Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 Review: A Tiny and Discreet Dash Cam with Voice Control

If you are looking for a dash cam that is small, simple, and easy to use, then you might want to consider the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. This dash cam is so compact that it can fit behind your rear-view mirror and record high-quality HD videos of your driving. It also has some smart features like voice control, cloud storage, and parking mode that make it more convenient and secure. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 and see what it can offer you.

Design and Installation

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is one of the smallest dash cams on the market, measuring only 3.1 x 5.3 x 2.9 cm and weighing 28.7 g. It has a sleek and minimalist design, with only two buttons on the side for saving videos and muting the microphone. The front of the device has a 140-degree lens that captures a wide-angle view of the road, while the back has a magnetic mount that connects to a sticky pad on your windshield. The mount also has a ball-and-socket joint that lets you adjust the angle of the camera.

Installing the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is very easy, as you just need to stick the pad on your windshield, attach the camera, and plug the power cable into your car’s 12V socket. The power cable is long enough to be routed around the windshield and hidden from view. The camera also comes with a dual USB adapter that lets you charge your phone or other devices while using the dash cam.

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 does not have a screen, which means you need to use your smartphone to view the live feed, change the settings, and review the videos. You can do this by downloading the free Garmin Drive app and connecting your phone to the camera via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The app is user-friendly and intuitive, and it also lets you access the Garmin Vault, a cloud service that stores your videos for free for 24 hours, or longer if you subscribe to a plan.

Video Quality and Performance

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 records videos in Full HD (1080p) resolution at 30 frames per second, which is good enough for most situations. The videos are clear and sharp, with good color and contrast. The camera also performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to its HDR (high dynamic range) feature that balances the exposure and reduces the glare. The camera has a built-in microphone that records the audio inside the car, which can be useful for capturing conversations or incidents.

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has a loop recording feature that automatically overwrites the oldest videos when the memory card is full. The camera supports microSD cards up to 512 GB, but you need to buy one separately, as it is not included in the package. The camera also has a G-sensor that detects collisions and saves the videos before and after the impact. These videos are locked and protected from being overwritten, and they are also uploaded to the Garmin Vault for backup.

One of the best features of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is its voice control, which lets you use voice commands to save videos, take photos, start and stop the audio recording, and more. This is very convenient and safe, as you don’t need to touch the camera or your phone while driving. You just need to say “OK, Garmin” followed by the command, and the camera will respond with a beep or a voice confirmation. The voice recognition is accurate and reliable, and it works in several languages, including English, Turkish, French, German, and more.

Another smart feature of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is its parking mode, which monitors your car when it is parked and alerts you of any suspicious activity. To use this feature, you need to hardwire the camera to your car’s battery, or use an external battery pack. You also need to have an active Wi-Fi connection and enable the live view feature on the app. When the camera detects motion or impact near your car, it will send you a notification on your phone and show you a live feed of what is happening. You can also watch the recorded videos later on the app or the cloud.

Pros and Cons

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 is a great dash cam for drivers who want a small, simple, and smart device that records high-quality videos and has some useful features. Here are some of the pros and cons of this dash cam:

Pros:

• Compact and discreet design that hides behind the rear-view mirror
• Easy installation and setup with a magnetic mount and a long power cable
• Good video quality with Full HD resolution, HDR, and a wide-angle lens
• Voice control that lets you use voice commands to control the camera
• Cloud storage that backs up your videos on the Garmin Vault for free or with a subscription
• Parking mode that monitors your car when it is parked and alerts you of any activity

Cons:

• No screen that lets you view the videos or change the settings on the device
• No microSD card included in the package, which means you need to buy one separately
• No GPS that records your location, speed, and direction of travel
• Some fish-eye distortion that makes the edges of the videos look curved

FAQ

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2:

How do I update the firmware of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2?

To update the firmware of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, you need to connect your phone to the camera via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and open the Garmin Drive app. The app will automatically check for updates and prompt you to download and install them. You can also check for updates manually by tapping the menu icon on the app and selecting “Device Software Update”.

How do I format the microSD card of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2?

To format the microSD card of the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, you need to insert the card into the camera and turn on the device. The camera will automatically format the card and prepare it for use. You can also format the card manually by connecting your phone to the camera via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and opening the Garmin Drive app. Tap the menu icon on the app and select “Format Memory Card”.

How do I reset the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2?

To reset the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2, you need to press and hold the save button and the mute button on the side of the device for 10 seconds. The camera will beep and turn off. To turn it back on, press the power button on the cable.