New Garmin inReach Mini 2

Here’s the press release:

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/outdoor/new-garmin-inreach-mini-2-delivers-up-to-30-days-of-global-satellite-communication-emergency-services-and-enhanced-location-tracking/.

Peering through the hype, other interesting changes are:

– TracBack navigation. “inReach Mini 2 automatically records a user’s activity and passively stores their route. If a user becomes disoriented, they can simply engage TracBack and an on-device digital path will retrace their movements and guide them back to their point of origin.”

– “up to 14 days of continuous run time in default 10-minute tracking mode.” Where did I put that giant grain of salt?

– “up to 30 days of continuous use when in 30-minute tracking mode.” Rats, I’ll have to buy another embiggened salt grain.

– Electronic compass

– Adds GALILEO, QZSS and BeiDou to GPS. GALILEO can be better than GPS  especially in Europe and Africa. QZSS helps from Japan south to most of Australia. BeiDou can help in China, and if all the other satellites are hidden (i.e. rarely). Interesting that GLONASS is not on the list. More here. But listening to more satellites means burning slightly more battery energy.

– More customizable user interface, with “widgets” AND “widget glances.” Oh, joy.

Could be interesting to see a side-by-side review with the old Mini.

Keyboard: I’d be happy with just an ancient T9 keypad. Oh well.

— Rex

Skimming through the new manual (PDF):

– “GPS Only” option that doesn’t listen to all the other systems. Why? Oh wait, I answered that question above :-)

– Still doesn’t mention WAAS, which can improve GPS accuracy in North America.

– Still need multiple apps to manage the device – Express (computer), Explore (smartphone), and the Explore web site. PITA.

– As Sébastien mentioned, a USB-C port replaces the Micro USB port on the old Mini. Good.

– Manual section “Saving Energy While Charging the Device.” Handy for backpackers recharging from battery packs.

– More details on battery life:

Default mode with 10-minute tracking send interval and standard activity recording
Full sky view: Up to 14 days
Moderate tree cover: Up to 4 days

30-minute tracking send interval with standard activity recording
Full sky view: Up to 30 days
Moderate tree cover: Up to 10 days

Note the “Up to” for every claim.

I’m happy enough with my soon-to-be-discontinued inReach * mini, and the new one costs $400 – $50 more than the old one. In many ways, I prefer being able to use it without a smartphone to distract me in the wilderness. YMMV.

— Rex

I imagine I’m one of the few who never disliked Earthmate. It would occasionally show me trails that didn’t show in a well-liked mapping/GPS program (Death Valley was one such place) so I was happy to have both on the phone and used both.

Perhaps the best change, for me, is the USB-C instead of micro-USB connector.

Tyler Freel at Outdoor Life anticipated my request for a comparison review of the Mini, Mini 2, and Explorer+ from Garmin. Worth reading if you are in the market.

https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/garmin-inreach-mini-2-review/

Along with other improvements, power consumption seems to be much lower, extending battery life.

Swearing through message composition without a smartphone is about the same. Probably would get too many customer complaints if Garmin changed that :-)

— Rex

Skurka’s thoughts on this new unit-  improved but still fundamentally flawed

https://andrewskurka.com/garmin-inreach-mini-2-assessment/

Jerry, the passive discharge of a less-than-4-year-old Mini should definitely not be happening in 1 or 2 weeks after a full charge. We use several, they were all purchased when released in 2018, and only see passive discharge when they are stored for months, not days.

thanks

a bit of googling:

https://batteryclerk.com/products/garmin-010-01879-00-inreach-mini-replacement-battery

new battery is $25

the only problem is my smallest torx screwdriver is T10.  It looks like the mini uses maybe a T5?  I just ordered a better set from Amazon – $10.  Then I can compare the battery

I charged up my Mini two days ago.  It said it was 100% charged

After two days it’s down to 70%

yeah, I think I ordered the correct size from Amazon, $10.  T4 to T10 or something like that

I’ll soon be in the market for one.  Here’s what turns me off about the Zoleo specifically and similar for that matter.

1) more expensive than garmin

2) tethered to phone and without a phone can only say OK and send SOS, but then nothing

3)  my phone is an old Samsung S9+, battery life sucks even in airplane.  If my battery dies or phone damaged from a fall ect and I get injured were I want to be able to know if SAR is coming and talk to them, even if it’s slow with letter by letter and auto complete. Which isn’t much different than T9 Which I was pretty fast at. Plus my wife is a worry wort, sometimes more than an I’M OK is needed

4) they only offer i non modifiable “im ok”

Like others I’m trying to get away from technology except for pictures and the back up if something happens and keeping the wife happy.

If I misspoke about anything please correct me

Yeah, Skurkas review came across as s fluff piece for Zoleo and it may very well be.

NM