GoTenna is a cute new product about to hit the shelves in the USA. This is a digital transceiver that connects to your phone via Bluetooth and can send text messages to another GoTenna user. The idea is that you can send messages to your friends when there is no mobile phone reception (or to avoid using the phone network). This sounds like it might be a handy device for walkers who want a way to communicate between groups.
Think of it as a walkie-talkie that uses your phone as a screen and keyboard (you can only send text messages - no voice). You buy them in pairs but you can set up groups and send a message to one or a few people you know.
Stuff I like about it
Light weight
Simple design
Approximately 30 hours of run time
Can store messages (if your phone is not connected but the device is on it will store new messages allowing you to read them later)
Not crazy expensive
Allows you to 'broadcast a message' to all goTennas in the area. Normally you would send a message to people in your group. This is suggested as an emergency feature.
But it is not perfect
Even though it uses a lower frequency (although goTenna did not respond to my questions about the actual frequency) it still operates in line of sight. So sending a
message to a friend on the far side of the hill is likely not going to work. But on top of hills you should get a good range.
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Bushwalk
