Garmin inReach Mini 2 | Long Term Usage Review & General Info

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  • Опубликовано: 14 янв 2025

Комментарии • 101

  • @thomaswells4976
    @thomaswells4976 Месяц назад +4

    Re: battery life.
    I see this in the product description on REI's website: "Stay on adventures longer with up to 14 days battery life in full sky view, or up to 4 days in moderate tree cover for standard activity recording and 10-minute tracking mode"
    Your hunch about being indoors/not having sky cover is likely correct.

  • @HazardSports
    @HazardSports Месяц назад +37

    Instead of texting full messages - have known abbreviations that you share with your family. AG (all good) HF (having fun). CT (call you tonight). 0CT (cant call you tonight) that kind of thing! You can write them down on a cheat sheet for you and your family to refer to. Makes conveying a lot of info quick and easy. Save the letter by letter word text for things that are not the standard updates you expect to give!

  • @GWYM2023
    @GWYM2023 12 дней назад +4

    Regarding the tedious effort of sending messages, if you have the Garmin apps on your iPhone/Android, you can send/text messages using the apps, which is much easier than using the device itself, as you pointed out. Cell service is not required, your phone just needs to be connected to the Garmin Inreach via Bluetooth. So your phone needs to be close by, which for most people that is the usually the case.

  • @bayareadirtbiking249
    @bayareadirtbiking249 3 месяца назад +16

    1) You would want to use Earthmate for typing custom messages. You would want to set up to 3 preset messages for routine check in directly from the in-reach
    2) GPS doesn't work indoors, so no point in having it on indoors
    3) If you want people to communicate with you directly to the in-reach, they need to use your inreach address

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +3

      I'll go check out Earthmate! When I refer to indoors I am talking about areas with poor line of sight with the sky in general. I typically dont have it on when I am in town. They do communicate with me via the inReach address. The thing is sometimes the messages come in a couple days delayed.

    • @bayareadirtbiking249
      @bayareadirtbiking249 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757 Yes, I have experienced those delays also. I would call Garmin to get an explanation, they are pretty good about answering the phone.

    • @hughbristow4070
      @hughbristow4070 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757I use the Garmin explore app and prefer it over the earthmate app.

  • @rebeccamiller1741
    @rebeccamiller1741 2 месяца назад +3

    Bought one for riding my horse in the Rockies...
    Worth every penny ...
    Good review

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  2 месяца назад

      Thanks! I hope it keeps you safe out there!

  • @DualSportDoug
    @DualSportDoug 3 месяца назад +12

    2:14. Price: Watch for them to come on sale. I bought mine for $100 off this summer. Generally speaking, sales are authorized by Garmin and in theory, all dealers will offer the same sale price. That's how the market works. However, when I found a sale when I bought mine in June, big motorcycle parts vendors didn't have them on sale, which made no sense considering hiking, camping and smaller motorcycle gear retailers DID have them on sale.
    I've seen them on sale twice within the last year. I bought mine from a small dealer that sells a lot of motorcycle camping gear - Moto Camp Nerd

    • @DualSportDoug
      @DualSportDoug 3 месяца назад

      I should explain things better about "pricing" regarding my comment above about "That's how the market works"
      Manufacturers have what's called MAP Policy - It stands for "Minimum Advertised Price" Policy. Resellers must agree to that policy when they sell items. A retailer can sell for less, but they can't advertise an item for less than the MAP pricing. If you see an item (like a Garmin GPS, Inreach, riding boots, helmet, etc.) "on sale" it's generally because the manufacturer allows a sale price to be offered for a set time period. Typically, every reseller of a product that's offered at a sale price by the manufacturer, "should" offer it at the manufacturer's authorized sale price. That WAS the case the first time I saw the Inreach on sale for $299 about a year ago.
      I know all of this because I've had a business license for many years and have had to abide my "MAP Policies" for nearly every company I purchase product from to resell.

  • @MarkRomo365
    @MarkRomo365 3 дня назад

    Thank you, you did a good job on this review. Keep up the good reviews.

