|
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Satellite Messenger
|
| Author | Message Text | ||
| scotttimm |
IowaFishinGuy: "Hey everyone, I am looking at the possibility of getting some type of satellite messenger/GPS to use on my trips to keep my wife calm and happy, we are expecting our first child this fall. I’m not familiar with all the fancy electronics that are on the market nowadays, so I’m hoping someone can help me out here. Just wanting to get a device that I can use to check in with her every night to know that I’m safe. I'm thinking of selling my SpotX with keyboard (cheap!) and getting a Zoleo. If you are interested, let me know (stimm@iastate.edu). I live in Decorah and travel around the state a lot for work. Given your name, we may be close. |
||
| SunrisePaddler |
tumblehome: "I own a Zoleo. I bought it on sale for $150 last year. Allows texting both ways if paired with a cell phone. Has all the same bells and whistles the other brands have. Plans are cheap and you can put your monthly plan into hibernation when you are not using it for $5 a month. The account stays active so you don't have to start from scratch when you want to use it again. +1 |
||
| mags459 |
Super easy set up and use. I was a long time Garmin user but I hate their interface for any updates etc. It maybe that I am a apple user but it never works, and by never I mean for 3 different GPSs over 15 years. |
||
| Loony_canoe |
|
||
| boonie |
scramble4a5: "I’ve heard rumors of large charges for extricating someone for an emergency. Just curious as to any experience you may have had with that if any." This video will interest you. |
||
| dschult2 |
|
||
| scramble4a5 |
BigPaul: "My InReach mini arrived yesterday. Purchased at the request of my fiancé who is worried about my pseudo-geriatric (61) solo tripping. I’ve been playing with the new toy and I like it. Does everything previously mentioned. The activation and subscription costs are negligible when compared to all the other “adventure “ stuff I buy and, it gives her peace (me too). My only concern is the disparity between size of the unit and the size of my hands… it’s tiny." If you use in conjunction with your phone it’s a lot easier to use. The two way messaging is a great feature. |
||
| scramble4a5 |
OMGitsKa: "The Garmin inReach mini is great. I have it set up so I can send messages to people with preset messages (ie "I made it to camp") and they can even send you a reply back that they received it. There is also a pretty detailed hourly weather forecast report you can get that is helpful (Includes hourly for the next 24 hours then the following days it gives you a few points throughout the day). Wait for the REI anniversary sale in May and you should be able to get it like $100 off, well at least it has been like that in the past. " Bought one last year and really like it. By using the app on my phone it makes two way messaging a breeze. |
||
| scramble4a5 |
|
||
| billconner |
|
||
| kjw |
|
||
| ockycamper |
|
||
| scotttimm |
You may want to look into Zoleo - that's on my wish list for this year. Small, light, compact, and interfaces with bluetooth to your phone for a text message feel on both ends through their app. Can also hit SOS directly from device. Long battery life. $200. Reasonable plans. |
||
| TrailZen |
TZ |
||
| Savage Voyageur |
|
||
| IowaFishinGuy |
I would like something a bit more than the basic SPOT trackers that I know outfitters rent out that simply ping your location, but other than that I’m not sure what other features are available or necessary. Thanks. |
||
| YetiJedi |
I use the garmin inreach explorer and it works great for me. Messaging, weather, maps, and the sos features are all included. I upload my anticipated route, add a number to name campsites, and insert rods into the portages. I don't really use it for navigation but do consult it from time to time. I track my routes and my family can follow along. The texting option has preset messages and also allows you to write messages although it is clunky. The weather option works for my needs but I wish it had a few changes...like adding thunder/lightening. The subscription fee is expensive, in my opinion. Battery life is a big plus as it doesn't use a lot of juice. I do recommend it and mine works great for me. Good luck with your search. There are a lot of youtube reviews out there comparing multiple devices. |
||
| Kendis |
1. Has an interactive screen which allows the user to interact with the device without having to use a separate device (smartphone). 2. Has a robust app to allow the user easier interaction with the device and associated services. 3. Garmin's trip planning website is easy to use if you want to program waypoints prior to the trip. 4. Includes the ability to request weather forecasting. 5. Garmin has an established reputation for quality products. 6. Pricing plans are comptetitive with or better than those for other devices. The Mini 2 and other products also share abilities that we wanted, such as GPS and the function to send location data to others. #1 in the list above is the single most important reason we chose the Mini 2. When you're in the backcountry, your gear needs to just work. Ultimately we decided that the additional cost of the Mini 2 ($400) versus other devices such as the Zoleo ($200), at the time of writing this post, was not a concern. Everyone will have their own opinions and planned use for these devices. Good luck fulfilling yours. |
