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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wow, I agree with Mr. Goat again!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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I have a Spot and the Spot satellite phone. I like the spot messenger and it does what I want it to. That is to inform those I send a signal to to
know where I'm at. I've never used the help or SOS.
The satellite phone is a different story. It is a very spotty device (no pun intended). I've been in very open areas and had trouble getting a signal
to call out. Turn and walk 3 feet it's OK, walk another foot and it out again. Probably the best it worked was when I called David K from Visita San
Isidoro, it worked perfect. At Campo Rene near Punta Abreojos in a wide open dirt area, far from trees or buildings not so good. I assume it's the
satellite it uses. I've used Iridium sat phones and never had a problem like this. Nomad John M put me on to a good deal that I'm seriously thinking
or switching to in Jan. when my spot phone contract is up for renewal.
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6002
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
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It should keep it down, but does it? Spot must be losing market share to Delorme, but they have raised prices, while not improving service.
My main objection to Spot is that it requires an annual contract for a service that I don't use much of the year. Paying more for shorter blocks of
service makes since to me, especially when it provides more options.
I really need to get one of the two services though, I sometimes travel alone in some pretty remote areas. Spot would be great if I could buy service
as needed.
[Edited on 8-7-2016 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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FYI the delorme now has weather forecast.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
Member Is Offline
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I agree with goat about getting unplugged. That's why I don't want or need to get or send messages. If I croak, I croak.
I do, however, like to come back and look at the track where I've been riding and I don't like to stress out Barbara about what the hell I'm up to
now!
Her version is that she dosn't want any stupid delays in getting the payout from the life insurance. Buzzards circling isn't good enough for them to
process a claim.
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jbcoug
Senior Nomad
Posts: 709
Registered: 9-24-2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Needing Baja!
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Seasider,
The Delorme can be turned on and off monthly. I only have mine active while traveling south in the spring.
\"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.\" Andy Rooney
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Quote: Originally posted by seasider  | E-hall and jbcoug, thanks for the info.
I realize the Delorme is an excellent product. The two main reasons that I bought the sat phone are:
1. It was inexpensive, an impulse purchase and was something I thought would work. I have posted on another board for more opinions and info.
2. I wanted to be able to get more than one forecast as the reliability and detail of forecasts for the Sea of Cortez are a bit lacking compared to
what we have in Canada or the U.S.
I would normally just buy the Delorme but it only has one forecast(although I could receive others from voice mail- hmmm....) and although it might
seem like I'm an electronics collector, quite the opposite would be the fact. A bit of background:
I was planning a trip to the central Baja area in October with the intent to paddle my kayak across the sea via the mid-riff islands. Now I'm
considering doing it in January or February 2017, because it feels better heading south after putting up with the cooler temps and rain here for a few
months. So reliable weather forecasts are a must for me or this kind of trip!
Most likely I will buy the Delorme(or maybe rent?) but I will see what the sailors have to say about it.
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Sounds like an ambitious trip. I see the need for the weather forecast now. From everything I have read the mid riff area winds can come out of
nowhere and make for some rough seas. Good luck and have fun.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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No I have not at least not yet. The sat phone stays in the case until I need to use it. I usually call home every evening or morning by cell or the
sat phone to make sure all is OK. My wife has some medical issues I need to be aware of when out of town. I usually use my cell phone since most towns
have cell service but if I'm in the boondocks for a day or more I use the sat phone.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: Originally posted by TMW |
No I have not at least not yet. The sat phone stays in the case until I need to use it. I usually call home every evening or morning by cell or the
sat phone to make sure all is OK. My wife has some medical issues I need to be aware of when out of town. I usually use my cell phone since most towns
have cell service but if I'm in the boondocks for a day or more I use the sat phone. |
On the flip side, TW left a voice message on my phone when he called me from San Isidoro, which I got just fine when I turned on my phone not long
after he called.
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rocmoc
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 5-25-2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: Live today like it maybe your LAST!
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Which InReach plan and equipment do current users recommend?
Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
8-15-2016 at 06:22 AM |
Pappy Jon
Nomad
Posts: 494
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Wrong side of the Continental divide.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Temp rising.
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First, I love my inReach and can't say enough good things about it. I tend to venture solo and it's great to send daily "I'm OK" texts to those that
give a schit.
Yes, it costs more going in, but having the ability to turn off the service when I don't need it has easily almost paid any difference between the
SPOT plans. I only turn it on two months a year. I think I've had mine three years now. I don't know how the SPOT works, but I like having the ability
to send text, and the fact that it links in the field to my tablet. The tablet gives me a real keyboard, and the unit displays my location on maps.
I use the Freedom Recreation plan at $35/mo, plus $25 annually. So my annual bill is less than $100. It includes 40 free-hand text messages, which I
have never come close to using. Unlimited tracking. Unlimited "preset messages" which are my daily "I'm OK" messages.
The inReach might not work for everybody, and SPOTs $150/yr might be a better deal to some. For me, the inReach is just the ticket to keep me
exploring Baja on my terms. Oh, and the Delorme/Garmin customer service is great.
"The association of flowers and warm-blooded love is more than a romantic convention; it is based upon one of the great advances in the evolution
of life." Ed Abbey
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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well said Pappy. I use the same plan.
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dizzyspots
Senior Nomad
Posts: 603
Registered: 9-22-2008
Location: Mescal AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: rather be on the beach at Gonzaga
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in the interest of fair reporting, SPOT did return my complaint email with a live customer service rep...i expressed my disappointment, he apologized
for the sales staff's attitude and offered me a free 3 months if I chose to go back. I researched the Delorme and may still go that route OR I might
go back to the SPOT...with the new SPOT connect is does offer a 2 way text via your smartphone....and the rescue insurance fund of $100K....hmmm
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