After reading about a Maui outrigger canoe paddler who was rescued two miles offshore because his smart phone allowed his location to be broadcast, I'm thinking it may be time to get a smart watch. I'm in the Android universe, and it needs LTE/cell service. Does anyone have experience with such an Anroid phone. And are they also useful for speed measurements? Thanks

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marc5 said..
After reading about a Maui outrigger canoe paddler who was rescued two miles offshore because his smart phone allowed his location to be broadcast, I'm thinking it may be time to get a smart watch. I'm in the Android universe, and it needs LTE/cell service. Does anyone have experience with such an Anroid phone. And are they also useful for speed measurements? Thanks

I think there's basically two options:

1) A normal GPS watch for tracking but carrying your phone with you in a waterproof pouch. The watch could connect to your phone via Bluetooth and allow you to use the watch as a speakerphone, and trigger SOS calls via a series of button presses on the watch (will vary between watch to watch). The watch requires connection to your phone for connectivity to the outside world.

2) A watch with its own mobile connectivity, this basically means the watch has its own mobile signal and can make and receive phonecalls or SOS calls without connectivity to your mobile phone. This is probably a better solution but also more expensive: typically you need to pay for mobile connectivity for the watch, on Telstra in Australia this is like $5 per month on top of your existing phone bill, and the watches that support this tend to be more expensive. As an example, a list of garmin models that support this are here www.garmin.com/en-AU/connectivity/

The new Apple Ultra 3 . Can also use Satellite with no subscription fee pretty dam amazing, This is a life saver. .
"Satellite communications. Up and running.
Now when you're off the grid without mobile connectivity or Wi-Fi, Ultra 3 can help you stay connected using built-in satellite communications.1 So if you need critical help, you can contact emergency services via satellite - straight from your wrist."

Garmin do something similar using geostationary satellites but not as fast or good and super expensive monthly subscription . Plus it's almost double the Ultra 3 price. On land pretty hard to beat the Garmin especially on battery life but at sea the Apple wins hands down especially with the IOS apps.

Telstra now offers sattelte texting on iphone 13 & up some Samsungs and a couple of Google phones
www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-technology/satellite-to-mobile#compatibility-checker

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Piros said..
The new Apple Ultra 3 . Uses Satellite with no subscription fee pretty dam amazing, This is a life saver. .
"Satellite communications. Up and running.
Now when you're off the grid without mobile connectivity or Wi-Fi, Ultra 3 can help you stay connected using built-in satellite communications.1 So if you need critical help, you can contact emergency services via satellite - straight from your wrist."

Garmin do something using geostationary satellites but not as fast and super expensive monthly subscription . Plus it's almost double the Ultra 3 price. On land pretty hard to beat the Garmin especially on battery life but at sea the Apple wins hands down especially with the IOS apps.

Telstra now offers sattelte texting on iphone 13 & up some Samsungs and a couple of Google phones
www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-technology/satellite-to-mobile#compatibility-checker

So this probably doesn't work when the Russians and Chinese start jamming satellite signals (or Elon has a tantrum or is ordered to move satellites away from your region) Better go with a local mobile operator.

Of course it still works with local mobile operators , it's when you are out of range it enables you to use satellites.

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Piros said..
The new Apple Ultra 3 . Can also use Satellite with no subscription fee pretty dam amazing, This is a life saver. .

Just to add though, the satellite thing is only free for 2 years, and without the satellite it still needs a connection to the mobile network or to a mobile phone.

and for further clarity, satellite messaging not available in Australia, only SOS and location sending via Find My.

note that newer iphones also have satellite SOS functionality as well.

personally ultra 3 is still best option for a simple device that you will always have with you to be able to call for help in a 000 type situation.

Yes correct a 2 years free (satellite) and still need a $5 per month digital sim added to your phone for Apple. Garmin is $6.99 per month or $69 per year plus $15 or up to $70 per month pending usage on the satellite side of things. I was looking at switching from Apple to Garmin when I was upgrading my Apple only few weeks back that's why I'm up to speed on it. Settled on the Ultra 3 and very happy with it. One more thing Dawn Patrol now works on the Garmin which is a huge plus , that was one of things that started me to look over the fence plus the Garmin can last 2 to 4 weeks on battery life compared to the Apple 42 -72 hours.

Chemtrails didn't realize it was only SOS in Aus. What about Indo ?

It's worth checking if the mobile network reaches out to sea as aerials point to land. I checked where I sailed a lot on holiday and several people were lost each year, and mobile coverage had gone where I would need to use it. Carried a VHF instead.

Gotta love this forum. American asks specific question about Android and replies talk about iPhones and Telstra
lol


if truly worried just have an EPIRB they are registered to you and get picked up by satellites and passing planes. Phone based stuff may be patchy. In fact I've personally seen a phone emergency activation be off by a few km and they were searching bushland.

I'm with @Mark _australia on this one. Phones and watches are good for fun level tracking, speed recording and phoning the Boss when the session is great and you are going to be late home. For serious **** get an EPIRB, get it registered and most importantly carry it when you head offshore.
The modern ones like the Ocean Signal PLB1 have long battery life are really small and realtively cheap. Transmits your distress signal and GPS location which the rescue teams can trace. AFAIK they can't trace your phone or watch.

Apple watch shares location and elevation with emergency services in satellite mode. Phone location using towers may be inaccurate but this isn't.

I agree that a PLB is more appropriate in some circumstances but the benefit of the watch is you are likely to always have it with you, and a lot of these events are occurring when people weren't necessarily planning a massive gnarly adventure.

it also gives you some options for escalation- with a PLB you're committed to a 000 emergency with emergency services, with the watch you can share your position via satellite using find my to let your team know you kooked it on a downwinder and you're sitting on the beach 5km back.

If you are going offshore you still legally need a PLB so consider the watch as a backup option for more extreme runs.

Ive got the samsung galaxy watch 5. The watch SOS button seems to work ok or though I've ever used it by accident. I got one because I have to be contactable as much as possible. I had the galaxy 3 before which with the rotating bevel was better for water use as you could answer calls in the water lock mode. I can't vouch for the different apps except that it logs sessions with Strava quite well. Mind you I use that more to piss my friends in the UK off rather than see how good or bad I actually am.
I'm not sure I'd get one just for this purpose but if it suits you in other ways then go for it. They're great for running and if you go for a swim you can use the watch to buy a coffee after. Make you feel like Dick Tracy though!