Cell/Satellite

[ponti33602]

I was reading the thread on "no cell service worry you".

I have a slightly different spin so thought I would create a new post.

My wife and I both have parents 80+. Quite a blessing at our age to still have both sets of parents. One set lives 1/2 mile and the other set about 90 minutes away.

We are concerned when we travel that we might not have cell coverage for 3-5 days at a time while hiking. In Aug we are heading to the GA mountains somewhere. I read and researched the Garmin InReach+ that was referenced in the other thread. There are more $$ options too like the Iridium Go.

So we can learn from folks that may have gone thru the same research.........
what have you done or selected as your preferred choice?

In quick research my wife didn't love the Garmin device as it appears to be texting only and she thinks if there is an issue she will need to be speaking on the phone which points her more towards an Iridium Go. I just don't know. I hate to pay for something we really will only need to be notified if we have an emergency back home.

Any insight or experiences would be most appreciated.

[MsNomer]

We have the Iridium GO and are contemplating switching to InReach for cost reasons, but we need it only for emergencies, not for keeping in touch. The GO works as advertised.

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by MsNomer

We have the Iridium GO and are contemplating switching to InReach for cost reasons, but we need it only for emergencies, not for keeping in touch. The GO works as advertised.

Yes, we don't need to keep in touch, just want to be reached by family if an issue. It does look like the plans are much lower for InReach. Is it safe to say from what I see that the Go plans seem to be month to month and at about $55 bucks a month? Any other hidden things that "bite-you"?

[MaxCapacity]

So if you have texting capabilities only and are notified of a situation, are there that many places in the US where an four hour drive can't get you to cell service?

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by MaxCapacity

So if you have texting capabilities only and are notified of a situation, are there that many places in the US where an four hour drive can't get you to cell service?

You are right and where we landed in the end. We purchased a Garmin InReach Mini - knowing we can text and receive text via mail and can get to cell phone coverage. Will activate in August for our trip where we know we will be outside coverage for 3-days or so at a time.

[ikanode]

Are you aware you can rent satellite phones by the week? For example:

https://www.globalcomsatphone.com/pr...e-phone-rental

$26 dollars a week. Google found several companies--I didn't compare prices.

[TooMuchHair]

Check this out!



https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...t-for-adventu#


I haven't studied it thoroughly, but at first glance....

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by TooMuchHair

Check this out!



https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...t-for-adventu#


I haven't studied it thoroughly, but at first glance....

yes, I looked at this.....I believe from my research it is essentially a Garmin InReach. Two way messaging is all from what I see. The device is currently like $319 so just a tad under Garmin. I am typically leading edge on wanting tech stuff but in this case what if they did this to cell off and then the original model is unsupported? If this turned you cell into a satellite phone like an Iridium Go for that price I would have probably taken a chance.

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by ikanode

Are you aware you can rent satellite phones by the week? For example:

https://www.globalcomsatphone.com/pr...e-phone-rental

$26 dollars a week. Google found several companies--I didn't compare prices.

Yes, saw reasonable rentals but next year she thinks we will be traveling 3-6 months this is cheap enough. Hmm......6 months will really cut into my golf time.

[Bruceper]

I recently purchased an Inreach Explorer +, enjoying it so far.

From the Garmin site

Activate a new inReach device from May 1 through June 30, and Garmin will waive the monthly fee of any satellite subscription plan for your first 2 months.*

To redeem your offer, enter promotion code 2@2018 at device activation.

Verified as working

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by Bruceper

I recently purchased an Inreach Explorer +, enjoying it so far.

From the Garmin site


Verified as working

Are you in the US? Did you get confirm? I see this in the boiler plate below your paste. From Garmin site.




From Garmin