Satellite Texting in the Mountains

[Packer9037]

Last check it was just iPhone with android slated for later this spring/summer but that could have just been on Verizon.

 

[jrs1087]

Following.

 

[dfish]

I didn’t realize this was even a thing. Might have to cancel the inreach at some point.

 

[MTriplett]

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?

I used my AT&T iPhone in Nebraska for texting and seemed to work pretty good. Took me a minute to figure out the icon in the top right of the phone tho. I’m not to tech savvy


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[TheDeathWind]

Both is the answer… for now.

 

[AZP]

Used satellite texting and sold my inreach the following week.

 

[Packer9037]

Following up on this thread from my montana hunt. I was able to use iMessage on my iPhone via satellite, probably better than my ZOLEO on previous hunts.

My brother in law paid some amount of money to T Mobile and was able to use some different apps and FaceTime via WhatsApp. I’m officially retiring my ZOLEO.

 

[txsportsman]

Starlink roam

 

[Britt-dog]

I used it exclusively for a couple hunts this fall. iPhone 14 and Verizon. Worked great even from inside a tent. I imagine the tech will quickly evolve and other satellite services like Garmin will be unnecessary. Voice cant be far behind.

 

[grfox92]

I wouldn't be selling Zoleos and In Reaches just yet.

I got a brand new phone specifically for sat texting after my Zoleo shit the bed in October. The sat texting works great, as long as it's not an overcast day, snowing, or cloudy. I realized now I should have just bought an inreach.

The manager at the Verizon store did tell me that it was going to only get better and better though. Pictures and group messaging within a year. Voice calls within 2 years.

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[Adam Gibbs]

I have android and Verizon. Satellite messaging came online this summer at some point. I didn't buy a messenger device, hoping to just use my phone. Buddy had a zoleo so I wasn't too worried. Hunted in Colorado. South of the interstate, my android wouldn't send satellite messages. North of the interstate it would. I brought my work iPhone just in case and that worked in both spots. Unless tech drastically changes before my next hunt, ill end up with an Inreach just to be safe.

 

[Tilzbow]

I’ve sent a couple dozen satellite texts using my iPhone this year without any trouble. From eastern NV to northwestern NV. That said it does take a while to locate and connect to a satellite. I’ve been using the In Reach on my Garmin Alpha 300i to send my location to my wife when on solo chukar hunts and message her since that’s a little easier.

 

[DougR67]

I used it on an Alaska hunt this summer and it worked great. One hint I offer to to save your battery, like others have said switch to airplane mode to prevent the phone from constantly searching for cell service and draining the battery. Our hunting party set check-in times several times every few hours throughout the day to stay in touch.