specifically Panama
theoretically yes, but there are certain countries that ban satellite communication devices like these so just do your research for the area before you use it out of the states. I believe Panama is okay, but that could change
Can the messenger connect to Rino 755t to use to message?
the rino 755t is a gps and handheld radio combo, You can connect it to message people who also have the rino 755t or similar device if you are within radio range or have wifi, but unfortunately it does not have inreach satellite technology so it can not do what these devices do. I would love to see them add inreach to those rino units.
@@BackcountryRenegade sorry I did not make it clear. If I get the inreach messenger , can I use my Rino 755t to type text through the inreach messenger with Bluetooth.
Too many moving parts w the connection feature. Should be on the 755t for the price of the unit… insane it’s not. Selling that and getting a 67i.
@@DMillhouse89 yes really wish the 755t had Inreach
Okay, I will spell it out. I know I can text to other Rino users. I know Rino 755t does not have in reach. My question is, since I already have the Rino 755t, instead of getting the in reach mini, can I get the inreach messenger, then use my already owned Rino 755t to text through inreach mini should I want to use that. I know I can also text with inreach messenger. I am asking this question because it should be obvious that texting with the inreach messenger is not easy except maybe with pre defined text messages.
67I all around better for all types of uses for the buck
Is the mini 2 a pain for texting? Looks like it would be. You have to scroll one letter at a time?
it is a pain if you text as a stand alone device, but if you pair it with your phone its easier
Personally I used the mini 2 pointed the antenna to the sky and sent messages from a canyon bottom no problem
music is annoying
that wooden-like wallpaper is brilliant and your review is greatly trusted with so shiny and intact devices ..
ha, someone else who has a screen protector on his GPSmap 67i 👍👍😊😊
price is extremely expensive when you compare these to other Garmin products. For example, the mini 2 compared to something like a fish locator that has GPS and detailed color maps, and a touchscreen, and you can add memory, and it has a sonar, and a transducer, and for all that something like a Garmin striker 4 is around $150.. by comparison, a mini 2 should cost about $100.
The real purpose of these devices is being able to communicate when you have no cell phone service. Being able to send an instant sos in the middle of nowhere is why they cost so much
@rexmundi5180 So you're saying it's more the demand price of saving someone's life and not related to the cost of manufacturing,, etc? I realize satellite communication is beyond cell service. But in most cases a cell phone can also save someone's life. (I know, service gaps are a thing) But still, I would say over 99 percent of Emergency calls are made with cell phones. So I don't know that it's based on being able to save someone's life. Nor should it be. There are competitors products that cost far less. On another note, I have a ham radio license and there is no monthly fee at all and I can call around the world for free. The radios can be bought for nearly nothing.. If there's ever a solar flare that knocks out electronics, or if satellite or cell services are ever blocked, radio communications will still be there.
@@adamr8628 this is a very niche product targeted at people going to extremely remote places doing fairly dangerous activities. It can’t be compared to cell phones or ham radios as they have limitations that don’t exist with this product. The dedicated sos button is ideal for emergency situations when every second counts. Ham radio and cell may cover most scenarios but this is for the situations when immediate communication is crucial no matter location.
People that buy these are typically going where hand held ham radios and cell phones are not useable. These are made for going to remote areas and engaging in sometimes dangerous activities. The quick sos feature and being able to communicate immediately when needed wherever you are make it very valuable. Ham radios are awesome no doubt but this device covers a very specific scenario when crucially needed.
@rexmundi5180 That wasn't my point. I said in my comment that cell phones are limited so you don't have to repeat that. I know the value of GPS. I own several, including the Mini 2. The only thing I'm asking about if there is a reason for the expense. Being able to save your life isn't a logical reason for Garmin to charge more. Sure they could try that and that may even be their reason. To profit off of people's fear of needing rescue. A more logical reason would be if the device was really complex and expensive to manufacture. But it doesn't appear so. Unless you have knowledge of why it's specifically expensive to make, I'm not getting an answer to my question. I may just contact Garmin. I own many Garmin devices with full color screens and huge numbers of capabilities. This device doesn't have any of that, yet costs even more. Thus, my question.
They all have the same disadvantage. No dedicated phone number
Spot X could be an option?
IOS 18 will support satellite messaging. Coming out this fall.
yep stay tuned for a vid on this coming
Unless they will come with a special trail mode where they shut down everything else except navigation and messages to extended battery life and push more power to satellite communications and navigation
@@williamwatitwa3534 it will not replace it, check back next week for my vid: “Why IOS 18 Won’t Kill Garmin”
this might be a really information packed video, but the loud, repetitive, annoying soundtrack ruined it for me. had to stop after the first few minutes.
Agree
Absolutely agree.
Agree
Didn't even notice it until you said something
@@hunter-ct9ky lol. Did you have the sound on?
Lost the device? Well that’s concerning that you can’t even track the item. It’s 2024
i can track its last location to a certain area, but unfortunately i didnt notice it right away. Once I did, I searched it unsuccessfully. The thing is the battery died and if someone found it the next location wont be reported until its charged. I ended up giving up and just getting a new unit and once i reported it as stollen i have no way of seeing if anyone ever found it, but once reported as stolen it completely disables it from being used again.
Garmin watches suck , suunto is the way to go.
Ditch the silly music.😢
These things are overpriced.