[pct-l] Pocket mail alternative

[David Thibault]

It worked pretty well from Campo to Upper Oregon except in the high Sierra's
and Yosemite area.  In Washington the coverage was not great.

I went about 6 days max without coverage in Yosemite and Washington.  I just
saved my journal entries and sent them when I got coverage.  The rest of the
trail it was every few days.  I would usually turn on the device when I got
to a higher peak overlooking larger valleys - and I would get the occasional
signals.  I typically updated my journal every two to four days on average.
I probably could have more often but didn't feel the need to keep looking
for signals.  I got reception in most towns and they were never too long
away also.

 If you expect always on coverage you will be disappointed (as you would
with any cell phone also).  But for journaling I found it worked great.  I
know Ice Axe, who used one of these also, had very little complaints about
coverage - he turned his on more than me looking for signals and updated his
journal even more often than I did.  He told me he thought his coverage was
as good as anyone carrying a cell phone (any carrier).

Hope that helps.

Day-Late


On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:11 PM, Matt Thyer <matt_thyer at hotmail.com> wrote:

> David,
>
> What kind of connectivity have you been able to see with this device?
>  Where
> have you used it and where has it worked/not-worked?
>
> Really interesting device, but the coverage maps I've been able to find
> tell
> me almost nothing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Matt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of David Thibault
> Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 3:54 PM
> To: Kea; Pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pocket mail alternative
>
> The Peek has an airplane mode that turns off the seek reception mode.  Also
> it only seeks cell connection when turned on.  Unlike a phone it doesn't
> have to be always on.  When you turn it on it attempts to connect and then
> downloads your new messages.  When its off it is off.
>
> I found I could go about a week without recharging it while actually using
> it about an hour a day.  That was more than enough time to read emails and
> compose journal entries.  I also used it as a book by using dailylit.comto
> email me chapters of books one at a time.  Towards the end I wasn't reading
> much casue I was too tired at night.  I also was able to get weather
> reports
> with it once in a while (a nice feature).
>
> On Sun, Sep 27, 2009 at 5:32 PM, Kea <keahiker at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I have hesitated about getting a Peek because of the question of
> > battery life.  For most of the PCT, there will be no signal so
> > presumably the Peek will keep trying to connect.  With cell phones I
> > have used, this kills the battery in no time fast.  The only solution
> > is to turn the phone off when there is no signal; but of course this
> > does not work when typing in one's journal.
> >
> > So my question is:  how does the peek handle no signal and how does
> > this affect the battery life?  I could find no answers in the Peek web
> site.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Kea
> >
> >
> > 2009/9/25 David Thibault <dthibaul07 at gmail.com>
> >
> >>  I used a peek for journaling on the PCT this year with great success.
> >> If you want to just journal, the peek is a much better option than
> >> pocket mail.  It costs and weighs less and is easier to use. Worked
> >> great with postholer as they support email updates directly to
> >> journals.  Myself and Ice Axe used them this year and we were both
> >> very happy with them.  They are $20/month and I think you can now
> >> find the device for about $20 also.  I did go about a week without
> >> service at times but you just save your entry and send them when
> >> service is available.
> >> I carried a spare battery and only used it once (this could have been
> >> avoided too).
> >> I would not carry the spare battery again as it wasn't necessary.
> >> The keyboard is bigger than most phones and that made a big
> >> difference for me as I had a phone available to use but could never
> >> get comfortable using the too small keypad.
> >>
> >> Day-late
> >>
> >>
> >> Ruckman wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> in reference to the pocketmail. i know what you mean about having so
> >> many devices. pocketmail was a good thing to have when i did the AT
> >> in 03,  but nowadays theres a lighter option that i saw another hiker
> >> using that he raved about called the PEEK 2 ( think thats what it was
> >> called).
> >> the device was about $60, and $20 a month for service. thats all its
> >> used for is writing, sending and receiving emails and i think you may
> >> be able to directly send it to trailjournals. but the guy who had it
> >> was on postholer and he could directly send it to that. you dont need
> >> a phone to  send the messages either. it just sends them when it gets
> >> a signal.
> >> wish i had used one this year on the PCT. live and learn.
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >
> >
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