Is the MINI 2 usable for accurate on-device track logs?
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 5:14 pm
Just wanted to post a heads up for anyone thinking about using the MINI 2 to replace another device for on-device track logs. To be clear, I'm not talking about Inreach satellite tracking, but on-device track logging.
I just picked up a MINI 2, and while I realize it's primary purpose is the Inreach features, I had hoped it would work reasonably well for on-device track logs synced to Explore.
Unfortunately, the MINI 2 is not suitable for this purpose, even when "High Detail" activity recording is enabled. I did an inaugural walk with the device, with clear sky views, and was disappointed to see that the on-device recorded track log is very low detail and bursty. This is a 1.5 mile walk that I've done many times with various devices, so I have some good reference track logs. Typically, I'd see around 400-475 track points with my Instinct 1 Solar. With the MINI 2 there were only 31 track points, and the time between them was anywhere from a few seconds to nearly 10 minutes.
Let me be clear that I was in no way expecting the same level of accuracy from the MINI 2, but I was expecting it to be better than 10 minutes between points with "High Detail" activity recording enabled. Oddly, some points were recorded within a few seconds of each other. I suspect these clusters have to do with when the GPS receiver is in active mode, then it goes idle for close to 10 minutes.
Obviously high detail track logging is at odds with preserving battery, and that's where the MINI 2 is focused - more like Expedition mode on other Garmin devices, despite being labeled "High Detail".
In summary, while the MINI 2 is great for it's Inreach features, be aware you cannot use it for accurate on-device track logging and still need to bring along a regular handheld or watch device if this data is important to you.
I just picked up a MINI 2, and while I realize it's primary purpose is the Inreach features, I had hoped it would work reasonably well for on-device track logs synced to Explore.
Unfortunately, the MINI 2 is not suitable for this purpose, even when "High Detail" activity recording is enabled. I did an inaugural walk with the device, with clear sky views, and was disappointed to see that the on-device recorded track log is very low detail and bursty. This is a 1.5 mile walk that I've done many times with various devices, so I have some good reference track logs. Typically, I'd see around 400-475 track points with my Instinct 1 Solar. With the MINI 2 there were only 31 track points, and the time between them was anywhere from a few seconds to nearly 10 minutes.
Let me be clear that I was in no way expecting the same level of accuracy from the MINI 2, but I was expecting it to be better than 10 minutes between points with "High Detail" activity recording enabled. Oddly, some points were recorded within a few seconds of each other. I suspect these clusters have to do with when the GPS receiver is in active mode, then it goes idle for close to 10 minutes.
Obviously high detail track logging is at odds with preserving battery, and that's where the MINI 2 is focused - more like Expedition mode on other Garmin devices, despite being labeled "High Detail".
In summary, while the MINI 2 is great for it's Inreach features, be aware you cannot use it for accurate on-device track logging and still need to bring along a regular handheld or watch device if this data is important to you.