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Mini 3 or Mini 3 +: which one should I choose? Or perhaps a Mini 2?

Volker

What does the Mini 3 (non +) have that the Mini 2 doesn’t?

Larger screen,
touchscreen (can be disabled, also operable via buttons only),
color display,
base map,
text input via touch possible,
various keyboards for text input,
satellite setting for “all + multiband”,
Garmin Share
IPX 67

What does the Mini 3+ have that the Mini 3 doesn’t?

send (via mess app)/receive photos/forward received pics via M3+
voice messages
voice notes
siren
text messages up to 1600 characters (Mini 3 (and Mini 2)  only up to 160)
more free memory

As an aside: 3 out of 4 consumer plans already include a number of photos/voice messages (10/25/50 per month), which you can’t use on a Mini 3 non plus (or a Mini 2).

Of course the current Mini 2 sale price ($/€ 249) is a really good offer. But for a more up to date device, I would go for a Mini 3+, especially because the price difference M3+ ($/€ 499)  :  M3 ($/€ 449) is only 50$/€ (side note: the M3+ comes within carabiner loop ($/€ 15), which even makes the difference less).

I have chosen the M3+, but that’s only my opinion. I have upgraded my Mini 2 and for me it is really a big step forward (but the Mini 2 is still a good device!). Perhaps this post helps someone. But people may see it different. This is only intended to be a possible aid in the decision-making process.

I haven’t mentioned Messenger/Messenger+ because the display is too small (my opinion) and for a comfortable use you will need  the Messenger app/phone (also my opinion). Mini 2 and M3/M3+ are more useful for standalone use, M3+ even more than the Mini 2.

  • 0

    It looks like in some countries (like Netherlands, Germany, probably other EU countries as well?), Garmin doesn't even offer the inReach Mini 3, only the inReach Mini 3 Plus. For example in the Netherlands, there's only a inReach Mini 3 Plus product page on the Garmin website, with no option to switch between Plus and non-Plus version. So that may impact your buying decision as well.

    Other than that not much more too add. I guess it depends on how much money you're willing to pay and how you intend to use the device. The Mini 2 is a good deal right now, though...

  • 0 in reply to JungleJim

    Good hint with Mini 3 not being available in Netherlands, Germany, maybe more countries. Haven’t noticed this before. Perhaps even Garmin thinks that due to the small price difference: it makes no sense to offer the Mini 3, too…

    Supplement: Same for Sweden, France, United Kingdom (haven’t looked for more)…Maybe Garmin is waiting until Mini 2 is sold out… (?).

  • 0 in reply to Volker

    Yeah I was wondering too why the regular Mini 3 is not available in those countries.

    To me the Mini 3 doesn’t look like a very good deal with the relatively small price difference to Mini 3 Plus. The difference between Messenger and Messenger Plus is much bigger…

  • 0 in reply to JungleJim

    Here in Canada the mini 3+ is $700 that’s a lot. The H1+ is $1500. That’s what I paid for my iPhone 16 Pro. I’d like to know how the mini 3+ performs in dense forest on a rainy day compared to the mini 2. Personally I don’t need voice and photo capability, just communications. I can use dictation on my iPhone to send a message pretty quickly using the Garmin messaging or explore app., and even if the newer units are a bit faster it’s ridiculous to upgrade my mini 3 or 67i for those prices and then pay extra on a plan to send voice and photos. I’m still pissed at Garmin for not fixing some obvious bugs on the 67i , they’ve obviously abandoned it and I can surely imagine they will do the same to future products.

  • 0 in reply to Snow_Leopard

    Yes, if one knows to have no need for pics and voice message, the Mini 2 for €/€ 249 on sale is a solid and proven alternative, maybe one will get a used one for even less money. 

  • 0 in reply to Volker

    Or the Messenger + that should perform stellar in the BC rain forests on a rainy day. (rain forest in Canada - I'm assuming it's BC, and probably Vancouver Island).

  • 0 in reply to ekutter

    The 9 watt output of the messenger + doesn’t mean it’s got super power to punch through the rain forest canopy. That was talked about in another thread where Garmin mentioned the communication capability of all their devices were basically the same. Fyi the power output of the 67i is a little more than the H1+, I wouldn’t be expecting a drastic performance difference between devices.

  • 0 in reply to Snow_Leopard

    I know nothing about the power numbers.  I'm talking from personal experience of using a Mini 2 side-by-side with a Messenger+.  Messenger+ always performs better for me regardless of the conditions.

  • 0 in reply to ekutter

    Nice to know, I don’t have a messenger just a mini 2 and I would agree it’s performance is less than stellar on wet days in under a rain forest canopy. I’d really like to see some side by side performance tests done on these units under those conditions.

  • 0 in reply to Snow_Leopard

    Btw: I was told that the context hikingguy is using for his power comparison is just wrong. I have to agree with ekutter: from my personal experiences, the Messenger plus performance is superior over the Mini 2 and also better as the Mini 3+. I think that is due to the used Messenger+ antenna system. But for my needs, the Mini 3+ is my first choice.