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Questions about help in an emergency

K

Kathy & Johnny

Newbie
We are moving to Chicago area and plan to camp in the Great Lakes area, southern Canada, and surrounding states like Indiana and Pennsylvania. We are currently unfamiliar with these areas for camping. Are there areas where cell coverage is not consistent for emergencies and it would be advisable to have a satellite device like a Garmin in case of emergency? We are moving from western Colorado where we have camped and hiked in areas that have no cell coverage more often than not, and have had a Garmin which requires a subscription and the device itself is cumbersome to use, so if we don’t need it we would happily cancel it.
 
Current Google cell phones have an embedded satellite communication function, as standard. If there is no cell coverage, as long as you have a reasonable view of the sky you can send emergency messages, including your location. There is no charge for the service.
Get emergency help through satellite with your Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help Get emergency help through satellite with your Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help
 
rotus8 said:
Current Google cell phones have an embedded satellite communication function, as standard. If there is no cell coverage, as long as you have a reasonable view of the sky you can send emergency messages, including your location. There is no charge for the service.
Get emergency help through satellite with your Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help Get emergency help through satellite with your Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help
Click to expand...

I think the latest generation of iPHones has that as well...
 
iPhones have that as well. From our experience as well as reviews from others, connectivity to the satellites with cell phones has been inconsistent thus far. I think that will improve soon, but for now I am still wondering about cell coverage in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and southern Canada?
 
I use Garmin devices (GPSmap H1E) with inreach. The most recent devices allow photos in addition to text. When I’m out on forest roads i send my location every 10 minutes to my wife (tethered). The links seem to work well. Years ago I carried an Iridium phone. Garmin has different plans that allow you to tailor price to use.

I also carry an ACER personal locator beacon in my pocket, plus a sat capable iphone. I tried using the fall feature on my Garmin watch but got too many false alerts. ( Could I be OCD?)
 
Sweeney said:
I think the latest generation of iPHones has that as well...
Click to expand...
Correct. I have not used it, yet, however.
I'm on an iphone16pro with ATT.
Cell service is spotty in back country no matter yhe provider, so for a satellite solution;

I have a Garmin InReach and agree that Garmin has best hardware;
with biggest PITA software,
but most proven in back country.

I'm waiting to see how the delayed rollout goes in T-mobiles deal with Starlink.
And various other uses promised across platforms, via Starlink.

Right now, the iphone works in 911 texting via Global-star, and its like using the old sat phones- you need a clear sky, overhead satellite coverage, hold the phone to the sky...and non-emergency texting is coming but I'm not betting my life on it.

And non-emergency Texting with data via I-msg (blue bubbles) and
voice call are even further aways out,

To include cross platform on any carrier but thats where Apple is headed, incorporating RNC.

It wont be free forever, however. Lots going on and if it were me, for now, if the Garmin works, I'd just stick with that,
vs depend on promises, bugs yet to be worked out.

Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14 or later, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

www.techlicious.com

How to Get Emergency Satellite Service for Your Phone (or Watch)

Major carriers and smartphone and smartwatch makers offer satellite services when cell networks go down or you're in a dead zone.
www.techlicious.com www.techlicious.com


And
 
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I would agree with Gene in WI. Good service near major roads and tops of hills…. Often you will see someone especially trades ppl pulled over talking on the phone go forward a 100 yards and reception will drop. I have Verizon..
 
Starlink?
Fairly cheap I think around $230 for the mobile device. Service is $50 a month. But if youre only using it for emergencies you can go on standby for $5 a month with limited service . You can also pause and restart in monthly increments at any time.
.
I believe mobile has free satellite cell phone now and the other carriers are following suit.

T-Satellite with Starlink: Direct to Cell Satellite Phone Service https://share.google/vGZrlbsttFFK4uYh4
 
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