With its automatic incident detection and recording, as well as its remote access and voice control capabilities, this dash cam promises to enhance your driving experience and provide peace of mind on the road.
I was initially drawn to the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 because of its reputation as a reliable brand. However, I encountered some difficulties when using it. In my apartment, the camera connected seamlessly, but once I was in the car, everything seemed to stop working. The app wouldn’t connect, and the camera wouldn’t record. It was frustrating, to say the least. I even tried replacing the camera, but the same issues persisted. It turned out that the problem was with the power cord provided. The short cord could only power on the camera but couldn’t support recording, while the supplied 12v adapter didn’t work at all. I had to purchase an aftermarket adapter and a longer power cord to address this issue.
On the positive side, the camera’s size and discreet design were definite pluses. It was easy to mount it behind the rearview mirror, and its small red light confirmed that it was recording without obstructing my view. The setup process was straightforward, and I didn’t encounter any connectivity problems with my wife’s Samsung Android phone. The Garmin application connected effortlessly and allowed us to configure the camera. The voice command feature was also a convenient addition, enabling us to save videos or take pictures without taking our hands off the wheel.
Unfortunately, the app itself was a major letdown. While the dash cam itself performed well, the app was unreliable. There were numerous occasions when I couldn’t access my video history through the app, rendering it almost useless. I had to resort to removing the micro SD card and using a computer to retrieve the footage. This defeated the purpose of having a dedicated app for easy access. I hope Garmin addresses this issue in future updates.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini: Compact and Convenient Design
A compact and car key-sized dash cam, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 provides a convenient and discreet way to capture high-quality footage. With its small form factor, it can be easily mounted behind the rearview mirror, ensuring that it doesn’t block your view while driving. Its inconspicuous design makes it ideal for those who want a dash cam that doesn’t draw attention or distract from the road. Despite its small size, the Dash Cam Mini 2 still features a 140-degree wide-angle lens, allowing it to capture a broad field of view and ensure that no important details are missed.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini: Advanced Features for Enhanced Safety
Contributing to a safer driving experience, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is packed with advanced features. It offers automatic incident detection and recording, which means that it will automatically start recording when it detects an impact or sudden braking. This can be crucial in providing evidence in case of accidents or insurance claims. Additionally, the Dash Cam Mini 2 comes with driver alerts, including forward collision, lane departure, and speed camera warnings. These alerts help increase situational awareness and encourage safer driving habits. It’s important to note that certain conditions may affect the warning function, and red light and speed camera warnings may not be available in all regions.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini: Remote Access and Parking Guard
Through the Garmin Drive app on your compatible smartphone, the Dash Cam Mini 2 offers convenient remote access. This allows you to access the camera remotely for live view monitoring when you’re away from your parked car. You can also use the app to configure settings and access saved videos. Additionally, the Dash Cam Mini 2 features a parking guard feature that monitors activity around your parked vehicle. It will alert you if it detects any incidents, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini: Voice Control and Easy Operation
By utilizing voice control capabilities, the Dash Cam Mini 2 allows you to save videos, start/stop audio recording, take still pictures, and more through spoken commands. This hands-free operation ensures that you can focus on the road while still being able to control the camera’s functions. The voice control feature is available in multiple languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish. This makes it accessible and user-friendly for a wide range of users.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini: Secure Video Storage and Access
Secure video storage is provided by the Dash Cam Mini 2 through the online Vault, enabling access to saved videos using the Garmin Drive app on your compatible smartphone. This ensures that your footage is stored safely and can be easily accessed whenever you need it. However, it’s important to note that accessing the footage requires a Wi-Fi connection to the camera. Alternatively, you can remove the SD card and access the footage using a computer.
Garmin Dash Cam Mini: Customer Reviews and Overall Rating
The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has received a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 941 customer reviews. Customers have praised its compact design, ease of use, and advanced features such as incident detection and driver alerts. Some reviewers have mentioned issues with the app connectivity, but others have found workarounds or identified potential compatibility issues with certain smartphones. Overall, the Dash Cam Mini 2 is highly regarded for its video quality, convenience, and reliability in capturing important moments on the road.
Pros:
- The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is very compact, allowing for easy placement behind the rearview mirror without obstructing the driver’s view.
- The dash cam has a wide-angle lens with a 140-degree field of view, ensuring that a large area is captured in high-definition footage.
- The camera features voice control, allowing users to save videos, start/stop audio recording, and take still pictures without taking their hands off the wheel.
Cons:
- Some customers have reported issues with connectivity, particularly when trying to connect the camera to the app. This can limit access to footage and settings.
- The app for the dash cam has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing difficulties in viewing their video history. This can be frustrating, as the app is meant to provide easy access to recorded footage.
- There have been complaints about the power cord supplied with the dash cam. The shorter cord is said to only deliver enough power to turn on the camera but not record, while the supplied 12v adapter may not work at all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has its pros and cons. While it offers high-quality video footage and useful features like voice control and incident detection, the app’s unreliability was a significant drawback. Additionally, the included power cord proved to be inadequate, necessitating the purchase of aftermarket accessories. If you’re willing to overlook these issues and prioritize the camera’s performance, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 could be a suitable choice for ensuring your safety on the road. However, if seamless app integration and reliable power supply are crucial factors for you, it may be worth considering other options.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Can the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 be accessed remotely for live view monitoring?
Answer: Yes, the dash cam can be accessed remotely for live view monitoring through the Garmin Drive app on a compatible smartphone. However, this feature requires a constant power source and an active Wi-Fi connection.
Question: Does the dash cam have driver alerts for safety?
Answer: Yes, the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has driver alerts such as forward collision, lane departure, and speed camera warnings. These alerts aim to encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness. However, it’s important to note that certain conditions may impair the warning function, and not all regions have red light and speed camera warnings available.
Question: How are the saved videos stored?
Answer: The saved videos from the dash cam are securely stored in the online Vault and can be accessed using the Garmin Drive app on a compatible smartphone. This provides a convenient way to review and share footage.