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General Support => Installation and Set-Up (Devices) => Topic started by: TimSpencer on March 07, 2018, 02:03:50 PM

Title: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: TimSpencer on March 07, 2018, 02:03:50 PM
is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?   ???

thanks!
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: GPz1100 on March 07, 2018, 02:26:13 PM
Callcentric $1.50 a month... $18/yr.. 4.9ยข a day... Is that sufficiently cheap?
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: Lavarock7 on March 08, 2018, 01:40:17 AM
I don't use Bluetooth, but I got to thinking that if the Obi had Bluetooth to a cellphone that was near it, calls routed through it would also show GPS info.

Is this something that could work?
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: drgeoff on March 08, 2018, 04:39:30 AM
Quote from: Lavarock7 on March 08, 2018, 01:40:17 AM
I don't use Bluetooth, but I got to thinking that if the Obi had Bluetooth to a cellphone that was near it, calls routed through it would also show GPS info.

Is this something that could work?
1.  There are lots of phones that have Bluetooth but not GPS.

2.  If a cellphone which does have Bluetooth and GPS is close enough to an OBi (with Bluetooth) for the Bluetooth link to work, then that very likely means that the cellphone is indoors.  Where GPS tends not  to work.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: GPz1100 on March 08, 2018, 08:48:00 AM
It boils down to how important 911 service is for you.  I'd like to think of 911 service in a worst case scenario.  One may need emt/police asap.  Time spent getting transferred between call centers and/or getting your exact location may mean the difference between life and death.  For a few bucks a year, the paid 911 service will always provide your address assuming e911 service is available in your area.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: LTN1 on March 08, 2018, 09:15:02 AM
As others have stated, I do recommend having an e911 service. However, like many people today who have their cell phones on 24/7--and in most places, your cell phone has 911 service with a pretty accurate GPS location (maybe not down to the feet...but usually to the span of a house), some have obtained the local 10 digit number of their 911 dispatcher (it's the actual number that dialing 911 will route to) and have programmed it into their OBi device.

The advantage of programming the local emergency number to the OBi device is that the caller using the OBi phone will only have to dial the digits "911" to get to their local emergency dispatcher. The disadvantage is that the caller will have to tell the dispatcher their house address because it will not show up on the dispatcher's system.

If you want to do something like this, while not the best method, let me know and I will provide the configuration for the OBi200 device.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: lhm. on March 22, 2018, 09:52:58 PM
GV911.com $12 per year. Has worked well for me the last few years.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: Taoman on March 22, 2018, 10:31:49 PM
Quote from: lhm. on March 22, 2018, 09:52:58 PM
GV911.com $12 per year. Has worked well for me the last few years.

How so? Have you ever actually had to make a 911 call using GV911.com?
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: lhm. on March 22, 2018, 10:48:27 PM
Yes and had made test calls to 911 before that (with prior permission) to verify that the Smart911.com health profiles for the wife and I were provided/passed and they were.

Works for me.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: SteveInWA on March 23, 2018, 08:09:18 AM
And, it's worth SIX DOLLARS A YEAR to gamble on that?   Really, look at the website; I know elementary school kids who could do a better job.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: nmvega on March 17, 2019, 01:28:18 PM
Quote from: lhm. on March 22, 2018, 10:48:27 PM
Yes and had made test calls to 911 before that (with prior permission) to verify that the Smart911.com health profiles for the wife and I were provided/passed and they were.

Works for me.
Thank you for the Smart911.com tip. I never knew that was available and just signed up. It's free and comprehensive, and I recommend it to anyone reading this. :)
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: arobatino on March 25, 2019, 01:10:02 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on March 23, 2018, 08:09:18 AM
And, it's worth SIX DOLLARS A YEAR to gamble on that?   Really, look at the website; I know elementary school kids who could do a better job.
https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/

Not claiming GV911 is in the same league, just saying you can't always judge a business by its website.
Title: Re: is there a free or nearly-free 911 solution on Obi200 for a cheapskate like me?
Post by: SteveInWA on March 25, 2019, 02:25:26 PM
Quote from: arobatino on March 25, 2019, 01:10:02 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on March 23, 2018, 08:09:18 AM
And, it's worth SIX DOLLARS A YEAR to gamble on that?   Really, look at the website; I know elementary school kids who could do a better job.
https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/

Not claiming GV911 is in the same league, just saying you can't always judge a business by its website.

Even the name is suspect.  What legitimate company would exist solely to sell 911 for Google Voice?  Their business address is fake - it's a private mail box.  It's just some dude making a few bucks on the web; not something I'd trust my life to work.  Anyone who thinks it's worth saving $6/year deserves a Darwin award.