Bivy Stick For Hikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Why the Bivy Stick is an Essential Tool for Hikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

The Bivy Stick is a compact and powerful satellite communication device designed for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventurers who venture into remote areas where traditional cellular networks are either unreliable or non-existent.

Offering a range of critical communication and safety features, the Bivy Stick ensures that users can stay connected, share their location, access maps, and call for help in emergencies—all while being small enough to carry without adding unnecessary bulk or weight to their gear.

With its intuitive design, reliable global satellite coverage, and versatile functionality, the Bivy Stick provides peace of mind and enhances safety for anyone exploring the wilderness or engaging in outdoor activities far from civilization.

Key Features of the Bivy Stick

1. Global Satellite Coverage via the Iridium Network:
   • The Bivy Stick connects to the Iridium satellite network, which provides 100% global coverage. Unlike traditional mobile phones that rely on terrestrial cell towers, the Bivy Stick uses satellite communication, allowing users to send messages, share their location, and call for help from anywhere on Earth—whether you're deep in the forest, high in the mountains, or far offshore.
   • Example: A solo hiker exploring the wilderness in Alaska can use the Bivy Stick to send messages or share their real-time location with loved ones, even when there's no cellular signal.
2. SOS Functionality:
   • The Bivy Stick features an emergency SOS button, which can send a distress signal to emergency responders. The device will transmit your exact GPS location along with your message to ensure that help is on the way. This function is crucial in life-threatening situations when users may be injured or lost in a remote area.
   • Example: A rock climber who has sustained an injury while climbing a remote mountain can press the SOS button to alert search and rescue teams, sending their exact coordinates for a faster rescue operation.
3. App-to-App, SMS, and Email Communication:
   • The Bivy Stick allows for two-way communication through satellite messaging, enabling users to send and receive SMS, email, and app-to-app messages. This means you can stay in touch with family, friends, or coworkers while in remote areas, sharing updates or coordinating logistics.
   • Example: A group of campers split up for a day hike can use their Bivy Stick to message the base camp to let them know when they’ll return, ensuring everyone remains informed, even when cell service is unavailable.
4. GPS Tracking, Navigation, and Offline Maps:
   • The Bivy Stick includes GPS tracking capabilities, allowing users to share their location in real-time with family or friends, or track their own progress on a map. It also offers access to offline maps for navigation, ensuring that you can find your way in areas where internet access is unavailable.
   • Example: A long-distance hiker on the Appalachian Trail can use the Bivy Stick’s GPS tracking to share their location with family back home and navigate difficult sections of the trail using offline maps.
5. Lightweight and Portable:
   • The Bivy Stick is extremely lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry on hikes, climbs, or expeditions without weighing down your pack. Despite its small size, it offers powerful satellite communication features that rival larger satellite devices.
   • Example: A backpacker on a multi-day trek can easily clip the Bivy Stick to their gear and use it throughout the journey without adding significant bulk or weight to their load.
6. Extended Battery Life:
   • With 120 hours of battery life, the Bivy Stick is built to last on extended adventures, ensuring that users have connectivity throughout their trips. This is especially important for multi-day treks or expeditions where recharging opportunities may be limited.
   • Example: A hiker on a week-long backcountry camping trip can rely on the Bivy Stick to remain operational the entire time, allowing for regular check-ins and emergency communication.
7. Affordable Satellite Communication:
   • Compared to other satellite communication devices, the Bivy Stick offers a more cost-effective solution for outdoor adventurers. It provides all the essential features of a satellite communication device—such as messaging, tracking, and SOS alerts—without the high cost often associated with other satellite phones or devices.
   • Example: A casual hiker who occasionally goes off-grid can invest in the Bivy Stick as a budget-friendly option to ensure safety and communication without breaking the bank.
8. Made in the USA with Rugged Durability:
   • The Bivy Stick is made in the USA and is designed to withstand rugged outdoor conditions. It is IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes without damage, and it is built to handle dirt, dust, and rough handling.
   • Example: A kayaker navigating a river with frequent rapids can trust that their Bivy Stick will continue to function even after exposure to water splashes or brief submersion.
9. Dedicated Phone Number and Email:
   • Each Bivy Stick comes with a dedicated phone number and email address, making it easy for others to reach you, even when you’re off-grid. Friends, family, or emergency services can contact you directly via satellite, providing a reliable way to stay connected.
   • Example: A hiker in a remote national park can provide their Bivy Stick's phone number and email to their loved ones, ensuring they can receive important messages or updates while off the grid.
10. Versatile Mounting Options:
    • The Bivy Stick offers hundreds of mounting options with its 1/4-20 thread, allowing users to easily attach it to backpacks, bikes, kayaks, or other outdoor equipment. This versatility ensures the device is secure and accessible while adventuring.
    • Example: A cyclist on a cross-country ride can mount the Bivy Stick to their handlebars for quick access to GPS tracking and messaging without needing to stop and unpack it.

