I don't think that analogy is just for vans either. We're always finding something new to buy for our camping set up. But sure is fun buying new toys :D

The bank balance is very quickly teaching me to differentiate between WANT and NEED.

Gee I wish the Bank manager would turn a blind eye and add a couple or six zeros to my balance.....

Jacko wrote:

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Darling wouldn't an EPIRB or a SPOT be a better option than a sat phone? Darling been a single lady dont carry a sat phone but do carry a current model EPIRB and two parachute flares which Jacko keeps in date. Theres so many people travelling these days there are always folk around with VKS737 HF network.

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 thanks Jacko but where we intend going there are not always people around and will be out of phone range for weeks at a time and we want the family to be able to contact us in an emergency and hang the cost. The death of a grandchild last Dec would have been terrible for the family if they could not contact us and so we have decided that contact is a priority - an EPIRB or flares would have been useless in that situation.

villatranquilla wrote:

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Does the purchase of 'things' for the van ever really end?. We keep saying "that's it" but along comes another good idea usually involving $$$$. Just received the approval for a subsidised sat phone - THEN THAT'S IT

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 Darling the Delorme inReach are due in Australia December/January. Darling Jacko should have one mid November and will post the details when it arrives.

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10820&minisite=10020

Send, receive text messages from beyond cell phone range
Receive delivery confirmation
Enable remote tracking
Unique interactive SOS
Pair with PN-60w or Android phone or use inReach by itself

I think Wombat is the expert on bottomless holes

Cruising Granny wrote:

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Jacko, there's necessity, need and want. Then there comes priority and common sense (which is not so common).
What suits one will not suit another. A subsidised sat phone would be a better investment for all round communication.
I'm not sure what the gadget is to which you add a link, but it's also about availability and initial outlay.
To each his/her own according to the individual circumstances.

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Darling Grumpy Grouch Granny if you took the trouble to peruse the link and check out the price and options the unit would meet most peoples needs. Darling how would you know a satellite phone would be a better investment. Darling Grumpy Grouch Granny a sat phone is a substantially higher investment and monthly charge whereas the unit linked to is inexpensive to buy and monthly charge is inexpensive compared to a satellite phone and the unit offers two way communication. Darling Grumpy Grouch Granny thought forums were about trying to assist people with various options. Darling Grumpy Grouch Granny suggest remaining silent is the best option when you dont have a clue or take the time to view and understand material.

Darling Grumpy Grouch Granny. LOL Love it. Though I'm not saying I agree with sentiment.

What did we do before mobile and sat phones? we lived without them
if for some reason (health etc) you must be in phone reach then consider any option, if not life can be a lot more enjoyable without a phone to bug you.
Back to the topic, There is always something new to buy, it looks great and seems like a good idea at the time but more often than not it gets used a few times then relegated to the back of a cupboard and just takes up room. (Been there done that and still doing it).
For most things if you lived without it before you can easily live without it after.

I'm currently in the market for a roof rack mounted side awning. Indigo Camping seem to have the version which suits me best, for the right price.
There's a camping and fishing show in Adelaide this weekend, so I'm going to see what's there in the way of awnings and gadgets.
If there's a useful gadget to add to my collection, I might make a purchase.
These days I'm living 2 lives. The normal one in the van. Then there's the one on the road when I'm working. That's where the awning will come in handy. It would also be very useful for the random camping weekend.
I have a camp bed with a tent over it, and the awning would give me added protection as I sleep under the stars between Rosy and the low loader I'm escorting.

If I wear a "Granny" t/shirt you'll know me. I'm thinking of going Friday.

DeBe wrote:

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 Doesnt look cheep to me @ $249 then needing an android phone to go with it aswell.

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 Darling no Android phone required. Darling if you read the information works stand alone. Android offers extra features.

Changi International Airport Singapore and the lovely Telstra are supplying Wifi with your Bigpond logon.

We reached the point some years ago where we were just lugging a heap of "useful things" around that never got used so since then we have been chucking stuff OUT of the van and camping setups and lightening the load.

Our only purchase these days are to replace breakages or sometimes to replace a heavy or complex item with a lightweight or simpler thing.

Satphones - excellent idea though. Especially if you can qualify for the subsidy.