'Somewhere' a new satellite hot spot device

[Blackduck]

According to the blurb:'Somewhere' is a global, satellite hotspot that uses the Iridium satellite network for global coverage. It lets you send and receive text messages and location data, receive weather reports and local alerts, and it has an SOS button. It requires a $15/mo. plan.

Of course there 'other plans for more messages and such.

Read more: https://theawesomer.com/somewear-sat...#ixzz5BoarFvAG

I have been burned too many times on Kickstarter to back another. (not casting any aspertions on this particular one but..)
Anyway has anyone seen this device (or been lucky enough to beta test it maybe - they are looking for adventurers to test it in wild locations.
It has a subscription for the satellite data and I don't know enough about current fees to know if its a good or bad deal in that sense. But in theory it looks good.

Here's a direct link to the Kickstarter.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ntu?ref=c1f633

[Paul L]

It's hard to see where a company that is offerring a long term monthly subscription.service has the resources to deliver this if they are only trying to raise $50k in startup funds.

[travellerw]

This seems strange to me..

Its pretty much a Garmin "Inreach". Why not just buy a Garmin Inreach and have the backing of Garmin... Sure, I'm all for competition, but I don't think these guys will be any threat.

In any case, no matter what thier "marketing wank" is saying, they aren't offering any advantages over the Garmin device.

[Bleemus]

Wait for Iridium Next. SpaceX is deploying the new satellites now.

[Capt. Ray]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

Wait for Iridium Next. SpaceX is deploying the new satellites now.

Why wait? Garmin's inReach already provides the functions described in the original post. I have used it from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Pacific and North Atlantic and it has operated flawlessly, though the monthly fee is expensive for the unlimited option.

[Jdeuel]

Originally Posted by Capt. Ray

Garmin's inReach already provides the functions described in the original post. I have used it from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Pacific and North Atlantic and it has operated flawlessly, though the monthly fee is expensive for the unlimited option.

Just curious: What kind of delays have you seen in terms of texting? Is it nearly instantaneous, or is there a significant lag time?

[Capt. Ray]

It is never instantaneous and that cannot be measured anyway because it can take a minute or longer to do a "refresh" of messages on the inReach device. II use the tablet or phone app Earthmate BTW which makes it very easy to send and receive. Based on replies to emails or text messages, I believe transmission takes between about 2 minutes and maybe half-an-hour.

[Capt. Ray]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

Wait for Iridium Next. SpaceX is deploying the new satellites now.

I don't know how this helps. Iridium NEXT is a constellation of satellites operating a communications platform. What product is this going to enable that compares with the original post???

[Jdeuel]

Originally Posted by Capt. Ray

Based on replies to emails or text messages, I believe transmission takes between about 2 minutes and maybe half-an-hour.

That's great info. Was just wondering how 'conversational' the system is vs regular cellular texting. Thank you!

[Pizzazz]

Iridium Certus is the name of the service running on the new satellites. It looks very promising.

[Zigzagn]

Used the inreach device with my iPad. Sail Halifax to Vancouver via Greenland and Northwest Passage last year. Worked well with text messages and position updates every 4 hours. Highly recommend.

[dougweibel]

I've taken a look at the Kickstarter, and having investigated Iridium coms for scientific data backhaul I would have to 100% agree with those saying that if this Somewear appeals to you then you really should just get a Garmin InReach. The device is less important than the data plan and a small company selling small amounts of data is not going to have any purchasing leverage to offer a competitive advantage on data pricing going forward. Best case you get a bit less functionality at more or less the same cost. Worst case they disappear in a year or so and you have no data provider. If you want to save a few bucks track down a Delorme Inreach. Last I checked there were still a few new-old-stock units floating around for significantly less than the new Garmin units and they will work on the current Garmin data plans.

Examples:
https://www.ebay.com/i/201659342078?chn=ps&dispItem=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DeLorme-inR...x/172327974935

[CaptTom]

Just to set the record straight, we've had text back-and-forth dialog with folks shoreside in almost real time with our InReach. Yes, it takes a minute or two for things to sync up, but it's very rare to have to wait more than a few minutes for a text in or out.

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Just to set the record straight, we've had text back-and-forth dialog with folks shoreside in almost real time with our InReach. Yes, it takes a minute or two for things to sync up, but it's very rare to have to wait more than a few minutes for a text in or out.

Agreed... and you can force the sync up to reduce the time. I sat in Cuba by the pool and had a 2 hour long conversation with my wife back home. Pretty much just like a regular txt conversation except I would push the sync button every min or so.

[Jdeuel]

All good to hear regarding the text times.

I’m not really wanting to be tethered wherever I am, but if a matter is pressing, it’s nice to know a conversation can be carried on in a reasonable time.