Good News - Motorola Defy Satellite Link Update
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- I spoke with the CEO of Overwatch x Rescue about the future of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link device and Bullit Satellite Messenger app, and there’s some good news for those of you who purchased one.
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Note from FocusPoint:
The new Ulefone engaged FocusPoint to support the response to any emergency SOS assistance request, an you will be able to opt-into the Overwatch x Rescue Plan when signing up for their satellite messaging plan.
Me: Excited to share the Ulefone experience with you guys shortly. Getting it today.
So Ulefone engaged FocusPoint is a new service that we need to sign up for to use our Defys to text? If so do you have a link?
@@michaelatherton826 No the Ulefone is what I mentioned that I 'm testing in the video, a new device, nothing related to Defy except they both use Bullit
@@Hikingguy does this device work if I send a messenger from one satellite communicator, to someone else that is off grid, that has the same brand satellite communicator?
@@martinstasiak5622 Yup - th-cam.com/video/EfMiCDFOXhc/w-d-xo.html
@@Hikingguy I am referring to the Motorola satellite defy communicator?
5 April 2024 Update from Bullit:
We would like to confirm that the the Bullitt Satellite Messenger service is live and fully operational. Since being acquired in February 2024 by RCD 2023 Limited (a UK registered company), the service has continued without interruption and continues to be the world’s leading direct to device NTN messaging service.
As part of our investment, RCD is very pleased to confirm that it will honour the service agreements and data plans for the thousands of existing subscribers who signed up to the Bullitt Satellite Messenger service prior to April 3rd 2024. From April 3rd 2024, the following price plans will be immediately available to all new subscribers with others to follow:
SOS satellite assist only - $4.99 per month
Everyday messaging (up to 80 messages per month) - $9.99 per month*
Premium messaging (up to 300 messages per month) - $29.99 per month*
Freedom (unto 250 messages per year) - $59.99 as one off annual payment*
*All messaging plans include SOS Satellite assist. Further information on data plans can be found on the bullitt.com website. For more information in other currencies please see website.
The following devices are and remain compatible with the Bullitt Satellite Messenger service:
Cat S75
motorola defy satellite link
Ulefone Armour 23.
We are pleased to announce that we are also working closely with a number of other device manufacturers to add NTN messaging capability to their product portfolios through 2024 and beyond.
Please note that RCD is not a device manufacturer and our customer support centre is only able to help with enquires regarding the SOS or satellite messaging service. Please also note that the promotional offer of 12 months free of charge SOS assist and basic messaging previously offered when purchasing a Cat S75 or motorola defy satellite link expired on 30th December 2023. Anyone purchasing an NTN satellite compatible device from April 3rd will require a data plan to enjoy satellite connectivity.
Aside from the continued support for existing customers, RCD has committed to make significant investment to add new features and capabilities to the service and platform over the coming months ensuring that Bullitt Satellite Messenger sets the gold standard for Mission and Business critical NTN comms.
We are in the final stages of testing for a new tracking feature and portal and this update will be released in the coming weeks. As early as June, we will be launching Bullitt Satellite Messenger for Business providing SME’s and channel resellers the ability to manage their services, accounts and billing all in one place via the Bullitt For Business Portal. We will also be Launching Bullitt Satellite For Enterprise an SDK and NTN Connectivity platform enabling developers and Enterprises to add NTN connectivity to an existing application or solution to support both mission critical comms and NTN NBIoT.
There will be lots more updates on our website over the next few weeks.
Great to know! I just bought one on Amazon for 47% off. Looking forward to trying out on our hike on 14ers Huron Peak and Mt. Missouri , CO.
So it seems that companies like Home Depot and REI are selling the devices currently that they say includes the cost of a 1 year subscription of service . Is this accurate? This does not show on the Bullitt web site for plans offered. Can you find out more on this issue? Thank you.
Thank you for the update; I've been anxiously wondering how this was going to unfold.
Thank you So Much for these updates 🙌. I loved my first Defy and had purchased a second over the holidays and have been on the fence about holding on to it or returning. It definitely fits my use/needs, so good to know info👍
Great to hear, thanks for sharing that. I've had great luck with mine as well and at the price point is much more reasonable thank Garmin.