ACR Bivy Comparison Chart

Reasons the Bivy Stick is Essential for Hikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts

• Safety in Remote Areas:
  • One of the primary reasons the Bivy Stick is essential is that it enhances safety. Whether you’re hiking alone or in a group, having access to reliable communication in the event of an emergency—such as injury, getting lost, or encountering dangerous conditions—is invaluable. The SOS function provides peace of mind, ensuring that help is just a button press away, even in the most remote locations.
• Real-Time Location Sharing:
  • The GPS tracking feature allows users to share their exact location in real-time, making it easier for loved ones or team members to keep track of each other’s progress. In situations where hikers get separated, this feature ensures that everyone knows where the others are.
  • Review: Many users praise the GPS tracking feature for allowing family members to follow their adventure in real-time, offering reassurance that they are safe and making steady progress.
• Improved Group Coordination:
  • For groups of hikers, climbers, or outdoor enthusiasts, the Bivy Stick enhances group communication. Whether splitting up to explore different trails or simply needing to coordinate activities, the ability to message and share locations improves group safety and coordination.
  • Review: Group hikers appreciate the ease of use and the ability to check in with others, helping them maintain communication even when spread out across large areas.
• Reliable Emergency Response:
  • The SOS feature is considered one of the most critical aspects of the Bivy Stick. Whether you’re in the middle of a storm or facing a medical emergency, being able to send out a distress signal and share your location ensures that rescue teams can find you quickly.
  • Review: Users who have faced emergencies in remote areas often credit the Bivy Stick for getting them out of dangerous situations, making it a highly recommended safety tool.
• Affordable and Accessible:
  • The Bivy Stick offers an affordable alternative to traditional satellite phones, making it accessible to a wide range of adventurers. Hikers who don’t need the full range of features found in more expensive satellite phones find the Bivy Stick’s price point and core functions perfect for their needs.
  • Review: Hikers and casual outdoor enthusiasts praise the Bivy Stick for its affordability, especially considering the level of safety and functionality it provides.
• Environmental Durability:
  • Built to handle rough outdoor conditions, the Bivy Stick is ideal for adventurers who frequently face unpredictable weather or challenging terrain. Its waterproof and dust-resistant design ensures that it continues functioning, even in wet or dirty environments.
  • Review: Outdoor enthusiasts have reviewed the Bivy Stick as highly reliable in harsh weather, reporting no issues after exposure to rain, mud, and even submersion during river crossings.

Conclusion

The Bivy Stick is an essential tool for hikers, climbers, campers, and outdoor adventurers who frequently venture into remote, off-grid locations. With its global satellite coverage, SOS function, GPS tracking, and reliable two-way communication, it offers the peace of mind and security needed for safe outdoor exploration.

Lightweight, portable, and affordable, the Bivy Stick ensures that users can stay connected and safe, regardless of how far off the beaten path their adventures take them. Whether you’re an occasional hiker or a seasoned backcountry explorer, the Bivy Stick provides the essential features needed to make your outdoor excursions safer and more enjoyable.

