Getting ready to head out in a week, and the ios beta has me excited. Anyone used the satellite messaging yet?

Disappointed that the offline hiking maps do not include the BWCA though.

I’ll post my experience when I return but hoping to hear from someone that has already used it.

I saw something about this and was wondering if IOS 18 would be supported on my older iPhone.

14 and up

Sounds like this functionality will be rolled out some time this fall. Wonder about cost...

If you are willing to risk it with the beta test version, satellite texting is available right now, and it is free. It works on iphone 14 and up. So far no big problem with my phone using the 18 beta.

Even if they decide to charge for the service, it will be more practical for the occasional back country trip.

What the eff are you guys talking about? Are those new Rapalas?
;)

lundojam: "What the eff are you guys talking about? Are those new Rapalas?
;)"

Some guys can't cut the apron strings. I'll call my wife front Duluth, if I want to.

Some guys can't cut the apron strings. I'll call my wife front Duluth, if I want to. "

And some of us actually love our wife, or even *gasp* take trips together.

There is nothing wrong with being able to communicate from the back country. If you don’t want the ability, that’s fine with me. I will trip the way that I enjoy and let you do you… without criticizing you for doing it differently.

My wife is my best friend and preferred (and strongest-by-a-mile) tripping partner. I was just wondering what "IOS 18" means. It was meant as an "I'm a boomer what the heck" attempt at self-deprecating humor, just to be clear. Here is a picture of her faking a smile in the rain. I seriously have to say "go easy" to her all the time; she's too strong in the bow. Like an Evinrude 9.9.

I'm another one of those boomer guys who has no idea what IOS 18 is.

Lundojam, that’s cool. I thought the rapalla comment was funny. And as I also haveAARP trying desperately to sign me up, I get it! If my reply (to the post after yours) offended ,I apologize. I’m recently returning here, and it has always been a friendly place.

It’s one thing to express “I don’t like taking communication devices into the back country.” Hey, I respect that… you do you. It’s another entirely to imply someone else is deficient for wanting to do so. Not something I thought we did on this board. And on that point, I will stop with the… oh heck. I’ll quote Oddball, “ Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?”

Back on topic- after over 40 years canoeing in the BWCA, I am grateful to have the option in an emergency to communicate with the outside world. Back in 86(?) someone died on the lake next to our group. In 1999 I was leading a trip and we had to bug out 2 days early and left on July 3 (look it up if you don’t know why that date is significant). And, at my age, I have to consider that my body isn’t as robust as it used to be. For me, the option to have my existing phone act as an emergency communication is awesome. Not as good as a Garmin, I’m sure, but a good budget friendly “just in case” option. And I am delighted to make others aware of this new functionality.


Safe travels!

Pizzaerick: "And some of us actually love our wife, or even *gasp* take trips together."

Right on!!

I Stubbornly hang on to my IOS Device for long periods of time until they basically give me a free one to upgrade. Might be awhile before I get above my IPhone 13…but who knows I keep getting emails to upgrade…maybe one will be a good offer.

This is good info to know though. Won’t make me upgrade sooner, but I am happy to know more about it.

I wonder if back in the cave man days, some guy/gal first started using fire to cook and all the old guys said, “We were just fine eating raw food before you came along, you’re ruining it.” the same was said for cars, planes, the internet we are all using now…just saying just because we are getting older we don’t need to stay living in a cave…

T

lundojam: "My wife is my best friend and preferred (and strongest-by-a-mile) tripping partner. I was just wondering what "IOS 18" means. It was meant as an "I'm a boomer what the heck" attempt at self-deprecating humor, just to be clear. Here is a picture of her faking a smile in the rain. I seriously have to say "go easy" to her all the time; she's too strong in the bow. Like an Evinrude 9.9. "

There was a comment on another thread where the other user keeps his bow paddlers/ partner separate from his spouse- so likely implying he does not take her on trips. My favorite paddling partner is also my spouse along with my kids.

THEGrandRapids: "

lundojam: "My wife is my best friend and preferred (and strongest-by-a-mile) tripping partner. I was just wondering what "IOS 18" means. It was meant as an "I'm a boomer what the heck" attempt at self-deprecating humor, just to be clear. Here is a picture of her faking a smile in the rain. I seriously have to say "go easy" to her all the time; she's too strong in the bow. Like an Evinrude 9.9. "

There was a comment on another thread where the other user keeps his bow paddlers/ partner separate from his spouse- so likely implying he does not take her on trips. My favorite paddling partner is also my spouse along with my kids. "

I think that guy is trying to be funny…at least that’s how I choose to take it :) But yea doesn’t come across that way…but hey I’ve done the same attempt and been misinterpreted…

Agree my spouse is my best paddling partner too.

