Well done. I just bought a 67i to replace an old eTrex HCx, and put it through its paces last weekend. I paired it to my Android, and while that's nice for certain things, it can get confusing and a little out of sync (Confucius say, man with 2 GPS never know where he is). I'm glad the 67i can be a stand-alone device in a much more rugged way than a phone, despite the bulk. I plan to use it hiking, hunting, on ATV, and maybe bicycling. Looking back on the weekend and the Android pairing, I was intrigued about the Mini 2 and its light weight, which led me to your video. Good fit for some people, but not for me. I never really got the concept of the Messenger, and your video confirms that. I think you're spot-on about the future of mobile comms, but it will be a while.

As a backcountry snowmobiler, I went 67i, for its stand alone nav. I've had my phone die to many times, and riding places like Salmon La Sac, there's no cell service even in the snowpark. I was riding up on Mt. St. Helens years ago, the clouds blew in, and it was a whiteout. So even though I'm good at finding my way back to the truck, having a screen with nav, can be a life saver, if you can't see landmarks.

@BackcountryRenegade

5 ай бұрын

Yes agreed completely. And a phone in those conditions just won’t cut it

@From_Refugee_To_Yacht_Owner

2 ай бұрын

When did 67i came out?

@BackcountryRenegade

2 ай бұрын

@@From_Refugee_To_Yacht_Owner 2023

I was just on a motorcycle trip at the Tail Of The Dragon. A rider went down at 6 PM and wasn't seen laying down in the ravine until Noon the next day (18 hours later). Multiple people who had stopped had iPhones and the SOS feature on them wasn't doing squat. Not saying that would always be the case but it was a snapshot in time...not that far from civilization either. Just mountainous terrain with a dead cell area about 10 miles wide.

Best review of the Garmin devices on the internet hands down! Great job! All this info i wanted!

@BackcountryRenegade

Ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad it was helpful

I hadn’t given much thought to the phone & satellite possibly making other units obsolete, but other than that, I bought the 67i for all the same reasons you gave. I have an old handheld GPS that I will stop carrying. I want the security of having a navigation device and I want InReach capabilities (messaging, tracking, etc) so for me it was a no brainer. My old GPS weighs just as much, and now it gets upgraded along with InReach. It will give me more comfort doing long thru hikes even though I know people on the trail will scoff at the added weight.

@bobtosi9346

19 күн бұрын

Phones are definitely not a bomb proof solution only a small backup

Wow... best review on KZread. Thank you so much! 67i for me!

All I need is the Messenger! I already have a battery bank, a solar panel, my foretrex, my phone, paper topo map and a compass. I will be good for weeks!

Excellent video: clear, thorough, and a good presentation. Thank you.

Very helpful review. I decided to use the 67i for my AT through hike so I would have a good navigation backup if my phone dies.

If cold weather is a factor to consider then its also good to mention that all these Garmin devices have a minimum operating temperature of -20 Celsius (-4F). Below this threshold they will automatically shut down. I haven't found a way to prevent this from happening. This happened to me in Sweden. Because of this I like to have some redundancy in navigation, tracking, and messaging. A combination of a GPS67 and a messenger works well for me.

@BackcountryRenegade

4 ай бұрын

thanks for that fact there. Yes redundancy is not a bad thing at all especially if your going to depend on it with your life

@richardcranium8408

4 ай бұрын

Good to know. Takk for det. I’m in Norway looking to buy.

@michaelfrymus

3 ай бұрын

Hmm. Interesting. I go winter hiking, and I live in the Canadian Rockies, so this may be an issue at times

@mikhaelshadow

3 ай бұрын

In that case, keep it under your jacket and inside the sleeping bag.

@BricksRUSinc

2 ай бұрын

Grab hot hands with adhesive and stick one onto it

Very thorough review like always.

Very comprehensive review! Great job!

Absolutely Great Comparison! Thank you!

Amazing feature review video on exactly what I was looking for. I just got a mini2 and love it for its simplicity. My goal was to find another unit for my spouse and didn’t want to get another mini2 for inreach to inreach coms, so I think you sold me on the 67i.