Thank you very much for keeping us informed. Much appreciated.
Thank you for the update. I was wondering if I should replace my MDSL, so this is such great news! I'm taking this device plus my phone to the AT in April.
This is great news! I was seriously considering buying a Mini 2 with my REI dividend but am now going to hold off. Might even upgrade my plan now that I know it’s not going to become e-waste.
Other than the initial setup, my Moto Defy has worked great. I’ve used it multiple times every month since I bought it last August.
Great video and thanks! I’m a UK MDSL owner. I used it two weeks ago in the north of England and was able to send check-in messages. Now Bullitt are no longer looking after the hardware l wonder who we’d contact for Defy hardware support (if needed). I’m also assuming that the ‘new Bullitt’ will be running the same or revised subscriptions. I’m currently on a 12-month free subscription which then (according to the old Bullitt) switches to their basic £5 a month tariff. I’m just wondering how all that might work. Thanks again for keeping us updated; it’s been a bit of a concern for me all of this. Support lines and website have been dead from the UK.
From what I know all the subs, costs, etc. will be the same. Nothing needed to change or do on your end.
For hardware support, I'm going to work on getting that. But as far as I know, whatever info was on the box or documentation should work.
Will share more as I get it.
@@Hikingguy I appreciate you taking this on but why isn’t Bullitt doing this communication with buyers of their product?
@@SwimdeepBecause there's no-one left at Bullitt. All the staff have gone. The information around Bullitt staying around is incorrect, as they've gone into administration.
@@BobDavis-9090 So okay, but why aren't the people taking over the service contacting us?
@@michaelatherton826The service is provided by Skylo, which is why it's still running, but the app and your contract is with Bullitt. Bullitt have not announced any takeover of their part, yet.
Just purchased the Motorola Defy today for $80 on Amazon. Glad to hear it will work with the new restructure of the company. $80 is a fantastic deal and for $60 a year (called the FREEDOM PLAN) I will get 250 messages and the SOS. Perfect for my needs. Cheers from Denver Colorado USA!
@@co4x4 have you tried it out yet? I'm looking to pick up a unit myself. Thanks!
@@co4x4 have you tried it yet? If so, did it work well?
i was just about to buy one ,than saw this , I like that the two other partners kept the boat afloat in rough water that speaks volumes , I'm back in, thanks for your videos BTW they are awesome
With such a critical component while being in the backcountry Garmin InReach seems like the clear choice. I don’t have to worry about mergers companies going out of business whether this service will stop working, etc..
Don't jinx it! Joking but yea, the inReach system is solid and so is Garmin as a company, especially given they're in aviation, marine, etc. That said, credit due to Skylo and Focuspoint who did the right thing given this is an emergency device while Bullit was down. If you do your homework on those two companies, both very solid.
You’re the Best! I’ve been meaning to write you if you had an update on Defy. Bought one through your link last summer. I never received any notice from Bullit about the bankruptcy. If not for your previous video, I would have gone bebopping off into the wilderness not knowing that the texting didn’t work. I hate Garmin and was so happy to say goodbye to them. I had an old dinosaur Garmin InReach twice the size of the Mini. It was so user unfriendly. I had to always bring the manual with me to figure out how to use it. To text, there were letter/number blocks which you had to maneuver around using a cursor. By the time I could text my injury, I would have bled to death! No maps. To turn it off, you held down the power button one and A HALF seconds!! Good luck getting that half second perfect. I would try over and over to turn it off, watching my precious battery dwindle down. I have never seen a video on how the Mini actually texts. I expect it to now have talking texting where you just speak into the Mini and it types the message. How does it turn off; still 1.5 seconds? I would love for you to do a step-by-step tutorial on the Mini though now because of this video it looks like I can keep the Defy. The real drawback to it is my emergency contact must download the Bullit app and setup a free account. That’s nothing to you and me but my contact friend is totally tech terrified and to do this is beyond stressful to them. I wish it used the regular messaging apps like Garmin. Your work is invaluable and can potentially save lives which is why I became a Patron of yours. Thanks Beyond Measure!
Thank you so much!!! Yes, I will do a Mini 2 walkthrough like my Mini 1 video. Others have asked me and I think it could be helpful. Thank you for the suggestion.
