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I have a Garmin InReach Mini. It uses the Iridium satellite network. No calls, but it can do texts and data. It’s dimensions are 23x23mm. It worked quite well i
by SOLAR_FIELDS 5y ago
I have a Garmin InReach Mini. It uses the Iridium satellite network. No calls, but it can do texts and data. It’s dimensions are 23x23mm. It worked quite well in the Arctic wilderness this summer. So I would say putting satellite capability within a phone size form factor seems quite achievable.
I was quite happy to read this news simply for the fact that if true it should hopefully cut into the arm-and-leg price Garmin charges for me to use my InReach to access the satellite network.
- rhn_mk1 5y agoFrom https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592606 https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/592606 > 5.17 x 9.90 x 2.61 cm That's the same order of magnitude of volume as a phone.
- gregoriol 5y agoExcept the size of the antenna!
- unraveller 5y agoThe designer dongle bag upsell will have the antenna. Think smart-casual remote adventurer.
- mrfusion 5y agoWould it work in a forest or inside a cargo container? Or does it need line of site?
- lxgr 5y agoForest (usually) yes, cargo container (most likely) no. As a rule of thumb, if you can’t get a GPS fix, you won‘t be able to use Iridium either.
- SOLAR_FIELDS 5y agoIn addition to the sibling comment, it worked for me inside my tent - so it can work inside some containers provided the signal can make it through.
- kilroy123 5y agoI used the bigger bulkier one back in Antarctica several years ago and it worked great with the old constellation. If this was baked into an iPhone I doubt the server would be cheaper.