f7sp
Active VIP Member
Not too much chatter about sat phones and spots lately. What's everyone using? Would like to invest in a sat phone but is this the best option? Does the spot/ iPhone ccombo work well? Any info
Sat Phone/ spot
- Thread starter f7sp
- Start date
deaner
Active VIP Member
I was kind of asking about the same thing and someone posted this. I guess they are around 800 bucks. Not an actual phone, but i guess you can still communicate with it.
Wife is due on December 30th so I am looking for something too so I can still go riding!
Wife is due on December 30th so I am looking for something too so I can still go riding!
pipes
Active VIP Member
Interesting. Can any one verify the validity of this statement. It does bring up a valid concern.
Willy's posts in the past haven't been that stellar, but this one actually deserves an intelligent response.
teeroy
Active VIP Member
you can leave your cell phone off until you want to use the spot connect, turn it on, pair it, send your message and shut the phone off again. would be nice to have 2 way communication, but being able to send a custom message every time is a big improvement over the old spot. especially in an emergency, you would be able to give specific information as to the services required. makes a big difference for the responders enhancing their response time.
I have a spot which is a paper weight on my desk now. I have purchased an Inmarsat sat phone two seasons ago now. The thing works everywhere I go. Summer winter doesn't matter I carry it all the time. It cost $800 bucks shipped to my door with 250 mins which are good for two years. There is no contract or anything like that either. The reason spots are less then ideal is they run off the global star network. Which only allows you to make calls send msgs at certain times of the day due to sat positions. You have to print off a time sheet off there website to see when you can make calls. Which doesn't really work in an emergency situation. This is just what I've found as I have spent some time using both systems.
teeroy
Active VIP Member
this has been discussed before, the spot does not run on the same 2 way system as the globalstar phones. I have never had an "OK" message fail to go through, and the spot worked as advertised when I had to use the "911" button. globalstar phones are a whole different issue
pipes
Active VIP Member
ive have looked into this , and no one can say anything for sure ??? ive asked the Canadian Avalanche center and they have no idea ??? so i suggest u turn those phones off when u are in the back country sledding or skiing .
Good advice, but my concern is that if you forget to turn off said cell phone and get buried by an avalanche what will it do to your beacon signal? I know it all boils down to remembering to shut off your cell, Which I will be doing after reading this post.
aircanam
Active VIP Member
Avalanche Beacons and Electrical Interference
Here's an article on Beacon Interference with respect to electronics, there are also several out there about GPS interference as well. Best to turn off all electronics and only use them when required.
Here's an article on Beacon Interference with respect to electronics, there are also several out there about GPS interference as well. Best to turn off all electronics and only use them when required.
EMANAARON
Active VIP Member
I just put the iPhone, and spot in my riser bag on the Doo.
pipes
Active VIP Member
thanks. very valuable information.
pipes
Active VIP Member
I don't know if that is such a good Idea. If you become separated from your machine, ( a likely scenario) you cannot access these pieces of equipment if required. I like to keep all life saving equipment on my person.
Teeroy,
Ive had mine fail or delay so much that i can and have sent msgs from sicamous and been able to drive back to Ab and once home receive notifcation that the msg has sent. And i am not the only one who has had this happen. To each there own with different experiences i guess..
Last time i checked it was $175 for 250 mins, that was when i bought the whole package. here is the link :
Ive had mine fail or delay so much that i can and have sent msgs from sicamous and been able to drive back to Ab and once home receive notifcation that the msg has sent. And i am not the only one who has had this happen. To each there own with different experiences i guess..
