satellite marine forecast

jefffski

jefffski

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Paddling to the north Broughtons this summer, as far as Kingcome Inlet. Typically, I've used my VHF radio for marine forecasts, but I think VHF reach is limited the further north you go. So, I'm considering getting a satellite device. It will serve mostly to get marine forecasts and to communicate in emergencies (my VHF does have a come-get-me button). I may use the device for very irregular texting.

I'm looking at Zoleo and Inreach. Which do you recommend? Marine weather forecasts are key.

thanks.
 
Rather than a satellite system, I use this absurdly long telescoping antenna that I got from Ebay for a few bucks. Screws right in to my handheld VHF, no modifications needed. I'm pretty sure it can pick up the weather forecast from Jupiter!

If you go this route, only use an extended antenna to receive, never to transmit. The extended antenna is (probably) not cut to a resonant length, so transmit could reflect power back into the unit and damage it. Besides, Wx stations are receive-only anyway.

Alex
 
I never had a beach with 0 VHF reception. Sometimes it took a bit of a wander to find just the right spot. I like Alex's suggestion.

The forecasts provided by Garmin are pretty useless, in my experience. Though the ability for a competent and experienced padder/sailor/weather-dork to message you about the weather is nice. Even if just for a sanity check.
 
CPS said:
I never had a beach with 0 VHF reception. Sometimes it took a bit of a wander to find just the right spot. I like Alex's suggestion.

The forecasts provided by Garmin are pretty useless, in my experience. Though the ability for a competent and experienced padder/sailor/weather-dork to message you about the weather is nice. Even if just for a sanity check.
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Zoleo has a tie in to Predict Wind, like Windy app
 
Does the Zoleo-PredictWind tie in deliver a PredictWind forecast to the Zoleo? Or, deliver GPS coordinates from the Zoleo to the PredictWind app?

If it's the first, it would be very useful. If it's the second, it's not much use if you're out of cell range and can't use data to actually get a PredictWind forecast. The write up on this PredictWind support page makes me think it's the second scenario.

I have a Zoleo and like it a lot but as a safety and messaging device. If I remember correctly, the weather forecast it provides is pretty basic.
 
sthwaits said:
Does the Zoleo-PredictWind tie in deliver a PredictWind forecast to the Zoleo? Or, deliver GPS coordinates from the Zoleo to the PredictWind app?

If it's the first, it would be very useful. If it's the second, it's not much use if you're out of cell range and can't use data to actually get a PredictWind forecast. The write up on this PredictWind support page makes me think it's the second scenario.

I have a Zoleo and like it a lot but as a safety and messaging device. If I remember correctly, the weather forecast it provides is pretty basic.
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You are correct. And the forecast is a basic one and would likely be just for Campbell River or thereabouts.
Thank you for pointing that out.

I'm thinking that the best way would be for someone onshore to text the marine forecast as needed once we were out of VHF marine weather range. In that case, either system would work, yes?
 
Yes, any satellite communicator should be able to receive a forecast from a friend. The quality of that will depend on who is transcribing it. Sending the whole shabang is possible, but going to be a lot to decypher on those little screens.

Better to get a condensed version such as "SW inflow 10-20 kts, light after midnight, SW inflow 10-20 noon Tuesday" as opposed to sending the synopsis, forecast, extended forecast.
 
CPS said:
Yes, any satellite communicator should be able to receive a forecast from a friend. The quality of that will depend on who is transcribing it. Sending the whole shabang is possible, but going to be a lot to decypher on those little screens.

Better to get a condensed version such as "SW inflow 10-20 kts, light after midnight, SW inflow 10-20 noon Tuesday" as opposed to sending the synopsis, forecast, extended forecast.
Click to expand...
Yup. Just the facts mam
 
jefffski said:
I'm thinking that the best way would be for someone onshore to text the marine forecast as needed once we were out of VHF marine weather range. In that case, either system would work, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes, that sounds like the best setup. And you've got some redundancy in areas where both systems are working.

CPS said:
Sending the whole shabang is possible, but going to be a lot to decypher on those little screens.
Click to expand...

With the Zoleo, there's a 160 character limit per message if only one of you has the Zoleo app. If both of you have the Zoleo app, then the limit is 900 characters which should be plenty. The Zoleo has no screen, so you'd be reading the messages on your phone.
 
CPS said:
I never had a beach with 0 VHF reception. Sometimes it took a bit of a wander to find just the right spot. I like Alex's suggestion.

The forecasts provided by Garmin are pretty useless, in my experience. Though the ability for a competent and experienced padder/sailor/weather-dork to message you about the weather is nice. Even if just for a sanity check.
Click to expand...
We had no reception in Walsh Cove in the discovery area.
 
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