Benefits of the Bivy Stick Operating on the Iridium Network

The Bivy Stick, which operates on the Iridium satellite network, offers a host of benefits for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, remote workers, and anyone needing reliable off-grid communication.

The Iridium network is unique among satellite networks for its truly global coverage, reaching even the most isolated regions on Earth, from polar regions to vast oceans and remote deserts. This network is highly regarded for its reliability, speed, and low latency, which ensures effective communication even in the world’s most challenging environments.

Here are the key benefits of the Bivy Stick operating on the Iridium Network, explained in detail with examples and reasons why these features make the device a must-have for those venturing off the grid:

1. Global Satellite Coverage

One of the most significant benefits of the Bivy Stick using the Iridium network is its 100% global coverage. The Iridium network consists of 66 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, providing continuous coverage over every part of the planet, including polar regions, oceans, mountains, deserts, and jungles. This global reach ensures that users can stay connected wherever they are, without needing to rely on traditional cell towers or Wi-Fi infrastructure.

• Example: A polar explorer traveling through the Arctic can use the Bivy Stick to stay connected with family or team members, even in areas where no cellular or internet infrastructure exists.
• Benefit: For adventurers, explorers, or professionals working in remote locations, this means they are never out of touch, no matter how far off-grid they go. Whether hiking in the backcountry, sailing across the ocean, or trekking through deserts, users can rely on the Bivy Stick to provide consistent and reliable communication.

2. Reliable Connectivity in Remote Areas

The Iridium network is designed for reliability, especially in environments where communication is critical. Unlike geostationary satellites (which orbit at a fixed point above the equator), Iridium’s low-Earth orbit satellites move across the Earth’s surface, ensuring there is always a satellite available to relay messages. This reduces the likelihood of dropped connections or signal interruptions, even in areas with difficult terrain or weather conditions.

• Example: A mountain climber at a high altitude can maintain a stable connection through the Bivy Stick, even when surrounded by towering peaks that could block signals from traditional satellite phones.
• Benefit: The ability to maintain a reliable connection in areas where other communication systems would fail ensures that users can consistently send messages, share GPS locations, and call for help if needed.

3. Fast and Low-Latency Communication

The low-Earth orbit (LEO) of Iridium satellites also means that latency (the delay between sending a signal and receiving a response) is significantly lower than with geostationary satellite systems. LEO satellites are positioned closer to the Earth (about 780 km above the surface), which reduces the time it takes for signals to travel between the satellite and the ground.

• Example: A remote worker in the wilderness can send a message or share their GPS location via the Bivy Stick with minimal delay, ensuring real-time communication with colleagues or loved ones.
• Benefit: For hikers, outdoor adventurers, and professionals working in off-grid locations, this fast and low-latency communication is essential for ensuring quick and accurate exchanges of information, particularly in emergency situations.

4. Reliable Emergency Communication

In life-threatening situations, the Bivy Stick’s SOS feature, supported by the Iridium network, becomes a lifeline for users. The global coverage and reliable connectivity of the Iridium network ensure that emergency SOS signals can be sent and received anywhere in the world. The Bivy Stick is equipped with an SOS button that transmits the user’s GPS location to GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center, ensuring that help is on the way even in the most remote regions.

• Example: A hiker who becomes lost in a dense forest can use the Bivy Stick to send an SOS signal, providing rescuers with their exact location via satellite, ensuring a faster and more targeted rescue effort.
• Benefit: Whether you’re a solo adventurer exploring unknown terrain or part of a larger team operating in remote environments, the ability to send an SOS signal reliably, regardless of your location, offers peace of mind and significantly enhances safety.

5. Weather-Resilient Communication

The Iridium network is known for its ability to maintain strong connectivity even in harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, or storms. Iridium’s LEO satellites are less affected by adverse weather conditions compared to geostationary satellites, which are positioned farther from the Earth and are more vulnerable to signal degradation during severe weather events.

• Example: A sailor caught in a violent storm in the middle of the ocean can still use the Bivy Stick to send messages, access weather updates, and share their location, despite the challenging weather.
• Benefit: For hikers, sailors, and outdoor adventurers, the ability to communicate in bad weather is crucial. Having a reliable communication device during extreme conditions ensures that users can continue sending messages, accessing weather forecasts, and maintaining contact when it matters most.

