What is so different between the Garmin inReach Mini vs Mini 2, and is the inReach Mini 2 worth the extra money?

Stay tuned to the end to find out and see the Field Test between the Mini and the Mini 2.

How is the Mini and the Mini 2 Alike

• Both are Garmin inReach devices
• Same size
• Both have SOS, 2-way Messaging, Weather and Maps when Synced with a Smartphone
• They are extremely powerful satellite messengers

How are they Different

• Mini 2 uses the Explore App instead of the Earthmate App
• Mini 2 has TracBack Routing
• Mini 2 has a Digital Compass
• Mini 2 has up to Three Times Longer Battery Life
• Mini 2 has Unlimited Cloud Storage
• Mini 2 has On-screen Tracks
• Mini 2 has On-screen Routes
• Mini 2 has Off-course Visual and Audible Alerts
• Mini 2 has On-course Visual and Audible Alerts
• Mini 2 can Create a Route in the Field when Not Synced with a Smartphone
• Mini 2 Costs More

Longer Battery Life

Take a look at the specifications below to see how much better the battery life is with the Mini 2

There are several ways to analyze the difference in the battery life but the most obvious is that 10-minute tracking mode, The Mini 2 beats the Mini by around 5 days. You can look for yourself to research it more.

On-Screen Course and Tracks

One of the greatest things about the Mini 2 is that you can now see courses on the screen, plus your tracks. You can’t see a topo map, but you can see some really useful information.

You can see an example course here.

And example tracks here.

This by itself makes the Mini 2 worth the extra money, but wait you see what it does on TracBack if you’re lost.

On-Screen TracBack | Visual & Audible

If you’re lost, the inReach Mini 2 will show you your tracks back to your starting point, but it will also give you a visual and audible alert when you’re off the course, but that’s not all, it then gives you another visual and audible alert when you’re back on course.

Other Differences

There are many other differences between the Mini and the Mini 2 but most of that is in how the menu has changed. In the video below, I go into the menus in more detail to show you many of the differences, so check out the YouTube video for more information.

Final Thoughts

At the time I wrote this article, the Mini 2 only costs about $80 more than the Mini, and with what I just showed you, plus my personal experiences with both, including many field tests, the Mini 2 is well worth the Mini.

The Garmin inReach Mini was my favorite satellite messenger before this year, but since the Mini 2 came out, the choice is obvious. The Mini 2 is the new satellite messenger to beat.

No products found.

No products found.

Return to Home Page