@geo2472

2 ай бұрын

I’m sure now you’ve got the Mini 2 your spouse will love the 67i when you give it to her 👍

A dedicated device will always beat your smartphone in terms of battery robustness waterproofing, etc.

Very helpful reviews, thank you. I am prepping for back country canoe tripping. With my limited eyesight, I need the large screen of my iPad for navigation, tracking, and topo maps. My iPhone screen often is too small for me, for those purposes. Am I correct in thinking that both the Mini 2 and the 67i will connect by Bluetooth to my iPad so I will have use of that large iPad screen while travelling. - showing my track and present position? Also, would I be able to use the screens of the iPhone and iPad, through Bluetooth to either the Mini 2 or the 67i, for sending and receiving text messages?

@BackcountryRenegade

3 ай бұрын

yes, both will be able to connect to your ipad as long as yo have the Garmin explorer app.

@johnsteven1247

3 ай бұрын

@@BackcountryRenegade Thanks for your reply. Sorry to be so picky, but I'm an old man, and for me, technology linking devices is new and strange, and buying either the Mini 2 or the 67i would be a big expense, so I'd like to have some assurance about particular functions, and I ask for clarification: Through Bluetooth and the Messenger app on my iPad and iPhone: - Would I have access to topo maps (eg. on the Gaia app) while traveling, showing my track and present position? - Would I be able to use the keypads and screens of the iPhone and iPad for sending and receiving text messages? TIA, J

Assuming a person is carrying a phone when they go backpacking, carrying a GPS 67i would be like carrying two+ phones- extra weight, extra bulk. The messenger is awesome for having less bulk, more tx power, more battery capacity/ powerbank, and less slop if you strategically mount it internally to the top/side of your pack. I fancy the idea of using this with a Etrex SOLAR, or Foretrex 801/901 or Instinct 2x Tactical (SOLAR) for wrist mounted navigation. Then carry a good map and compass as backup.

@BackcountryRenegade

2 ай бұрын

ive had the mini 1 and mini 2, I and agree, but 67i is superior in every way, and will have more battery capacity if you run it like the messenger with the extra maps feature in addition, and weight is minimal, and id rather leave my phone at home and not worry breaking or losing it and the phone is basically useless in mountaineering so no need to bring it. mini2 is horrible with out the phone. size is great, but thats about it. but if you are going for causal backpacking in the backcountry then its sufficient imo. I lso have the fenix 7 solar with maps, its a backup for me but prefer the 67i way more

Outstanding. Thank you so much for this incredible comparrison.

@BackcountryRenegade

Ай бұрын

your welcome, glad it was helpful.

Nice video, thank you. does the 67i require the expensive Garmin subscriptions too?

@BackcountryRenegade

4 ай бұрын

only if you plan to use the inreach sos feature

How will it work in the gulf.which one would have for boating in the Gulf?

that wooden-like wallpaper is brilliant and your review is greatly trusted with so shiny and intact devices ..

any chance you could get a bivy stick and add that to your reviews?

@BackcountryRenegade

Ай бұрын

I love to if I can get my hands on one.

Just to register... I absolutely agree with your statements!... Mainly regarding choosing the 67i for future proof. It's clear that, unlike many so called outdoors experts willing to share knowledge and to give advices, you know what you are talking about through experience and reflection! Thanks 👍

What is best for emergency's, not hiking or backpacking, just in case you have to bug out.

