Carabiner strap mounting screw

The carabiner strap mounting screw fell out of the back of my Inreach Mini 2 leaving my carabiner securely clipped to my belt but my Inreach on the ground. Luckily I was around camp and heard it fall, but no luck finding the screw. Also no luck finding info on Garmin regarding screw type and size. Would like to get a good description before I head off to the Ace to search for one. Would hate to get the wrong size and damage the casing.

UPDATE: Just used Chat Support function on Garmin website and as a "one-time courtesy" the representative is shipping the spline mount that Snow_Leopard suggested. Apparently that is their solution-- no individual screws or even specs on the screw supplied. As backup for paddling I think I'll also attach a small nylon loop to the lanyard holes on the top and clip to a fishing leash. Relatively painless as far as "lessons" go I guess since I didn't lose the device. Whew.

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0 Snow_Leopard 4 months ago

I will have to check mine, for thread size but I think it has a shoulder machined below the head though. If you purchase the spline mount it comes with a new bolt and Allen key. In case you don’t know the spline mount is required to attach a belt clip, backpackers tether, carabiner mount that other units have or attach the mini to a suction cup mount. You can get it at Amazon or other places too. www.garmin.com/.../608907 as you can see I’m located in Canada www.amazon.ca/.../B07JCLL891 but look at the bolt, you likely won’t find something similar at a hardware store. If you call Garmin maybe they can just send you one.

0 RoadCruiser 4 months ago in reply to Snow_Leopard

Thanks! Might just get the spline mount then. And recheck the tightness periodically. As I paddle a lot and clip it to my PFD it could end up in the drink.

0 Snow_Leopard 4 months ago in reply to RoadCruiser

You could always put a dab of blue loctite on the threads, blue is removable. Actually the spline mount comes with two bolts, at least mine did, bought two months ago, the original one and a slightly longer one to attach the spline. The spline makes the back of it the same as other Garmins.

+1 Garmin-Leslie 4 months ago

Hello, we have this note in an article we put out a while ago "When using a spine mount or carabiner loop with the inReach Mini or inReach Mini 2 devices, ensure the screw that secures the mount or loop is kept tight." it can be found in Preparing Your inReach for a Trip.

The other posts on here are correct in saying to use the spine mount for adapters and then I also typically recommend the back pack tether as an extra connection point with the carabiner.

Spine Mount Adapter with Carabiner

Backpack Tether

0 5612871 1 month ago

I didn't hear mine fall off the clip. Everyone died. Not really. Luckily it was a day trip. If it was a two week remote river trip I would have been screwed. This is a reason I'm not going to buy a replacement. Support is also sadly lacking. Hopefully there's a better competitor.

0 Wombo24 1 month ago in reply to Snow_Leopard

+1 re the blue locktite. The device already comes with blue locktite on the standard screw and anything you attach with the optional spline mount is still dependent on the screw.

0 Snow_Leopard 1 month ago in reply to Wombo24

All you can do is make it more tight than factory tight at the start and check it every so often. “Tighten it till it strips, then back it off a turn,” or try red locktite or maybe crazy glue it.

0 Druen81 1 month ago

Same thing happend to me, luckely i found a place with reception so i could look at mapshare to narow down my search area as explore app was to unaccurate. With help of tracking on my Fenix 7 combined with screen shot of mapshare and searching i found my Inreach Mini 2
they should have uesd a locking washer ond loctite to prevent this. I too will attach a nylon loop for added safety and have demanded a new screw form Garmin.