  • @madjack_757
    @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +4

    Hey everyone! Hope y'all liked the gear review video! If you are looking to grab yourself some equipment like this for your next adventure (and want to support the channel 😁) Check out the affiliate links above. I get a small percentage of the sales revenue and it helps me to fund the channel. Thanks everyone!

    • @Thompsongs
      @Thompsongs 3 месяца назад

      If you have a moment, I wonder if you could share any insight as far as the best route to go for satellite phone subscription? I'm new to all of this. Thank you!

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      I pay for the communication plan and the search and rescue insurance for my Garmin

    • @Thompsongs
      @Thompsongs 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757 I appreciate the response. Is that something you do through Garmin?

  • @erikehrling4715
    @erikehrling4715 3 месяца назад +2

    It will be interesting to see if there will be an upgrade to the Inreach mini 2 with similar capabilities as the Messenger plus. Maybe they could add solar charging to extend the battery life. Better navigation capability would be a desirable option too.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      I would really appreciate if they had some kind of solar battery tender too. It might be one of those things where upgrading from the mini 2 to the mini 3 isn’t worth it but maybe all the advancements by the mini 4 will make the upgrade to the 4 worth it down the line.

  • @wyattblessing7078
    @wyattblessing7078 3 месяца назад +5

    I use the Garmin Montana 700i with the whole package subscription. I've also had trouble with messaging. My understanding is it's messages get buffered for some reason waiting for a satellite connection. Then don't send off when a sat is found . Although with a touchscreen it's much easier to text unsent messages.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +1

      Interesting.. Thanks for telling me your experiences with it!
      Maybe I will eventually upgrade to the 700i. My whole dilemma is I want gear to be easy to bring with me on any adventure. Even though I complain that the inReach is small, I really love how practical the small frame and light weight design is. Though, the 700i doesn't look too bulky. Do you have it mounted or do you just have it in a pocket?

    • @wyattblessing7078
      @wyattblessing7078 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757 started with the pocket, then bought a cheap mount for my Suzuki DR650 on the handle bar. Bought a proper powered mount for Tiger 900 Rally Pro. I use it for navigation, not just satellite comms.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +1

      Yeah I like that you are getting dual purposes out of it. I have the garmin zumo and then the inReach Mini. I supposed your setup is 2 birds with one stone which is really nice.

    • @wyattblessing7078
      @wyattblessing7078 3 месяца назад +1

      @@madjack_757 you nailed it.

  • @DualSportDoug
    @DualSportDoug 3 месяца назад +2

    Thanks for doing this video. I bought a Mini2 earlier this year and haven't activated it yet due to lack of riding this summer. My foot incident last weekend made me realize I need to activate it before I go riding again. Like you, I do a LOT of solo riding.
    Hopefully with this video, people will stop lecturing you in the comments about "needing to get in Inreach". They assume you don't have one since they don't always visibly see it dangling from your vest.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      No kidding! People always like to comment things like that when I have had it the whole time lol. Yeah i can imagine that moment was a bit of a reality check but thats just how it goes. The other video I just posted was for my water filter and just like you, I had it but never had it available for me to use in the field and it took some pain to realize it should be ready to go ahead of time. Get your inReach up and runnin so you can enjoy the rest of the season before the cold shows up!

  • @DualSportDoug
    @DualSportDoug 3 месяца назад +3

    One more tidbit - Within the last week or two (Mid September 2024), Garmin completely revamped the plans they offer for the Inreach.

  • @NathanGregg-d4r
    @NathanGregg-d4r 3 месяца назад

    Thanks for the great feedback and insight

  • @cowboysnation1594
    @cowboysnation1594 19 дней назад +1

    I go fishing a lot I use my navionic on my phone for spots in the ocean. If I didn’t have service on my phone to use the navionic would this help
    Me?

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  19 дней назад

      I’d reckon this would. The in reach relies on visibility to the sky which is plentiful at sea.

  • @ricbrokus
    @ricbrokus 3 месяца назад +3

    Can the unit be turned on as needed in order to conserve the battery? Such as...turn it on, send an "I'm okay, here is my location" text. Then turn it off.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +1

      Yes it can be, thankfully! Tho when I’m deep in the woods for a long time I keep it on so I can hear when I get messages coming in.

  • @Meldonator
    @Meldonator 3 месяца назад

    Thanks for the insight! Really Interesting!

