iPhone emergency SOS (satellite) enabled in the UK

ADz

ADz

Thru Hiker
Seòrsa

Seòrsa

Section Hiker
ADz said:
So's an iPhone :p

Interesting but hopefully it will come to real phones like Samsungs and other Android devices instead of iOS toys.
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Samsung's, Android, what are these strange things...lol 🤣are these new wild camping items? 🤣 as you can probably guess dont do mobile phones😅
 
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Robin

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
Might persuade me to upgrade my iPhone next year. Been pondering an inReach but this would suit me better.
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Android 14 includes this too, it's not exclusive to Apple.

The days of eyewatering sat subs look numbered as their value decreases and Starlink starts to compete more readily.

I would think in 2 years or so, standalone sat trackers/communicators will start to look like the Tomtom boxes we used to buy.

Personally, It's made me keep with my trusty old Spot gen1 brick for the next year.
 
Lemming

Lemming

Trail Blazer
It's a useful addition for those who have a compatible 'phone (not me!), but would not replace an InReach for my use - I use mine for the "will be back a day later" or "please pick me up at XXX in six hours" emails/SMS which has proved to be very useful.
Adding the messaging function will probably come in a year or two!
 
Thedragonsfather

Thedragonsfather

Ultralighter
It's got a use but it can't replace an In-Reach. Check out the YT videos for the lowdown. Such as trying to find a damn satellite (imagine trying to do that when you're injured) ! It can't connect to anywhere near as many satellites and doesn't use the best satellite services.
 
H

harok11a

Ultralighter
Thedragonsfather said:
It's got a use but it can't replace an In-Reach. Check out the YT videos for the lowdown. Such as trying to find a damn satellite (imagine trying to do that when you're injured) ! It can't connect to anywhere near as many satellites and doesn't use the best satellite services.
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I think it's still interesting for people like me. I day hike solo a lot and fairly often in places without phone signal (this is extremely easy in Wales). An InReach is extremely expensive for this kind of use and seems extreme overkill.
 
Robin

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
harok11a said:
I think it's still interesting for people like me. I day hike solo a lot and fairly often in places without phone signal (this is extremely easy in Wales). An InReach is extremely expensive for this kind of use and seems extreme overkill.
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Same for me.
 
M

mjh

Trail Blazer
harok11a said:
I think it's still interesting for people like me. I day hike solo a lot and fairly often in places without phone signal (this is extremely easy in Wales). An InReach is extremely expensive for this kind of use and seems extreme overkill.
Click to expand...

Having got an Inreach Mini for a multiway trip last year I'm not sure I'd do without it for remote solo walks - I use the cheapest freedom plan which costs £15/month but I only pay for the months I use it. As well as the messaging, emergency call out etc it gives peace of mind to my wife plus the weather can be useful in places with no mobile signal particularly on multiway walks.

From what I've read of the iPhone 14 the functionality is very limited so far.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
I had to update my phone earlier in the year and got an iphone 13 mini ( I tried a Samsung and the Android drove my bonkers....) and I won't be upgrading until this one is on it's last legs.
So perhaps I'll stick to the InReach mini for now :)
 
dovidola

dovidola

Thru Hiker
Given that the 'need' was created by the mobile phone, I'll be happy to accept the solution provided by the mobile phone (Apple in my case - presumably other makes will follow suit), and ditch my PLB thereby saving 116g (in fact a bit more that that as an iPhone 14 is lighter than my current iPhone 11).

Some of us were out hiking in remote surroundings before the mobile phone was invented, so the 'problem' of a lack of signal didn't arise. We relied on our wits. Some (not many) carried a marine distress flare. A whistle was de rigeur. Most left a route plan with a 'responsible person', the understanding being that if we failed to materialise by the appointed time the alarm would be raised. Some of these measures are still in common use.

As technologies develop, should we always upgrade our safety in line with them? And our back-up safety? To some it may sound like a no-brainer, but I prefer to think there's a healthy balance - after all, the only sure-fire way to avoid wilderness tragedy is not to go there at all (something I fear may yet be imposed on us by an over-protective and controlling State).
 
