I have the Mini 2 and love it. $25 a month is very doable when you go anywhere outside and be connected with the world. And your family knows where you are at anytime.
All I can say is thank you thank you thank you - really great video that will allow us to get the most of the InReach Mini 2 - Wish everyone was like Garmin
That feature of being able to edit the preset messages looks great. I got my Mini 2 last month and was looking forward to setting up my preset messages to something useful. For some reason, my device seems to have 3 canned static preset messages and only the recipient can be changed, but the preset messages cannot be changed the way this video shows they can. Why would that be?
tracback @ 45m - PLEASE create a delete button / function that will delete the tracback. the PROBLEM with not deleting is when i hike a trail today, driver somewhere else, hike a trail tomorrow, the inReach tries to link the two trails, creating a poor track back route. this should be trivial as all it requires is a new delete menu item linked to an already delete function that occurs when the 24 hour time elapses. I have called this in and still waiting for this update. bring me in if you want me to code it.
Great video, learned a lot. But still confused about one thing. Garmin Messenger app. The quickstart guide says its for sending and receiving messages, sync contacts, etc. Do I need this app and the Explore app? The video never addressed the Messenger app at all, leaving me confused as to which one to use, do I need them both, or? Thanks for any responses.
This is my first Garmin device, and I have to be honest I didn't find this "webinar" all that helpful. A lot of slides on device features, a long and detailed explanation about messaging, and then a very short and superficial coverage of all the various tracking and navigation features. It presents more as a promotional video than a practical "how to". The presenter seems to assume I had the previous Mini device and already know (or care) how it worked and what features it offered. I came here looking for a practical tour of my new device and how to set up and configure various features. An hour later, I still don't know how to do most of those things. I bought this thing as a safety device and emergency communication tool when I'm hiking or skiing as I tend to solo a lot of my trips, so learning to use it properly is literally a matter of life and death. I'm sorry I can't offer the same gushing reviews as the other posts.
Yesss finally!! I want to know better how to use my Mini 2! Watching this right now. I'm curious about how does connecting this to my Fenix 7x affects battery life, does that connection uses the ANT+ protocol?
I cannot figure out this device. Not user friendly. I saved a hike, but it went under Collections. Can't figure out how to send it to the device. The device is synced to the Explorer App. Also cannot figure out the GPX files and how to get those sent to the device.
Great video Chip. Also note, I just purchased a new Inreach Mini 2. It doesn't seem like the check in's feature works properly. ⛔ I wasn't able to send a check in to a friend from the backcountry on my trip from the Garmin Messenger app. The system kept returning an error. It didn't want to simply grab his phone number from my contacts and send to him. ⛔ Additionally, the Inreach itself doesn't properly work when I go to the "Check In's" section to send a message. It doesn't simply allow me to choose which recipients I am sending the message to. Pretty disappointing to see such poor design and usability from a device I just spent $450 on. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Additionally I do think that the Garmin designers should fix the broken functionality so it is easier to simply use.
I just imported a GPX file into Garmin app and it saved it to Collections under Library, but it did not save it as a route. I seriously do not understand this app. It's also not showing up on the Garmin device.
I’m still so confused about some of these features and how each plan affects them. Like tracking. I see on the safety plan it’s 10 cents per point? So how is it always leaving the breadcrumbs for trackback do you get a bill for each of those points?
No, you won't be billed for that because it's not sent to the satellite - it's stored in the Inreach unit only temporarily, unless you set up the auto tracking.
This video is now a year old, so updates may have already changed screens, menus, procedures, etc. But . . . . when I go to send a message to a contact, the device does not show the Preset messages, but only the Quick messages. I have synced the device to my phone and my Garmin Express app on my home laptop computer, which confirms I do have Preset messages. They just don't show on my InReach Mini 2. Any ideas what could be wrong?
Hi, for what I understand you will not see the voice "Pre-Set Messages" in any of the menus on the device. "Preset Messages" is "Quick Text Messages". There must have been an update and they changes things around. Hope this helps! I agree with you they should release an updated video not just on messages but also TracBack and Back to Start, internal tracks (automatically recorded in the background) and manually recorded tracks (for which users are charged).
I have a Garmin InReach Mini and my friend has a Garmin 66i. My question is, how can I message my friend's 66i from my InReach Mini (and Vice versa)? Also, where can we find our contact info and do we have to set something up online in our address book ahead of time? Thank you!
Why does the inreach mini2 not work with garmin connect and why does the edge 1030+ not with explore app? Why are two apps instead of just one? Is there any way to install more accurate maps to explore?
