Starlink for Overlanding Connectivity

[JM.]

FWIW Iphone: You can text anyone from anywhere with the free Satellite SOS feature on iPhone 14+ (personally verified it worked without a hitch on a backpacking trip to the Canadian Rockies last year).

https://support.apple.com/en-us/105097

Also T-Mobile on iPhone 14+ has more comprehensive starlink connectivity (voice, multimedia text, etc.). Beta is free.

https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service

Also, Amazon Kuiper starting to launch next month (launch last week scrubbed by weather). Will offer a competing service to Starlink.

Several current and upcoming options depending on your needs.

This is why I got rid of inReach. This is awesome and has gotten even better now that you can also use the Starlink service directly on the phone. Makes the dedicated devices mostly obsolete.

Sponsored

 

[comtns]

This is why I got rid of inReach. This is awesome and has gotten even better now that you can also use the Starlink service directly on the phone. Makes the dedicated devices mostly obsolete.

As a former member of a search and rescue unit, I still use my Garmin InReach Mini. It's more rugged than a phone, and the battery lasts longer. We rescued a number of people whose battery went to a few percent then zero while trying to seek rescue (via 911). (I also program mine to leave a "trail of breadcrumbs"...GPS locations every ten minutes uploaded automatically by satellite, which family members can access.)

 

[JM.]

It's more rugged than a phone, and the battery lasts longer.

The only reason I said "mostly" replaces it.

 

[babock]

The only reason I said "mostly" replaces it.

Agreed

This thread is talking about use using your Rivian which is NOT backpacking!

 

[JM.]

Agreed

This thread is talking about use using your Rivian which is NOT backpacking!

Exactly. I'm confident that I am covered when I have an iPhone on a boat or in a truck/Jeep. I am very slightly less covered if I'm on a motorcycle (some chance of breakage). I'm not as covered if I am out hunting, although I mitigate it with a hard case and spare battery.

Add Starlink to the boat and truck...pretty damn well covered.

 

[comtns]

Agreed

This thread is talking about use using your Rivian which is NOT backpacking!

Sure. But a lot of our rescues were of people whose truck got stuck, somewhere a bit remote. (In fact, none of our rescues in county were backpacking related.)

 

[JM.]

Sure. But a lot of our rescues were of people whose truck got stuck, somewhere a bit remote. (In fact, none of our rescues in county were backpacking related.)

Right, that's where the phone is at least 99% as good since you have power and protection. And my phone had far better battery than my last inReach because it was the marine unit with GPS, which chewed battery like crazy.

Sponsored