Am I nutters to only have Tracfone flip dispersed camping?

[ORANGE]

I've never had a smart phone.  
Rarely use my flip phone.

As I begin to disperse camp here on the Tennessee Valley Authority, should I to buy a smartphone.  Or so what?  

Any low tech nomads out there?

Between solar and wifi you guys seem so cutting edge!

 

[B and C]

If you don't have a need (or want), why get one? They are more expensive to operate as in data plans.

 

[Firtree]

My opinion based on no facts is flip phones have better antenna. So if you like yours use it till it doesn’t work any more.

 

[Almost There]

Whether you want to switch to a smart phone will largely depend on how you want to use it.

Do you want to be able to use data wherever you can get cell reception? If so, you'll want a smart phone that can be used as a hotspot.

You  might also find that if you've got an older flip phone that the technology in it won't be able to pick up cell reception. I finally had to switch out my phone (6 years ago) when I couldn't get reception standing in my living room because the tower I was using had been upgraded and no longer supported the technology in my phone.

Because I'm working in an area that doesn't have a cell tower for 45 miles I had my phone put on a per call prepaid plan with data blocked so that when I do go to town it doesn't start using data for all the different apps on it. Once I'm back in the land of connectivity I'll simply have the phone plan switched back to one that has enough data and call time (and not more) than what I need to use.

Here in Canada I use Virgin Mobile and prepay an annual plan. Any  money left over gets rolled over as long as I pay up or switch to a monthly plan. Once I cross the border for the winter I head straight to my closest Verizon store and set up the best plan then available. Last year it was unlimited talk/text continent wide and 10 G of data that had a roll over feature. I  never ran out of data but then I don't stream anything nor watch YouTube videos. Cost for the Verizon plan was $60.00 a month prepaid.

 

[maki2]

You would likely want to carry a phone that has more modern GPS location technology even if you don't have a cell phone plan. You can use it to call 911 in case of emergency. Of course it does require a signal that connects to a cell tower but it does not matter who the carrier that runs the tower is.

Be sure you read the rules and regulations and tips from the 911 website regarding this use of a non connected to a plan phone.

Of course this does mean you need to keep the battery charged.

But don't use any old phone for this as technology has changed over the years. For instance as of Jan. 1 some of the older Verizon phones will not longer connect to the Verizon network and often times Verizon is the one that has the best coverage in many areas. So before you settle on what phone to use for 911 only emergency calls be sure to find out if it will connect to the current networks after Jan 1 2020.

This subject would probably make a good video for the CheapRVliving youtube. If they have not covered it before it will need to be updated because of the changes at Verizon.

 

[brucedevauxone]

I've never had a smart phone. Rarely use my flip phone. As I begin to disperse camp here on the Tennessee Valley Authority, should I to buy a smartphone.  Or so what? Any low tech nomads out there? Between solar and wifi you guys seem so cutting edge!

if you decide to try a smartphone here is a nice $19 ph on VISIBLE-by-Verizon (unlimited) (no contract) for $40/month (no tax)
SEE on this forum with the title ("Unlimited" for $40/month for unlocked iPhones) i have been using it few weeks now and working great in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
AND for $19 it is a great phone!!!

 

[highdesertranger]

I have a flip phone. I don't want a smart phone. I have a hot spot for internet. I have never seen a smart phone that works as good as a dedicated GPS. I have also never seen a smart phone that works as well at my flip phone. I have stood next to 5 people with smart phones and mine was the only one that worked. I want a phone to make and receive phone calls, I know weird uh.

BTW my flip phone is a mil-spec phone. it's highly water and dust resistant. I can't say it's water proof but I have gotten it wet on several occasion and submerged a couple of times. it's so old I can't remember when I got it, I am guessing around 2006 maybe earlier.

and yes Verizon keeps promising me the world if I change phones. I think they are on crack.

highdesertranger

 

[Cammalu]

I like my smart phone because I can do so much on it. I no longer have a computer taking up space, I watch TV and movies on it at times, do almost all my shopping on it, pay my bills, work with my banking, and a jillion other little things like read the threads on this forum with just one little device.

I can use it when and where I want and am not limited trying to carry around a computer. It keeps my calendars and appointments and reminds me when they are coming up.

It will let me know where I am and find nearby businesses and restaurants. It will even give me directions to get there step by step if I want.

It’s the world at my fingertips.

It even works as a phone!

 

[highdesertranger]

screen is to small to be useful to me. people try to show me stuff on them and I just laugh. I can't make heads or tails on a screen that small. old eyes, plus I am blind in one eye. highdesertranger

 

[becida]

There are no rules to this, if you don't want what a smartphone has then don't sweat it.

 

[bullfrog]

I still use a flip phone strictly to make and receive calls. My wife has a smart phone which she uses as a computer connected to the internet (email, search, and electronic banking) as well as getting directions via the GPS feature. She is able to do many tasks electronically that I have to call and talk or give information over the phone to achieve. Many security systems require a text messaged number code to access secure websites. I can get the code on my flip phone but must have a computer on the internet to access the web site or use my wife's smart phone. I can use my handheld GPS or use my wife's smartphone. I can use my flip phone to take a photo but if I want a photo or want to send a photo via the internet I have to use my wife's smartphone. When I want to level the trailer I can get my level out of the tool box or I can use the app on my wife's smartphone. I usually can get done what I need to do using several different methods and tools but being old and lazy I usually just ask my wife to do it on her smartphone. I'm very old and set in my ways, still using my cheap and dependable flip phone and fortunately have a very smart and understanding wife with a smartphone which we have had to replace due to damage to the screen usually.