Question: Why is the Inreach so expensive, especially compared to other Garmin Products? For example, fishing sonar have big colored screens, extremely detailed menus, transducers, sonar capability, and also have very detailed maps and gps capability. Even my Striker 4 is much more sophisticated in its functions and build and it costs around $150. By comparison, I would expect the inreach mini 2 to cost $100 at most, with its monochrome screen and very simple functions and menu. I know its not because its a small package, because many devices are small and not this expensive. Many phones are under $100 and are extremely sophisticated. Is it just because people are willing to pay the price? Again, my point is in comparing it to other small products that have 100x more features and cost 1/4 of what this costs.
Can you prepare contacts list; preset messages, waypoints on map downloads etc. in advance of a trip, with a payment plan in place for when you start? Or, do you have to pay straight away?
But how do you cancel sending a message. If I levae the recipient box blank and click OK, it says invalid recipient. Ok, but what if I change my mind and don't want to send a message? The return button doesn't go back in the menu. There's no Home button.
I've created upload a couple tracks and converted them to routes on the Explore web-based app. I've synced my mobile app and see those routes on the Explore mobile app. Those routes, however, do not appear as courses in the Navigate section of my InReach device. Do you need to download the desktop app and use the USB cable to sync course/routes to the InReach device?
Same here it was almost dead within a few days. I hadn't touched it since first turning it on. Did you figure out the deal? I haven't actually used mine in the field yet
not clear here you don't explain what is app and when is 'the website', and can't find 'the website' specifics!!!! Im looking for a clear explanation of how to set it up and how to use it, this aint it, for example Mapshare - week you feel us about it BUT not how to enable it! Sorry, look I'm an ex technical writer. This is waffle.
Can someone send me links by reply to this comment, where I can find gpx tracks around the world. I am particularly interested in Europe, especially the Balkans. Thanks.
I have the Montana 750i an honestly I’ve not been impressed, I finger press the screen an the screen jumps an selects a setting I didn’t want. It’s huge. Map quality isn’t the best. Screen scratched just from being in the same carry-on bag as the USB cable.
Great video. Thanks. I'm still confused as to a number that shows on the breadcrumb map. There is a number on the upper left side that has an underline under it. I cannot figure out what this number represents. If you go to 47:56 in the video, the breadcrumb screen is shown. Upper left side shows a number "1.2mi". What is this number?
Thats 1.2 miles. Like a a regular paper or topo map the length of those two lines on the "bread crumb" map represents that distance. Will change if you zoom in/out.
For Newbies - THERE IS NO GARMIN inREACH Quick Start because the whole ecosystem is too complicated. This CZcams a good deep-dive place to start. HOWEVER The overly complicated Garmin ecosystem needs a simpler explanation than this video for newbies. How about a graphical explanation of Too-Many_Garmin_tools 101? Explore webExplore AppGarmin Expressmy device. Synch? what synchs to what in this tool chain? Route Planning 101 - Which App do I use? How do I change routes in trip, when no more than a sat connection? How do others know my route change? OK, I do know the answers to these Qs. However I have spent HOURS to learn, incl a few hours pausing this video and trying things.
My suggestion would be to find a narrator who isn't bored to death with this product. His voice drops at the end of his sentences and is sometimes hard to understand. Maybe he's just really tired and sick of doing these videos,
This is by far the most informative CZcams product video I’ve ever seen. More companies should release these.
I have the Mini 2 and love it. $25 a month is very doable when you go anywhere outside and be connected with the world. And your family knows where you are at anytime.
Pro Tip: speed up the playback speed
lol. Ty for saving me 20 min.
Pro tip…..unless you’re listening to music. CZcams should always be watched at 1.25-1.5x speed
Note that you can no longer change "Check-in" messages. The "starting my trip" and "ending my trip" would be nice to customize Garmin.
Great video, Chip. Very informative. Thank you. I just bought my garmin inreach mini 2. After watching your video, setting up was with ease.
Kudos to Garmin, this should all companies do for new products, this video answered all my questions og v1 vs v2
All I can say is thank you thank you thank you - really great video that will allow us to get the most of the InReach Mini 2 - Wish everyone was like Garmin
Thank you, very informative. Purchased the in reach 2 for the SOS really didn't know I could do so much more with it.
Excellent comprehensive articulation of Mini 2 features!
Outstanding review. Thank you for this comprehensive trip through the device features and functions. It was thorough and very well presented.
That feature of being able to edit the preset messages looks great. I got my Mini 2 last month and was looking forward to setting up my preset messages to something useful. For some reason, my device seems to have 3 canned static preset messages and only the recipient can be changed, but the preset messages cannot be changed the way this video shows they can. Why would that be?
