Internet / Weather Aboard - latest thinking?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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Ok so about 6 months ago Predict Wind combined with Iridium Go seem to be a fairly good solution. Does anyone know if there is any thing else to consider out there now as things seem to be changing rapidly?

My usage will be:

  • Offshore use for general circumnavigation
  • Genera internet access, emails, blog posts etc
  • Access to decent weather programs etc.
  • Wifi would be nice so we just login via ipad, phone etc.
 
When in reach of a 3/4G signal, then a mifi brick with local data SIM is the easiest way to provide an Internet link for the boat. We've been using one for the last three years now and it makes life very simple. Only hassle is needing to buy a new SIM card when arriving in a new country.
No idea about offshore as we just live without internet for a few days when making off shore passages and rely on Navtex for weather updates. Be aware that using iPads you need to make sure that you disable most apps automatic access to wifi data if you're using expensive satellite data: they'll update as soon as you connect otherwise.
 
We use MailaSail's GRIB service together with their teleport software to compress the downloads via our satellite phone. It worked well for us across the Atlantic with no dropped call issues and we intend to renew our subscriptions to do the same across the Pacific. It also allowed us to make text based updates to our blog every few days and up date our position reports on MailaSails user blogs page so folk at home knew both where & how well we were. Theoretically we could also have downloaded emails but in practise we didn't bother.

When coastal cruising we tend to use a local SIM to get internet access where possible or go ashore to cafes for wifi. With the local SIM in one smart phone it was easy to set up as a hotspot for the other person to use from our iPad or PC.
 
Agree with Sailorgirl - we used the same combination with great effect - we also uploaded blogs and e-mails during our various crossings. We also liked the fact that with the Iridium phone we could also talk to people when we needed to or they, although pricey, could also talk to us. Sometime a friendly voice is magical!
 
northcave said:
Ok so about 6 months ago Predict Wind combined with Iridium Go seem to be a fairly good solution.
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The Preidct wind combined with Iridium Go does not work on an IPad yet. Here their reply to my question regarding this year ARC: "We are in the process of developing the App for the iPad. We hope to have it ready for the end of this year but it may not be ready in time for your race."
You can try Ocens' GRIB Explorer plus for IPad application which is compatible with Iridium Go.
 
We use local sim when in contact with land. Ocean crossing we use a Delorme Inreach for text/email only comms. $65 per month unlimited use. Can switch on for month at a time so for an Atlantic crossing unlimited comms for a month is excellent value. We got weather information several times per day from friends.
We also have SSB. We can get weatherfax with this. We didn't bother on last Atlantic crossing as Delorme much more convenient. The SSB was good for OCC net whilst mid Atlantic and nice to talk to fellow cruisers as they crossed.
 
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