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Post by va3pinner on Jun 1, 2024 11:14:35 GMT -8
I'm looking at purchasing one of these. I am familiar with using Garmin products (and all their weird idiosyncrasies), and currently use the 66I I like the 66I (and previous non Inreach Garmins that I still have around) because I can have full access to topo maps that I create using Caltopo, plus all the tracking features etc. Some questions for those of you that use one: What will I miss by having the Mini 2 vs the 66I? How's battery life been in dense forest (normal conditions for where I hike)? Anything I should be aware of with the 66I ie: can i load custom maps on it? Lastly - do I need Windows set it up? I'm a linux user and nave no interest in using anything Windows relataed.
As usual - Thanks for the assistance!
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 1, 2024 11:45:02 GMT -8
Mini's are text only screens as you probably know. Via BT on your phone is the map interface. The maps are Garmin's and part of the Earthmate app. The Earthmate app is not impressive. There is a new Explore app that I believe works with the mini 2 but not my mini so I have no hands on with it.
My mini has good battery life and only takes a sip of my recharging pack to fill it back up. The mini 2 is supposed to be even better.
You don't need Windows to set it up but you do need the Garmin Windows app to flash to current firmware version. At least the last I did it (I am a Linux user as well). I haven't had a trip yet where I wanted to load up waypoints into the unit. I do save a waypoint on the unit for the trailhead and my camps as I am there in case I want to go back to them. When I need routes or waypoints I do them in Caltopo then use them from the Caltopo app on my Android phone. I believe my location services use the mini when it is connected by BT but don't hold me to that assertion.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 2, 2024 6:12:27 GMT -8
Used a mini last summer for 8 days. I shut it off for a couple of stretches in deep forest, but don’t think I needed to—I finished with nearly 1/2 the battery left. I wasn’t using it for navigations, though, just so family could track me and I’d have an emergency beacon. Turned it off at night. Used it once to get weather updates.
Since I was mostly on high ridges and turned it off in forested valley, I guess I’m not much use for your question about battery life in the forest!
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jun 2, 2024 7:32:02 GMT -8
I have always been able to get a position fix with my mini. Once under heavy canopy I couldn't send a msg. I was at my camp. I left the msg in the queue and it sent eventually within a 1/2 hour. Usually it is less than a few minutes.
I don't know how much canopy effects battery life. The biggest thing is whether you use tracking. Transmitting your coordinates regularly takes more battery. I use it. It takes less than 1/2 charge for a full day. I think around 500 mAh to charge back up. I use tracking for a somewhat morbid reason. If I keel over dead with no opportunity to SOS my friends and family know exactly where to find my body.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 2, 2024 16:24:32 GMT -8
IIRC you can also seriously vary the battery life by how long the intervals between broadcasts of your position are. I set mine to something like an hour—I don’t move that fast, so that gives a good enough location.
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