Satellite Texting in the Mountains

[Packer9037]

I looked up some of the recent conversations on the new satellite texting feature but convos seemed to be varied around service provider or InReach/Zoleo devices. My buddy has ATT and is on a cruise in the Caribbean, seems to be working pretty well. Any guys with experience using it in the mountains? If so, what service?

 

[Ross]

Works great and often faster than my zoleo. Been using since it started last fall we have Verizon and using an iPhone 14 Pro.

 

[eamyrick]

Just tested it out in Big Bend on a two day camping trip and it’s much faster than my Inreach with the caveat that you have to actively point it at the satellite.

 

[kota]

Used it last fall in mountains/timber and was happy enough to cancel my inreach subscription. I did have a few cases where it took a while to get a signal, but still better than the inreach. My only concern is how it will impact phone battery life on backpacking trips since it’s now my only communication device.

 

[NevadaMike]

I used it on my Idaho elk hunt. It was so much faster. I came home and promptly sold my Garmin InReach. If you will be off grid for a while without charging capabilities the iPhone may not be the best solution for emergency communication.

 

[DRP]

Used it in Eastern Oregon last fall, verizon iPhone 15. Worked well

 

[Calcoyote]

Worked great for me. You cannot be under a heavy tree canopy. You need to be able to see some sky.

 

[Thinkingman]

Verizon satellite was our only form of communication during 2024 deer and elk season.
Worked great, although, as mentioned, tree canopy can affect satellite connection.
I didn't notice any real impact to battery.
iPhone 14 Plus with latest software update.

 

[N.ID7803]

In my experience you really need to see a good chunk of the horizon. If you are in some deep timbered hole, it doesn't work very well, if at all but if you are up high and can see the horizon it will work. I have Verizon with a iPhone 14

 

[Packer9037]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate it! I'll probably go charging in without the zoleo this fall if I'm lucky enough to draw!

 

[packer58]

I recently upgraded to the iphone 16 pro, i have not tested the satellite communications yet . Can you receive messages also ?

 

[S-3 ranch]

I’m so confused by this whole post , as my At&T iPhone doesn’t send or receive any thing , it has a SoS satellite bar at the top but is for emergency use
And the battery life is terrible unless it’s in airplane mode
Please fill me in on this mystery phone that works without a booster

 

[N.ID7803]

See iOS 18 is available thread https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/ios-18-is-available.375003/

 

[doc holiday13]

I won't be switching to Iphone anytime soon so i'll continue with my 1 month subscriptions to InReach

 

[Packer9037]

I’m so confused by this whole post , as my At&T iPhone doesn’t send or receive any thing , it has a SoS satellite bar at the top but is for emergency use
And the battery life is terrible unless it’s in airplane mode
Please fill me in on this mystery phone that works without a booster

The big 3 plan providers along with iPhone (and soon Android) are all making inroads on communicating via satellite when phone service is not available. I have no clue about battery life but currently you can send iMessages via satellite texting. Android should be launching shortly. And the big service providers are all in the process of adding satellite capability to enable greater messaging and emergency tracking.

For iPhone I believe you need a 14 or 16 and newer and on the latest iOS, but not sure.

I was asking because I wasn't sure what people's experiences were with it yet but am hopeful to be able to utilize it later this year. If you google you can find news articles about it.

 

[Conrad101st]

Works really good.

Sometimes you may wait 1-2 minutes to get a sat link. Which is no problem.

 

[jags]

And these are getting good enough now that you guys are depending on it for your SOS situations in the backcountry. No matter where you might be?