| Author |
Message Text |
|
TominMpls
|
ChristineCanoes: "If having contact is critical, you may want to consider inReach (satellite texting). It will work anywhere. The device is expensive ($200+) but you can turn if off when not on a trip to decrease monthly fees).
Sorry nothing to add to the cell conversation but just wanted to put it out there."
Yup, I'll second this. If having a connection matters, lose the cell phone and get an inreach. I always have coverage.
|
|
RedLakePaddler
|
Because I am older and tripping alone I purchased a Spotx. Right now it is
$200, about $250 cheaper than the Explorer in reach. It does what I need. I can send all the predetermined messages I want and 20 new messages on the $11.95 month by month plan. I can stop and start the plan as I need it. The Inreach plans are higher.
I used it last week and sent and received messages with no problems.
|
|
Ragged
|
quote Rob Johnson: "Don't know about Ely. On the Gunflint you lose coverage from all carriers near the lumber mill on the north side of Grand Marais. We tried 2 different phones all the way back from Tuscarora and just as predicted by the outfitter we were almost in town before we had coverage."
This has been my experience as well, trip mates have Verizon and Tmobile, I have ATT, we all loose it one the gunflint levels off a bit after the Mill. TMobile is the absolute worst, get out of the metro and junk junk junk, only get it if it's all you can afford.
|
|
BearDown
|
Yep while my sisters have gotten texts all over on the west side (insula, crooked, etc.) I am not aware of any service that goes more than a couple miles out of grand marais
|
|
billconner
|
Besides the good service on a T-Mobile plan which was using the AT&T coverage, my partner for the trip used Net10 and also had good service. I'm sure both of us used the new AT&T tower on the Fernberg Road.
|
|
tobiedog
|
Verizon customers can get intermittent signals from high points off of the Arrowhead Trail from a tower in Canada, but beware the roaming fees. People don't realize their signal is coming from Canada and can rack up big charges fast.
|
|
Ragged
|
quote Grandma L: "This year we are heading to the north side of the Gunflint - East Bearskin and the border. I was hoping to find some coverage up there. "
Unless something has changed, I wouldn't expect anything. Couple miles out of GM and it's game over.
|
|
eagle93
|
On one trip we were able to call Clearwater Outfitters from the far western edge of Clearwater Lake, though only from a very specific spot. I believe she had AT&T.
|
|
ChristineCanoes
|
If having contact is critical, you may want to consider inReach (satellite texting). It will work anywhere. The device is expensive ($200+) but you can turn if off when not on a trip to decrease monthly fees).
Sorry nothing to add to the cell conversation but just wanted to put it out there.
|
|
TipsyPaddler
|
In the last year I have gotten one to an intermittent two bar AT&T LTE or 4G signal in a few spots:
1) On the west side of Alton Lake up about 10 feet or higher off the lake
2) On the Ely side (off the Isabella, MN tower) south end of Lake 3 and west central side of Insula.
On the Gunflint side, I get zero/zilch once I go over the hill headed north out of Grand Marais.
If you need to stay in touch with someone or for personal safety, I recommend a satellite device like a Garmin InReach. Even in 2019, I think the cell coverage, while slowly improving, is still dodgy at best.
|
|
MinnesotaJenny
|
Hi, I have the same question in August 2019. Does anyone have any current info for this please? Thanks
|
|
bfurlow
|
I have gotten cell coverage while out on Basswood sitting in back bay. That was on t-mobile a couple years ago. Moved 20 feet one direction or the other and it was hit or miss.
|
|
AmarilloJim
|
I have ATT and have had reception on Sunday lake, North Bay of Basswood and as far north as site 1GY (near the picto cluster) on Agnes.
|
|
Grandma L
|
The AT&T service map shows reception on the north side of East and West Pike. Have you gotten a signal there?
|
|
Rob Johnson
|
Don't know about Ely. On the Gunflint you lose coverage from all carriers near the lumber mill on the north side of Grand Marais. We tried 2 different phones all the way back from Tuscarora and just as predicted by the outfitter we were almost in town before we had coverage.
|
|
PortageKeeper
|
I am a local and have had the best luck with ATT. Once I even went online while on Chad and posted on this board...4G.
|
|
billconner
|
I have T-Mobile but it seems to be strong where AT&T is strong maybe because they are both gsm. Anyway, I have had good service in Ely, and last fall from Farm to end of Bald Eagle. Pretty amazing really.
|
|
x2jmorris
|
I have Verizon and the Ely side is the only area I ever get reception. I have been to most places on the Sawbill/Gunflint side. On the Ely side I have only done Gabro/Bald Eagle/Wood/Good/Lake1-3. Of those areas in Ely I was able to pull some signal. I don't usually check, my phone is just there for my camera but once a trip or so I will take it off airplane mode to see.
|
|
Grandma L
|
Though many of you do not like having cell service in the BWCA, I do. My contract is soon up with Verizon and I am wondering what company and phone will get the best cell service? This is not a phone or no phone discussion! It is, how to get the best service?
|
|
Grandma L
|
I have Verizon and have gotten text messages on Thunder Point (Knife Lake, Thomas/Fraser narrows and made calls from Insula and lakes all the way back to Lake One and into Ely.
This year, we are heading to the north side of the Gunflint - East Bearskin and the border. I was hoping to find some coverage up there.
|
|
jhb8426
|
T-Mobile has been the worst anywhere I've been. Had Verizon thru my employer and it was ok. ATT had the best coverage in northern MN of any carrier I've tried.
|