New restrictive Garmin preset messages policy.
tracback @ 45m - PLEASE create a delete button / function that will delete the tracback. the PROBLEM with not deleting is when i hike a trail today, driver somewhere else, hike a trail tomorrow, the inReach tries to link the two trails, creating a poor track back route. this should be trivial as all it requires is a new delete menu item linked to an already delete function that occurs when the 24 hour time elapses. I have called this in and still waiting for this update. bring me in if you want me to code it.
Great video, learned a lot. But still confused about one thing. Garmin Messenger app. The quickstart guide says its for sending and receiving messages, sync contacts, etc. Do I need this app and the Explore app? The video never addressed the Messenger app at all, leaving me confused as to which one to use, do I need them both, or? Thanks for any responses.
I have the same questions after just buying a Mini2. Did you ever get any answers?
This is my first Garmin device, and I have to be honest I didn't find this "webinar" all that helpful. A lot of slides on device features, a long and detailed explanation about messaging, and then a very short and superficial coverage of all the various tracking and navigation features. It presents more as a promotional video than a practical "how to". The presenter seems to assume I had the previous Mini device and already know (or care) how it worked and what features it offered.
I came here looking for a practical tour of my new device and how to set up and configure various features. An hour later, I still don't know how to do most of those things. I bought this thing as a safety device and emergency communication tool when I'm hiking or skiing as I tend to solo a lot of my trips, so learning to use it properly is literally a matter of life and death.
I'm sorry I can't offer the same gushing reviews as the other posts.
Excellent block of instruction.
Yesss finally!! I want to know better how to use my Mini 2! Watching this right now. I'm curious about how does connecting this to my Fenix 7x affects battery life, does that connection uses the ANT+ protocol?
Can you setup/use this device without owning a smartphone? that is without downloading the Garmin Messenger app?
This was immensely helpful, thank you!
Great webinar, Chip. Is it possible to live track one In Reach mini 2 with another In Reach mini 2?
I cannot figure out this device. Not user friendly. I saved a hike, but it went under Collections. Can't figure out how to send it to the device. The device is synced to the Explorer App. Also cannot figure out the GPX files and how to get those sent to the device.
Great video Chip.
Also note, I just purchased a new Inreach Mini 2. It doesn't seem like the check in's feature works properly.
⛔ I wasn't able to send a check in to a friend from the backcountry on my trip from the Garmin Messenger app. The system kept returning an error. It didn't want to simply grab his phone number from my contacts and send to him.
⛔ Additionally, the Inreach itself doesn't properly work when I go to the "Check In's" section to send a message. It doesn't simply allow me to choose which recipients I am sending the message to.
Pretty disappointing to see such poor design and usability from a device I just spent $450 on.
If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Additionally I do think that the Garmin designers should fix the broken functionality so it is easier to simply use.
I just imported a GPX file into Garmin app and it saved it to Collections under Library, but it did not save it as a route. I seriously do not understand this app. It's also not showing up on the Garmin device.
I’m still so confused about some of these features and how each plan affects them. Like tracking. I see on the safety plan it’s 10 cents per point? So how is it always leaving the breadcrumbs for trackback do you get a bill for each of those points?
No, you won't be billed for that because it's not sent to the satellite - it's stored in the Inreach unit only temporarily, unless you set up the auto tracking.
This video is now a year old, so updates may have already changed screens, menus, procedures, etc. But . . . . when I go to send a message to a contact, the device does not show the Preset messages, but only the Quick messages. I have synced the device to my phone and my Garmin Express app on my home laptop computer, which confirms I do have Preset messages. They just don't show on my InReach Mini 2. Any ideas what could be wrong?
Hi, for what I understand you will not see the voice "Pre-Set Messages" in any of the menus on the device. "Preset Messages" is "Quick Text Messages". There must have been an update and they changes things around. Hope this helps! I agree with you they should release an updated video not just on messages but also TracBack and Back to Start, internal tracks (automatically recorded in the background) and manually recorded tracks (for which users are charged).
I paid $400 for this thing -- do I really need to see a million youtube ads to watch the instructional video?
I have a Garmin InReach Mini and my friend has a Garmin 66i. My question is, how can I message my friend's 66i from my InReach Mini (and Vice versa)? Also, where can we find our contact info and do we have to set something up online in our address book ahead of time? Thank you!
Why does the inreach mini2 not work with garmin connect and why does the edge 1030+ not with explore app? Why are two apps instead of just one? Is there any way to install more accurate maps to explore?
Good new features overview but missing big time how to use those features in real outdoor.
