Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 06-08-2017, 01:18 PM

Hi folks,

I do a lot of backpacking and winter camping so have a satelitte phone.

Do other Rv folk use one when out in the boonies?

Dsallach · 06-08-2017, 02:32 PM

For the most part I am trying to get away from the phone when camping. sat phones work good but are quite expensive. If you need to be in communication with the family or office they are a good choice. If you are simply carrying it for emergency rescue purpose you can carry a PLB, personal locator beacon, or a follow me unit which will send a short message via satellite and give your gps location and a I'm ok text for a lot less cost.
Hope that helps

iRent2u · 06-08-2017, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi folks,

I do a lot of backpacking and winter camping so have a satelitte phone.

Do other Rv folk use one when out in the boonies?

We took a Satelite phone when we went to Alaska in summer of 2015. I own two businesses and need to be available a few times a week. We leased it for 60 days. Worked great. I only used it 4-5 times. But was glad I had it with me. I highly recommend it if you feel you need to be in touch. I don't have an attitude against phones. They have saved me a lot of time and made me money. There are two types of phones and I don't remember what they are called, just let your provider know the region of the country you will be in. I have a friend who is an elected official and when he goes backpacking he takes one along.

Unicorn Driver · 06-08-2017, 06:48 PM

The reason I asked is I am thinking of selling it Inever use it. I do have a PLB also but that's for winter mountaineering.

I wondered how would contact a breakdown service using a Satellite messenger.

I don't do much extreme stuff anymore so trying to justify the cost of the unit.

I have an Inmarsat last phone with 400 units I will never use :-)

Unicorn Driver · 06-08-2017, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iRent2u

We took a Satelite phone when we went to Alaska in summer of 2015. I own two businesses and need to be available a few times a week. We leased it for 60 days. Worked great. I only used it 4-5 times. But was glad I had it with me. I highly recommend it if you feel you need to be in touch. I don't have an attitude against phones. They have saved me a lot of time and made me money. There are two types of phones and I don't remember what they are called, just let your provider know the region of the country you will be in. I have a friend who is an elected official and when he goes backpacking he takes one along.

Just replied as you posted :-)

PbdBlue · 06-09-2017, 09:00 AM

We have a Garmin Inreach. Not a phone but allows two-way satellite texting. I use it backcountry exploring in the 4WD and on the motorcycle. Also have used it in the MH when cell service is not available.

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

Unicorn Driver · 06-09-2017, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbdBlue

We have a Garmin Inreach. Not a phone but allows two-way satellite texting. I use it backcountry exploring in the 4WD and on the motorcycle. Also have used it in the MH when cell service is not available.

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

A hiking buddy of mine has an inreach, I wonder how you would use it to contact A AA or similar?

Dsallach · 06-09-2017, 03:36 PM

You could always text a friend or relative and have them call AAA or whomever for you. Still better than walking.

Unicorn Driver · 06-09-2017, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsallach

You could always text a friend or relative and have them call AAA or whomever for you. Still better than walking.

Definitely beats walking:-)

blang · 06-09-2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbdBlue

We have a Garmin Inreach. Not a phone but allows two-way satellite texting. I use it backcountry exploring in the 4WD and on the motorcycle. Also have used it in the MH when cell service is not available.

https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/

The Inreach SE+ looks interesting but I'm having trouble finding pricing on the monthly or annual service. Can you tell us what kind of account costs are involved?

Never mind... found it.
https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inr...es-us-only.pdf

Unicorn Driver · 06-10-2017, 08:23 AM

If so recall my buddy said 25ish a month. My sat phone is about the same.

PbdBlue · 06-11-2017, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blang

The Inreach SE+ looks interesting but I'm having trouble finding pricing on the monthly or annual service. Can you tell us what kind of account costs are involved?

Never mind... found it.
https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inr...es-us-only.pdf

I mostly use the basic Freedom Plan. ~$15/mo and you can suspend service and restart no charge. If I'm going to be really remote for an extended period I bump up to the next higher plan. In answer to the question regarding contacting AAA well yeah as mentioned you probably would have to contact a friend and have them call it in.

Unicorn Driver · 06-11-2017, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbdBlue

I mostly use the basic Freedom Plan. ~$15/mo and you can suspend service and restart no charge. If I'm going to be really remote for an extended period I bump up to the next higher plan. In answer to the question regarding contacting AAA well yeah as mentioned you probably would have to contact a friend and have them call it in.

Sounds like a good option for me. 15$ a month is very affordable.