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Motorola Defy Satellite Link

 

Potentially interesting new product:
 

Wow, thank you.? $100 for the device, $5m per month. Works with any phone. Too good to be true. I just got the Garmin Inreach Mini2, but this is something to definitely look out for in the future.



On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 at 01:47, ravi_jmt2013 <ravi@...> wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:




--
anand
 

I hope this makes Garmin drop the $30 annual initiation fee.


On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 at 06:33, Anand Kumar Sankaran via <anand.sankaran=[email protected]> wrote:
Wow, thank you.? $100 for the device, $5m per month. Works with any phone. Too good to be true. I just got the Garmin Inreach Mini2, but this is something to definitely look out for in the future.



On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 at 01:47, ravi_jmt2013 <ravi@...> wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:




--
anand



--
anand
 

I'm a Spot user and this definitely would be a cheaper?option.? ? I looked at the Bullitt site, the company that provides the SOS feature, and it wasn't clear to me if when used without a cell phone in an emergency it has a built in GPS to provide a location.? Also, I like the automatic tracking of Spot so if you are incapable of hitting the SOS button for any reason, or the device dies, your last position is available.

I'll definitely look into it further as I'm sure features will be added or become more clear as they begin entering into use.?

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 1:47 AM ravi_jmt2013 <ravi@...> wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:
 

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I am curious about these questions:

  • What is the battery life?
  • Can this send bread crumbs out for location data?
  • What is the cost of messages - outgoing and incoming? Per message? Or how many messages until being charged?

Granted, this is a huge price drop versus the other systems out there. I will wait for actual reviews and contract information before pulling the trigger.

I can say one thing very positive. Motorola is known to have the better radios out there. So it would be more interesting to see how fast it makes a satellite connection and speed of messaging system.

Two Dogs
On 2/25/2023 01:47, ravi_jmt2013 wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:
 

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Battery life - “many days”. It’s 2.1 oz 600 mAh battery.?

30 messages for $5 per month with unlimited SOS assistance.?


On Feb 25, 2023, at 8:15 AM, Derek Koonce <derek@...> wrote:

?

I am curious about these questions:

  • What is the battery life?
  • Can this send bread crumbs out for location data?
  • What is the cost of messages - outgoing and incoming? Per message? Or how many messages until being charged?

Granted, this is a huge price drop versus the other systems out there. I will wait for actual reviews and contract information before pulling the trigger.

I can say one thing very positive. Motorola is known to have the better radios out there. So it would be more interesting to see how fast it makes a satellite connection and speed of messaging system.

Two Dogs
On 2/25/2023 01:47, ravi_jmt2013 wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:
 

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the 'Somewear' folks have been providing a similar sat hotspot add-on device for some time now.

InReach is more expensive but it's also self contained, with an add-on you need to maintain 2 power sources.

if the cell phone vendors fully integrated 2-way satellite connectivity that might help, but that may also just push prices higher.


On 2/25/2023 1:47 AM, ravi_jmt2013 wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:


_._,_._,_
 

I bring my cellphone for photos and GPS anyway so I'm already committed to maintaining it's battery.? That is one thing I like about Spot3 over others is the use of regular batteries vs recharging.? A spare set of AAA batteries weighs very little, but if I'm on a short trip I don't even bother as I know with a fresh set of batteries and turning it off at night it will function for at least 3 weeks.

That said, power packs are getting better and better so recharging isn't the concern it once was.

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:22 AM Neil Wilson <neil@...> wrote:


the 'Somewear' folks have been providing a similar sat hotspot add-on device for some time now.

InReach is more expensive but it's also self contained, with an add-on you need to maintain 2 power sources.

if the cell phone vendors fully integrated 2-way satellite connectivity that might help, but that may also just push prices higher.


On 2/25/2023 1:47 AM, ravi_jmt2013 wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:
 

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Yeah. Inreach mini 2 promises 10 days battery with it tracking all day. What I heard on the trail last year confirmed it. Pairs of hikers with mini 1 and mini 2 and the latter lasted nearly ten days.?


On Feb 25, 2023, at 8:31 AM, Curt Kinchen <ptcurt@...> wrote:

?
I bring my cellphone for photos and GPS anyway so I'm already committed to maintaining it's battery.? That is one thing I like about Spot3 over others is the use of regular batteries vs recharging.? A spare set of AAA batteries weighs very little, but if I'm on a short trip I don't even bother as I know with a fresh set of batteries and turning it off at night it will function for at least 3 weeks.

