Great video, I’m about to do some outdoor target shooting in a poorly covered (EE) network area (UK lakes) and have just ordered my Mini 2, having a heart condition and poor mobility I see this, like you say, an insurance policy and a safety net for my family. Well done, great content 😊
great review thanks, I do need to point out however you do not need a subscription to use the SOS service this is a free with the device. The subscription is for standard messaging and weather etc.
Not sure if you’re aware andy,there have been issues with these,as in,the messages taking too long to get through to the relative emergency services,not sure if garmin have sorted it,but some people have had messages take up to 40 mins to get through! May be too late for some people,reason why i havent bought one as yet.
I was about to buy one myself. This is worrying news. Considering the price of the unit then the ongoing subs I’d expect it to do what it says and quickly.
Obviously time is of the essence if you have got to the stage of pressing the SOS button, but it's also likely you are at least a couple of hours away from being rescued anyway even if the response was instant, so if you can survive that long, the chances are you will survive another 40 minutes.
Nice break down, just out of curiosity, what you you say your annual costs have been. Been looking at one for multi day hiking here in the UK, but being a dad to younger kids im not sure i will be getting out enough to warrent the costs each year? Can you opt to pay some months and opt out others?
Weird. I am in the process of buying this same unit for my hiking and offshore deliveries of yachts. Got a friend at Garmin that can get me the friends and family discount.
I really rate it and it genuinely does give me peace of mind. I hate not having phone signal, especially if we’re scrambling up high in the mountains. We’re always reasonably careful but you never know. The only downside is the monthly cost but that’s no different to an insurance policy.
Since have figured out. Works brilliantly. Makes coordinating w a map easy and efficient. Your advice on taking the Mini2 on winter road trips is well taken. I'll be doing that. Lots of remote areas in Canada w no cell service. Great video. Thanks!
Garmin inReach mini 2 can be used for tracking. I mean offline activity recording. Based on your experience, what is the highest interval of activity tracking on this device? Is it possible to record 2m direction changes every 1s? Is it possible to create a log for every 1s? In documentation I see only “high detail activity recording” - does it mean even every 1s?
Hi Andy! Another good one! You may have already done this but I’m looking for a cheaper alternative to a Hilleberg Soulo (if their is such a thing) anyway I’ve narrowed it down to the Terra Nova Helm 2 compact and the Terra Nova Pioneer 2 as they both seem to have 4 season attributes. Any chance of a review video on these or something that you think with fit the bill?
We’ve got both! The Helm 2 is much better value. Also, the Helm 2 has two vestibules too (the Pioneer 2 has two doors but one vestibule). However, I’ve got to say the Pioneer 2 is better in bad conditions. I’ll be reviewing both in August.
@@BackpackingUK Hi yeah there is. But not on my phone?? Yes all other vids work on phone, But fine here on my laptop. Baffling. Ah well, I get to hear what you think of it. TBH im happy it would be fine for me. Its the damned service charge and what I consider to be unreasonable limitations like 10 texts and such.
Well explained video......but and I see this on a few you tubers who have reviewed this product. I am no expert but never clip to your rucksack. Drives me crackers seeing this. Needs to be on your person. There maybe a situation where you have to ditch your rucksack quickly, maybe a fall into a river. Sorry abit negative otherwise a clear well explained review.
@@BackpackingUK I just watch my steps. Seriously, i spent half my life without a mobile, and i've been out in the wild back then as well, quite often. when i plan to climb the K2, or have a chat with the canibals in new guinea, i probably would buy one. Maybe if i tour the alps, too. I would still complain about the prices though.
I totally agree, but what price can you put on your safety? It's a tough one! I plan to buy one for a week long bikepacking trip alone, through some of the remotest parts of Wales. I can ride for days and not see anybody!
@@mokotramp If you're worried, buy one. It's a Zeitgeist thing I guess. Can the Kids walk to school? Hell no, i bring them, and I pick them up later! Can i drink the water from that well? Are you insane? You need a filter, and a sanitizer, and you still need to be worried 🙂
Good to have a hands on review mate. My Garmin watch has track back which i've had to use a couple of times :)
Great to hear from someone who’s used TracBack, thanks for sharing 👍
I got too. Gives you peace of mind and not taking chances on getting lost. 👏🏻
I think Peace of Mind shouldn’t be overlooked. This thing me so much confidence going out.
Great video, I’m about to do some outdoor target shooting in a poorly covered (EE) network area (UK lakes) and have just ordered my Mini 2, having a heart condition and poor mobility I see this, like you say, an insurance policy and a safety net for my family. Well done, great content 😊
Great review, I'm planning on getting one of these for my girlfriend who is about to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for the great video!
great review thanks, I do need to point out however you do not need a subscription to use the SOS service this is a free with the device. The subscription is for standard messaging and weather etc.
Yes, sorry, that is correct!
@@BackpackingUK however without a subscription there are cheaper units on the market for just an sos button!!!