||
| tumblehome |
https://www.zoleo.com/en-us Tom |
||
| NEIowapaddler |
|
||
| billconner |
I use to carry a Spot gene for my wife's peace of mind, but thinking of going to a Zoleo. It is only some time before your cell will work everywhere. May not like it but sure will kill the satellite communicator market. |
||
| Argo |
Obviously if your intention is just to have this unit operating passively all day and you just pair in the evening in controlled conditions, this may not be a consideration for you. |
||
| TrailZen |
LarrySw45: "Big Paul, Larry, I always wondered what the response time would be like if one of us ever needed to activate an SOS. Thanks for the detailed explanation of your experience. Whether buying or renting, I suspect each person on this thread agrees that satellite communication is worth every penny should the unexpected happen. Our ages also start with '7', and this makes friends and family feel better while we're out of cell range. Hope you're planning another trip soon, and that your inReach SOS button is never pressed again. TZ |
||
| billconner |
mags459: "I forgot Zoleo is also in the Iridium network like Garmin. This has better coverage than SPOT. " If you're going above above the artic circle, this might be an issue, but Globalstar has replaced their satellites and I don't think there is any lack of coverage in BWCA/Quetico. My Spot has always worked fine. |
||
| billconner |
scramble4a5: "I’ve heard rumors of large charges for extricating someone for an emergency. Just curious as to any experience you may have had with that if any." Depends where you are. For legitimate emergencies, not in BWCA or Quetico, nor national parks. Regular rescues here in Adirondacks but no costs. This is basically from wilderness to somewhere an ambulance can transport you if necessary. The ambulance costs would be same if from your home or a highway, etc. A few areas have a fee, a registration, like $25 or $50. Iirc Colorado and New Hampshire are two. If you are registered, your wilderness evac is paid for. In fact, I'm not sure these entities have actually charged or collected from the unregistered. More areas are pushing to charge when the rescue is result of negligence - like a winter rescue and you're not dressed for freezing temps. You go without water, naps, compass, etc., they might try to charge you. Again, Im not sure they have successfully collected. Outside of Us and Canada, I don't know. |
||
| scramble4a5 |
boonie: "scramble4a5: "I’ve heard rumors of large charges for extricating someone for an emergency. Just curious as to any experience you may have had with that if any." Thanks. That was informative. |
||
| LarrySw45 |
and med tech. delivered to the Seaplane base on Shagawa Lake in Ely from Iron Lake. My memory of events that morning, Sept 19th, is a bit fuzzy due to the head injuries but I remember hearing the pilot say that there was no charge for the rescue. I did buy the Search and Rescue Insurance that Garmin offers but I don't know if'that applied to a USFS Operation. I still have no memory of what happened. That's just a blank space in my memory banks. I know that I had put my canoe in the water that morning getting ready to load up and go. Steve and I were both in solo canoes and he was about 100 ft. away in camp still packing up. My next memory is of standing near my canoe with a terrific pain in my head. I called for Steve to come down and help me and then sat down on a big rock. With his help I got back up to camp and sat down. I had a big gash in the back of my head that was bleeding profusely. My right eye was starting to swell shut rapidly, I was dizzy and nauseated but didn't vomit. Also bleeding out of my inner left ear. We came to the conclusion that none of this was any good and I would not be able to get out under my own power and it was getting worse. I wrapped and ace bandage and gauze around my head to stop the bleeding there and stuck something in my ear to stop that bleeding. I don't remember getting my InReach out or my phone but I did and punched the SOS button. The SOS button has a cover that must be opened and you have to jold the bitton down for some time. I don't remember how long but it worked. Garmin's Emergency Services got back to me by text within 5 minutes asking questions about the "emergency". I described my symptoms and injuries and they soon replied that a plane was on the way. That probably didn't take longer than 10 minutes. Now I really don't remember just how long it took from there but Ely in only about 20 air miles away, I measured that on a map, and it was not long before I could see the Beaver circling Iron Lake. This is getting too long. Short version: The landed, the EMT examined me, determined that I did need an evac, loaded me in the plane with my two packs and took off to Ely and the ER there. Had to leave the canoe there but that's another story. Steve was left there to get out on his own. Two skull fractures, right orbital and left temporal. Gash on the back of my head that took 7 staples to close. Bleeding on the brain causing pressure. After they got me stabilized I was loaded into an ambulance to a Trauma Center in Duluth. 