That said, power packs are getting better and better so recharging isn't the concern it once was.

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:22 AM Neil Wilson <neil@...> wrote:


the 'Somewear' folks have been providing a similar sat hotspot add-on device for some time now.

InReach is more expensive but it's also self contained, with an add-on you need to maintain 2 power sources.

if the cell phone vendors fully integrated 2-way satellite connectivity that might help, but that may also just push prices higher.


On 2/25/2023 1:47 AM, ravi_jmt2013 wrote:

Potentially interesting new product:
 

It seems to use geostationary satellites. 50x further away than Iridium (InReach) means a lot more energy for a message to transmit, and at a fixed location of the satellite in the South with low elevation it won't work at all in many situations.
?
Henning
?
Gesendet:?Samstag, 25. Februar 2023 um 10:47 Uhr
Von:?"ravi_jmt2013" <ravi@...>
An:[email protected]
Betreff:?[JMT-groups.io] Motorola Defy Satellite Link

Potentially interesting new product:



--

 

Thanks. Henning, that was another thing I was going to check out.? Similar to my Serius XM losing satellite coverage.? If they don't alter that to have a broader satellite network it would be a non starter for safety purposes.


On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:52 AM Henning Rech <whrech@...> wrote:
It seems to use geostationary satellites. 50x further away than Iridium (InReach) means a lot more energy for a message to transmit, and at a fixed location of the satellite in the South with low elevation it won't work at all in many situations.
?
Henning
?
Gesendet:?Samstag, 25. Februar 2023 um 10:47 Uhr
Von:?"ravi_jmt2013" <ravi@...>
An:?[email protected]
Betreff:?[JMT-groups.io] Motorola Defy Satellite Link

Potentially interesting new product:



--

 

Ah, thank you for the clarification on satellites.?


On Sat, 25 Feb 2023 at 09:30, Curt Kinchen <ptcurt@...> wrote:
Thanks. Henning, that was another thing I was going to check out.? Similar to my Serius XM losing satellite coverage.? If they don't alter that to have a broader satellite network it would be a non starter for safety purposes.

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:52 AM Henning Rech <whrech@...> wrote:
It seems to use geostationary satellites. 50x further away than Iridium (InReach) means a lot more energy for a message to transmit, and at a fixed location of the satellite in the South with low elevation it won't work at all in many situations.
?
Henning
?
Gesendet:?Samstag, 25. Februar 2023 um 10:47 Uhr
Von:?"ravi_jmt2013" <ravi@...>
An:?[email protected]
Betreff:?[JMT-groups.io] Motorola Defy Satellite Link

Potentially interesting new product:



--



--
anand
 

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Based on the link at the bottom of this page to Globalstar, it appears an SOS on the new device will connect to the same service as Spot devices.


Carl Joplin

 

The device does appear to have a dedicated SOS button meaning that in an emergency it can be used without connectivity to a cell phone. To me, this feature is very important for several reasons. Most importantly, the device itself can be triggered without navigating a touch screen, which can be difficult to do in cold and wet weather with gloved hands. In the event of a fall or other emergency, having the device right on my shoulder strap makes it more likely that I'll be able to trigger an SOS. Also, having used touch screens in cold and wet weather, I wouldn't want to have to go through that process in a true emergency.

I have an older InReach which has a screen and can be used without connecting to a phone (which is how I use it to send messages), but it is relatively bulky and expensive so I do not keep it active normally, only when I go to the Sierra Nevada. For hikes on the Appalachian Trail that are more local, I just carry a cell phone and connectivity is spotty when not on ridges with sightline to populated areas. If a $99 device costing $5/month really works, I would be willing to just keep it active year round offering some additional protection. I'll wait and see what initial reviews in the field have to say.

 

Hi Ravi

Please keep us posted.

On Sun, 26 Feb 2023 at 03:15, ravi_jmt2013 <ravi@...> wrote:
The device does appear to have a dedicated SOS button meaning that in an emergency it can be used without connectivity to a cell phone. To me, this feature is very important for several reasons. Most importantly, the device itself can be triggered without navigating a touch screen, which can be difficult to do in cold and wet weather with gloved hands. In the event of a fall or other emergency, having the device right on my shoulder strap makes it more likely that I'll be able to trigger an SOS. Also, having used touch screens in cold and wet weather, I wouldn't want to have to go through that process in a true emergency.

