Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 review

About the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

The Mini 2 is a small camera with no screen. It records 1080p video at 30 frames per second through a 140-degree lens, and measures about 3.1 x 5.3 x 2.9cm. It weighs 32.1g. It sticks to the windscreen with an adhesive pad that Car Magazine found holds very well. That also ties it to one car, so it is not a camera to swap between vehicles.

With no display, everything goes through the Garmin Drive app over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The app gives live view and access to footage, and clips can also be read from the memory card on a computer. Footage saved in the app is kept for 24 hours unless you pay for Garmin's Vault Storage Plan. The camera takes microSD cards up to 512GB. There is no GPS, so clips carry the date and time but no speed or location.

Car Magazine lists the box as the in-car power cable, a 12V plug with two USB ports, a spare adhesive mount and a shorter USB cable for connecting to a computer. A card is not on that list. Parking features and live view need constant power, which means Garmin's separate constant power or parking mode cable.

What owners report about the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

Owner feedback we could open for this exact model is thin, so this section is short. The clearest owner thread is on DashCamTalk, where the poster was sent the camera by Garmin, so treat it as one informed user's view rather than a wide pattern.

That user liked the size, calling it among the smallest good dash cams, and found the daytime picture and audio clear. They also liked the solid build, the tight-fitting cable with a 90-degree plug and the sturdy mount. The camera kept recording through a hot-car test. Their complaints were the app and parking. The app needs a free account, is slow to connect and has few settings. The G-sensor has one sensitivity setting for both driving and parking, so it either locks clips by mistake or misses knocks when parked. They said other owners reported the same G-sensor trouble, while some others got good results from the app. They also found it unreliable at switching into parking mode without the optional parking cable, and found the printed manual unhelpful.

Who the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 suits

The Mini 2 suits drivers who want a camera nobody will notice behind the mirror, and who are happy to use a phone app instead of a screen. It fits a daily commuter who wants basic evidence of an incident without fiddling.

Look elsewhere if you want speed and location stamped on clips, a screen, or reliable parking recording without buying a cable. The Nextbase 322GW adds GPS at 1080p. The Nextbase 622GW adds 4K, GPS and a touchscreen. For a rear view, the 70mai 4K A810 Lite or the Viofo A229 Pro 2CH record front and rear. Car Magazine found the night image grainy and the price high for what it does.

Questions about the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2