@BackcountryRenegade

2 ай бұрын

messenger probably be sufficient for

@The_Draque

Ай бұрын

The 67 only. "Bug out" you need the navigation more than anything else. But you should also just have paper maps. Handheld GPS are being used extensively in Ukraine

Which one is best for offshore boating in the Gulf of Mexico

The upfront cost of these units and what you get , I'm just going to backpack without these like the old days ,seems none of them are worth the price, especially the garmen inreach mini 2 , that things a waste ,my buddy almost died relying on that pos last month ,he had to hit the sos button after breaking his leg and it couldn't reach anything just kept getting an error code and he was in the middle of a field with clear view of the sky . We actually hiked up looking for him when he didn't make basecamp and found him , used my regular gsmr radio to call in to the sar team for extraction

@neologian1783

4 ай бұрын

I think in a lot of ways I'm a bit like you. I pretty much solo hike without them relying instead on leaving a proper plan with my spouse, not deviating from that plan, having a proper map and compass with me and knowing how to use them, and trying as best I can to make wise decisions in the knowledge that help is not coming at the press of a button. I suppose I've been lucky thus far but it's not hard to picture the times when my luck could have gone differently......so...... That said.....I'm not unaware of the countless number of times these luck went bad for otherwise capable people and such devices have been instrumental and effective in calling for help and made all the difference to someone in trouble. So I'm not sure that the anecdotes where such devices did not perform as desired is a great one. The ability to call for help and have that work correctly 99 times out of 100 is pretty compelling. Citing the one failure as reason to forego the ability to call for help altogether doesn't seem like a strongly rational argument. I admit this is coming from someone who does not use one at all and so I think the narrative becomes, whether you have one or not, good planning, prudence, skills and awareness are probably the most important risk mitigating tools you have out there......but the argument of "it might not work" against tools that usually does isn't a strong one I think. Though I must admit I hate the idea that some people regard these tools as substitutes for planning, skills, and prudence on the trails.

@AcrylicGoblin

4 ай бұрын

Far and away, the most common reason for getting an error code is because you don't have an active inreach subscription.

@melissasmess2773

2 ай бұрын

@@neologian1783 there is an old Alaskan say “go alone, don’t come home “

@melissasmess2773

2 ай бұрын

@@AcrylicGoblin😂

What are the extra maps for sale for on the website for the 67i? I see USA, then USA West, USA East, etc...

@BackcountryRenegade

Ай бұрын

they are more elaborate and detailed map options pending on your needs. the smaller the location the more detailed it is, so for example, if i bought just the state of Washington, its far mor detailed and has extras like hunting gmu's and property boundaries, and USA west will be less detailed but more so then just the USA map. So basically you decide how detailed and specific you get.

@z352kdaf8324

Ай бұрын

@@BackcountryRenegade thanks. Pretty pricey add-ons, that's for sure.

@BackcountryRenegade

Ай бұрын

@@z352kdaf8324 yep unfortunately that’s the case. I recommend the one and done

Will the 671 work anywhere in the world? Specifically Panama

@BackcountryRenegade

2 ай бұрын

theoretically yes, but there are certain countries that ban satellite communication devices like these so just do your research for the area before you use it out of the states. I believe Panama is okay, but that could change

67I all around better for all types of uses for the buck

Can the messenger connect to Rino 755t to use to message?

@BackcountryRenegade

4 ай бұрын

the rino 755t is a gps and handheld radio combo, You can connect it to message people who also have the rino 755t or similar device if you are within radio range or have wifi, but unfortunately it does not have inreach satellite technology so it can not do what these devices do. I would love to see them add inreach to those rino units.

@robertwilliams2762

4 ай бұрын

@@BackcountryRenegade sorry I did not make it clear. If I get the inreach messenger , can I use my Rino 755t to type text through the inreach messenger with Bluetooth.

@DMillhouse89

2 ай бұрын

Too many moving parts w the connection feature. Should be on the 755t for the price of the unit… insane it’s not. Selling that and getting a 67i.

@BackcountryRenegade

2 ай бұрын

@@DMillhouse89 yes really wish the 755t had Inreach

@robertwilliams2762

2 ай бұрын

Okay, I will spell it out. I know I can text to other Rino users. I know Rino 755t does not have in reach. My question is, since I already have the Rino 755t, instead of getting the in reach mini, can I get the inreach messenger, then use my already owned Rino 755t to text through inreach mini should I want to use that. I know I can also text with inreach messenger. I am asking this question because it should be obvious that texting with the inreach messenger is not easy except maybe with pre defined text messages.

price is extremely expensive when you compare these to other Garmin products. For example, the mini 2 compared to something like a fish locator that has GPS and detailed color maps, and a touchscreen, and you can add memory, and it has a sonar, and a transducer, and for all that something like a Garmin striker 4 is around $150.. by comparison, a mini 2 should cost about $100.