@@banjopluker8254would you mind pointing out the alternative please .
that’s awesome to know! Thank you! 🙏
Yes that is very very true
Good bit of kit, could save your life
It really could, plus it gives enables you to communicate to friends and family when there is no phone signal.
Not sure if you’re aware andy,there have been issues with these,as in,the messages taking too long to get through to the relative emergency services,not sure if garmin have sorted it,but some people have had messages take up to 40 mins to get through!
May be too late for some people,reason why i havent bought one as yet.
I haven’t heard that but I have heard the success stories. Maybe it depends on area and overhead cover?
I was about to buy one myself. This is worrying news. Considering the price of the unit then the ongoing subs I’d expect it to do what it says and quickly.
Obviously time is of the essence if you have got to the stage of pressing the SOS button, but it's also likely you are at least a couple of hours away from being rescued anyway even if the response was instant, so if you can survive that long, the chances are you will survive another 40 minutes.
I believe this was when messaging a loved one it took so long not the SOS signal. Not certain but pretty sure.
Nice break down, just out of curiosity, what you you say your annual costs have been. Been looking at one for multi day hiking here in the UK, but being a dad to younger kids im not sure i will be getting out enough to warrent the costs each year? Can you opt to pay some months and opt out others?
I pay-as-you-go. Either £15 or £35 per month depending how many messages you want.
Weird. I am in the process of buying this same unit for my hiking and offshore deliveries of yachts. Got a friend at Garmin that can get me the friends and family discount.
I really rate it and it genuinely does give me peace of mind. I hate not having phone signal, especially if we’re scrambling up high in the mountains. We’re always reasonably careful but you never know. The only downside is the monthly cost but that’s no different to an insurance policy.
Question from Canada. If I'm working w a map, how do I determine my UTM coordinates w the Inreach Mini2?
Since have figured out. Works brilliantly. Makes coordinating w a map easy and efficient. Your advice on taking the Mini2 on winter road trips is well taken. I'll be doing that. Lots of remote areas in Canada w no cell service. Great video. Thanks!
is there a weather cast on 1st in reach?
Yes, I’ve used it several times!
Garmin inReach mini 2 can be used for tracking. I mean offline activity recording. Based on your experience, what is the highest interval of activity tracking on this device? Is it possible to record 2m direction changes every 1s? Is it possible to create a log for every 1s? In documentation I see only “high detail activity recording” - does it mean even every 1s?
Yes, it can be used for tracking but I use my Garmin watch instead.
hi - does this give OS map grid coordinates???
Yes!
Good review Andy.
Cheers 👍
Hi Andy! Another good one! You may have already done this but I’m looking for a cheaper alternative to a Hilleberg Soulo (if their is such a thing) anyway I’ve narrowed it down to the Terra Nova Helm 2 compact and the Terra Nova Pioneer 2 as they both seem to have 4 season attributes. Any chance of a review video on these or something that you think with fit the bill?
We’ve got both! The Helm 2 is much better value. Also, the Helm 2 has two vestibules too (the Pioneer 2 has two doors but one vestibule). However, I’ve got to say the Pioneer 2 is better in bad conditions. I’ll be reviewing both in August.
@@BackpackingUK Cheers matey, I’ll look forwards to it. 👍💪🏻
It it me or is there no sound?
There is definitely sound.
@@BackpackingUK Hi yeah there is. But not on my phone?? Yes all other vids work on phone, But fine here on my laptop. Baffling. Ah well, I get to hear what you think of it. TBH im happy it would be fine for me. Its the damned service charge and what I consider to be unreasonable limitations like 10 texts and such.
Well explained video......but and I see this on a few you tubers who have reviewed this product. I am no expert but never clip to your rucksack. Drives me crackers seeing this. Needs to be on your person. There maybe a situation where you have to ditch your rucksack quickly, maybe a fall into a river. Sorry abit negative otherwise a clear well explained review.
I see where you're coming from, but I'll be keeping mine where I can see it and get to it easily if required.
Well it didn't save the two couple who got eaten by a bear the other day in Banff
Ridiculously overpriced, if you ask me
Maybe, but what’s the alternative when you can’t get phone signal?
@@BackpackingUK I just watch my steps. Seriously, i spent half my life without a mobile, and i've been out in the wild back then as well, quite often. when i plan to climb the K2, or have a chat with the canibals in new guinea, i probably would buy one. Maybe if i tour the alps, too. I would still complain about the prices though.
@@pfote65 I agree, I just bought one from amazon I had to go on a 36 months payment plan
I totally agree, but what price can you put on your safety? It's a tough one!
I plan to buy one for a week long bikepacking trip alone, through some of the remotest parts of Wales. I can ride for days and not see anybody!
@@mokotramp If you're worried, buy one. It's a Zeitgeist thing I guess. Can the Kids walk to school? Hell no, i bring them, and I pick them up later! Can i drink the water from that well? Are you insane? You need a filter, and a sanitizer, and you still need to be worried 🙂