T

Pizzaerick: "If you are willing to risk it with the beta test version, satellite texting is available right now, and it is free. It works on iphone 14 and up. So far no big problem with my phone using the 18 beta.


Even if they decide to charge for the service, it will be more practical for the occasional back country trip. "

Great info I did not know, Pizzaerick. Thanks much!

O.K. Here’s my report…

Took my iPhone 15 on the BW trip. The new satellite text function worked “good enough”, and for the price? Friggin awesome!

Having never used another text option in the wilderness, I have nothing to compare to. Maybe my experience is common to this communication, maybe not.

The setup is simple, with a couple options to launch the satellite texting. However, there can be zero cell service for the satellite option to be accessible. You are told where to point the phone, and then it takes a few seconds to connect to the satellite. You can text anyone, but only your emergency contacts can text you… unless you text first, then whoever you text can reply during that session. So, no intrusive text messages.

The reply being allowed through was great for getting a weather report. Text your GPS coordinate to @@@@@@ and in a few seconds, you get a reply with a simple weather forecast for the next 3 days. This was fantastic to know what wind speed and direction would be. We were able to adjust our plans based on the weather. Being an automatic reply, it was a good gauge of reliability. I estimate about 85% of messages were sent and replied to, leaving a 15% failure rate.

It was great to be able to check in and share highlights (like my youngest catching his first fish!). And sending our altered plans gave those at home was nice. As long as the conversation was simple, it was reliable enough. We had a more complex issue to text about, and the few missed texts were very frustrating and led to some confusion.

Upon returning home, it was determined that outgoing were 100% successful (if the phone said it was sent, then it was received). Incoming messages were the snag. Those were the messages missed.

The other “problem” was that at the farthest point of our trip, I actually got a cell signal. Just enough to send and receive text messages. But it came and went. If the cell signal was picked up, the satellite shut off, but then the cell signal would go away, and you have to start up the satellite all over again. I was constantly having to re-send messages because before I could get it out a signal would be lost and I had to switch to the other.

But, as a free add on to something I already have? It is a winner. What a great feature. As an occasional canoeist, who has never taken an emergency beacon (but once was with someone that rented a sat phone), this is a huge step up. The expense of a Spot or Inreach is not reasonable for someone like me. Is this the perfect satellite communicator? No. But it is pretty awesome none the less. The limitations are easily overcome.

Thanks for the report Pizzaerick!

I took my iphone 15 with me when I was on Seagull Lake. I was sitting in camp and pulled up my google maps. I was surprised to see it had campsites on them with their numbers.

Yes Pizzaerick, thanks much for your report. It is the first actual hands on report I have seen.

Thanks for the update

T

Just realized I didn’t fill in the placeholder for the weather text service. 1-604-210-4414

So, nobody has actually answered what iOS 18 is for the posters who didn't know and I've always liked being an overly helpful explainer. "i" is Apple (iPhone, i whatever). OS is operating system, the programming that makes their things work (and not get along with Microsoft's Windows operating system). 18 is the latest version; one that will make some changes I will marvel at and others I'll curse.

bobbernumber3: "

lundojam: "What the eff are you guys talking about? Are those new Rapalas?
;)"

Some guys can't cut the apron strings. I'll call my wife front Duluth, if I want to. "

Taking a Satellite device is NOT inability to "cut the apron strings". I have two parents, 93, and 97. I have a wife, 3 kids and 8 grandkids. I also have stage 4 kidney cancer. Letting everyone know I am okay each day is just part of my love for them. And their ability to get hold of me in an emergency is part of that.

Also, I am responsible for 12-20 guys that I take up to BWCA each fall. We have 3 guys that are WFA trained, and one doctor that trip with us. However even the doctor wants a way to communicate in case of emergency and every man there wants a way for their families to reach them if needed.

I would hate to have to call one of those family members when I got back to cell service and explain we were too late to save their husband/dad because I didn't bring a sat device, due to my wanting to "cut the apron strings".