2 days in the ICU and 3 days in a regular ward before they would release me. I do remember the pilot telling me that Garmin had notified my Emergency contacts, wife and daughter, and that my daughter had called before the plane even took off. Both of them later told me that they didn't answer their phones because they didn't recognize the calling numbers but Garmin kept trying and they finally did answer and got the news. I think I reached the Max. Out of Pocket charges, about $4,000, with United Health Care for all the other treatment but the was no charge for the Med Evac flight. Larry scramble4a5: "I’ve heard rumors of large charges for extricating someone for an emergency. Just curious as to any experience you may have had with that if any." |
||
| OMGitsKa |
|
||
| Marten |
|
||
| YetiJedi |
Marten: "You may want to just rent an In reach this year as changes are on the horizon. Quallcom is providing chips to cell phone companies that allow the cell phone to text through satellites when out of regular cell service. Costs to use is still unknown. Global Star, Star link and Iridium satellite companies are all on board." Agreed. Good point. I've had my garmin explorer for half a dozen years. My next device for these purposes will likely be incorporated into my phone. |
||
| MDVancleave |
Before your trip, you can compose a limited number of "preset" messages addressed to specific contacts. You may send an unlimited number of those messages (which can also include your location) at no additional cost to your plan. Weather forecasts, messages that you compose on the fly and any replies received DO count against your monthly quota (Garmin offers several subscription levels). https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/837461/pn/010-06000-SU My main gripe is the annual and activation fees Garmin charges on top of the monthly rate. Something to consider if you only intend to use the service a few times a year. Otherwise, solid devices. A few months back a buddy of mine was car camping out in California when a tree fell on his truck–pinning him and crushing his phone. If he hadn't had his inReach, eh, in-reach, he likely wouldn't have survived. |
||
| BigPaul |
|
||
| boonie |
Here is something I came across last night for those who have had an Inreach for a while. He has several videos about the units that you will find useful. I will continue using my Inreach vs. a phone for the primary reasons he notes - weatherproofness and ruggedness. Battery life will arguably be better than phones, an important consideration in an emergency. The cost of the plan is immaterial in time of need for SOS. |
||
| LarrySw45 |
I've been using a Garmin InReach mini for about 3 years now. I pair it with my smartphone to compose messages home to let the wife, and daughter, know that I'm OK. As a side note I had to punch the SOS button last Sept. and got a reply within 5 minutes asking what the emergency was. After a few back and forths with teh Emergency personel the told me that a floatplane from Ely was "on the way with a pilot and med tech. BTW I'm 77 now. I apparently had fallen into some rocks. I don't remember anything about the fall but when I became aware again I was standing, had a lot of pain in my head and was bleeding out of my left ear. Also my right eye was closing up rapidly. I was getting my canoe packed up to get underway again that morning and called out to Steve for help. By the time he got me back up to the campsite Things were getting worse and Iwe determined that I would not be able to get out under my own power so I punched the SOS button. BTW this was at Iron Lake in the BWCAW and They had me back at the Sea Plane base in Ely within an hour. I was sent down to a Trauma Center in Duluth by ambulance that early afternoon. 2 days in the ICU with two Skull fractures and a big gash on the back of my head ( 7 staples to close up). Internal bleed in my skull so they were worried about pressure on my brain. 3 more days in a regular ward before they woud release me. Wife drove me home after flying up to Duluth with my daughter. My wife and Daughter were on my Emergency call list and the pilot told me that the daughter was calling them before the float plane even took off. All in all I would say that the InReach mini was worth every penny. Even though I absolutely never thought I would be calling for an SOS pickup. I just bought it so I could communicate with my wife, other than the prerecorded "I'm OK" messages that I used to send with the SPOT Gen 3 device that I had used previously. Larry ps; I was also sorry that I put my wife and daughter through all that anxiety. But that being said I have another trip planned for mid Aug. this year. |
||
| mags459 |
|