Thedragonsfather

Thedragonsfather

Ultralighter
harok11a said:
I think it's still interesting for people like me. I day hike solo a lot and fairly often in places without phone signal (this is extremely easy in Wales). An InReach is extremely expensive for this kind of use and seems extreme overkill.
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Well I guess that depends on what figure you value your life ? It's a lot less than a good tent and around the same as a high quality sleeping bag! ;)

NB. I've been using mine for 6-7 years but only ever pay for the months I use it (it needs to be switched on in advance though - that is in the calendar month before it becomes active again. So I only use it for the more serious hikes).

Nice link (of course it's impossible to assess how many lives have been saved or how many if using the iPhone 14s new service in lieu of an In-Reach) : https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/blog/s...ghts-from-10000-garmin-inreach-sos-incidents/
 
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Thedragonsfather

Thedragonsfather

Ultralighter
mjh said:
Having got an Inreach Mini for a multiway trip last year I'm not sure I'd do without it for remote solo walks - I use the cheapest freedom plan which costs £15/month but I only pay for the months I use it. As well as the messaging, emergency call out etc it gives peace of mind to my wife plus the weather can be useful in places with no mobile signal particularly on multiway walks.

From what I've read of the iPhone 14 the functionality is very limited so far.
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Very limited. It's amazing what good marketing can do though !
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
dovidola said:
Given that the 'need' was created by the mobile phone, I'll be happy to accept the solution provided by the mobile phone (Apple in my case - presumably other makes will follow suit), and ditch my PLB thereby saving 116g (in fact a bit more that that as an iPhone 14 is lighter than my current iPhone 11).

Some of us were out hiking in remote surroundings before the mobile phone was invented, so the 'problem' of a lack of signal didn't arise. We relied on our wits. Some (not many) carried a marine distress flare. A whistle was de rigeur. Most left a route plan with a 'responsible person', the understanding being that if we failed to materialise by the appointed time the alarm would be raised. Some of these measures are still in common use.

As technologies develop, should we always upgrade our safety in line with them? And our back-up safety? To some it may sound like a no-brainer, but I prefer to think there's a healthy balance - after all, the only sure-fire way to avoid wilderness tragedy is not to go there at all (something I fear may yet be imposed on us by an over-protective and controlling State).
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I'm one of those out before we relied upon any of the electronic widegets now available.
As no one knew where I was or when I'd be back if I came a "cropper" I accepted that was the price. I had no dependants.

Once I was out with my kids "responsibility" kicked in and I got a widget (Spot). A different game was being played.

I'm not sure it's the "nanny" state that will chase us off the hills - more likely the landowners - many of whom would just love to get rid of us ....
 
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Seòrsa

Seòrsa

Section Hiker
dovidola said:
Some of us were out hiking in remote surroundings before the mobile phone was invented, so the 'problem' of a lack of signal didn't arise. We relied on our wits. Some (not many) carried a marine distress flare. A whistle was de rigeur. Most left a route plan with a 'responsible person', the understanding being that if we failed to materialise by the appointed time the alarm would be raised. Some of these measures are still in common use.
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Nail well & truly hit on the head :thumbsup: Still to this day carry a red distress mini flare, whistle & always leave a route & cut off time.

Never relied on any technology in the hills & often enough come across people stood with a mobile phone looking for a signal or even worse stood with no battery power looking for sympathy & direction off the hills 🤬

My work colleagues laugh at me........Phone me at home if I answer Im home, Phone me at work if I answer Im at work, if Im not answering either I dont want to be contacted...damn nuisance things mobiles, managed 56 years without one so far am sure I can manage the rest of my life...🤣
 
OwenM

OwenM

Thru Hiker
dovidola said:
Some of us were out hiking in remote surroundings before the mobile phone was invented, so the 'problem' of a lack of signal didn't arise. We relied on our wits. Some (not many) carried a marine distress flare. A whistle was de rigeur. Most left a route plan with a 'responsible person', the understanding being that if we failed to materialise by the appointed time the alarm would be raised. Some of these measures are still in common use.
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I was out long before such thinks were invented as well. A whistle is only good for a very short distance and then only if it's not very windy. A flare is only any good if there's someone to see it, even the best only lasted 15 seconds. A route plan with a responsible person - don't think I actually know any - isn't much use if you're going somewhere in another country for three weeks or three months. For me the most useful feature is being able to tell someone, I'm going to be late or I've mist the last flight etc. Having the panic button is something I hope I'll never need.
 
