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re: Any experience or recs for satellite two way messengers to use while offshore fishing?
Posted on 8/12/25 at 4:33 pm to Randall Savauge
Posted on 8/12/25 at 4:33 pm to Randall Savauge
Take a look at ACR Bivy Stick Satellite Communicator. It offers 2-way satellite communicator (text messaging), group messaging, 24/7 SOS, GPS tracking and location sharing.
Plans start at $14.99 monthly
The Bivy stick is less expensive than the Garmin InReach and offers similar functionality. It works off the same Global Iridium satellite network.
www.acrartex.com
Plans start at $14.99 monthly
The Bivy stick is less expensive than the Garmin InReach and offers similar functionality. It works off the same Global Iridium satellite network.
www.acrartex.com
1
Posted on 8/12/25 at 4:36 pm to YOURADHERE
I'll defer to CP3 for expert advice, but I just "installed" a mini on my boat. Didn't want permanent mount so I put it on a Birdsall rod holder mount and hard wired directly to my house battery bank. I used a 12V to 30V step converter and a female to female connector into the factory starlink cable. I ran that cable through the t-top to the rocket launcher I use to mount the dish on. I can remove the dish when not in use and store the dish and extra connectors, cables, etc in a pelican case. Ideally you want a VERY short run if using 12V power. Voltage drop greatly affects speed and performance. But no, you dont need an inverter for the Mini. It can be hard wired to 12v battery or use 12v cig plug.
I use the $165/mo plan and toggle on Mobile Priority when going offshore ($2/gig). The $50 plan wont work past a couple miles.
Voltage convertor
LINK
Connectors
LINK
Weatherproof plug (for when not in use)
LINK
I use the $165/mo plan and toggle on Mobile Priority when going offshore ($2/gig). The $50 plan wont work past a couple miles.
Voltage convertor
LINK
Connectors
LINK
Weatherproof plug (for when not in use)
LINK
Posted on 8/12/25 at 7:36 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
The app works pretty good. The device isn't really intended to be holding full blown text message conversations. It's meant for "I'm still alive" or "I'm dying" type stuff.
Yes it does but my point was, if you are on a boat offshore and things start to go south, you need to know how to use the panel to send a text. I know the SOS is easy but if you were floating in the water, not sure you would be able to connect your phone.
Posted on 8/12/25 at 7:47 pm to Randall Savauge
I have Garmin In reach Mini. you have to have a monthly subscription and pay by text, but you can set up 3 auto text to a predetermined number that are unlimited. . For instance, I have one that just says "doing ok". Have sent from 120 miles out in the gulf. Another one says running late. you have option to send other texts but a small charge.
Posted on 8/12/25 at 8:33 pm to YOURADHERE
No inverter needed. They work on anything from 12-48VDC (60W).
Several ways to do it, you just can’t use the factory (small gauge) cable it comes with if using 12v power source. Too much voltage drop. You can run your own larger size wiring up to it, and splice to short barrel jack cable at the “dish”, power it off a 36v trolling motor battery, or use a 12/24 DC-DC converter like a Victron 12/24-5A (or a cheap Amazon 12-24v or 12-36v) with factory cable. You could also get the USB-C cable for it and use factory cable with a 12v to USB-C PD 100W plug thing, you just have to make sure it’s actually a 100W USB-C PD plug so it’s sending 20V/100W. But that’s basically the same thing as just using the DC-DC converter.
There are probably a few other ways to do it, those are just what I can think of off top of my head.
I thought you could get the 50GB roam plan and check off an option for “Offshore” or something like that, but I honestly haven’t dealt with any of the subscription stuff so I’d have to ask.
Several ways to do it, you just can’t use the factory (small gauge) cable it comes with if using 12v power source. Too much voltage drop. You can run your own larger size wiring up to it, and splice to short barrel jack cable at the “dish”, power it off a 36v trolling motor battery, or use a 12/24 DC-DC converter like a Victron 12/24-5A (or a cheap Amazon 12-24v or 12-36v) with factory cable. You could also get the USB-C cable for it and use factory cable with a 12v to USB-C PD 100W plug thing, you just have to make sure it’s actually a 100W USB-C PD plug so it’s sending 20V/100W. But that’s basically the same thing as just using the DC-DC converter.
There are probably a few other ways to do it, those are just what I can think of off top of my head.
I thought you could get the 50GB roam plan and check off an option for “Offshore” or something like that, but I honestly haven’t dealt with any of the subscription stuff so I’d have to ask.
This post was edited on 8/12/25 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 8/12/25 at 9:48 pm to CP3
quote:When it first came out you could. But now the cheapest way to opt in to "Ocean Mode" is with the Roam Unlimited plan.
