Garmin inReach mini 1 versus 2

[El-Dracho]

Hi Overlanders,

Will pruchase a new GPS messenger. Currently I have an older SPOT device. Next will be an inReach. I'm looking for practical experience, especially from people who have or have had both devices in use, inReach mini 1 and 2.

Since there is now the 2nd generation of the inReach mini, I am considering whether I should buy a 1 or 2. Not least because 1s are also cheap to have.

I have found out that changes are among other things in the area of battery life, faster charging through USB C and in the navigation functions. Navigation functions are not so important for me, as I have several navigation devices for it.

Very interested in the battery life thing. Data sheets are one thing, but how much longer does the battery really last under real-life conditions? Does anyone have a comparison?

I am looking forward to the exchange of experiences and advises. Thank you.

Bjoern

 

[4x4tripping]

Longer Battery life, less cables (USB-C), quicker charging - everything is helpful, if you are planning multiday trecking/hicking without getting power. For overlanding it seems not necessary to buy the more expensive, at least as long as you dont use it as antitheft device. (Battery)....

You will do the Navigation on the connected Smartphone - and this dont care about Inreach Mini1 or 2.

Hope this helps.

trippin

 

[El-Dracho]

Longer Battery life, less cables (USB-C), quicker charging - everything is helpful, if you are planning multiday trecking/hicking without getting power. For overlanding it seems not necessary to buy the more expensive, at least as long as you dont use it as antitheft device. (Battery)....

You will do the Navigation on the connected Smartphone - and this dont care about Inreach Mini1 or 2.

Hope this helps.

trippin

Right. Good point. Have you used both devices in comparison and can you say something about it? The longer battery life is not due to a different battery, but an optimized processor. And this is also supposed to be much faster, which naturally ensures a faster display. I'd also be interested to know if that's the case - it's annoying when you have to wait for slow electronics - hehe.

Thanks,
Bjoern

 

[El-Dracho]

I asked around a bit more. The gen 2 is of course a bit nicer made, with icon navigation in the menu, etc. On the other hand, a restart with the gen 1 should take about 30sec, with the gen 2 about 2 min. So all pros and cons but I still tend to the gen 2. The longer battery life is great, if you maybe longer without charging possibility...

Does anyone else have experience with both devices in comparison that you would like to share? Or has anyone recently switched from the 1 to the 2 and could share experiences with that? That would be great.

Thank you,
Bjoern

 

[El-Dracho]

Just ordered the inrRach mini 2. Should be in the mail today. I will then gladly share my experiences with it here, so that others can benefit from it, who are also looking for such a device.

Bjoern

 

[El-Dracho]

So, I wanted to share my experiences with it. In the meantime the inReach has found its place in the rig. With Ram-Mount holder - that has proven itself. I put a USB socket next to it, which has continuous current, then I can always charge it. At that location it is also quickly taken out of the holder and I can take it with me when I'm on foot.

I'll be happy to share my experiences with the device itself when I'm on the road.

 

[LMychajluk]

Hi! New here, but just got a Mini 2 yesterday to replace my lost MIni (how does one lose a sat tracker???). I only had the original for a few months, so I didn't have a lot of experience with it, but some.

Anyway, I just want to add that the screen on the 2 is much easier see than the original. I think it has a better resolution, and also a backlight (adjustable). There's also a revamped menu system, which seems a lot more intuitive to navigate. On the software side, it uses Garmin Explore vs Earthmate (one less app on my phone, since I had Explore for my Zumo XT motorcycle GPS already, though it also required Garmin Drive...). One other note - the box did NOT include the Spine adapter, so if you need it, it's an extra $15 and makes the price difference between the 1 and 2 ~$65 and not $50.

As for losing it, get in the habit of turning it on as you leave the house, not at your destination (trailhead, boat launch, etc...).You can't track it if it's not on.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi! New here, but just got a Mini 2 yesterday to replace my lost MIni (how does one lose a sat tracker???). I only had the original for a few months, so I didn't have a lot of experience with it, but some.

Anyway, I just want to add that the screen on the 2 is much easier see than the original. I think it has a better resolution, and also a backlight (adjustable). There's also a revamped menu system, which seems a lot more intuitive to navigate. On the software side, it uses Garmin Explore vs Earthmate (one less app on my phone, since I had Explore for my Zumo XT motorcycle GPS already, though it also required Garmin Drive...). One other note - the box did NOT include the Spine adapter, so if you need it, it's an extra $15 and makes the price difference between the 1 and 2 ~$65 and not $50.

As for losing it, get in the habit of turning it on as you leave the house, not at your destination (trailhead, boat launch, etc...).You can't track it if it's not on.

Hope this helps someone.

Hi Lee,

Thanks for sharing those experiences and information. Among other things, great communities like this one thrive on the exchange of experiences.

Oh, and of course welcome to Overland Bound! If you like, you can introduce yourself here: Member Introductions *NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCE YOURSELF*

Thanks again,
Bjoern

 

[El-Dracho]

Took a little tour today and played around with the device. I was a bit worried at first because of the small screen and the small buttons, but the device is absolutely easy and intuitive to use. And with the Explore app it's even easier. I paired the inReach with my 10 inch tablet and it works very well. Positions when tracking and location transmission were also very accurate. I am very satisfied and can recommend it.

