Satpaq satellite adapter to phone

[oldhotrod]

Saw this on tv this morning, any input on this from actual owners please...thx...
https://satpaq.com/

 

[larryqp]

For someone who truly wants a "Just in Case" emergency messaging device like me, this looks like the way to go. I too would be interested in any real life usage info.

 

[Vic]

A little cheaper than the inReach or Spot, but same principle applies I suppose. The no monthly fee is nice. We always have our smartphones with us these days I know, but this would require 2 devices to be available and functioning, phone and satpac, in the event of an emergency. I like the one button SOS feature of some of the competitors. I keep mine (inReach) clipped on my belt in arms length at all times, for that just in case.

The older and more cautious I get, the more I appreciate being able to have an SOS option, regardless of what platform.

 

[ski3pin]

<snip>

The older and more cautious I get, the more I appreciate being able to have an SOS option, regardless of what platform.

 

[Smokecreek1]

X3-love my old Spot 2

Smoke

 

[roverjohn]

I can't believe the FCC approved this but I just looked and they have for, from what I can tell, the first 50k units.

I wonder if it can cook your breakfast.

This thing might have a very weird coverage map as the places you most want to use it might be places you can't.
Super cool though and I'd love to have one.

For the 'there's no monthly fee' folks there is in essence a yearly fee as your prepaid texts expire if you don't re-up every 365 days.

 

[Atlin]

In the FAQ it says these can be used "in the 50 states and international waters around the US." Would be nice if it worked in other places (Canada, Mexico). Maybe it does, but I could not find that info anywhere.

 

[oldhotrod]

Something i received from cust service...

 

[Arctic]

From website:
“Point to one of our two GEO satellites and send”

Two satellites is not sufficient for solid coverage IMO.
I would be interested in real user experience in mountainous terrain or tree canopy.

These also lack the built-in Lat/Long coordinate of an InReach device. There is no GPS and your cell phone can’t provide position if it is out of cell range.

Just my opinion.

EDIT:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/wireless/controversial-satellite-messaging-startup-higher-ground-cleared-for-takeoff.amp.html

 

[Arctic]

One more thought that I cannot find an answer to through Google.

InReach will continue to send a message until it reaches an Iridium satellite.

How many times will the SatPaq continue to transmit a message until its completed? And if the user is stationary due to medical emergency then a fixed satellite will never move into Line of Sight. It will be 100% dependent on the user moving to a unobstructed position.

 

[Old Crow]

One more thought that I cannot find an answer to through Google.

InReach will continue to send a message until it reaches an Iridium satellite.

How many times will the SatPaq continue to transmit a message until its completed?

And if the user is stationary due to medical emergency then a fixed satellite will never move into Line of Sight. It will be 100% dependent on the user moving to a unobstructed position.

If I'm understanding the manual correctly, it doesn't continue to try to transmit.

If connectivity is unavailable it queues the message and then reminds you every 10 minutes to push the send button again. Pushing the send button starts the aiming process.

If the compass isn't calibrated, the aiming process starts with rolling a ball around the screen to calibrate the compass (so it knows where to tell you to point the Satpaq)

After you send a message, you have to check for replies, i.e., aim the device at the right place in the sky and press the Check Messages button (on the app) to retrieve the reply. There is no notification on the app that a reply is waiting.

(Note- I'm assuming the user is out of reach of wi-fi and cell connectivity. If those are available and the Satpaq isn't set to Satellite Only, it will use those before attempting satellite connectivity)

 

[Arctic]

@OldCrow.

Good research.
Very useful to those looking for emergency comms.

 

[oldhotrod]

As i originally posted, still looking for someone who has actually used one...