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Two-way communication is important to prevent false positive emergencies, too. There have been several times I've used my inReach to message that I'm going to m
by zmj 3y ago
Two-way communication is important to prevent false positive emergencies, too. There have been several times I've used my inReach to message that I'm going to miss my planned check-in time, but everything is OK - no need to alert SAR.
Also to communicate on-the-fly decision-making to inform potential SAR - "I'm making good time, going to head up this extra peak before continuing the planned route."
I'm happy to have a cell phone backup to the inReach, but I don't see this Starlink offering as a replacement. That goes double if you're out in winter. Phone batteries aren't great in the cold.
- londons_explore 3y agoPhone batteries are fine down to -20C and usually are functional to about -30C. You should have no problem with that anywhere in the world as long as you keep it in an inner pocket. Perhaps pack wired earphones just in case you need to make a long call while keeping the phone itself warm. Notably the battery should not be charged below about 5C. If you do, it will be permanently damaged.
- 20after4 3y ago> Notably the battery should not be charged below about 5C. If you do, it will be permanently damaged. This depends on the specific battery chemistry. The BMS should prevent the charging scenarios which would damage the battery. For some it's 0C not 5C. Some can handle charging below 0C.
- londons_explore 3y agoI have never seen a phone BMS that prevents charging due to undertemperature
- michaelt 3y agoIsn't that a stock feature on pretty much every chip? I mean, if you've got a temperature sensor for overtemperature protection, including undertemperature protection is trivial. Even the cheapest chips from TI and ST seem to include it. And modern cell phones often advertise extra-fast 20W+ charging, so I doubt they're using the cheapest chips.
- s1artibartfast 3y agoI can already imagine freezing to death while my phone refuses to charge because it wants to protect its precious battery
- 20after4 3y agoMy iPhone refuses to charge when too hot or too cold.
- zeagle 3y agoRespectfully, I don't know about that. I wouldn't trust it if my life was on the line. I go for walks and bike rides when it's -25C to -30C air temperature (before windchill) and I've had old samsung galaxies and newer pixels both crash if I take them out to take a photo. I presumable due to voltage dip.
- emilburzo 3y agoThis is exactly the reason why I'm sticking with the CAT S6x series phones and willing to put up with mediocre performance/features, as far as smartphones go. They've been the only ones that don't just turn off in really cold temperatures, even without babying them in warm pockets. The general ruggedness is also pretty good to amazing, depending on how fragile your previous phones were. For example: it survived a ~10 meter (32ft) drop on rocks, whereas everyone was convinced it was done for.
- PawgerZ 3y agoDo you have one of the newer models with the thermal camera? I was very interested in seeing how well that works.
- emilburzo 3y agoYes, currently the S62 Pro. What would you be interested in knowing? To be honest I first thought it would be a gimmick, but being able to see heat / rough temperature degrees has proven itself quite useful. But you don't really realize it until you have it available. It's kind of like having another sense available to you. Random examples of where it was useful: - finding shitty chargers/electronics which were really hot while doing nothing -> wasted power - spotting a water leak before it was visible (think cold spot in the middle of the ceiling) - checking car tire alignment (one side hotter than the other) - finding buried hot water pipes - finding where cold air is leaking in during winter - spotting damp areas and probably others that I'm forgetting right now
- PawgerZ 3y ago
- vxNsr 3y agomy iphone 6s and 12 pro beg to differ. both saw serious drops in battery in pretty normal 10-15F chicago winters while I was outdoor ice skating or even just going for a long walk with the phone in my pocket.
- ejlxsh 3y agoiPhones often turn off around -20c with a warning about temperature, it happens to me every time I travel to Lapland in the Winter.
- aembleton 3y agoMy last two phones (Xiaomi 9T and Pixel 7) have struggled below about -5C. They still work but the battery drops very quickly so you can't rely upon them. Keeping them in an inner pocket works but I then take them out and see the battery drop. The sudden temperature change might not help there.
- RenThraysk 3y agoSamsung Galaxy XCovers have user replaceable batteries, so can atleast keep spare(s) warm.