I just finished an 80 mile hike at the AT in North Carolina. I have a Defy. I am returning it to REI as I ran into several of the issues noted concerning the Defy. First, there were many times that it just could not communicate with a satellite. That by itself was enough of a reason to return it. Usually it was in the Gaps, but I could see sky above so it should have been able to communicate. In one case it was several hours of non access (no matter what I tried, including point it south, turning off and on, disconnecting/reconnecting). That by itself was unacceptable. Second, I ran out of text allowance. At that point I could not communicate with my wife (and I was solo). I was even able to upgrade when in cell range, but I still could not send as I continued to get the 'out of data allowance'. My plan showed the upgrade but apparently it was not effective yet. I need something that just plain works all the time (yes, I realize none will be 100%, but less than 50%, no).
Sadly, comments like yours are far too common :-( and Motorola/Bullitt don't seem to be on top of the situation or very active in communicating with user like us.
Just received one of these for Christmas. Have found both your videos very useful/informative in terms of familiarisation (and so much better than the multitude from over the pond! 😉). Just one point: I think the “breadcrumb” capability can be achieved as covered by the guys at “GPS Training” in one of their RUclips videos. Be interested to hear if you agree. Cheers
Thanks! I’m really pleased that you found it helpful. GPS are currently Beta testing the ‘breadcrumb’ tracking, and the data top-up. It was supposed to be going live ‘mid- December’ but there’s no sign of it yet. Sadly this has been an ongoing saga of repeated missed deadlines. Let’s see what happens in January 🙂
Yeah, it's all a bit vague. The best way is to monitor the data allowance usage on the App. Hopefully... the data bolt on facility will arrive soon, too
Probably not a lot, if any. Garmin's pricing hasn't changed in the entire time they've partnered with Iridium and that's expensive as heck. I would be worried, however, if the entire Inmarsat network became commercially inviable against competition from Iridium and had to be shut down.
I have this device but not sure its for me. I live near the north Cornwall coast and the satelite connection seems very critical. If anybody were in the unfortunate situation of some kind of injury then trying to hold the device in the right directionto gain a signal could prove rather difficult ! I think wider satelite coverage is needed for safety. I have a Garmin Instinct 2 solar and it never seems to lose a signal.
Just to be clear, the device just needs to have a clear line of sight to the satellite and, to be fair, that applies to all satellite devices. But having only 1 satellite does make things a bit trickier!
I have a question but I have not see the answer anywhere: Can I share the device with other phone number so that person can also connect and use it as I do? (Obviously without me been connected)
I'm not sure, but I don't think so; when you set up the device it is registered against a specific phone number. That would make sense for Bullitt commercially, I guess.
Yeah, not being able to do that in-band purely over the satellite network network is a huge miss for the company. It just costs them a message's worth of data transit. I'd even be willing to pay that if it meant guaranteed continuity of service. To just deny service at the worst possible moment is unconscionable!
I just finished an 80 mile hike at the AT in North Carolina. I have a Defy. I am returning it to REI as I ran into several of the issues noted concerning the Defy. First, there were many times that it just could not communicate with a satellite. That by itself was enough of a reason to return it. Usually it was in the Gaps, but I could see sky above so it should have been able to communicate. In one case it was several hours of non access (no matter what I tried, including point it south, turning off and on, disconnecting/reconnecting). That by itself was unacceptable. Second, I ran out of text allowance. At that point I could not communicate with my wife (and I was solo). I was even able to upgrade when in cell range, but I still could not send as I continued to get the 'out of data allowance'. My plan showed the upgrade but apparently it was not effective yet. I need something that just plain works all the time (yes, I realize none will be 100%, but less than 50%, no).
Sadly, comments like yours are far too common :-( and Motorola/Bullitt don't seem to be on top of the situation or very active in communicating with user like us.
Just received one of these for Christmas. Have found both your videos very useful/informative in terms of familiarisation (and so much better than the multitude from over the pond! 😉). Just one point: I think the “breadcrumb” capability can be achieved as covered by the guys at “GPS Training” in one of their RUclips videos. Be interested to hear if you agree. Cheers
Thanks! I’m really pleased that you found it helpful. GPS are currently Beta testing the ‘breadcrumb’ tracking, and the data top-up. It was supposed to be going live ‘mid- December’ but there’s no sign of it yet. Sadly this has been an ongoing saga of repeated missed deadlines. Let’s see what happens in January 🙂
Great stuff. Thanks.
So if you max out the character limit with each message, about how many messages does it typically send? 20? 10? 5?
Yeah, it's all a bit vague. The best way is to monitor the data allowance usage on the App. Hopefully... the data bolt on facility will arrive soon, too
I'm really interested and will be getting one. I just wonder how much the subscription will go up in say a year's time.
Probably not a lot, if any. Garmin's pricing hasn't changed in the entire time they've partnered with Iridium and that's expensive as heck. I would be worried, however, if the entire Inmarsat network became commercially inviable against competition from Iridium and had to be shut down.
Mine was 4.99
I have this device but not sure its for me. I live near the north Cornwall coast and the satelite connection seems very critical. If anybody were in the unfortunate situation of some kind of injury then trying to hold the device in the right directionto gain a signal could prove rather difficult ! I think wider satelite coverage is needed for safety. I have a Garmin Instinct 2 solar and it never seems to lose a signal.
Just to be clear, the device just needs to have a clear line of sight to the satellite and, to be fair, that applies to all satellite devices. But having only 1 satellite does make things a bit trickier!
I agree but wish it used similar satellites as the Garmen as in a stressful situation you would not need to be so precise. Early days but great value.
Great review 👍👍.. subscribed
Thanks!!
Yes, that pretty much sums it up!
Thank you for the update!!
No problem. I’ll aim to do another one in November, if the promised bolt-on option has arrived
Thanks for the info . Do you know anything regards tracking and your contacts following your route .
That doesn’t seem to be on the cards 😒
@@longsufferinghiker such a shame if they don't as they advertise it on there website.
I have a question but I have not see the answer anywhere: Can I share the device with other phone number so that person can also connect and use it as I do? (Obviously without me been connected)
I'm not sure, but I don't think so; when you set up the device it is registered against a specific phone number. That would make sense for Bullitt commercially, I guess.
Yes you can, they will share your data plan. There is an option called “Users” where you can invite using a phone number.
Thank you very much!!
Ah i thought the bolt on was taking time as they needed to figure out how to do that via sat comms. Bad news.
Yeah, not being able to do that in-band purely over the satellite network network is a huge miss for the company. It just costs them a message's worth of data transit. I'd even be willing to pay that if it meant guaranteed continuity of service. To just deny service at the worst possible moment is unconscionable!
Let’s wait and see what the news is at the end of October… I can’t say that I’m expecting very much 😒