Yes, Garmin's documentation often sucks, but I have a Garmin Swim 2 that I love (even though the documentation sucks).
Agree. There is still plenty of room for another company to come in and do this right. It would sell like hotcakes in the current unstable world.
WOW i recently lost my defy and purchased a second Defy on amazon for half price. $80. I activated it today and hope Bullitt stays alive. i bought a gps tracker for the DEFY.
Should still work
Thank you so much for the update
Bullit email: An Important Update from Bullitt Satellite Messenger "We would like to confirm that the the Bullitt Satellite Messenger service is live and fully operational. Since being acquired in February 2024 by RCD 2023 Limited (a UK registered company), the service has continued without interruption and continues to be the world’s leading direct to device NTN messaging service"...
I got the Defy device in November. I had difficulty paring the device to my phone, due to an adhd ravaged brain and the print was so tiny i couldn't read the instructions. Bullit customer service did help. It took two attempts, the 2nd time I was on the phone with them for some time. They were helpful. It seems Inreach is the current gold standard . I don't have tons of disposable income and choose the Defy, mostly to keep the family notified as to what's going on. My family would prefer that i never go into the wild. Sorry if this boring ATB everyone.
In the all too common case of manuals that use the ‘tiny print language’, it is often possible to download them onto a device, such as an iPad, that can enlarge the text for reading.
Thank you for giving an update, which should have been provided by the company! This explains my inability to send check in messages while camping remotely last month. I am beyond angry …since I bought this device in September of 2024, & was lead to believe I had free coverage for 12 months. I just got an email from the new firm, stating the promotional plan expired in December. Feeling a bit ripped off. Grrr. I Thank you so much
thank you so much for this update.. i have been sweating bullets with this because when you first announced the issue with Bullitt, i was just able to use my MDSL 1 time after recently purchasing it. I am just a weekend hiker/camper and usually just do 2-3 times a year, so the price for the Bullitt plan is just right for me as I cannot really justify the Garmin monthly plan.
Thanks for keep us updated. Defy is the most affordable option for satellite messaging…maybe that’s why they went bust 😂 hopefully the service fee doesn’t go up. Garmin is a good company but service plans are too expensive.
Thank you for the update! I came close to purchasing a defy but the guy I backpack with ended up getting a Garmin so I held off. Still will probably want to get some sort of satellite SOS in the future but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe Samsung will actually come out with that functionality in a future iteration of their galaxy phone (I was all ready to go upgrade from my s21 to the new s24 at launch until the rumors were proven false about the SOS link)
do you still get the year subscription free when buying it ?
Yes you do. The change now is you get to choose which tier. You can try out the higher level plans at reduced cost, or the lower ones for the year free.
Been following this thread for a while. Prices of the Defy in the UK are crashing, understandable with all the confusion surrounding Bullitt. This Vid kind of filled in the blanks, it makes sense that the software side would stay, obviously any future endeavours such as the the new cell phone equipped with Sat capability would need this to function. So I took an educated guess and took the plunge.
In anticipation of receiving my Defy I downloaded the App to create an account.
Well what can I say, I can't get any further in the sign up process than verifying my mobile number I never receive the verification code. All attempts to contact support are with silence.
Update: I have now heard from a real person at Bullitt and hopefully the issue will be rectified quickly,
What are your thoughts on the Motorola defy 2?
Thank you for this interesting, informative, & timely news/video.
So the existing Motorola stock of devices is it as far as being able to buy them? Once they are gone, then there’s no device being manufactured anymore to replace it?
That's the last I heard. I reached out to the new Bullitt folks to see if I could do a video update on what's happening now but have not heard anything back from them.
Thanks for the update
Thanks for the update! Glad there is some direction for this to keep going.
Great news! I'm glad I kept my unit. I love how fast the messages get sent.
Any info on future hardware manufacturer(s)? If existing stock is all there is/will be, have to question how long this can continue.
Nothing yet but will share when I do. And to be clear, the service will keep running as long as Bullit / SkyLo / Focuspoint are around. For example, Bullit is in the new Ulefone that I mentioned. I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing more phones popping up with the Bullit app and sat capablity.