 

[ORANGE]

Excellent.

Yup Vanning I DONT want to watch videos, search the internet.  I want to get away from this black hole of airtime, for me.  

I expect vanning will be healing/improving my life.  Plenty of reading.  Maybe birding?  Get awesome binoculars.  Stress only when stress is warranted.  (I find internet to be distressful and nothing is "happening" except what is being taken in by the eyes).

And yes the only thing I really want is GPS so I know where I am (the idea of lost, or I drive in and around to find a place to park, and I dont remember how to get out ACK!  For emergency that would be great too.  I will read the 911 info maki2.

I spend like 5 bucks a month even less on this flip phone.  When the technology went up, I was sent a new flip phone.  So $19 phone sounds great but 40 for phone plan? OY.  But I could buy the phone and then not use it with a plan but for gps and 911? 

Right now home internet/wifi is 15 a month.  Spoiled and I spend too much time staring at a screen.  Sure wont be doing that on a flip ha!

I want to resist, but know I could not if I have the video/surfing capability.  But Id really want gps and 911 and yes phone calls.  Id take my tablet in town when I need the internet.

I am happy it isnt nutters. 

Can I get a link for what would be a budget buy to give me GPS and 911?  Does gps mean voice too?  Like is it speaking take a left, go straight?  Or is it map/picture only?

 

[ckelly78z]

I am much more of a paper map kind of guy, but do enjoy high speed wifi on my laptop. I have a smart phone but have no apps on it, never use GPS, text about once a day (MUCH easier to text than a flip phone) and don't play games, or search internet with it. I wouldn't have it, if my wife didn't need the newest/latest model for her work, and then hands them down to me.

 

[lenny flank]

I also have only a Tracfone flip stupidphone.

I virtually never get any phone calls. I have it only in case I need to make an outgoing call. Most of the time, it serves solely as my watch to tell me what time it is.

 

[highdesertranger]

exactly, to each their own. highdesertranger

 

[skyl4rk]

I bought a $5 galaxy s5 at a garage sale. I did not activate it, so it costs me $0 per month. I use it as a tablet, connect to wifi and use apps. I have a turn by turn navigation system (Osmand) that works offline, when there is no wifi. I use google hangouts-dialer-voice and can make calls/texts when I have wifi, callers can leave me messages and texts when I don't have wifi. I have a lot of music on my 128 Gb SD card, so my phone is my sound system, either with headphones or a bluetooth speaker. I also have a large library of pdf books on the SD card, mainly for reference use because I prefer to read paper books. I have a few offline games to play. My phone is my camera and video camera, and I can do basic video editing. With wifi, I can do the usual web surfing. I have apps that show me where there are campsites, rv dumps and water sources, whether I am offline or on wifi.

A smartphone is a very useful device which costs nothing to operate if you don't activate it and you use free wifi.

 

[Cammalu]

Yup Vanning I DONT want to watch videos, search the internet.  I want to get away from this black hole of airtime, for me.  

And yet, here you are! [emoji12]

 

[ORANGE]

And yet, here you are!  [emoji12]

Ah, but Im not out there YET!  Daytripping  was what I was working toward.  And as soon as my stuff gets here that is what Im doing.  Cuz I need AIR conditioning and daytripping I can be in the senior center.   But after finding out about the TVA, then when days are no longer brutal, Im gonna nomad for short periods in the TVA, come home and go again for longer and longer.  Maybe some day full time!  IF I can do it!

Heck it even looks like a gathering might come together at Land Between the Lakes so yay for me!

 

[ORANGE]

I bought a $5 galaxy s5 at a garage sale.  I did not activate it, so it costs me $0 per month.  I use it as a tablet, connect to wifi and use apps.  I have a turn by turn navigation system (Osmand) that works offline, when there is no wifi.  I use google hangouts-dialer-voice and can make calls/texts when I have wifi, callers can leave me messages and texts when I don't have wifi. I have a lot of music on my 128 Gb SD card, so my phone is my sound system, either with headphones or a bluetooth speaker.  I also have a large library of pdf books on the SD card, mainly for reference use because I prefer to read paper books. I have a few offline games to play.  My phone is my camera and video camera, and I can do basic video editing. With wifi, I can do the usual web surfing. I have apps that show me where there are campsites, rv dumps and water sources, whether I am offline or on wifi.

A smartphone is a very useful device which costs nothing to operate if you don't activate it and you use free wifi.

 Yes to that Osmand, hangouts as voice calls and texts, yes to listening to good music, and especially offline apps for campsites, rv dumps etc.   

Do it myself?  Nay, I cant seem to even pull my van together just buying stuff!  

You are right a smartphone is very useful and I see that I do really want it for what you have said!    TVA is all along the river and right nearby towns and cities the length of it for free wifi.

How would I find someone to do these things to a phone?  Even to buy a phone.

skylark you'd have urself a nice side hustle making these for us tech daft.

 

[66788]

Some would say it's nuts to own a smartphone that has paid service, especially in one's own name. Many people carry deactivated Verizon phones, as ANY cell phone activated or not is capable of calling 911 in an emergency. deactivated phones can surf the internet using free wifi, and make voice calls with various apps as well.

It amazes me that people pay big bucks to allow the government and big tech giants to monitor their lives to such a degree.

Life was simpler prior to cell phones, IMHO.