Backcountry Comms

[colonel00]

I posted it in a thread a while back so I will see if I can find it. I believe it was priced at $283 or something like that. At the time it was also stamped with the color that got an additional 25% off. It has been there forever since nobody around here knows what it is. Even one of the guys working in there didn't know when I asked about it once. I am sure I will be by there this week and I can see if it is still there and the current price.

 

[martin_shooter]

I am biased because we have a sat phone (Iridium), and without sounding dramatic it saved my leg and possibly my life. Every situation is different, but in an emergency I don't think there is any substitute for having instantaneous two way communication. It can truly be crucial to making the best possible decisions, particularly under less than ideal conditions. I would never want to be stuck pushing the sos button and hoping that someone was receiving my message, and that help was in fact on the way. Or not on the way, if weather is too bad and we need to move to plan b and shelter in place.

Two way texting feature is certainly better than nothing, but I still think there is the potential for meaning/information to be lost. How often do you read a text message and have trouble understanding the context/intent of the person who sent the text? It happens to me all the time, and these are in conversations that aren't crucially important. Now imagine that in a life or death sort of emergency, where you or your partner are under high stress...

I suppose I am paranoid, but we don't travel out of cell range without the sat phone. Sure its not inexpensive, but in an emergency it's so worth it...

Totally agree Becca. I always carry a sat phone as well as a spot or in reach in the summer. I supervise a group of six folks on work stints that are usually two weeks in central Idahos wilderness/ adjacent roadless areas which are pretty remote for the lower 48 (around 3-3.5 million acres). Thankfully I have only had to call our pilot for an extraction once in the last three years and was extremely grateful to have the sat phone for putting together the logistics. In the fall while hunting and in the winter when I am researching wolverines in the backcountry I only carry the sat phone as daily check ins aren't as critical.

 

[Becca]

We do sometimes use the texting feature of our sat phone, and I like it because it gives family at home a way to leave us a message to call them in the event of an emergency or business that can't wait. We ended up selling our house during hunting season in 2013 (yes, we were crazy!), and Luke's dad managed most of the details but would sometime send a text for us if he needed something or had a question. On our 22 day float hunt for sheep I checked the text messages every night, and only called in when we needed to work out details. We also sometimes send "we are ok" messages with ours so the folks don't worry. Texting from the sat phone only uses 10 seconds of airtime, and incoming messages are free.

 

[kodiakfly]

I wouldn't be surprised if in the future, you see a Delorme that allows for voice comms through a Bluetooth link to your cell phone.

 

[colonel00]

I wouldn't be surprised if in the future, you see a Delorme that allows for voice comms through a Bluetooth link to your cell phone.

Yeah, I am hoping they come out with a new model this year with some improved features. Either along the communication side like you mention or perhaps better GPS capabilities as the Explorer touches on.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

If someone wants a Delrome inReach Explorer, there has been one sitting in my Cabela's bargain cave for months now. It was down to like $150 off retail at one point. If interested, I would be happy to facilitate the purchase.

I'd be all over that...just looked and the current price is $380.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Thanks for this Brad! Funds sent. perfect timing too as i am venturing into unknown areas of AZ where cell service is as common as unicorns.