Backcountry communication

[338 win mag]

What is your go to satellite messaging device? Seems the most popular is the inreach mini, but seems there are a good many other options available also. Amazon has the Motorola defy on sale for $79 but reviews are mixed. Luckily we've always had decent cell service on most of our hunts, but I'd like to be covered in the event we can't rely on phones alone

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

What is your go to satellite messaging device? Seems the most popular is the inreach mini, but seems there are a good many other options available also. Amazon has the Motorola defy on sale for $79 but reviews are mixed. Luckily we've always had decent cell service on most of our hunts, but I'd like to be covered in the event we can't rely on phones alone

This year upgraded to an iPhone that can satellite text. Never had another device so upgrading was a nice two for one in my eyes.

Others on here have said it worked well for them, this weekend will be my guest true test

 

[338 win mag]

This year upgraded to an iPhone that can satellite text. Never had another device so upgrading was a nice two for one in my eyes.

Others on here have said it worked well for them, this weekend will be my guest true test

I'm currently an Android user with no real plans to switch. I'm not sure if Android offers that on newer phones

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I'm currently an Android user with no real plans to switch. I'm not sure if Android offers that on newer phones

I don't think yet, but likely coming? I thought I heard t-mobile was going to partner with someone to offer it as well, not sure if android has the hardware to utilize it or not though.

Kind of a niche thing, but when I was die for an upgrade anyway, two birds one stone in my eyes

 

[Moserkr]

Id give it 2 years or less and stand alone satellite communications will be obsolete. Right now I have the inreach mini and the cheapest plan is around $100/year. Soon all cell phones will be satellite capable on the starlink network. It's just a matter of time as technology evolves. Right now my iphone 12 already can do SOS if I have no service, it just cant text.

In the meantime, the inreach mini works great. I just dont expect it to have any resale value soon.

 

[LIK2HNT]

Have and still use a SPOT since they first came out. Would really be nice to text a message. Just upgraded my iPhone last year from a 5 to a 14 only because the 5 was messing up. If things work I have a habit of not changing. But I will most likely update in a couple years to a phone with satellite texting.

My daughter and a friend both have the Inreach and really like them.

 

[wolfpup]

I use zoleo and really like it but messages have a delay it seems but great to communicate anywhere I roam.

 

[mevertsen]

I have a spot. Seems to work fine for my needs.

 

[Lambo]

I used the garmin messenger on my first trip to AK, this year. Worked great-slight delay but presume same with inreach.battery was at 78% after 7 days.

 

[Rie Bread]

The inreach is what I use. It was worth the money and the $12 plan is good for checking in with the three preset messages.

 

[Gynaroo]

Have and still use a SPOT since they first came out. Would really be nice to text a message. Just upgraded my iPhone last year from a 5 to a 14 only because the 5 was messing up. If things work I have a habit of not changing. But I will most likely update in a couple years to a phone with satellite texting.

My daughter and a friend both have the Inreach and really like them.

I believe the IPhone 14 is included in the list of devices that can update to IOS 18. It’s not a new iPhone. Just a new operating system for your phone.

Under the settings app go to General. Find software update. It should then give you choices to update your IOS to 18. Mine was at the bottom. Just click on it and it should get going.

 

[yakimanoob]

After using both my iPhone 14 with satellite messaging via iOS 18 and my InReach side-by-side on two recent backcountry hunts, I can tell you that I won't be cancelling my InReach service anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, sat messaging being native to a cell phone is awesome and serves as a viable emergency contact method for most recreational users. It's also pretty slick to be able to text back and forth with anyone for free, from my regular cell number, when in the backcountry.

HOWEVER

Be aware that:

• iPhones do not stay connected to the sat network - you have to do it manually each time you want to send or check messages.
• iPhone sat messaging cannot be used in airplane mode, which means that your phone will be spending lots of energy roaming, which can quickly drain a battery, especially a colder and/or older battery.
• iPhone sat messaging cannot be used when the phone is able to connect to a network; the obviously problem here is that sometimes phones "connect" without actually being able to send a text or make a call. If you happen to be in one of these spots during an emergency, you're SOL.
  • As cell networks expand into more and more remote areas, this problem only intensifies for backcountry hunters (esp in the lower 48).

I have to assume that all of these issues are known to Apple and everyone else working on cell-phone sat systems, but they are very important caveats for the moment.

Long story short, for most backcountry users who make a few trips a year and only need the emergency services or to let loved ones know they'll be late, etc, the need to spend $$$ on an inreach has mostly disappeared. But if you're frequently needing to communicate from the backcountry via satellite, you'll still either need an inreach or a lot of external battery packs to keep your phone alive while you're out.

 

[Gynaroo]

After using both my iPhone 14 with satellite messaging via iOS 18 and my InReach side-by-side on two recent backcountry hunts, I can tell you that I won't be cancelling my InReach service anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, sat messaging being native to a cell phone is awesome and serves as a viable emergency contact method for most recreational users. It's also pretty slick to be able to text back and forth with anyone for free, from my regular cell number, when in the backcountry.