I have an older InReach which has a screen and can be used without connecting to a phone (which is how I use it to send messages), but it is relatively bulky and expensive so I do not keep it active normally, only when I go to the Sierra Nevada. For hikes on the Appalachian Trail that are more local, I just carry a cell phone and connectivity is spotty when not on ridges with sightline to populated areas. If a $99 device costing $5/month really works, I would be willing to just keep it active year round offering some additional protection. I'll wait and see what initial reviews in the field have to say.



--
anand

 

Thank you.
?
My conclusion resulted from sources like
?
Motorola Defy: Lenovo (China)?brand
Bullit: UK outdoor phone company which seems to design this device
MediaTek: Taiwan smartphone chip manufacturer
Skylo: reseller of satellite services from Inmarsat for IoT (internet of things) applications
Inmarsat: the GEO satellite operator
Focus Point: the critical event responder
?
Skylo:?
?
compared to:
Garmin (brand/designer of devices)
??? (chip manufacturer)
Iridium: the LEO satellite operator
GEOS:?the critical event responder (now also bought by Garmin)
?
Apple has now started the race with satellite communication built into smartphones. The most interesting development for us is the announcement of Qualcomm (San Diego) to implement Iridium access into their next generation of smartphone chips which will be found in high end Android phones, like Samsung. I expect to see a Samsung phone with inReach capabilities before the end of this year.
While the smartphone may not be ideal for tracking (it radiates out of the back side, which then should point to the sky).
?
Henning
?
?
Gesendet:?Samstag, 25. Februar 2023 um 20:26 Uhr
Von:?"Carl Joplin" <c.joplin@...>
An:[email protected]
Betreff:?Re: [JMT-groups.io] Motorola Defy Satellite Link
Based on the link at the bottom of this page to Globalstar, it appears an SOS on the new device will connect to the same service as Spot devices.
?
Carl Joplin
?

--

 

Had a chance to talk to Motorola folks involved in the development of the Defy today and also to played with this device a bit. It is very lightweight, was told 70g (for all you gram counters out there).
And yes, it does not need a smartphone to issue SOS or the pre programmed status message.

The rubber thingy covering the USB-C port appeared a bit flimsy, otherwise this unit left a good overall impression. Geo coverage is somewhat limited though, they still work on growth.

In my opinion, the major challenge for these guys will be capturing users currently locked into the Garmin ecosystem, think Garmin to Garmin use case. Not sure how that would work from a Garmin <-> Motola device.

Either way, certainly a welcome arrival mixing up the market a bit.

HappyTrails!

 

Thank you.
?
My conclusion resulted from sources like
https://www.satellitetoday.com/iiot/2023/01/06/skylo-expands-satellite-access-for-iot-and-smart-phones-with-quectel-and-bullitt/
?
Motorola Defy: Lenovo (China)?brand
Bullit: UK outdoor phone company which seems to design this device
MediaTek: Taiwan smartphone chip manufacturer
Skylo: reseller of satellite services from Inmarsat for IoT (internet of things) applications
Inmarsat: the GEO satellite operator
Focus Point: the critical event responder
?
Skylo:?https://www.skylo.tech/about-us
?
compared to:
Garmin (brand/designer of devices)
??? (chip manufacturer)
Iridium: the LEO satellite operator
GEOS:?the critical event responder (now also bought by Garmin)
?
Apple has now started the race with satellite communication built into smartphones. The most interesting development for us is the announcement of Qualcomm (San Diego) to implement Iridium access into their next generation of smartphone chips which will be found in high end Android phones, like Samsung. I expect to see a Samsung phone with inReach capabilities before the end of this year.
https://www.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2023/01/qualcomm-introduces-snapdragon-satellite--the-world-s-first-sate
While the smartphone may not be ideal for tracking (it radiates out of the back side, which then should point to the sky).
?
Henning
?
Gesendet:?Samstag, 25. Februar 2023 um 20:26 Uhr
Von:?"Carl Joplin" <c.joplin@...>
An:[email protected]
Betreff:?Re: [JMT-groups.io] Motorola Defy Satellite Link
Based on the link at the bottom of this page to Globalstar, it appears an SOS on the new device will connect to the same service as Spot devices.
?
Carl Joplin
?

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