  • @bmiller2011vids01
    @bmiller2011vids01 2 месяца назад +1

    I'm new to the Garmin inReach Mini 2 also, but the first thing the setup instructions told me to do was to download the Garmin Messenger app and pair the inReach Mini 2 to my phone. I haven’t tested it much yet, but the one thing I have done is send messages. Within the app, sending a message is the same as entering text on the phone in any other app. I’m pretty sure that’s the way it’s supposed to work. If anyone knows something different, please comment - I’m trying to learn the ins and outs of the inReach Mini 2 myself.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  2 месяца назад +1

      One thing I like to point out is when you rwky on sending messages thru the app on your phone, you need to then be keeping both the Garmin and the phone charged. I only focus on keeping the Garmin charged.

  • @sigweiss5258
    @sigweiss5258 3 месяца назад

    Thank you, I’m shopping for a replacement for my Spot Gen3 which I’ve had for about 5 years.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      Of course. I hope this video helped a little bit!!

  • @Driving-Potato
    @Driving-Potato 2 дня назад

    The display looks like the forerunner 35? 🤔

  • @isaiahmartin5935
    @isaiahmartin5935 3 месяца назад +8

    when you complained about sending the message sure doing it that way it not optimal but if you have the phone app you can connect to it and use the app to send messages with your phone its just like sending a text with your phone.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +2

      I'll have to give it a shot, though when I am out on a longer trip, usually my phone is dead and I am only focussed on keeping the garmin equipment and camera gear charged. For short term the phone could definitely be a good option!

    • @MarcasAndrews
      @MarcasAndrews 3 месяца назад +2

      Serious question, if cell service is down, can you still use the inreach with your cell phone?

    • @mock15599
      @mock15599 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757 A decent power bank can keep a phone charged for days. weeks if lightly used. And your motorcycle has a alternator on it. You can get a phone charger installed on the bike or do it yourself(Its pretty easy) and not have to worry about charging pretty much at all.

    • @mock15599
      @mock15599 3 месяца назад +9

      @@MarcasAndrews Your phone connects to the inreach with bluetooth (Short range) and the inreach connects to satellites. Your phone doesnt need service or even a phone plan to use bluetooth. So Yes, it would work without a working cell tower in range

    • @MarcasAndrews
      @MarcasAndrews 3 месяца назад

      @@mock15599 awesome! Thanks for the reply!🙏

  • @FreedomOfSpeech107
    @FreedomOfSpeech107 18 дней назад

    Great video, thank you. can we trigger a tracking request from a Garmin android app or can we only trigger a tracking request from the device? I intend to use it in a suitcase for instance so I would like to track it without being able to use the device. thnx

  • @Inkling777
    @Inkling777 19 дней назад +1

    That $40 pays for more than your S&R costs. Because it is paid, those often financially strapped teams get money to cover a rescue for those who cannot pay.

  • @michaelflores7657
    @michaelflores7657 3 месяца назад

    Very useful!! Ty for posting

  • @janelleryan7869
    @janelleryan7869 3 месяца назад +1

    Does it work if both messengers are out of cell service?

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      Typically I’m sending messages from the in reach to another persons cell phone. I’m not sure if someone can receive or send messages to the in reach if they’re out of cell service. The in reach is the only device that I’m aware of that can function based off only satellite.

  • @juliathomas8353
    @juliathomas8353 23 дня назад

    Great video and very good information. If 2 people have these devices, and both are out of cell range, can they send messages to one another?

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  23 дня назад

      @@juliathomas8353 I’ve never tried but I would imagine it’s possible. I would confirm with Garmin though.

    • @Inkling777
      @Inkling777 19 дней назад

      There's no problem messaging between InReach devices when both are out of touch with cellular. That is one of the beauties of the device. You can find out more at Garmin's "Sending a Message to an InReach Device."

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  19 дней назад

      Thanks so much for letting everyone know!

  • @michaelschower
    @michaelschower 3 месяца назад

    Water-rating of IPX7 is debatable--have gone through two devices this past year with minimal water contact. Would get another but the added cost of a waterproof case on top of the cost of another device makes it unappealing. Battery life is also another major concern.