 

[John and Mandi]

I'm not sure if the mini has a lanyard attachment point but on my DeLorme Inreach I have a lanyard that I use to attach to the side pocket of my backpack. Sounds more complicated than it is. I took a piece of paracord and threaded it through the loop that is sewn into the backpack's side pocket and tied it into a loop itself. I then thread it through the lanyard of the DeLorme and pass the device through it to connect the two. It is long enough to use the DeLorme while hiking so I don't have to disconnect it. I had the DeLorme fall out of the side pocket once and if Mandi wasn't behind me we would have lost it. If you have cargo pockets that use non-snap buttons you can use a button hole or one on your shirt, and of course a belt loop like a motorcycle wallet if you prefer to have it on person. Almost loosing it made me realize how easy it would be to become separated from it if I fell down an embankment, out of a kayak, etc... one of those moments where I may have an emergency need for it.

 

[El-Dracho]

Thanks for the tip @John and Mandi Yes, the inReach Mini2 has a lanyard attachement point and the possibilty to attach a little belt loop where you could attach a snap hook for example.

I have additionally made a wire sling to secure it:

 

[El-Dracho]

Just a quick update here. In my experience the inReach Mini 2 is really very good. Tracking and sending/receiving messages absolutely reliable. Sometimes it does not charge when it gets too warm (error message). This is for me - with regard to the long battery runtime of the Gen2 - no problem. Operation via the Explore app very simple and intuitive. I am very satisfied with the device.

 

[4x4tripping]

The 10 Years older (InReach Mini) device did a excellent job for my transafrica at 2012 - guess with the device of today you down will see a worse expercience :-)

Keep us updated!

trippin

 

[ZombieCat]

Which service plan do you use with the InReach Mini 2? Do you use the annual plan or the freedom plan? Is there a fee with the freedom plan each time the service is reactivated? I’ll likely only use it when I travel - it’s difficult to get off the grid in my area, so I only anticipate needing it when hiking out west. Thanks!

 

[El-Dracho]

Which service plan do you use with the InReach Mini 2? Do you use the annual plan or the freedom plan? Is there a fee with the freedom plan each time the service is reactivated? I’ll likely only use it when I travel - it’s difficult to get off the grid in my area, so I only anticipate needing it when hiking out west. Thanks!

I use a kind of annual plan but which I can suspend to the date (e.g. months or period end) and reactivate for a weekend, week, months and so on. It runs til I ask to suspend. So, I do not use a Garmin service plan but a plan provided by a german company specialised in sos messengers in hardware and software.

 

[zgfiredude]

You can do a "Monthly" plan that I think they refer to as the "Freedom" plan. You can turn it on and off as desired, and there is no fee each time you activate it......it IS a bit more costly to select this plan, but for infrequent use it's great.

 

[ZombieCat]

@El-Dracho & @zgfiredude
Thank you both for your insight. I’m leaning towards the Freedom Plan, too. Safe travels and I hope to swing thru Wyoming next year again - hopefully without the massive flooding that chased me out of Yellowstone in 2022!

 

[GFB_Steve]

I used a gen 1 all over the western USA and Baja California… always served me well. The only reason I upgraded to the 2 is for the push notifications through the app. That and, I figured it would be easier to sell the originals now versus a few year down the road.

BTW, if anyone wants a gen 1, I have one left. $125 plus shipping

 

[El-Dracho]

Have relocated my inReach and it lives now in a new place on the dash. RAM Mount holders are simply great. This time I have attached a small RAM ball trapezoid base plate using bolts and pull rivet nuts. It is quite solid even on bumpy tracks. And I was able to hide the charging cable nicely - I don't like cables lying across the dashboard.

 

[Dimitri_Raptis]

Hi Overlanders,

Will pruchase a new GPS messenger. Currently I have an older SPOT device. Next will be an inReach. I'm looking for practical experience, especially from people who have or have had both devices in use, inReach mini 1 and 2.

Since there is now the 2nd generation of the inReach mini, I am considering whether I should buy a 1 or 2. Not least because 1s are also cheap to have.

I have found out that changes are among other things in the area of battery life, faster charging through USB C and in the navigation functions. Navigation functions are not so important for me, as I have several navigation devices for it.

Very interested in the battery life thing. Data sheets are one thing, but how much longer does the battery really last under real-life conditions? Does anyone have a comparison?

I am looking forward to the exchange of experiences and advises. Thank you.

Bjoern

Hi. I have the Garmin inReach Explorer®+
Satellite Communicator with Maps and Sensors. It connects to the iPhone but works also very well standalone. My experience is that the signal is better when closer to the windscreen instead of when mounted on the car dashboard. The only downside is that it is a bit expensive for something you hope you never going to need to use… By the way, iPhone 14 and 15 can now send satellite messages during emergencies. Apple introduced this feature with the iPhone 14 series, allowing users to send emergency SOS messages via satellite when they are out of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.