What do you think of Pocketmail? Is it a good product?
unbreakable
Pocketmail - Pacific Crest Trail
system
#2
We have been using a PocketMail since 2002. New devices are no longer being sold. I hate to say this, but I think the technology is becoming obsolete as phone technology expands and pay phones are getting harder to find.
In Feb our annual fee of $179 was due. At the same time my cell phone died so I bought the LG nV2 that Stumpknocker uses for photos and journal entries.
Depending on where we hike, we probably won’t be able to send journal entries any more frequently with the LG than with the PM but there is a cost and weight savings.
I’m not selling my PM until after my GET hike.
BTW, we love High Tech Burritos!
…GottaWalk
Marcia
system
#3
I just took shorthand notes on the trail, and then typed entries into computers at town stops along the trail. More and more places have internet access now. I think pocketmail and blackberry-type devices used to be better options when there were few places with computers for hikers, but now…??? Maybe not.
markv
system
#4
Ouch…what I meant is that I am hanging on to my PM while I figure out what works best.
Hey, markv, don’t you line in AZ? There are lots of AZT hikers this year! Does the AZT or GET appeal to you?
I’m not sure that there are many computer opportunities or cell coverage in AZ & NM. And some pay phones have been taken out. I have the same phone but won’t have the opportunities like Stumpknocker on the AT sending journals and photos daily.
Marcia
system
#5
Yes, i’m in Tucson. The little bit of the AZT i’ve been on hasn’t really gotten me too excited, and there are other hikes in-state i’d rather do right now. But if i stay here, who knows maybe i’ll eventually set out on the GET or AZT for a thru hike.
I answered the pocketmail question thinking of the PCT, since that was the forum he asked in. On the AZT or AT, i have no idea.
markv
system
#6
paw-ee and i are very happy to see this discussion, since we are engaged in one of our own concerning whether or not to go with one of these newer devices on our hike this year…ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!..WE’RE SO CONFUSED! (help, somebody!)…i suppose the real question is that of RECEPTION…if we get a blackberry (or the ‘stumpknocker alternative’), will we be able to actually use it?..(i’m assuming we can download stuff we wanna read, etc, and not hafta worry about reception), but am i correct in thinking that a blackberry will also enable me to journal, take pics, have a tracking device, catch the weather, wash my laundry (ha), etc (when we have reception)…on the ‘maps’ at verizon, it appears to be a little sketchy along the pct…thanks all…
MAW-EE
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#8
If there are no longer PM how does one get one? Ebay? I want one and would like to know how? Does the manufacturer sell refurbished ones? Who is the manufacturer? Fill Fill
thanks
indygirl
Indygirl
system
#9
Any PocketMail device that you buy right now will be refurbished for $59. I broke my PM screen when I fell in AZ last year, bought a refurbished that had seen harder wear than the one that I replaced (worn keys, didn’t snap shut) but it works just fine.
You can buy at PocketMail.com. Supposedly new devices will be available the end of April/first of May. Service is $59/3mos., $105/6mos., or $179/year. I really liked the easy-to-use device and low tech system.
We couldn’t get our device to work with digital cell phones when offered by trail angels on the PCT. Maybe someone has the answer to that problem but it was easy to wait for a town phone. It worked very well with pay phones (use one 800#) of motel or restaurant phones (use a different 800#)
Somebody (Halfmile?) on the PCT-l has a map of PCT cell reception. We didn’t carry a cell phone on our CDT hike, but I know that Stumpknocker will find towns without cell reception, much less reception on the trail.
Marcia