Does anyone know if the Motorola defy will work with other satellite communicators directly from satellite messages. For example, cell towers go down again, and I want to communicate my defy with my wife's inreach. Can they communicate to each other directly even though they use different apps on the phone?
Hello, I was wondering who receive the check-in messages. Are them sent to a fixed contact? Are them emails or SMS? Or what? When you send a message and receive a reply...those 2 counts as 2 transmissions, so 2 out 30 messages available for the essential plan, well, how do you protect from (let me use this improperly used term) "spam" messages that can consume all your monthly messages in an instant?
Thank you for this update!
So we're without a cell tower and no hardware but oh boy we have useless software. WTH good is the software without the hardware?
Thanks for this information!
Bullitt Group has gone into administration and all the staff were laid off. There is no Bullitt any more. That's why you're not getting any support and the Bullitt Group website is down.
this is a followup to that event - th-cam.com/video/umrd8AV9Gh4/w-d-xo.html - FYI website is not down
@@HikingguyThe Bullitt Group website is down. The Bullitt satellite website is still up and running, but there is no-one managing/updating it. There's no Bullitt support at the end of the phone or email because there's no staff.
the latest iPhone you can connect a satellite in an emergency
th-cam.com/video/ilXq-POO4d0/w-d-xo.html
Do you think the app will change?
Probably not but hopefully some updates in the future.
Thanks
How does the system in this video compare to the SOS option on the IPhone 14 Pro sat connect even with no cell service?
IMO better - th-cam.com/video/bMS3iV8otEM/w-d-xo.html
@@Hikingguy ok, what about comparing it to a satellite phone?
@@olegig5166 ha yea I don't have the big channel money to buy and test a sat phone unfortunately
Thank you for the update. Just purchased one thanks to your review and videos. Greatly appreciated.
@@il_Presepe ciao, non si riesce a capire se funzionerà in Italia e se l’app riconosce il device alla
Data di luglio 2024. I piani offerti inclusi nel prezzo di acquisto sembrano quelli vecchi. Può aiutarmi? Grazie
@@tuscanydiscovery3019 Ciao, purtroppo non posso confermare al momento il funzionamento in Italia. Tra 2 settimane sarò lì e sono curioso anch'io di verificare il funzionamento. Ti farò sapere. In base al sito della Bullitt dovrebbe funzionare perfettamente in Europa ed i prezzi sono simili a quelli degli USA e UK. Posso confermare che il dispositivo funziona abbastanza bene ma ha i suoi limiti. In assoluto e quello di essere necessariamente orientato verso Sud. Il segnale lo acquisisce a volte in pochi secondi a volte se non orientato verso il network dei suoi satelliti impiega qualche minuto o non si collega affatto. Se hai bisogno di un dispositivo che sia solido e di cui fidarsi di più suggerisco il mini 2 inReach della Garmin. Costa molto di più ed i costi per messaggi satellitari partono da 11 dollari al mese (più 29 di contratto) per 10 messagi più check in illimitati e naturalmente SOS incluso. Con Bullitt, personalmente ho scelto il servizio senza contratto per 59 dollari/ 250 messaggi. Attenzione però perché la Bullitt ha un modo molto particolare per come conta i messaggi inviati. Infatti usano un percentuale per indicare la rimanenza di messaggi e non un numero preciso di essi. Tra qualche settimana ti faccio sapere con certezza se il dispositivo funziona in Italia.
@@il_Presepegentilissimo grazie 🙏
@@tuscanydiscovery3019 confermo il dispositivo funziona benissimo in Italia. Ho mandato dei messaggi di prova e ricevuti nel giro di 20 secondi. Acquisizione satellite e linea in pochi minuti, naturalmente sempre in direzione sud anche con solo 40% di Cielo aperto. Spero questa informazione possa aiutarti. Test eseguiti nel sud Italia.
@@il_Presepe Grazie mille che ti sei ricordato!
I just used mine this last weekend at Point Reyes. The first message for whatever reason showed that it went through on my end (I was at Glen Camp at the time), but my wife did not see it. However, she was able to see every message afterwards. Do you have any experience with the tracking feature? I have the basic free plan that came with the unit (purchased 11/2024), but it doesn't seem like I am able to add the tracking feature to my plan.