  • @mikebremner3851
    @mikebremner3851 2 месяца назад

    Can you save previous messages to resend by selecting them?

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  2 месяца назад

      I’ve never tried but it does save a chat log of messages going back and forth. I would imagine you could do that.

  • @albusai
    @albusai Месяц назад

    Wonder if it is able to be used in central America.. Costa Rica. I am going deep in the jungle

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  Месяц назад

      Man I’d love to know that answer to! Could you email me after you try??

    • @albusai
      @albusai Месяц назад

      @@madjack_757 yes

    • @Sulfen
      @Sulfen Месяц назад +1

      As long as it's not blocked by local laws the Iridium network reaches every part of the earth. But due to local laws they artificially block it from connecting in some places.

  • @marloncjohn58
    @marloncjohn58 3 месяца назад

    So I just recently had the same issue with the message not sending, and it put me and my wife in a situation that I'm not very happy about.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      It’s interesting to hear that I wasn’t the only one experiencing that. I hope you and your wife were alright.

  • @FailsAndFightsFNF
    @FailsAndFightsFNF 3 месяца назад

    I love your content! I'm partnered with Whiskey Throttled and we'd like to share your footage across our platforms with credit to you!

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      Appreciate the support!! Shoot me an email and let me know what you need
      Madjackmedia.757@gmail.com

  • @darinr5591
    @darinr5591 3 месяца назад +1

    Why are you trying to use it indoors? Of course the battery life will suck.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад

      When I am referring to indoors, I am referring to anywhere with poor view of the sky.
      A good example- you make a stop in town for some food and leave it on while you’re sitting in the restaurant.
      Another example- you’re in the base of a deep canyon and it takes longer for it to connect to a satellite.
      Hope this helps man 🤙🏼

    • @mock15599
      @mock15599 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757 Its likely why it drains quickly. Most wireless devices when searching for a signal with fire progressively louder messages out till they cap out there gain. This can drain the battery a noticeable amount on a phone. If the inreaches biggest power consumer is its radio it can explain why the difference is so drastic compared to other devices. I put my phone on airplane mode when i know ill have bad signal/dont have a phone plan because itll waste energy shouting out for a tower that it wont get a reply from.
      A good way to think of radio signals is think of the signal as a sound, they are rather similar in many ways, even signal strength is measured in Decibels, a measurement of loudness. Sound can travel much farther when nothing is in the way to absorb it. When its indoors it has to shout much louder to be heard and get a reply from the satellite to know it was heard

  • @SEAKTrailBlazer
    @SEAKTrailBlazer Месяц назад

    It's a MINI! Connect it to your cellphone and use the same features with more capabilities, such as easier navigation like you would have with more buttons.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  Месяц назад +1

      That requires you to keep two devices charged at once which can be challenging on long term trips. If I am on a multiple day trip on my motorcycle I only charge my Garmin and camera gear from my bike. Not my cell phone.

  • @meseahunt
    @meseahunt 2 месяца назад

    i'm confused as to why someone would want to send msgs while "inside", kinda defeats the purpose of being an "outside" tool??? this would support your batt theory!!

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  2 месяца назад

      For example, if you come into town for supplies after being in the woods for a while, then you go back to the wilderness. By the time you get back, your Garmin will have less juice due to the time spent indoors getting food or supplies or whatnot. This also applies to if you camp in a camper and have the Garmin on.

    • @meseahunt
      @meseahunt 2 месяца назад

      @ this is why the device has a power on/off switch?

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  2 месяца назад

      @meseahunt yes, but if you’re out somewhere and want to know when you get a message, it needs to be on. Otherwise, it won’t notify you when a message comes in.

  • @ScorgeRudess
    @ScorgeRudess 2 месяца назад

    4:27 - "Your girlfriends", because we have more than one xD

  • @dennislozano4973
    @dennislozano4973 Месяц назад

    Using it with your phone makes messaging 100x easier.

  • @ChatGPT1111
    @ChatGPT1111 2 месяца назад

    Keep in mind that the helicopter will only come in the most dire situations and then you're going to get hit with about a $60K bill just for the flight if you don't have insurance.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  2 месяца назад

      Yes, sometimes helicopters aren't necessary and ground crews can come in. I have insurance.