@rexmundi5180

Ай бұрын

The real purpose of these devices is being able to communicate when you have no cell phone service. Being able to send an instant sos in the middle of nowhere is why they cost so much

@adamr8628

Ай бұрын

@rexmundi5180 So you're saying it's more the demand price of saving someone's life and not related to the cost of manufacturing,, etc? I realize satellite communication is beyond cell service. But in most cases a cell phone can also save someone's life. (I know, service gaps are a thing) But still, I would say over 99 percent of Emergency calls are made with cell phones. So I don't know that it's based on being able to save someone's life. Nor should it be. There are competitors products that cost far less. On another note, I have a ham radio license and there is no monthly fee at all and I can call around the world for free. The radios can be bought for nearly nothing.. If there's ever a solar flare that knocks out electronics, or if satellite or cell services are ever blocked, radio communications will still be there.

@rexmundi5180

Ай бұрын

@@adamr8628 this is a very niche product targeted at people going to extremely remote places doing fairly dangerous activities. It can’t be compared to cell phones or ham radios as they have limitations that don’t exist with this product. The dedicated sos button is ideal for emergency situations when every second counts. Ham radio and cell may cover most scenarios but this is for the situations when immediate communication is crucial no matter location.

@rexmundi5180

Ай бұрын

People that buy these are typically going where hand held ham radios and cell phones are not useable. These are made for going to remote areas and engaging in sometimes dangerous activities. The quick sos feature and being able to communicate immediately when needed wherever you are make it very valuable. Ham radios are awesome no doubt but this device covers a very specific scenario when crucially needed.

@adamr8628

Ай бұрын

@rexmundi5180 That wasn't my point. I said in my comment that cell phones are limited so you don't have to repeat that. I know the value of GPS. I own several, including the Mini 2. The only thing I'm asking about if there is a reason for the expense. Being able to save your life isn't a logical reason for Garmin to charge more. Sure they could try that and that may even be their reason. To profit off of people's fear of needing rescue. A more logical reason would be if the device was really complex and expensive to manufacture. But it doesn't appear so. Unless you have knowledge of why it's specifically expensive to make, I'm not getting an answer to my question. I may just contact Garmin. I own many Garmin devices with full color screens and huge numbers of capabilities. This device doesn't have any of that, yet costs even more. Thus, my question.

music is annoying

Is the mini 2 a pain for texting? Looks like it would be. You have to scroll one letter at a time?

@BackcountryRenegade

3 ай бұрын

it is a pain if you text as a stand alone device, but if you pair it with your phone its easier

@bobtosi9346

18 күн бұрын

Personally I used the mini 2 pointed the antenna to the sky and sent messages from a canyon bottom no problem

If monny whasnt an issue id go with thec67 untill sametinget better comeback around.

They all have the same disadvantage. No dedicated phone number

this might be a really information packed video, but the loud, repetitive, annoying soundtrack ruined it for me. had to stop after the first few minutes.

@Smikeys21

12 күн бұрын

Agree

@wolfgangmarvelous7239

10 күн бұрын

Absolutely agree.

Repost without the annoying background music.

Lost the device? Well that’s concerning that you can’t even track the item. It’s 2024

@BackcountryRenegade

2 ай бұрын

i can track its last location to a certain area, but unfortunately i didnt notice it right away. Once I did, I searched it unsuccessfully. The thing is the battery died and if someone found it the next location wont be reported until its charged. I ended up giving up and just getting a new unit and once i reported it as stollen i have no way of seeing if anyone ever found it, but once reported as stolen it completely disables it from being used again.

Garmin watches suck , suunto is the way to go.

These things are overpriced.