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Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2

Based on 120 comments across 3 communities
TL;DR
Owners love how tiny and discreet the Mini 2 is, hiding it completely behind the rear-view mirror, and most are happy with the video quality, easy install and low price. The big recurring complaint is reliability: a striking number of owners report the screen going purple or green and the camera failing within one to three years, often with both their front and rear units dying around the same time. When that happens many say Garmin only offers a paid replacement, and a few were burned by the camera recording nothing right when they needed it after an accident.

52% of 120 verified owners recommend the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2.

What 120 owners say
1,443 comments reviewed · scored on the 120 clearest verdicts
52%
Recommend
62 owners
17%
Neutral
21 owners
31%
Don't recommend
37 owners
Last 6 months:11% recommend(9 recent verdicts)↓ trending down 44pts vs older reviews
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
52%
120
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
YouTubei
73%
15
Affiliate blogsipaid commission
100%
2

Affiliate blogs here say 100% recommend, while the owner-based score is 52%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, and blogs with no affiliate links. YouTube and affiliate blogs are shown for perspective but kept out — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Tiny and discreet, hides behind the rear-view mirror · 30 · 25%
  • Good video quality for its size · 18 · 15%
  • Easy to install and set up · 12 · 10%
  • Affordable price · 10 · 8%
  • Simple, user-friendly app and operation · 9 · 8%
What owners flag
  • Screen turns purple or green as the sensor fails · 18 · 15%
  • Stops working within one to three years · 12 · 10%
  • Garmin charges for replacement, weak warranty support · 6 · 5%
  • Flaky wifi, connection and app issues · 5 · 4%
  • Failed to record footage when needed · 3 · 3%

Top quotes, sourced

1,443 reviewed · 137 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I originally had the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 and another one with a screen (can't remember off the top of my head, but it had a screen) to have a front and back cam in my car. Both bricked after a couple of weeks.

YouTube▲ recommend

This is an easy to use, affordable unit for sure! I love mine!

Reddit— neutral

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 works great and is super small. Downside is, obviously, no battery so if you don't have constant power it shuts off. It also has no display and requires a phone in order to fully utilize.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

I JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT AND IT RECORDED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

Reddit— neutral

What il love about it is that it's small enough to fit fully in front of my rear view mirror, so once I had it wired in, it is totally invisible from inside the car. And from outside you barely see it either due to its size, is really no bigger than a cigarette lighter USB charger. But the small size does mean that you have to use your phone to view clips, i

Reddit▲ recommend

Garmin dash cam mini 2 is what I have and like.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

Bought 2. Continuous disconnects

YouTube▲ recommend

It's a great camera

Reddit— neutral

I have the Garmin dash cam mini 2 with the hardwire kit in my Gladiator. It's not the MOST feature-rich system, but it's a small form factor and it's been fine for my needs.

YouTube— neutral

The Mini 2 resolution is ok, but hard to make out license plates unless you are close. The plastic feels cheap all around

Reddit▲ recommend

Right now I’m using the Garmin Dash cam mini 2. It’s small and hard for the other person to see. Doesn’t have a display but that’s not a big issue for me.

r/Dashcam▼ don’t recommend

Then at some point I power the car on and it just sits with a green light doing nothing. I have the official Garmin cable and a SanDisk card so it must be an issue with the camera.

r/Dashcam▼ don’t recommend

the first one did this after about 16 months and I contacted Garmin and got a replacement only for it to happen exactly the same again just 9 months later ( now out of warranty)

YouTube▲ recommend

It works far better than my previous dash cam

Reddit— neutral

I've got the Garmin dash cam mini 2. Whilst it might not be the best it tick the categories.

Reddit▲ recommend

I have a Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. Honestly, I bought it for my last car, and at the time I just wanted a very small dash cam that's hard to see from the outside because smash-and-grabbers are becoming more common in my city. But it's perfect for the Crosstrek.

Reddit— neutral

I'm using the Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2. My mates got the 70mai which is a cheaper option, but has better quality than this.

r/Dashcam▼ don’t recommend

I had almost the exact same experience with a Mini 2 going green and it killed my trust in it too. I switched to a Viofo A119 Mini and it’s been way more solid for me so far.

Reddit▲ recommend

Garmin dash cam mini 2 has been great for me. I think it was $109

Reddit— neutral

Not the best thing ever. But I've not had any issues either. Bought it for the size. It's almost completely invisible, even from the front it's small enough to hide in plain sight.

r/dashcams▼ don’t recommend

it's taking 2-3 minutes for it to boot up. The LED is blinking green for a good while leaving the neighbourhood before it goes steady red and actually starts recording.

r/Dashcam▼ don’t recommend

I had almost the same experience with Garmin and it killed my trust in them for dash cams. I switched to a Viofo A119 Mini 2 and it’s been way more reliable so far.

Reddit▲ recommend

The quality is really good and includes an option to record sound as well. I like that feature because you can read aloud license plate numbers

Reddit— neutral

I have the garmin dash cam mini 2 in my kona. I bought two and just ran USB cables under the trim. The app isn’t great(but improving) they are inexpensive and easy to install

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