After reading about a Maui outrigger canoe paddler who was rescued two miles offshore because his smart phone allowed his location to be broadcast, I'm thinking it may be time to get a smart watch. I'm in the Android universe, and it needs LTE/cell service. Does anyone have experience with such an Anroid phone. And are they also useful for speed measurements? Thanks
Select to expand quotemarc5 said..
After reading about a Maui outrigger canoe paddler who was rescued two miles offshore because his smart phone allowed his location to be broadcast, I'm thinking it may be time to get a smart watch. I'm in the Android universe, and it needs LTE/cell service. Does anyone have experience with such an Anroid phone. And are they also useful for speed measurements? Thanks
I think there's basically two options:
1) A normal GPS watch for tracking but carrying your phone with you in a waterproof pouch. The watch could connect to your phone via Bluetooth and allow you to use the watch as a speakerphone, and trigger SOS calls via a series of button presses on the watch (will vary between watch to watch). The watch requires connection to your phone for connectivity to the outside world.
2) A watch with its own mobile connectivity, this basically means the watch has its own mobile signal and can make and receive phonecalls or SOS calls without connectivity to your mobile phone. This is probably a better solution but also more expensive: typically you need to pay for mobile connectivity for the watch, on Telstra in Australia this is like $5 per month on top of your existing phone bill, and the watches that support this tend to be more expensive. As an example, a list of garmin models that support this are here www.garmin.com/en-AU/connectivity/
The new Apple Ultra 3 . Can also use Satellite with no subscription fee pretty dam amazing, This is a life saver. .
"Satellite communications. Up and running.
Now when you're off the grid without mobile connectivity or Wi-Fi, Ultra 3 can help you stay connected using built-in satellite communications.1 So if you need critical help, you can contact emergency services via satellite - straight from your wrist."
Garmin do something similar using geostationary satellites but not as fast or good and super expensive monthly subscription . Plus it's almost double the Ultra 3 price. On land pretty hard to beat the Garmin especially on battery life but at sea the Apple wins hands down especially with the IOS apps.
Telstra now offers sattelte texting on iphone 13 & up some Samsungs and a couple of Google phones
www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-technology/satellite-to-mobile#compatibility-checker
Select to expand quotePiros said..
The new Apple Ultra 3 . Uses Satellite with no subscription fee pretty dam amazing, This is a life saver. .
"Satellite communications. Up and running.
Now when you're off the grid without mobile connectivity or Wi-Fi, Ultra 3 can help you stay connected using built-in satellite communications.1 So if you need critical help, you can contact emergency services via satellite - straight from your wrist."
Garmin do something using geostationary satellites but not as fast and super expensive monthly subscription . Plus it's almost double the Ultra 3 price. On land pretty hard to beat the Garmin especially on battery life but at sea the Apple wins hands down especially with the IOS apps.
Telstra now offers sattelte texting on iphone 13 & up some Samsungs and a couple of Google phones
www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-technology/satellite-to-mobile#compatibility-checker
So this probably doesn't work when the Russians and Chinese start jamming satellite signals (or Elon has a tantrum or is ordered to move satellites away from your region) Better go with a local mobile operator.
Of course it still works with local mobile operators , it's when you are out of range it enables you to use satellites.
Select to expand quotePiros said..
The new Apple Ultra 3 . Can also use Satellite with no subscription fee pretty dam amazing, This is a life saver. .
Just to add though, the satellite thing is only free for 2 years, and without the satellite it still needs a connection to the mobile network or to a mobile phone.
and for further clarity, satellite messaging not available in Australia, only SOS and location sending via Find My.
note that newer iphones also have satellite SOS functionality as well.
personally ultra 3 is still best option for a simple device that you will always have with you to be able to call for help in a 000 type situation.
Yes correct a 2 years free (satellite) and still need a $5 per month digital sim added to your phone for Apple. Garmin is $6.99 per month or $69 per year plus $15 or up to $70 per month pending usage on the satellite side of things. I was looking at switching from Apple to Garmin when I was upgrading my Apple only few weeks back that's why I'm up to speed on it. Settled on the Ultra 3 and very happy with it. One more thing Dawn Patrol now works on the Garmin which is a huge plus , that was one of things that started me to look over the fence plus the Garmin can last 2 to 4 weeks on battery life compared to the Apple 42 -72 hours.
Chemtrails didn't realize it was only SOS in Aus. What about Indo ?
It's worth checking if the mobile network reaches out to sea as aerials point to land. I checked where I sailed a lot on holiday and several people were lost each year, and mobile coverage had gone where I would need to use it. Carried a VHF instead.