HOWEVER

Be aware that:

• iPhones do not stay connected to the sat network - you have to do it manually each time you want to send or check messages.
• iPhone sat messaging cannot be used in airplane mode, which means that your phone will be spending lots of energy roaming, which can quickly drain a battery, especially a colder and/or older battery.
• iPhone sat messaging cannot be used when the phone is able to connect to a network; the obviously problem here is that sometimes phones "connect" without actually being able to send a text or make a call. If you happen to be in one of these spots during an emergency, you're SOL.
  • As cell networks expand into more and more remote areas, this problem only intensifies for backcountry hunters (esp in the lower 48).

I have to assume that all of these issues are known to Apple and everyone else working on cell-phone sat systems, but they are very important caveats for the moment.

Long story short, for most backcountry users who make a few trips a year and only need the emergency services or to let loved ones know they'll be late, etc, the need to spend $$$ on an inreach has mostly disappeared. But if you're frequently needing to communicate from the backcountry via satellite, you'll still either need an inreach or a lot of external battery packs to keep your phone alive while you're out.

This was my experience when I tested it this week while deer hunting. It worked but it killed battery and you had to leave your phone open and constantly turning it to stay connected.

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

I have a Zoleo. Works well and basically connects to my phone to allow satellite texting

 

[forrestleitch]

I use an Inreach explorer+, has worked great for me so far. Has integrated maps so works as a backup GPS if my phone takes a dump.

 

[ChaosOneZero]

After using both my iPhone 14 with satellite messaging via iOS 18 and my InReach side-by-side on two recent backcountry hunts, I can tell you that I won't be cancelling my InReach service anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, sat messaging being native to a cell phone is awesome and serves as a viable emergency contact method for most recreational users. It's also pretty slick to be able to text back and forth with anyone for free, from my regular cell number, when in the backcountry.

HOWEVER

Be aware that:

• iPhones do not stay connected to the sat network - you have to do it manually each time you want to send or check messages.
• iPhone sat messaging cannot be used in airplane mode, which means that your phone will be spending lots of energy roaming, which can quickly drain a battery, especially a colder and/or older battery.
• iPhone sat messaging cannot be used when the phone is able to connect to a network; the obviously problem here is that sometimes phones "connect" without actually being able to send a text or make a call. If you happen to be in one of these spots during an emergency, you're SOL.
  • As cell networks expand into more and more remote areas, this problem only intensifies for backcountry hunters (esp in the lower 48).

I have to assume that all of these issues are known to Apple and everyone else working on cell-phone sat systems, but they are very important caveats for the moment.

Long story short, for most backcountry users who make a few trips a year and only need the emergency services or to let loved ones know they'll be late, etc, the need to spend $$$ on an inreach has mostly disappeared. But if you're frequently needing to communicate from the backcountry via satellite, you'll still either need an inreach or a lot of external battery packs to keep your phone alive while you're out.

Thanks for posting this; very salient topic as I think there are a lot of folks going back and forth on whether or not to drop their inReach and just use their iPhone. One quick question re: the last bullet. Could you just go in and manually turn off the cell service to force the phone to switch to satellite to send/receive messages?

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Thanks for posting this; very salient topic as I think there are a lot of folks going back and forth on whether or not to drop their inReach and just use their iPhone. One quick question re: the last bullet. Could you just go in and manually turn off the cell service to force the phone to switch to satellite to send/receive messages?

No, iphone has to have zero service available. Pain in the ass this part cause of you have one bar but not enough to text even your stuck

 

[ChaosOneZero]

No, iphone has to have zero service available. Pain in the ass this part cause of you have one bar but not enough to text even your stuck

Oof…good news for satellite communicator manufacturers, I reckon. Thanks for the insight, bud.

 

[Bonasababy]

I assume my experience is similar to most who live and or hunt in more remote lightly populated areas.

The arrival of 5g made cell reception far WORSE. Even at my house--where we used to have no trouble with reception, I often don't get voicemails until I step outside in an open area.

The reason? In their rush to 5g they replaced all the 3g transmitters--which used to be a boost to 4g signals. That boost gone, cell reception is a lot worse.

I was given a Zoleo for Xmas, based on reviews I think I'll be happy but need to get it set up by fall when I hope to do more hunting than usual.

 

[MTGomer]

I assume my experience is similar to most who live and or hunt in more remote lightly populated areas.

The arrival of 5g made cell reception far WORSE. Even at my house--where we used to have no trouble with reception, I often don't get voicemails until I step outside in an open area.

The reason? In their rush to 5g they replaced all the 3g transmitters--which used to be a boost to 4g signals. That boost gone, cell reception is a lot worse.

I was given a Zoleo for Xmas, based on reviews I think I'll be happy but need to get it set up by fall when I hope to do more hunting than usual.

Way worse. There were all these 5G conspiracies and the only thing it did was make my phone not work as good.




I messed around with the iPhone sat messages a bit this winter. It has a long ways to go before replacing my inreach messenger.