Question: Why is the Inreach so expensive, especially compared to other Garmin Products? For example, fishing sonar have big colored screens, extremely detailed menus, transducers, sonar capability, and also have very detailed maps and gps capability. Even my Striker 4 is much more sophisticated in its functions and build and it costs around $150. By comparison, I would expect the inreach mini 2 to cost $100 at most, with its monochrome screen and very simple functions and menu. I know its not because its a small package, because many devices are small and not this expensive. Many phones are under $100 and are extremely sophisticated. Is it just because people are willing to pay the price? Again, my point is in comparing it to other small products that have 100x more features and cost 1/4 of what this costs.
Can you prepare contacts list; preset messages, waypoints on map downloads etc. in advance of a trip, with a payment plan in place for when you start? Or, do you have to pay straight away?
I am getting a little confused reading the safety plan. Am I able to use trackback on the safety plan washout additional charges?
In Creating a course, the plus sign only zooms in. It doesn't offer "Create Course"
But how do you cancel sending a message. If I levae the recipient box blank and click OK, it says invalid recipient. Ok, but what if I change my mind and don't want to send a message? The return button doesn't go back in the menu. There's no Home button.
It looks like there are several "Descent Dive Computers" - which are compatible with the mini 2 ?
I've created upload a couple tracks and converted them to routes on the Explore web-based app. I've synced my mobile app and see those routes on the Explore mobile app. Those routes, however, do not appear as courses in the Navigate section of my InReach device. Do you need to download the desktop app and use the USB cable to sync course/routes to the InReach device?
When activating my device, do I also have to start a subscription, if not how is it done?
I want to switch from the 67i to the mini2 as the 67i is to cumbersome
Is there a plan to upgrade the inReach Explorer + with the added capabilities of the Mini 2?
My Garmins battery life is a bit questionable I fully charged it upon opening it and I noticed the battery was dying rather quickly
Same here it was almost dead within a few days. I hadn't touched it since first turning it on. Did you figure out the deal? I haven't actually used mine in the field yet
@@Rozman86 Might need a few charge cycles to condition the battery.
Does anyone know how to add other Garmin products to be able to send messages to?
I believe you use the Garmin connect app. Give that a try. I’m just learning myself so I could be wrong but that had a listing of watches etc on it
Nem tudok angolul,sajnos.
if you dont want your location to go out when you send a message, can you turn off location?
How do I delete tracks?
Any pdf available ?
Do magnets affect the mini?
suggest you get someone who has communication skills. I still don't understand how to use it.
Can this interface with a Garmin GPSMAP 8410xsv?
not clear here you don't explain what is app and when is 'the website', and can't find 'the website' specifics!!!! Im looking for a clear explanation of how to set it up and how to use it, this aint it, for example Mapshare - week you feel us about it BUT not how to enable it! Sorry, look I'm an ex technical writer. This is waffle.
hi can I get a copy of your presentation? thanks!
Can someone send me links by reply to this comment, where I can find gpx tracks around the world. I am particularly interested in Europe, especially the Balkans. Thanks.
How can I test the device
I have the Montana 750i an honestly I’ve not been impressed, I finger press the screen an the screen jumps an selects a setting I didn’t want. It’s huge. Map quality isn’t the best. Screen scratched just from being in the same carry-on bag as the USB cable.
Hi, have you the ppt?
Great video. Thanks. I'm still confused as to a number that shows on the breadcrumb map. There is a number on the upper left side that has an underline under it. I cannot figure out what this number represents. If you go to 47:56 in the video, the breadcrumb screen is shown. Upper left side shows a number "1.2mi". What is this number?
Thats 1.2 miles. Like a a regular paper or topo map the length of those two lines on the "bread crumb" map represents that distance. Will change if you zoom in/out.
Possibly 1.2 mile back to the start of your trail/recording.
For Newbies - THERE IS NO GARMIN inREACH Quick Start because the whole ecosystem is too complicated. This CZcams a good deep-dive place to start. HOWEVER The overly complicated Garmin ecosystem needs a simpler explanation than this video for newbies. How about a graphical explanation of Too-Many_Garmin_tools 101? Explore webExplore AppGarmin Expressmy device. Synch? what synchs to what in this tool chain? Route Planning 101 - Which App do I use? How do I change routes in trip, when no more than a sat connection? How do others know my route change? OK, I do know the answers to these Qs. However I have spent HOURS to learn, incl a few hours pausing this video and trying things.
My suggestion would be to find a narrator who isn't bored to death with this product. His voice drops at the end of his sentences and is sometimes hard to understand. Maybe he's just really tired and sick of doing these videos,
So far I think this gps is way over rated
Which countries and why so miserable to not allow us to use one of these.... north Korea probably one lol