Close to the all-time low on 3x Camels.
Highly ranked satellite communicator, does require a subscription.
CamelCamelCamel.
can you join the subscription on the device itself?
knowing my luck, I would go out roaming the middle of nowhere with no cellphone reception, and my garmin subscription would run out that same day.
No, you need an internet connection the first time to set it up. This cannot be done directly on the device itself as you need to enter the serial number onto the Garmin website to activate it and select a plan.
Lol. Ryda locally have it for 87 cents more. I’d rather have an Australian manufacturer warranty too. Try harder Amazon.
+$7.95 Flat Rate Shipping via Ryda
Then cashback and discounted gift cards to make it even cheaper with Amazon.
I have had no issues with warranty claims with Amazon US (via Amazon AU) in the past. Everything gets returned with minimum fuss to them for a full refund rather than waiting on warranty claims. They mindlessly approve all returns without resistance. I'm talking stuff over a year past the return window.
Garmin Australia will also honour warranty claims if need be even if shipped and sold by Amazon US
But if buy Australia stock from Ryda they have to give you two year warranty right? The US version Amazon AU can reject warranty after one year because they are only the relay agent, I think it is mentioned somewhere in the website / T&C.
It is only 1 year warranty on these via Garmin Australia. Amazon though make it incredibly easy to return stuff, easier in many cases compared to online only Australian based small businesses in my experience.
I would recommend people look into a used Inreach Mini 1 ~$300, it's not all that different to an Inreach Mini 2. My only main gripe is the micro USB connection.
@cute as duck: Ryda has physical store, and from what I know Garmin Australia deal with warranty direct and it have to complie to the two year warranty. How good is their CS experience I don't know. I would say the extra one year warranty is worth….
@syswong: Not that you're likely to need it but where are you seeing 2 yr warranty - or are you assuming a 2 year statutory Au warranty? That would be a minimum I'd have thought but in the past I've read some bad reports about Garmin Australia.
are you assuming a 2 year statutory Au warranty?
Correct.
As for their services I have not own a Garmin product yet. LIke all CS, there is always good and bad.
I would recommend people look into a used Inreach Mini 1 ~$300,
Sorry just realised you said used….
Still hard to find. I think most people buy it and use once then want to sell and goes into cost recover with most mini 1 asking for $400+. At that price I might as well pay for a brand new mini 2 from amazon or Ryda.
@syswong: I'm in VIC and I see a $300 and $320 one (Mini 1) but I get nothing in Syd for you. eBay usually has a few, must just be that time of year because there were a few within the $300-350 range when I was helping someone out a few months back.
New messager from Garmin allows use of smartphone connected by Bluetooth to the sat box (messenger). It might suit some and might be cheaper (?)
ZOLEO runs on the same principle and at least $100 cheaper. Both product has one issue, you need a smartphone to get the most out of it. According to my wife operating a smartphone while you hike is not ideal. Many also choose no to bring the phone (and power bank) to minimise gear. Inreach mini are ideal for such situation.
I am looking into ZOLEO and inreach Messenger though as it look easier to use, still project in progress. Lucky in Australia many tracks has at least partial mobile signal. When my wife goes to hike, I always do my research and make sure I can track her.
Nah that thing is hopeless. Rent SPOT X messenger when wife went overland track last time, the battery does not last long enough. May be it is issue with the rental unit, but we decided to look at iridium solutions only.
Do you have experience with Spot X messenger?
@syswong: No. Possibly old battery as you suggest, or too much tracking in the settings. You should always have a power backup option in remote areas anyway. Overland Track is so busy you shouldn't need a tracker. Hopefully your wife complained to the renter so they check their products regularly. There's no room for complacency where safety is concerned. Potential lawsuit in the making.
"Highly ranked satellite communicator,"
what are the benefits of being in constant communication with a satellite??
If you’re going remote then your family can track you if you’re in a bikepacking event (and maybe other types of remote events) it’s a minimum requirement, then the masses can dotwatch (spectate) the event from home.
hmm so you mean like a super accurate GPS??
you say "the masses" does that mean your location is broadcast to everyone on earth? so in other words anyone can view it? kinda sounds a bit creepy now.
Well if you’re only using it for safety with family etc then no need to publicly broadcast your location but if you’re in a live event then you would using https://maprogress.com/ for example will track all the athletes and everyone at home can dotwatch.
Helps your family to track you when you go to areas without mobile signal. give them peace of mind.
In case of emergency, rescue team can find you quickly and that may safe your life.
but isn't that what GPS does…
you are referring GPS on phones? They all still require mobile signal to work. the new satellite SOS on new iPhone is integrating this feature into the phone but I think you have to pay separate for the services.
I was thinking more GPS on watches. like doesn't garmin have a feature where you can set it to send GPS location to a map on a timer (every 30 seconds or 2 minutes etc), and someone who you allow access can see your location at any time??
I read somewhere there are even watches you can buy for kids, which you can track location in real time. cheaper option is an airtag on a silicone strap.
@harshbdmmaster718: All these solution require mobile network to relay the GPS signal, satellite trackers deployed where there is no mobile signal.
@syswong: thank you I did not know that. I thought GPS worked standalone on watches and was free to use.
so even in the garmin watch example, for the "location tracking" to work it needs to be connected with bluetooth to your phone and your phone needs to have mobile reception as well as data available on the plan. I didn't know this. I thought you could take the watch somewhere without your phone and it will still have full function. at the very least this is what I expected from the $800+ models.
Don't do what I did and choose the Safety plan ($20 per month on annual) that bills you 15c each time it sends a tracking point every 10min interval. Was a bit costly the first time I got the bill.
are you talking about the iPhone Satellite services or InReach?
InReach
@cute as duck: The plans are what stopping me from buying, ZOLEO, InReach, or Spot X. I may only need it active three times a year max and the cost of that is just ridicules. Then I guess the root issue is iridium and Global Star pricing structure……
Looking at how Smartphones address this area, hopefully more reasonable.
What is the benefit really comparing with free IPhone sat messaging? Free waypoints and emergency. Is messaging really worth it for an extra device and expensive subscription?
free iPhone sat messaging?
I think yo have to pay for that services.
Also iPhone's execution is quite stupid (and widely criticised). As if I have the time or energy in an emergency to move my iPhone in place to send a message?
To start Satellite tracker tracks the user. So say if I saw my wife has an unscheduled stop for too long, I can reach her and find out if there is anything wrong. Also the tracker can send out SOS with the push of a button.
Its not about messaging. but about saving life, sad but that is why they can charge so much.
I think yo have to pay for that services.
iPhone's satellite emergency feature is currently free
its free for two years
If you think its the same then you better think (and think) again.
Watch this and tells you why:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcpthsNTVY
Typo, it's not a sat phone, it's a satellite messaging device.