Somewear Global Hotspot
- Offers global coverage
- Ultralight
- Compact
- Text communication
- Bluetooth
- Location tracking
- Weather reports
- IPX7 – Waterproof
- Size = 3.6″ x 3.0″ x 0.8″
- Weight = 4.0 oz.
- Pro’s
- Small
- Affordable subscription options
- Proven satellite dispatch networks
- Con’s
- Only supports SOS on the device itself
Communication is essential for any outdoor pursuit. Somewear enables any smartphone with satellite connectivity giving you the reliable coverage needed to explore with confidence. Leveraging the Iridium satellite network, Somewear offers 100% global coverage in an ultralight, compact form factor that easily fits into your pocket, or on your pack. Out of the box, you get the beautifully designed digital essentials of text communication, location tracking and weather forecasting. With every mobile app update, your Somewear experience will get richer with new features and capabilities.
If you would like additional information or to see other models, go to my REVIEW PAGE, leave a COMMENT BELOW or send me an EMAIL.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Battery: 1000+ messages sent/received per charge
Weight: 4 oz
Waterproof: IPX7
Shockproof: MIL-STD-810
Operating temperature: -4°F to 140°F
Wireless: Bluetooth LE
Location: GPS – CEP 50
Connector: Micro USB
Somewear Global Hotspot
Pros
- Compact & Lightweight
- 2-Way Messaging
- SOS Distress Call
- Location Tracking
- Global Coverage
Cons
- Must be Synced with Smartphone
- Initial Purchase Price
- Must Rely on Phone Battery Life
- or Carry Portable Charger
Great product definitely needed not for only hiking, but I would say this would be great to have with you when you walk the trails in your own back yard. I didn’t know this type of device existed. I would recommend this not only for myself, but to my family. I see there are different devices to determine what you will need. There are so many places that we go camping that we do not have cell phone signal, and can only use the land line in the cabin if you went one in the mountains. I would assume this will work for those type of locations. Have you tried this and is there truly a signal in these locations where there is no cell phone access?
The Somewear Global Hotspot uses the Iridium Satellite Network that provides global coverage from pole to pole so it would work great anywhere you don’t have cell service.
I have not tried this one but it is getting more interesting to me as I have a decent size family, including my sister and her kids, who often do outdoor activities in the mountains and it would be great for all of us to be able to stay in contact with each other when there is no cell service.
To answer your last question, yes, you do have access to the services in areas with no cell phone service because the Somewear Global Hotspot uses the Iridium Satellite Network which will give you service if you have a view of the sky.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Rick
I can definitely see the benefits of this device. I love that it can take extreme temperatures and that it is so compact and light. What other hotspots are available that are comparable? Who would benefit from these devices? Looks great for a family who enjoys being outdoors in a remote location. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks again,
Jay
I agree that this may be great for a family or a group of hikers who want to be able to communicate easily with each other.
The other devices that may be comparable to this are:
1. Bivystick
2. Go Tenna Mesh (however this is really better for large sporting events, concerts and festivals)
3. Garmin inReach Explorer+
The inReach Explore+ offers a lot more functions than these others but it does allow for 2-way messaging between other devices, cell phones and emails. It all comes down to your priorities. If my kids were younger and we had a lot of camping trips or hiking trips and were going off separately, these would be something I would want each of my family members or friends to have.
Rick
Text communication isn’t that bad either though it’s the first time I’m seeing a device like this that is both very compact and responsive. Not a bad one at all, and also for hikers that want to keep together. The battery is also nice seeing that one can send over 1000 messages in one charge. I doubt anyone will be needing that much texts in an adventure. Nice review.
I agree with you on your comments. This is one that I can see some advantages in but its not necessarily the right one for me. I have been on many backpacking trips with 5 or 6 people and sometimes we separate and do different things and I can see an advantage with being able to be in contact with your hiking buddies and of course those you would request help from if the need arose.
This is one I need to spend more time on to see if it would fit how I hike and maybe it would be more advantageous to me than I currently think.
Rick
Excellent review you have written up here concerning the Somewear Global Hotspot. I like the features that this hotspot possesses. Mainly because it can cover worldwide coverage and that’s awesome. Not many hotspot can do that. Though I’m not in need of an hotspot right now but anytime the need arises, I can always consider this. Thanks
We are not all in need of these as our lives are all so different, but bookmark this site so you can come back later if things change and the need for the Somewear Global Hotspot arises.
