At last year’s EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, ACR Electronics introduced the Bivy Stick two-way Iridium satellite messenger to the aviation community. Weighing just 100 grams and about the size of a deck of cards, the Bivy Stick doesn’t have its own display but works with a smartphone for messaging, location tracking and sharing, and viewing GPS maps and live weather forecasts. By itself (or connected to the smartphone) it can make a distress call to emergency services.

ACR purchased the Bivy company last March. “We had been watching that market for years,” said Mikele D’Arcangelo, ACR Electronics global v-p, marketing and product management. “We wanted to make sure we found the right product.”

In addition to Bivy, ACR owns companies that specialize in aviation and maritime tracking and communications and emergency products and services. These include names familiar to those in the aviation industry such as Artex, Blue Sky Network, Flight Data Systems, FreeFlight Systems, Latitude Technologies, and Skytrac.

“We got a very positive reception at Oshkosh,” D’Arcangelo said, “and we sold a bunch.” After buying the company, ACR updated the Bivy stick with new tracking intervals of two and five minutes, in addition to the existing 30 and 60 minutes. Previously the shortest interval was 10 minutes. Another feature that pilots like is the Bivy Stick’s 1/4-inch thread mount adaptor, which is compatible with many mounting systems including GoPro mounts. The Bivy Stick is also IPX7 rated for water protection, which means waterproof to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. Battery life is up to 120 hours of normal operation.

The Bivy Stick sells for $199.95 with a required minimum four months subscription to a plus or unlimited data plan. Plans range from Basic at $19.99 monthly or $14.99 with an annual subscription plan to Plus at $34.99 ($29.99 annual plan) and Unlimited at $49.99 ($44.99 annual plan). Each plan includes a specific number of credits for tracking, messages, and weather reports. All plans include unlimited sending of “check-in” messages; these are pre-written stored messages that the user can send at any time. Also included is emergency SOS messaging via Global Rescue. Plans can be deactivated at any time and reactivated with no fee, although rollover credits would be lost.

Without a smartphone connected to the Bivy Stick, it can still be used to send check-in messages and SOS alerts, using buttons on the device. The SOS button is protected by a secure flap to prevent inadvertent activation. Global Rescue will respond to SOS messages and contact local emergency services for the subscriber. ACR also offers higher-level services through Global Rescue, including medical evacuation and consultation as well as security services, for additional fees that vary depending on the duration and level of coverage needed.

Using the Bivy Stick

I tested the Bivy stick while hiking and in the air, and it consistently worked well, connecting seamlessly with both GPS and Iridium satellites. Using the Bivy app on my iPhone, I was able to send and receive messages reliably. I did the airborne testing in light airplanes and in a CitationJet at FL410 and never had any problems communicating and also tracking my journey. I have not yet tried the Bivy Stick in a jet with heated windshields, but in this case, it could easily be placed near a cabin window.

Typing out messages in the app is simple, and as long as there is a Bluetooth connection between the smartphone (iOS or Android) and the Bivy Stick and a clear view of the sky, the message should go through.

The Bivy Stick is so light that it’s easy to keep in a pocket in my backpack while traveling. And being able to send a quick message to my family while flying in an airplane without air-to-ground or satcom service is a bonus. The included maps are also a handy feature for outdoor activities.

One word of caution: while the Iridium satcom network is available anywhere in the world, there are certain countries where satellite communicators are not allowed. Carrying a satcom device, even one as unobtrusive as the Bivy Stick, could be risky in these countries, and users should check on this before traveling with the Stick.