PDA gift for Sailor?

Question

I only recently found out about this PDA...yes well so my age is showing...at any rate i would like to buy one of these as a birthday gift for my hubby/Sailor for when he is overseas for a way of us communicating. I would like it to have a cam/cell use/service, (obivously it would need to have worldwide access),internet access for checking mail, i.m.'s & possibly surfing the web. Please can you direct me to one that is the best all around for service and price. Also can i get one for less if i get a service contract with it? I have seen some newer ones for upwards of $650.00. What can you tell me about this. Is it true if i get him this will we be able to communicate while he is overseas? Plz help..best, clear and concise answer i will love u,(not as much as him), and 10pts.

ummm..my ex hubby was a sailor for 6 yrs and poses this question to all of you...how do you MISS A CARRIER????? IN OPEN WATER?? this isn't a sub folks?? And well umm...it isn't like it is going to "sneak" into a port either... what is this deal with PDA and omg you might be "found" if you use a PDA on the ship??

Answer 1

This isn't a bad idea but there are a few things that you need to keep in mind... First, you're essentially looking for a cell phone - a very capable cell phone, but still a cell phone.

Since your husband is a sailor, I will assume he's assigned to a ship and not on land... If that's the case, you're not going to get any additional ability to contact him if he already has a cell phone... As you've probably found out by now, unless you're on a cruise ship, there's no cell service at sea, so when it comes to communications while he's under way, the device you're interested in purchasing won't do what you're looking for. While the device might be of some use to him as a PDA even without cell service, odds are he won't be able to use it for work due to security reasons, and if there was a use for a PDA, odds are his command has already supplied him with one.

Now if he's assigned to a shore command overseas it's a slightly different story. But again the question remains, does your husband already have a cell phone, and does it work where he is stationed? If he has a cell phone that does work, what carrier? If he has a cell phone now that doesn't work where he is, getting a new phone (PDA/Smartphone or any other type) with the same carrier as his existing phone won't help the situation.

Overall though, T-Mobile and Cingular have the best coverage overseas, however I believe T-Mobile has the best rates for overseas roaming (when the phone leaves the US it will be roaming).

You will definately get a better deal on a phone if you sign a two year contract with it. However, head to your local Exchange/BX/PX if there is a cell phone kiosk there. You can normally get better deals on both hardware and plans when you talk to them then if you went to your local carrier's store. Typically they have military friendly prices and plans that aren't always available off base.

Some decent phone's to consider are the T-Mobile MDA, and the Dash, or the Cingular 8125, 8525, Treo 750, or even the Blackjack.

Answer 2

Last poster was on the right track... it will be very expensive to add the international features. I assume what she stated about the "at sea" issues is correct as i have no experience with that.

You have stated that he will be overseas, so I will assume (like the past poster) that you are referring to Iraq. I am stationed in Baghdad and cellular service is limited, at best. I purchased an Iraqi cell phone (since they have cell phone towers here, I figured it would work half-way decent) and it stinks. Most times, the network is busy and if I am able to get through, what amounts to 10 minutes of conversation equates to a 40 minute ordeal with all the disconnecting and redialing. Baghdad probably gets the best cell service in the country; many other regions, you will not be able to get ANY kind of cell signal. I have never heard of PDAs or cell phones being prohibited because of IEDs... however, it is directly because of the IED threat that your husband may have trouble with his service (I cannot go further into detail for you, I'm sorry, but it would be bad OPSEC). Your other option would be a satellite phone which are very, very expensive.

Basically, just make sure you know where he will be and whether it is even feasible before you spend a bunch of money on what will basically end up being a paperweight (ie, he won't be able to use it). For your sake, I hope you can. :)

Answer 3

keep in mind that it will be expensive to add international features.. and if he will be at sea, he will NOT be able to hook anything up to the ships' LAN, and sattelite prices are extrememly expensive.

if he will be boots on the ground, he may not have access period.. depends on where he will be and what the policies are. in many places, use of PDAs and cell phones is prohibited, because that is what the terrorists are using to detonate IEDs.

Truly, you cannot expect that ANYTHING will give you regular communication.

Answer 4

I laugh, I grimace !!

It was ONLY on my last cruise (1997) that we had "Project Athena" that allowed SCREENED email... useful, productive, and amazing at the time.

Otherwise I think it is CRAP... a sailor has his off time to write a LETTER... with the old school turn around of a week or FOUR. I like the quicker turn around... but am VERY nervous about systems that can broadcast outside of EMCON and allow folks to announce position and course withouth screeening.

Answer 5

Everybody loves the Blackberry. It has all the stuff you want, service from Verizon (free IN-network calling), and is compatible with practically anything. I also think you can get one for less than $650.