Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: mickeg on February 24, 2023, 12:59:38 PM

Title: I am not buying a new phone, but if I was ...
Post by: mickeg on February 24, 2023, 12:59:38 PM
... for travel in remote places where cell coverage may be unreliable or where I do not have a phone plan with the local provider, I would consider one of these.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/24/bullitt-launches-satellite-smartphones-as-mobile-space-race-heats-up.html

And:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/bullitt-to-launch-its-iphone-rivaling-satellite-smartphone-in-march/

That way I would have ability to communicate with someone elsewhere for times when I am far from cell coverage.

I spend about a week a year away from cell coverage, but for only a week a year, I am not going to bother investing in electronics for that.  My six year old cell phone works just fine, for normal cell uses so I plan to just keep using it as long as it works.

I put this note here instead of Electronics, as this is not an electronics item on a bicycle.  It is a communication device for general travel use.  Dan, if you think it is in the wrong place, please adjust.
Title: Re: I am not buying a new phone, but if I was ...
Post by: JohnR on February 24, 2023, 04:03:09 PM
That might put pressure on Garmin's usage pricing but the Garmin InReach Mini 2 wins on battery life https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/592606#specs which is an important consideration. Keeping the phone turned off except when needed will, of course, stop the battery from running down so quickly.
Title: Re: I am not buying a new phone, but if I was ...
Post by: mickeg on February 24, 2023, 07:16:08 PM
The way I read it, it was not a tracker that you can use to follow the location of someone as they wander across the globe, just a means to communicate by text.  I assume only text, not large files like photos.  And if you are far from cell coverage, I see airplane mode as being built for that.  That said, it did not say much so maybe there is a built in tracker function like the InReach?

I however wish that phone had replaceable batteries that a user could swap out.  I bought spare batteries for my phone, I carry two spare batteries when I go canoeing or kayaking, it takes me about five minute to swap out a battery.  I am almost always in airplane mode, get three or more days out of a battery.

They were clear that one version is for Europe and one for North America, I really wish a phone like that had the frequencies for both.
Title: Re: I am not buying a new phone, but if I was ...
Post by: in4 on February 25, 2023, 07:29:14 PM
I think the newest iPhone has some satellite capability. I’d not be prepared to spend over £1000 for one. I use an iPhone 11 and a Nokia 3310 but an in-reach would be a good idea when riding remote.
Title: Re: I am not buying a new phone, but if I was ...
Post by: mickeg on February 27, 2023, 08:07:49 PM
I think the newest iPhone has some satellite capability. ...

I think the newest Apple was the first one to have that.  But I do not recall if it was only to make emergency calls or if you can do other communication like this one.  And I do not recall if Apple charged a fee for an emergency call.