Garmin Inreach Mini 2 announced

[Old Crow]

In today's email I received an announcement of a new Inreach model, the Mini 2.

According to a quick look at the videos below, changes include...

- USB-C connector for the charging/update cable (instead of a mini-USB one)

- Switched from Earthmate to Garmin Explore mapping systems

- Longer battery life

- New chipset

- Higher-res display

- New TracBack feature (to follow your 'breadcrumbs' if necessary).

- Hidden 'oops, I forgot' temporary backtrack feature

- Digital compass (which reportedly works without having to move to be accurate)

- Capable of storing twice as many waypoints (1000 vs 500)

- New 'Courses' and 'Activities' concepts

- Additional satellite sensors (Galileo, QZSS)

Inreach Mini 2 - Garmin Retail Training video

Garmin Inreach Mini 2 Leaks! video by Hiking Guy

Also:
Inreach Mini 2 product page on the Garmin website

Garmin Forums Inreach Mini 2 Support Center on the Garmin website

Inreach Mini (not the Mini 2) product page on the Garmin website

Garmin Forums Inreach Mini (not the Mini 2) Support Center

 

[craig333]

I thought mine was already mini!

 

[Gussie]

Good timing. I'm replacing my SpotX, which failed after a year of light use. Thanks Old Crow.

 

[WanderingBison]

I had a chance to get some face time with the new Mini 2 and it’s a great improvement over the previous Mini!

The menus are a significant improvement over the previous model, the display is way clearer and crisper.

I couldn’t verify it but the Garmin claims significant battery life improvements, both as a result of a newer battery and some changes they have made to the Mini itself.

They have also upgraded the GPS receiver chip for faster acquisition and higher accuracy.

This is a big step up on the Mini <grin>.

 

[eyemgh]

Anyone feel that it’s enough of an improvement over the OG Mini to warrant an upgrade?

EDIT: After watching a video on the differences, for me, and the way I use it, I'll stick with my original Mini.

 

[ntsqd]

I don't recall why now, but I went with the SE+ instead of the Mini about a year ago. My mother looks forward to our pings so that she can follow along.

 

[Zoomad]

I bought a mini and used it last month for my trip to AZ. Worked flawlessly. I was able to actually text my Dad back home to let him know we had stopped for the night and all was good. I know you can send "canned" messages with the Spot, but you can't get a message back to acknowledge or respond with more. It kept my 82 yr old Dad at ease that I was ok out in the desert.

Battery life was pretty good. I did shut it off at night, but it was on all day and it went 3 days like that before it screamed at me that the battery was low.

I really like it a lot more than a Spot device.

 

[ntsqd]

Two of my rigs now have the power cradle. One is screwed to a bracket on the RAM mount for the tablet GPS and the other is as yet "full floating." They plug into (yet another) USB charging port. Is something like that offered for the Mini? I feel they're well worthwhile.