  • @cheefussmith9380
    @cheefussmith9380 9 дней назад

    Haha, I’m in my 40s and when I camp I still have to text my mom I’m ok. I have children with me and I’m still texting her AG

  • @enricobononi8655
    @enricobononi8655 6 дней назад

    You press the SOS button and you will start a long chat waiting for help...check video of real cases.

  • @ckkone
    @ckkone 3 месяца назад +11

    I just use my iPhone 16, can send texts over satellite.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +1

      good to know it can do that!!

    • @wyattblessing7078
      @wyattblessing7078 3 месяца назад

      @@madjack_757 there is also a Sat based Android phone. You can use two Sim Cards, one for normal and one for Sat.

    • @alexmansour14
      @alexmansour14 3 месяца назад +2

      but only with first responders right? or even with friends?

    • @jplazo5862
      @jplazo5862 3 месяца назад +4

      iPhone doesn’t work in open ocean

    • @mock15599
      @mock15599 3 месяца назад +4

      This is interesting, i didnt know this and did some research. It looks like because 5G cell service overlaps with some satellite frequencies so they are capable of talking to each other. However there frequencies are around 12GH which is high. Higher frequencies allow more data and less range. The inreach uses .016GH frequencies. Giving it much more range and much less data speed. Both transmit at very low power. So i would suspect the iphone will lose signal much sooner then the inreach would, almost the instant you lose sight of the sky. For comparison your old TV satellite dish to overcome its range reduction from high frequencies uses a very high gain directional antenna around 35db and 60 to 200 watts depending on how hard it is to be heard. its frequency range is around 40GH. phone antenna has a omni directional 3db antenna and a maximum transmission power close to 1w. The in reach likely uses even less then a watt of power to conserve its small battery. Likely close to .25 of a watt

  • @briancleary6251
    @briancleary6251 Месяц назад

    Guy’s a rambler.

    • @Rod-rx4go
      @Rod-rx4go Месяц назад

      Well don’t fucken listen to him

  • @FlyWithMe_666
    @FlyWithMe_666 3 месяца назад +1

    5:07 You do a product review and don’t even know the basics of the device? 😂 Write messages in the messenger app on the phone. Nobody uses the buttons for this. And if you often send the same message to your mum, save it as one of the 10 presets, or even as one of the 3 check-ins that don’t even count against your message allowance. Also: “a helicopter will come and save me” … probably not. Garmin relays the SOS to the local SAR/police/sheriff or whatever is in your area. They’ll use whatever is available to them, which can take hours to days.

    • @madjack_757
      @madjack_757  3 месяца назад +9

      1) I spend all my time charging camera gear and my Garmin devices in the backcountry. Never my phone. It’s a waste of energy.
      2) I do know the basics of the device, but Garmin products are full of features and I’m always interested in learning more from others that know more than me.
      3) I send messages to a lot of different people. The mom comment was me half joking to keep things light.
      4) the helicopter comment was just to say that SAR is notified I need help and they’ll send something to come get me.
      I have a lot of real world experience with these things and did my best to use my own footage to back that up. Be respectful of the fact that I wanted to share my opinions but I realize there’s more to learn too.

    • @jenna6256
      @jenna6256 3 месяца назад

      Jerk

  • @jaykay30461
    @jaykay30461 12 минут назад

    You’d be better off just getting the travel star link one it’s probably cheaper too. You could do more with it cause you can just connect your phone, your laptop, and whatever else it connects to Wi-Fi.

  • @mustafa3169
    @mustafa3169 8 дней назад

    Great video.

  • @Sparker408
    @Sparker408 6 дней назад

    A You-Tuber had to use the SOS once, and had purchased the insurance and stated that it was like pulling teeth to get Gamin to pay for the medical fees. They even ignored her calls until Gamin started getting pressured to pay from her followers. Just something to remember. Have your own health insurance, then you know your actually covered. Video posted below if you're interested in that. Last thought for Gamin. If you don't want to be in the insurance business, then don't sell insurance.
    ruclips.net/video/Jwr5v-Zd0Qg/видео.html