6. Compact and Lightweight Design with Satellite Power

The Iridium-powered Bivy Stick is compact and lightweight, yet it packs all the functionality needed for satellite communication in remote areas. Unlike traditional satellite phones that can be bulky, the Bivy Stick easily attaches to gear or fits in a pocket, offering seamless satellite communication in a highly portable package.

• Example: A long-distance backpacker can easily carry the Bivy Stick without adding significant weight or bulk to their gear, using it when necessary for GPS tracking, messaging, or SOS alerts.
• Benefit: For outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize lightweight gear and portability, the Bivy Stick offers powerful satellite connectivity without the drawbacks of heavy or cumbersome equipment.

7. Two-Way Messaging and Location Sharing

The Bivy Stick allows users to send and receive two-way messages via satellite, powered by the Iridium network, ensuring that they can stay in touch with loved ones or team members. Additionally, the location-sharing feature lets users transmit their GPS coordinates in real-time, ensuring that others can track their location during outdoor adventures.

• Example: A group of friends on a multi-day hiking trip can use the Bivy Stick to send check-in messages and share their GPS location with family members back home, ensuring that everyone knows they are safe and on track.
• Benefit: This two-way messaging capability, backed by Iridium’s global network, makes it easy to stay in touch from anywhere, which is essential for coordination during group activities or for peace of mind when solo adventurers need to check in with family.

8. Cost-Effective Satellite Communication

The Bivy Stick offers affordable satellite communication via the Iridium network. Satellite phones and communication devices often come with high costs for both the device itself and the service plans. However, the Bivy Stick is designed to provide the key features of satellite communication at a lower cost, making satellite connectivity more accessible to outdoor enthusiasts who might not require a full satellite phone.

• Example: An occasional weekend hiker who ventures into remote areas can use the Bivy Stick to ensure safety and communication, without the expense of more advanced and costly satellite devices.
• Benefit: The combination of global satellite coverage and an affordable price point makes the Bivy Stick an ideal solution for casual adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals looking for reliable communication without breaking the bank.

9. Power-Efficient Satellite Communication

The Iridium-powered Bivy Stick is designed to be power-efficient, ensuring long battery life even during extended outdoor trips. The Bivy Stick can last for 120 hours of operation, allowing users to send and receive messages, track their location, and use the SOS feature without worrying about running out of power.

• Example: A group of explorers on a week-long expedition in a remote jungle can rely on the Bivy Stick to remain operational throughout their journey, even without access to regular charging facilities.
• Benefit: The power efficiency of the Bivy Stick, combined with the reliability of the Iridium network, ensures that users can stay connected during multi-day adventures without needing frequent recharges.

10. Proven Track Record of the Iridium Network

Iridium has long been regarded as one of the most reliable satellite networks in the world, with a proven track record of success across industries such as military, aviation, maritime, and emergency response. The reliability and global reach of the Iridium network have made it the go-to choice for organizations and individuals who depend on satellite communication for mission-critical operations.

• Example: A mountaineering expedition relies on the Iridium network through the Bivy Stick to stay connected during a high-altitude climb, knowing that Iridium’s network has been trusted by professional explorers and rescue teams for decades.
• Benefit: Users of the Bivy Stick can trust that the Iridium network will provide reliable communication, backed by a long history of proven performance in the most challenging conditions and environments.

Conclusion

The Bivy Stick, powered by the Iridium network, offers a comprehensive set of benefits that make it an essential tool for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventurers who venture into remote, off-grid locations.

The combination of global satellite coverage, reliable connectivity, low-latency communication, and emergency SOS features ensures that users are never out of reach, no matter how far they travel.

Whether you're exploring rugged mountains, sailing across oceans, or hiking deep into wilderness areas, the Bivy Stick, supported by the world-class Iridium network, ensures that you can communicate, navigate, and stay safe in any environment.