Last time i checked it was $175 for 250 mins, that was when i bought the whole package. here is the link :
OOC ZigZag
Active VIP Member
X2 no problems with the spot connect so far have sent lots of messages at diff times of the day.
teeroy
Active VIP Member
the only time I have had messages fail to send were while in tracking mode. i believe that to be because of where the spot is stored while I'm riding. when stopped, I place it label up as per the instructions, ensure that the slow flash of the green light is working indicating connectivity has been acheived, and send my message. whenever I have ridden in cell service the notification comes thru to my cell phone within 2 minutes. my buddy rides Kakwa and bought the spot connect last year and every one of the messages he sent came thru with a message bragging about the conditions. I'm totally getting one just for that "I'm here and you're not" deal.
teeroy
Active VIP Member
well, when you have someone at home that actually cares about your welfare, they are a great tool to carry with you. maybe someday you will find that special someone willy
teeroy
Active VIP Member
fixed....
I think the only problem with the Iphone paried to a Spot is one more device to worry about battery life.
Iphones are not designed for cold weather so I would guess that the battery won't last a typical charge. Just a guess though since I've never brought my phone with me riding.
I've never had a problem with the Spot. I have the newer version with more options for messages than the first version.
My wife needs to know when I'm going to be late with my after sledding phone call so she doesn't have to worry. She already knows where I'm riding because I give her all the info before I leave.
We have a friend that bought a sat phone but rarely goes sledding anymore. He says it works pretty good for his business.
Iphones are not designed for cold weather so I would guess that the battery won't last a typical charge. Just a guess though since I've never brought my phone with me riding.
I've never had a problem with the Spot. I have the newer version with more options for messages than the first version.
My wife needs to know when I'm going to be late with my after sledding phone call so she doesn't have to worry. She already knows where I'm riding because I give her all the info before I leave.
We have a friend that bought a sat phone but rarely goes sledding anymore. He says it works pretty good for his business.
teeroy
Active VIP Member
it's sunday dude, cutting you some slack. lol
Roy Maxwell
Active VIP Member
In my humble opinion sat phone is only way to go. As mentioned earlier in this thread they are under $1,000 and once the minutes that come with the phone are gone it is $50 per month. Communication is two way and with Irridium coverage is global, there is no place you can go where that phone will not work. I take mine quad ding, sledding ,hiking, boating and on the road in my truck because there are plenty of highway's in BC and Alberta where your cell phone wll not work if you break down. To me $50 per month is cheap insurance because sometimes two way communication can be the differce between life and death. Just have to be careful as there are some service provider's where coverage is not global. Considering what we pay for our toy's and what it cost's to use them a sat phone is a no brainer.
ryan#1
Active VIP Member
I have the original SPOT and in my opinion it is a POS. Did some tests last winter further north (Meziadin and north). Maybe it works better in southern BC or AB. I sent the message left on the hood of my truck to send and had lunch at Bell 2 lodge. Before that i had tried it the year before and again limited results so parked it and then gave it another shot last winter. Did this in 2 other spots (not as long of stops). Not one message went through. I don't trust them and in an emergency would you want to be in the middle of nowhere wondering if message went with your buddy with a serious injury? Or in the ditch in -30 in middle of night on highway 37n?
They are better than nothing and lots of examples of them working and saving lives. If you can afford it go Sat. After i gave up on spot broke down and picked up an Iridium and i can phone from my truck driving now...can also send a text message just to minimize minutes or if service is weak...and it tells you "SMS sent" and it always works. It's not perfect either...signal seems to come and go but i have never had to wait too long for a signal for voice and SMS almost always works.
I think it was around $1200. We just buy the cards...$200 for 250min no contract or monthly fees...just pay as you go. Texting on the thing is a pain but i think there newer models may be touch screen? I think incoming texts are free.
The way to go if your budget permits.
They are better than nothing and lots of examples of them working and saving lives. If you can afford it go Sat. After i gave up on spot broke down and picked up an Iridium and i can phone from my truck driving now...can also send a text message just to minimize minutes or if service is weak...and it tells you "SMS sent" and it always works. It's not perfect either...signal seems to come and go but i have never had to wait too long for a signal for voice and SMS almost always works.
I think it was around $1200. We just buy the cards...$200 for 250min no contract or monthly fees...just pay as you go. Texting on the thing is a pain but i think there newer models may be touch screen? I think incoming texts are free.
The way to go if your budget permits.
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