I thought you could get the 50GB roam plan and check off an option for “Offshore” or something like that, but I honestly haven’t dealt with any of the subscription stuff so I’d have to ask.
The 50g plan is geofenced to 12 nautical miles.
Posted on 8/13/25 at 6:19 pm to Randall Savauge
I have the inreach mini. I pay $13 per month. Pre typed text messages are free. I have a few that basically say "all good, running late" etc. Have sent these from offshore, and from the deer lease that has no cell signal. Does wonders for the worrisome wife. Also use the app on my phone to quickly type out text messages, and sends your gps coordinates to someone with each text, In case you need help, but don't need 911 services. I also taught my kid how to use the SOS button, incase something happens to me. Push it twice and help is coming, anywhere on the globe.
This post was edited on 8/13/25 at 6:23 pm
Posted on 8/13/25 at 9:15 pm to Antib551
Seems ridiculous if you have a limited data plan for them to restrict your area, I really don’t get that? I’m hoping with starlink that some of these things become cheaper and more user friendly. $200/ month for your average offshore center console owner is just not realistic and 12 miles isn’t far at all.
Posted on 8/14/25 at 6:27 am to TwoFace
I just looked it up, satellite messaging is available on iPhone 15 or newer, it is free for the first two years you have the phone. Samsung Galaxy s25 also has satellite messaging, which is free if you have Verizon, it does not say it is limited to 2 years.
Posted on 8/14/25 at 9:33 am to TwoFace
quote:
I just looked it up, satellite messaging is available on iPhone 15 or newer, it is free for the first two years you have the phone. Samsung Galaxy s25 also has satellite messaging, which is free if you have Verizon, it does not say it is limited to 2 years.
For those who care.
For Iphones that support it, the service is provided thru a partnership between Apple and Globalstar. So manufacturer and satellite service provider.
For the Samsungs, its different. The partnership is between Verizon and Skylo. So carrier and satellite service provider.
Currently, I think ATT has a partnership but just hasn't rolled this feature out yet. So for the Samsung's on ATT, it does not work yet. In comparison if you have an Iphone, it does not matter what carrier you have because Apple holds the partnership with the satellite provider for messaging.
I have a S25+ with Verizon. From my understanding its free or part of my plan at least and unlimited.
For someone that is just looking to be able to casually text here and there it works. Obtaining and retaining a connection can be a bit of a game, but again it works. Plenty of YT videos.
However, this should never be a replacement of dedicated devices for an outdoorsman who may end up needing to rely on this in a life or death scenario.
This post was edited on 8/14/25 at 9:35 am
Posted on 8/14/25 at 10:46 am to southern686
Good info, thanks. I agree with your last statement, which is why I have no plan to stop carrying my garmin in reach. What is interesting to me is that i read an article saying satellite apps on smart phones where just as accurate, maybe more accurate that handheld GPS units like Garmin. I have used both for tracking a route on the deer lease, and I agree my Galaxy phone plots a truer line than my Garmin does.
Posted on 8/14/25 at 11:16 am to southern686
quote:
For someone that is just looking to be able to casually text here and there it works. Obtaining and retaining a connection can be a bit of a game, but again it works. Plenty of YT videos.
However, this should never be a replacement of dedicated devices for an outdoorsman who may end up needing to rely on this in a life or death scenario.
I'm going to keep my Spot, but as far as I'm concerned with the new Starlink abilities Spot and InReach by Garmin suck.
I also have an epirb. But if I'm in a situation where I'm taking on water with just 1-2 other guys like most center console guys offshore than working the In reach or the Spot is time consuming and frankly I have 0 reliability in them. I hate to deploy an epirb in that situation.
I know you have radio and PLB still, but it just sucks there's not something you can reliably send a couple of text messages in a fairly quick manner to anyone for a reasonable price. 95% of the data on these would never be used.
Posted on 8/14/25 at 11:24 am to Novastar
Been using a Bivy Stick for a couple years, the unused messages roll over every month which is nice.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 10:22 am to TxWadingFool
Spacemobile is launching satellites right now for this service.
ASTS is the stock. Worth getting into now. 40-60 more going up in the next year.
Full video chat on any smartphone via satellite with what will be a service fee with providers like ATT, Verizon, and T Mobile.
ASTS is the stock. Worth getting into now. 40-60 more going up in the next year.
Full video chat on any smartphone via satellite with what will be a service fee with providers like ATT, Verizon, and T Mobile.
Posted on 8/15/25 at 12:16 pm to Randall Savauge
quote:
don't have an up to date iphone
us either but, my son has called me from south tim 185/204 area in the past
thats 45 miles out of belle pass…
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