Garmin SOS - caveat emptor

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Hennie Rautenbach

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May 12, 2024, 1:37:17 PMMay 12
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Mike Slater

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May 12, 2024, 2:06:56 PMMay 12
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I read about this on the Tracks4Africa Google group. See link below.

The story seems to vary in crucial aspects depending on where it appears.  

Long and short of it is that the Garmin InReach SOS function certainly does not replace your medical aid or local / international medical rescue insurance being your first port of call in an emergency.  

I have successfully used my InReach for email and text communication during many remote trips over the past 5 years.  

I have also added my own emergency insurance and personal contacts to the SOS function should that be the only option I am able to activate.

https://groups.google.com/g/tracks4africa/c/_Dj0yNmmucw/m/2Xwykn4pCQAJ

On Sunday 12 May 2024, Hennie Rautenbach <hennie.r...@gmail.com> wrote:

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Rudi Coetzee

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May 12, 2024, 2:53:48 PMMay 12
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I think the way you use it Mike is the better way. 

We use it for business communications and tracking in remote areas where there is no cellular signal in addition to radios and satellite phones. We use the Garmin Messenger app for group messages similar to WhatsApp. Message delivery varies from 1 or 2 minutes to an hour or two in some cases so not very consistent. 

We also have our own medical insurance/ evacuation and a central controlroom monitors the device tracking which is switched on on all devices. The controlroom is also the entity which would activate an SOS and evacuation in most circumstances.

It is a good tool but just one of many in your communication toolkit.

Regards
Rudi Coetzee

On 12 May 2024, at 20:07, Mike Slater <mozg...@gmail.com> wrote:

I read about this on the Tracks4Africa Google group. See link below.

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Andries Piek

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May 13, 2024, 6:14:52 AMMay 13
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I totally agree with you on the fact that you need to use it in the way that fits best.  
I suspect people are too used to "plug and play" and buy gadgets and subscribe to services without going through the effort of understanding what is offered and how to get the best out of what you bought.
We tend to read the highlights of what was advertised and then assume all will just work by the magic of switching on the device.

Regards

On Sun, May 12, 2024 at 8:53 PM Rudi Coetzee <ru...@diecoetzees.com> wrote:
I think the way you use it Mike is the better way. 

We use it for business communications and tracking in remote areas where there is no cellular signal in addition to radios and satellite phones. We use the Garmin Messenger app for group messages similar to WhatsApp. Message delivery varies from 1 or 2 minutes to an hour or two in some cases so not very consistent. 

We also have our own medical insurance/ evacuation and a central controlroom monitors the device tracking which is switched on on all devices. The controlroom is also the entity which would activate an SOS and evacuation in most circumstances.

It is a good tool but just one of many in your communication toolkit.

Regards
Rudi Coetzee

On 12 May 2024, at 20:07, Mike Slater <mozg...@gmail.com> wrote:

I read about this on the Tracks4Africa Google group. See link below.

The story seems to vary in crucial aspects depending on where it appears.  

Long and short of it is that the Garmin InReach SOS function certainly does not replace your medical aid or local / international medical rescue insurance being your first port of call in an emergency.  

I have successfully used my InReach for email and text communication during many remote trips over the past 5 years.  

I have also added my own emergency insurance and personal contacts to the SOS function should that be the only option I am able to activate.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/26D07095-CB22-4F0C-A571-2BA93D87502A%40diecoetzees.com.

Bruce Turner

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May 13, 2024, 6:22:38 AMMay 13
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I struggle getting their GPS to work as they used to so wont rely on their SOS products 😊 (tongue in cheek)

 

As a side note, the Starlink has proven to be invaluable so far. Nothing like 200mps upload and download speeds while sitting next to the Zambezi. Sounds crazy but allows true remote working especially for the rental business where people want replies straight away.

 

Rgds

BruceT

 

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Eben Henning

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May 13, 2024, 11:45:02 PMMay 13
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Hi Bruce,
What hardware is required to get Starlink?
Can it be used in motion or does it need setup like sat ?
EbenH.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/DU0P195MB15218CB26933E7BE9F903A6DAEE22%40DU0P195MB1521.EURP195.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

Bruce Turner

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May 13, 2024, 11:48:49 PMMay 13
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Hi Eben,

 

Apart from the starlink system itself you just need 220v power. I haven’t used it in motion yet but I know a few people who do use it in motion.

 

Rgds

BruceT

 

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grahambowring2

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May 14, 2024, 12:58:47 AMMay 14
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Lots of YouTube vids showing how people have modified it to run on 12v and while in motion too.

Graham B

Bruce Turner

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May 14, 2024, 1:13:24 AMMay 14
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Yes true but the power saving versus the expense is so negligible that it makes it not worth the expense and hassle to convert. 

Rgds
BruceT

Eben Henning

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May 14, 2024, 2:36:23 AMMay 14
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Thanks for the info guys, I don't like 220 in the car, especially when moving.
My main concern was that it does not require one to set-up a dish skywards and search for signal.
If it finds signal autonomously and able to do so in motion I am sold.

Costs and monthly ?

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/6642ef84.170a0220.9300c.761c%40mx.google.com.

Rudi Coetzee

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May 14, 2024, 2:52:11 AMMay 14
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From memory the capex is around R16k and then R1300 monthly.

Starlink is however not officially available in ZA so you would have to find a workaround/loophole.

Colleagues in Moz are using it there with great results.

Regards 
Rudi Coetzee

On 14 May 2024, at 08:37, Eben Henning <cust...@gmail.com> wrote:



Bruce Turner

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May 14, 2024, 3:04:29 AMMay 14
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All depends on the plan you choose. From about R700 to R1800 uncapped for international roaming. I pay IIRC around R1800 per month for international roaming.

As for 220v the defender came with a built in inverter so I use that but never had the need to have connectivity to the internet when driving. 

Rgds
BruceT



swissno...@yahoo.com

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May 19, 2024, 12:24:41 PMMay 19
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Hi Graham

 

You can find hints how to modify Star Link to 12volt on YouTube.

 

 

Greetings

 

Emanuel Berger

Kirchmattstrasse 2

3422 Kirchberg

Switzerland

 

Tel.: +41 34 445 21 51

 

https://africanomads.wordpress.com/

https://europenomads.travel.blog/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swissnomads/

https://www.youtube.com/@africanomads

Bruce Turner

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May 20, 2024, 2:39:00 AMMay 20
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Watch this before spending money on a 12v conversion on the Starlink.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lca-0q58rZE&t=24s

 

Rgds

BruceT

 

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grahambowring2

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May 20, 2024, 3:02:02 AMMay 20
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Thanks Bruce, that is very telling.

Based on that test if efficiency is the criteria it's a waste of time converting Starlink to 12v.

Thank you for sharing.

Walter Ortell

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May 21, 2024, 3:27:12 AMMay 21
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https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadband/537385-big-starlink-roaming-price-hikes.html
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