Rick
Nice review of the very important device! Somewear Global Hotspot looks like a great choice for all hikers. It is also very important to have general awareness when hiking on hard terrain or weather
conditions but these kinds of devices are more than welcome as a backup. Do you have articles or reviews of mini
radio phones that can be connected to your smartphone? I will take a further look at your website anyway.
There are other satellite messengers on the site that can sync to your smartphone. Some of these are the Garmin inReach Explorer+ and the inReach Mini, the SPOT X, the Bivystick and the Go Tenna Mesh.
The main thing is to list out the top 2 or 3 things that are important to you, check your bank account and then pick the one that is right for you.
I started with the SPOT Gen3 but plan on adding the Garmin inReach Mini or Explorer+ soon.
Rick
I’ve been shopping around for a satellite emergency device for about 6 months or so and this is my first time coming across this one. Does the Somewear Global Hotspot come with a warranty?
I’m asking because this is a bit out of my price-range currently and, it seems like you’d have to pay additionally for service to the device. The specs on this one are pretty sweet though. I could have used this in quite a few tight spots (to put it mildly) I got myself into while doing more extreme hikes.
As a fellow hiker, would you have any thriftier suggestions on devices that have at least 911/distress signals without having to have a subscription?
I currently live in an area that is prone to wildfires and earthquake activity has picked up as well. My motto is “don’t be scared be prepared” so, I’m exploring all my options right now for beacon devices.
Thank you in advance!
The Somewear Global Hotspot warranty is for nine (9) months. The warranty information can be found at:
https://www.somewearlabs.com/legal
You are correct that this needs a data plan. Here are the data plans listed on their website:
Plan 1: $15/month or 1 month free with annual plan (20 messages or 150 pin drops per month)
Plan 2: $30/month or 1 month free with annual plan (75 messages or 600 pin drops per month)
Plan 3: $50/month or 1 month free with annual plan (unlimited messages & pin drops)
Plan Ultralight: $100/year (10 messages or 75 pin drops per month)
As you can see there are several plans to choose from to match your financial limitations or your needs.
I would take a hard look at the Garmin inReach Mini or the SPOT X, considering your situation. There are others that may work well so make sure you check them out at:
https://hikingemergencybeacon.com/emergency-radio-reviews/
I hope this helps and has answered your questions.
Rick
Excellent review,really. I’ve not come across such device before. Your article is awesome and informative. The functionalities of this product is superb. The affordability of subscription options is really a plus. A device for adventure and with all the features explained is excellent. I love this technology device and will even try to recommend. Thank you for sharing this informative write-up.
I’m glad you stopped by and left your thought about the Somewear Global Hotspot. It’s a unique satellite messenger that is small and compact. It really is the right satellite messenger for some people, especially families or groups that want an easy way to stay in contact when they are out of cell coverage.
I appreciate your comments. Feel free to stop back by and let me know if you end up buying one.
Rick
TLDR: I do not recommend Somewear.
Return Policy: You are unable to return the device after it has been activated and are stuck with it. In this day and age a product without a money back guarantee should have been a red flag. Another red flag: it is only sold directly from the company, not through a major retailer, like REI, which stands behind the products they sell. REI does sell the Garmin InReach/2, the ACR Electronics Bivy Stick, the Zoleo and devices from Spot.
Experience: Over 1 year of use. Worked as advertised at first. At some point, weather reports stopped loading and map functionally through the phone’s GPS stopped working without updating the phone’s GPS location in another app first. Messages and–presumably–SOS continued to work.
Customer Service: Terrible. Only via email. Wait time for a response was typically between 5 and 23 (not a typo) days. They do not address your concerns, which is especially frustrating when you’ve waited 23 days for a response to a carefully written email. Even worse, they provided patronizing directions on how to use the basic functions of a cell phone, despite clear and technical descriptions of problems.
Technical Assistance: Only available relayed through customer service emails. Unable to solve technical problems. Eventually received an email from Alan Besquin, Co-founder & CTO that didn’t acknowledge my technical problems, didn’t offer solutions, didn’t offer a direct means of contact, didn’t offer a refund, didn’t offer to try a new device; only offered to reset the device for transfer to another party.
Jonathan,
Thanks for you comments and experience with Somewear. You have made several important points to watch out for when buy a satellite messenger. Personally, I have not had all of the same issues you have had, however I’m not doubting you at all.
My favorite satellite messengers are the Garmin products with the ACR Bivystick following closely behind them.
Thanks again for sharing your experience and please leave additional comments about a satellite messenger you like, if you know of a good one.
Rick