Anyone forked out the boat bucks for one of these. Interested to find out what others say about their performance and usefulness. I read an article from the (NZ) Island Cruising Association and it seems a few of the Blue Water Cruisers in this years rally have invested in them.

I'm interested in learning what Predict Wind provides in terms of functionality over BoM's MetEye or Ugrib, which uses GRIB files.

Crusoe said..
The Iridium Go is just a WiFi box linked to the satellite. You can WiFi in with your phone, iPad or Laptop. Predictwind is one of the companies marketing it and they have an "Offshore App" that is configured to use the Iridium Go. This App can give you Weather Routing, Departure planning, Destination Weather + some other downloads as well as down load grib files. It does not yet have the ability to display grib files but the web page say it should have this by June 2015. It is not fast but about the same as sat phones. (So they say). You also get access to another couple of iPad Apps for sending Text messages and emails.

Well I forked out the money and brought one. It fired up straight away and did everything they said it would. Just slower then I imagined but I have never used satellite Comms before so it's all new to me. Unfortunatley I have a Mac Laptop and I haven't had much luck reading the Grib files I've downloaded so hopefully Predictwinds come good with theor Prediction of a grib reader in the Offshore App somethime in June.

I do not know if Predict wind is better than BOM or others. I would imagine if I wanted to I could probably find some way of using the Iridium Go to access other weather forecasting companies. But every time I expand the information network it cost money. Maybe I will just concentrate on using the Predict Wind "Off Shore" App for now.

Nice purchase Cursoe ,Ill be interested in your further postings

Have you downloaded the "offshore App" frant. It works both on WiFi (local G3/G4) and the Iridium Go (sat connection) and is different from the web based Predict Wind site I use when I have regular phone coverage.

Have you ever been wrong frant. Answer the question. Have you downloaded the offshore app(lication)? If not then do it. You may then see what I am trying to convey. The offshore app is different from the android/iPad app. It can only be loaded onto a laptop. Mac or pc.

Good morning frant. My thread is really about using Predictwind with the Iridium Go. I'm aware that the information that the Offshore App gives is the same as what can be gleaned from tablet Apps and the standard laptop Apps. And like you I have paid Predict Winds to use all they have to offer.

The Offshore App cannot display the GRIB files so you don't get to see the Wind Maps that I find quite helpful with the other Predict Wind applications. Preditwind are hoping to have a Grib reader developed in June this year and hopefully it has the functionality that some of the other Grib Reader applications do.

The reason why Preditwind have developed the "Offshore App" is because you can't use the other Apps they have when communicating via the Iridium Go. Its not just a case of taking longer because the connection is slow. It just won't work.

It would also appear that "Expedition" do not have an application for Mac Laptops. I have tried GRIBview (on my Mac) but there seems to be an issue with the correct location when the downloaded file is overlaid on the chart.

So, have you used the "Offshore App"? This is what the thread is all about. Trying to find others that have used the Offshore App to maybe get some advice. Not get someones opinion on what they might thing the case may be.

I'm also sorry that you are sorry that you believe I have a comprehension problem. I thought it was the other way around.

So from what you have written in your last post frant, I take it that you have used the Iridium Go to surf the net and am speaking from personal experience with this device?

www.globalmarinenet.com/product/iridium-go/

Don't know if this helps....lol

McNaughtical said..
www.globalmarinenet.com/product/iridium-go/

Don't know if this helps....lol

McNaughtical you really are rather naughty. Crusoe appears to have a propensity to impulse buy stuff that he knows absolutely nothing about over the internet. He then makes a plaintive post on this forum asking if anyone knows about the technical and operating features of the stuff that he has bought. Unfortunately he goes on to get overly defensive and rather rude to those who can explain the operation of the equipment and that it is not actually what he is capable of utilizing. Your post just rubs his nose in the fact that he has just bought an extremely slow device to connect data over an extremely expensive satellite network.
you have just rubbed his nose into it.
lol indeed

Crusoe said..
Thanks for reminding me (again) why I go sailing frant. From your posts it would seem we are both in the same boat regarding our knowledge of the performance of the Iridium Go. At least I will admit I want to learn more. You on the other hand, portray yourself as the expert without, it appears, never using the "Offshore App" or an Iridium Go.

The Iridium Go does in fact do exactly what I thought it would. Works fine and the "Offshore App" performs as it should. My intention was to get weather information when I am out of (land lover) phone reception.

My post was about expanding my knowledge. Unfortunately there appears to be another on this forum who already know it all, can't be told anything and avoids answering questions that may indicate this.

Thanks again McNautical, as I know your intentions are good, not like someone else.

Ok, I'll admit. The iridium Go on closer study does not enable internet connectivity. My bad, it's even less usefull than my initial appraisal.