RIP Garmin Inreach … iPhones to allow satellite messages in ios18

[lovethehunt86]

Dam

 

[tread]

It worked well for me. Put it satellite mode and leave it there and I could send and receive messages. Had to remember to turn satellite off when I got back to reception or it would stay in that mode.

 

[Gellar]

It worked well for me. Put it satellite mode and leave it there and I could send and receive messages. Had to remember to turn satellite off when I got back to reception or it would stay in that mode.

What iPhone do you have?

So it doesn’t automatically switch to satellite? you have to go to settings and turn it on?

 

[tread]

I have a 15. When I opened up texts while out of service it popped up a turn satellite messaging on button at the top of the screen. Hit that and it was in satellite mode. It would stay in it until I went into settings and turned it off.

 

[Khunter]

Anybody checked this out yet?

 

[Exhausted]

Anybody checked this out yet?
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What makes this different from a Zoleo ?

 

[SAJ-99]

Finally got a chance to try the iPhone sat messaging last week. Not much to add from the others input on the application and service. I would need to be conscious of battery usage and only go to sat mode when I was going to use it. I would worry that passively staying in normal mode and letting it determine whether it should use LTE, Sat, etc might drain the battery. But that really isn't much different than using the inreach. Overall result is the header of the thread. Goodbye Garmin Inreach.

 

[Exhausted]

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/apples-iphones-support-starlink-direct-to-cell-coverage-us-2025-01-29/

 

[SAJ-99]

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/apples-iphones-support-starlink-direct-to-cell-coverage-us-2025-01-29/

The main question that remains is cost. Free for now but what $ later. I am curious to know how many messages get sent via the sat. Also, Amazon is building out a competitor to Starlink so we will see more shiny objects in the sky.

 

[npaden]

I've been holding off upgrading phones thinking that if TMobile pulls this off that it might be worth the switch to them.

 

[BigHornRam]

Saw the T mobile ad hooking up with starlink last night during the superbowl, which brought me to this thread. Tech geeks talk some more about this possibility so I can learn. Be handy to use, say on unlimited sheep hunts, etc.

 

[Rogerdoger]

I was out at a cabin for 4 days last weekend and tried both out. Definitely liked the inreach better. After thinking about it, even if the phone worked flawlessly I would still keep the inreach. Phones can run out of battery since I use it for mapping all day, they are not fully waterproof, and if screen cracks you are screwed.

 

[Sytes]

I'd stick with my inreach and cell as I do now.

Basically, what you have in your hand, you have anywhere.

Toned down to not hurt feelers.

Starlink

High-speed internet. Available almost anywhere on Earth.

www.starlink.com

 

[SAJ-99]

There are a couple of threads on this topic, so I wasn’t sure the best place to post this. I read a few interesting developments over the past few days and thought I would try

iPhone 18, which won’t be unveiled until Sept is rumored to have full satellite communication capability without a secondary link (think no starlink receiver). The problem is no satellite provider can yet provide this, so no it might not be able to actually do it. I post this to mainly hint at where the tech is headed, which is kind of amazing. I’m not sure many want to be able to surf the web in the backcountry but to each their own.

Globestar (GSAT) is Apple’s main Sat network provider and jumped 15% on Thursday on a Fin Times article that said Amazon was looking to purchase the company. No confirmation from anyone obviously. It’s the main competition to SpaceX, and Cook and Musk haven’t had the greatest relationship. People have wondered for years why Apple doesn’t just buy Globestar. Interesting situation to watch.

Garmin sat provider Iridium’s (@jryoung had some interest ) stock jumped too. The death of Garmin was clearly a little premature, but the outdoor segment had a bit of hit on intro of the iPhone sat texting. I’m not sure what the attraction is for all the other wearable products that Garmin has, but it’s doing well and keeping the company going.

Some people here are heavy users of these products. Let us know if you hear anything or your experience changes.

 

[marksjeep]

How big is the avionics side of Garmin?

 

[SAJ-99]

How big is the avionics side of Garmin?

Not sure how to answer "how big", but here is annual report. It's DIY on the math.

 

[Southern Elk]

Garmin is everywhere. They are big in fishing electronics, running, biking, etc. Losing inreach sales won’t kill them. I still like my inreach and won’t be getting rid of it anytime soon.

 

[jpc01101]

iPhones work with Starlink satellites currently on T-Mobile is my understanding. That is to say no need for a dish on the ground uses satellites in space directly

 

[SAJ-99]

iPhones work with Starlink satellites currently on T-Mobile is my understanding. That is to say no need for a dish on the ground uses satellites in space directly

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Yes, but just for texting. This news was more "web surfing", email, and full user experience. None of the sat services can do that directly to any phone...yet.

 

[BernieBing]

Yeah, I'll wait and see how reliable it is, not going to rely on my iPhone alone for that stuff just quite yet...

AGREED!