I'm not sure what is going on with the tracking beta right now. I'm trying to get more info overall to share.
Question. Can I buy a new one and enroll into service? Very interesting prices now :)
answer: th-cam.com/video/XZEMpG-TFkI/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for this update! I did not realize all this was going on.
Is there anything we need to do? Any software updates/replacements needed? Are the "plans" we bought into still active?
Also, I wish they had some other type of texting system. While I don't mind texting FROM their app, the idea that the person receiving the text needs to install the Bullit app is a problem, unless you convince people ahead of time.
Thanks, again, for these updates!
You're welcome and no, nothing you need to do, this was all behind the scenes, the units should work as promised and continue to. Will keep an eye on it.
@@HikingguyThanks for the reply, and for the news!
That S.O.S. button is unprotected. Aren't you afraid it will go of in your bag at some point?
th-cam.com/video/erNzP0OKvJo/w-d-xo.html
You have too keep the button pressed for 5 consecutive seconds. This is highly unlikely to happen without the use of intentional hands.
Than u for the information. How much cost the mobil ulefone?
amzn.to/3x1MZ1X
Hi Guy, Please forgive the ignorant question but in order to send a message does the recipient need to have the Bullit app on there phone to receive it. Thank you so much and thanks for the update!
No, it can go to text if they don't have the app, but to reply they need the app. Check out my first Defy video for an example
@@Hikingguy I will - thank you for getting back to me. The reason that I ask is that the Defy says that texts are sent but nobody is receiving them - thoughts?
@@jamesbrittain9564 Not sure who's saying that but it's been working for me.
Companies come and go. Thanks
Companies that you rely on for emergencies? 🙂
In fairness the players behind the scenes, FocusPoint and SkyLo, kept it up and running and responded to emergencies when Bullit dropped the ball
@@Hikingguy That is a great thing! I'd hate to still be stuck out in an avalanche. 🙂
My complaint was not with the hardware, it was with the Bullitt customer service (which was awful). Is it still the same people? Seriously, does this give anyone confidence with their emergency response? I suppose I'll hold on the my Defy, buy carry my InReach with me for trips in the next couple of years until this corporate storm subsides. Actually, maybe I'll carry both. So I visited the Bullitt website and there's no login. Do I have to "register?" I tried the Bullitt app from my phone and it just hangs. Do I have to reload the app? Doesn't give me a lot of faith. Why am I learning about this on TH-cam and not an email from Bullitt?!
All systems, app, web, hardware, are working for me (and have been the whole time). I think overall Bullit dropped the ball in a lot of ways but the service has been working well despite that
@@Hikingguy Thanks for your reply. I think they decided I was too much trouble to deal with. I'll wait a couple of months and try to connect with them again. I still think it's not a good thing that you had to provide this information and not them. Did other people get contacted?
@@michaelatherton826There's no staff at Bullitt to contact. The company collapsed and all the staff got laid off.
Thanks for keeping up with this for us! I have enjoyed my Defy and it still works great and sounds like it will continue to. I live in East Tennessee and it's been the perfect option to keep my wife from worrying about me and my off trail fly fishing adventures. Initially this was going to be a stepping stone to eventually investing in a Garmin device, but for 1 day trips Defy cannot be beat if they keep it running.
Good to hear and I've had a similar experience. I carry mine in addition to the Garmin because it's so light / minimal and gives me good redundancy.
Thanks for the update. Bullitt went bankrupt a week after I got my Defy, so I just cancelled the subscription and returned the device to Amazon, unused. Decided last week to invest in the Inreach Mini 2, and I'll stick with that. But I appreciate your update. And the Ulefone looks incredible! Too bad it can't run iOS or it'd be perfect for outdoors people. On the other hand, super rugged cases for the iPhone 14-15 line also would do the trick. Looking forward to your review of the Ulefone!
Darn, I had a chance to get a Mini 2 for $200 (now $350), but went with the Defy. I still have an old InReach which I believe is still supported. I like the Mini 2 because it has a waterproof case for scuba. For redundancy with the Defy I also bought a Nautilus Marine Rescue GPS.