Options for remaining connected

So what did we spend our time on yesterday while trying to avoid the squally weather? Rebecca ventured ashore to purchase some much-needed provisions for the boat, and I spent some time reading up on some of the more popular offshore messaging/internet access products. You may recall that I last brought up the subject of offshore connectivity back in August. There were some good comments on that post added by our readers so if you’re interested in the subject, you may want to review it.

The first product that I looked at (again) is the Iridium GO! Satellite Phone WiFi Hotspot. This device, when paired with a smartphone, apparently allows you to connect to the internet via special apps, albeit extremely slowly.

Our friends on Distant Shores wrote a good review of the GO!, spelling out its benefits and limitations. They purchased their Iridium GO! from Predict Wind which, by using their apps, allows them to receive Grib files, and weather routing information. Important stuff for offshore sailors!

The second device I looked at, and one that wasn’t brought up in my last post, is the DeLorme InReach Explorer satellite messaging device.

This device seems somewhat similar to the Spot tracker that we used to use. As I understand it, this device would allow us to post position reports so that our readers could follow our track, let us post text updates to Twitter and Facebook, and a fair amount more.

From the Delorme website:

With the DeLorme inReach, stay connected with two-way satellite text messaging, SOS alerting, Follow-Me tracking/Find-Me locating and wireless connection capabilities for smartphones and tablets with truly global coverage anywhere in the world while aboard your vessel. inReach, with the reliable coverage of the Iridium network, keeps you connected even when you venture out beyond the coverage of shore cellular networks and VHF marine band radio. Map your routes, send text messages, post updates to social networking sites and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that in case of an emergency, you can be located anywhere, anytime. Wherever your voyage takes you, you’ll be in good company with the inReach.

We have several friends using these now, one of which has been posting updates from the middle of the Pacific Ocean! When I mentioned this device on our Facebook page, one of the commenters shared info about receiving weather data on the inReach device from Ocens Spotcast. This is something that I hadn’t heard about before. Cool stuff!

In addition to the initial hardware cost, both of these devices require a monthly subscription service. Our friends on TwoFish purchased a GO!, and Jason tells me that he has it all figured out. I’m looking forward to picking his brain about it when they return to Grenada.