C

Corvair

Ultralighter
OwenM said:
That's a lot of relying on one battery. I think I'll keep my transeiver separate and change the batteries regularly.
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I was thinking about situations where avalanches have unexpectedly hit pistes or managed trails.

You do raise a good point, and provide a timely reminder to buy fresh batteries for my transceiver.
 
C

Corvair

Ultralighter
Thedragonsfather said:
It's got a use but it can't replace an In-Reach. Check out the YT videos for the lowdown. Such as trying to find a damn satellite (imagine trying to do that when you're injured) ! It can't connect to anywhere near as many satellites and doesn't use the best satellite services.
Click to expand...
Apple use the Globalstar network consisting of 44 satellites, with 17 more to be launched by 2025
Garmin use the Iridium network with a total of 66 satellites
 
Thedragonsfather

Thedragonsfather

Ultralighter
Corvair said:
Apple use the Globalstar network consisting of 44 satellites, with 17 more to be launched by 2025
Garmin use the Iridium network with a total of 66 satellites
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Exactly. Iridium is the choice for most of the PLBs and has far better coverage.

Note, by coincidence just read this on one of the photography forums I inhabit (Communications officer with a SAR team in the USA) :-

In the end, if communications is critical, the more technologies you have at your disposal, the better your chances that your signal will get through. The problem is that most photographers don't want to leave all of their photo gear behind so that they can carry all of their radio gear. Thus, in reality, you may find yourself in places where you do not have reliable communications.
Speaking from the Search and Rescue point of view, be careful about exceeding your limits, if you're really worried about being out beyond communications range, you don't belong out there, especially on your own. No radio in existence can prevent dehydration, hypothermia, broken bones, or a whole host of other things we have to deal with. For all of our fancy gear (including helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, drones, specialized vehicles, etc., all operated by trained and experienced personnel) somewhere upwards of 1/3 of our search and rescues missions turn into search and recoveries - that's what the body bags are for. No photograph is worth your life. My apologies for preaching, part of my duties include public education.
 
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Thedragonsfather

Thedragonsfather

Ultralighter
Also I've just come across the link below. £6 a day rental (no deposit) seems very reasonable to me for more serious hiking.

gtc.co.uk

Garmin inReach® Mini Rental

The inReach Mini is the new palm sized global satellite tracker from Garmin offering two way messaging, tracking, navigation and SOS anywhere in the world. Rent from just £5 a day, to take this device on your next adventure.
gtc.co.uk gtc.co.uk
 
H

harok11a

Ultralighter
Thedragonsfather said:
Also I've just come across the link below. £6 a day rental (no deposit) seems very reasonable to me for more serious hiking.
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I find that I lose phone signal very often in the UK on day hikes. Much of the Brecon Beacons gives no phone signal let alone more remote parts of mid Wales. It has always seemed way over the top getting an InReach for hiking in areas like this. They’re hardly “remote”, we just have very poor mobile coverage. This is where the iPhone Satellite feature is interesting to me.
 
Thedragonsfather

Thedragonsfather

Ultralighter
harok11a said:
I find that I lose phone signal very often in the UK on day hikes. Much of the Brecon Beacons gives no phone signal let alone more remote parts of mid Wales. It has always seemed way over the top getting an InReach for hiking in areas like this. They’re hardly “remote”, we just have very poor mobile coverage. This is where the iPhone Satellite feature is interesting to me.
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People get into serious trouble without being in 'remote' (as most of us define it) areas. A slip and a broken leg and even just a mile/km off the beaten track and you could be up the proverbial creek. Ditto heart attack /stroke / allergic reaction etc. and maybe not just for yourself but you could save someone else's life.
I was just reading about a girl in Idaho who died of exposure - they found her 400m from a busy trail. A lot more consideration is required than just being remote. Any overnighter on mountains / in forests and the In Reach comes along with me. The chance I'll ever use it (for a real emergency - I set it off by accident once!) is unlikely but the peace of mind (to both my family and myself), especially since most of my hiking/camping is solo, is invaluable.
 
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