smartphone required?

Is it correct that a smartphone is required to setup the Mini 2?

With the original Mini there was an inReach @ Sync desktop app but with the Mini 2 that app is no longer listed in the Update / Sync section on the Explore website.

My dad does not have a smartphone and is about to return the Mini 2 since there seems to be no way to sync the various settings/msgs to the Mini 2 without a smartphone and this was not clear in any review nor the Garmin product info... :(

Pete

Top Replies

skyeye over 1 year ago +1

pstoppani said:
With the original Mini there was an inReach @ Sync desktop app but with the Mini 2 that app is no longer listed in the Update / Sync section on the Explore website.

that is why I ordered…
pstoppani over 1 year ago in reply to skyeye +1

Seems rather dumb/shortsighted of Garmin to dump the sync desktop app for the Mini 2. Dad is returning it; maybe he’ll find a Mini…. Thx
twolpert over 1 year ago +1

Unfortunately, this is Garmin's future direction. It is no longer just a matter of "how do I sync" or "how do I get firmware updates". It has now progressed to the point where newer devices are difficult…

All Replies

0 WD over 1 year ago

www8.garmin.com/.../GUID-8C1A4336-88EA-4F5F-85BA-261FC173CF7B-homepage.html

0 pstoppani over 1 year ago in reply to WD

And?

0 skyeye over 1 year ago

pstoppani said:
With the original Mini there was an inReach @ Sync desktop app but with the Mini 2 that app is no longer listed in the Update / Sync section on the Explore website.

that is why I ordered Mini(1) and returned Mini2 before unpacking it ;-)

0 pstoppani over 1 year ago in reply to skyeye

Seems rather dumb/shortsighted of Garmin to dump the sync desktop app for the Mini 2. Dad is returning it; maybe he’ll find a Mini…. Thx

0 ColinCroft over 1 year ago in reply to pstoppani

Agree. I missed this detail before I ordered my Mini 2. I have a smartphone but would much rather set this up via a desktop app.

0 skyeye over 1 year ago in reply to ColinCroft

set up will can be done on the explore website, only the sync needs to be done with phone

0 twolpert over 1 year ago

Unfortunately, this is Garmin's future direction. It is no longer just a matter of "how do I sync" or "how do I get firmware updates". It has now progressed to the point where newer devices are difficult to fully utilize without an accompanying smart phone app (for example, the iR Messenger device and the accompanying Messenger app). It does not help that the Garmin app landscape is a mess (Connect Mobile, Earthmate, Explore, Messenger, etc.). Not all devices are compatible with all apps. In some cases, compatibility may depend on the firmware version on the device.

You can request that Garmin resurrect the desktop sync here: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/forms/ideas/

Based on forum feedback, it is possible that this form is just a black hole - requests in, nothing out. OTOH, it is the only official channel we have.

In this particular case (resurrecting sync), I am pretty sure you're not going to get anywhere. But you can certainly try.

0 skyeye over 1 year ago in reply to twolpert

I have just met few highly professional security companies who based lot of work on inreach. Due to the fact that Garmin is not able to support them further, all of them look for alternative solutions and will be moving away from garmin soon. Those companies can not serve their customers due to the smartphone need.

0 pstoppani over 1 year ago in reply to twolpert

Yeah, the whole "syncing" set of apps is a big mess!

My dad returned the Mini 2 and go a Mini instead. Saved $$ but lost the extra GPS sats :(

0 pstoppani over 1 year ago in reply to twolpert

I submitted a request to Garmin. Might help if others did the same... Thx