Yes, in order to use SafeTrx active at this time, you will need to purchase both the SafeTrx mSafety Watch from Sony and also an ongoing subscription that covers data, rescue and SafeTrx services.

In general, SafeTrx Active is targeted more at open water sports where a smartphone may be difficult to operate and the user can benefit from a wrist worn solution.

SafeTrx Maritime is a more detailed application that is suited to users on a boat where the environment is suited to carrying a phone and they have more time to submit details and manage their trip. For both solutions, the unique partnership with SafeTrx means that emergency alerts are sent directly to the rescue organisation's monitoring console.

The main differences between SafeTrx Active and SafeTrx Maritime are as follows:

Operating Platforms
The SafeTrx Active application operates on the dedicated mSafety wearable from Sony and can be purchased online direct from SafeTrx by clicking here. The SafeTrx Maritime application operates on Apple and Android Smartphones and must be downloaded from the App and Play Stores.

Range Using the LTE CAT M1 networks long range capabilities, the SafeTrx Active application on the mSafety wearable can receive a cellular signal where the SafeTrx Maritime application on a Smartphone cannot.

Feature Set
There are features available on the SafeTrx Active wearable such as Strava integration that are not available on SafeTrx Maritime. Likewise, SafeTrx Maritime offers number of tracking options and features such as nautical maps, weather, local VHF channels and group tracking that are not available on SafeTrx Active.

SafeTrx Active has been launched first in countries where we already have a SafeTrx presence and where there are existing arrangements with rescue services. We are also dependent on the technical infrastructure of the network carriers in countries to support the SafeTrx Active Watch. We launched in the Netherlands, where we have a long standing relationship with the KNRM and the Dutch Coastguard and Norway in cooperation with our partner RS. In Germany we work with "Die Seenotretter". In these countries, we offer full integration to the rescue services.We hope to expand the country list as we expand our SafeTrx family and the network capabilities become available. Additionally, we intend rolling out to other countries, where we do not have partnered rescue organisations but the network capabilities do exist, offering just the SafeTrx buddy to buddy alerting system, which still offers great benefits to the user. The first country we launch with this format is Switzerland where the solution can provide added security for all outdoor sports. Below is a list of the countries where SafeTrx is currently available for purchase: Denmark Germany Netherlands

The SafeTrx Active watch is quite different from other smartwatches. SafeTrx Active is a dedicated search and rescue watch with built in safety features that will provide help when you need it most, including direct connectivity to national rescue coordination centres.

Most other consumer smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, use normal LTE band for cellular connectivity. The mSafety from Sony uses LTE-M which is a better communication technology for small wearable devices.

Yes, the SafeTrx Watch is certified to IP68, an international standard rating which covers usage to withstand dust, dirt and sand, and resistant to submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5m underwater for up to thirty minutes.

Note that the SafeTrx Watch cannot receive GPS location data while underwater but we have seen the mSafety connect to cellular networks while underwater. If you have started an alert or assistance request while at sea, it is still recommended to try and keep your arm out of the water to maximise the chances of getting a good signal and good GPS location. The software on the watch expects this to happen. By constantly tracking in real time, we improve the opportunity for the watch to receive location data and transmit it when you arm is above the water.

Additionally, the watch uses a technology called LTE-M, which is different to the standard LTE technology used by phones and other connected watches. This technology is specially designed to support devices that need a long battery life or are used in locations that are difficult to reach with normal LTE technology since it has a longer range and greater penetration.

No, you do not need a phone to use your mSafety. Unlike other watches, because it is always connected, you do not need a phone to use your mSafety at all.

You may carry out your initial account setup on your phone, but this can just as easily be done on any PC or laptop. You can also look at your previous activities on a phone or desktop.

There is no requirement though to pair your watch with your phone and you can leave your phone on shore or even at home when you go out with your mSafety. You don't even need to sync or upload activities to your phone, they'll be picked up automatically from the SafeTrx Cloud.

The SafeTrx Active mSafety is a dedicated search and rescue watch with built in direct connectivity to the national rescue coordination centre and is not a sportswatch. 

SafeTrx Active allows you to record and share your activities in real time which many sportswatches cannot do. Using SafeTrx Active will allow the search and rescue authorities find you quickly if you get into trouble.

Many of the features on a standard smart watch would actually be detrimental to the primary function of SafeTrx Active.  SafeTrx Active is focused primarily on safety and support for the rescue services in emergency situation, meaning that we prioritise battery length and location services over other typical smart watch functions.

In passive or standby mode it should last for several days. When in activity tracking, assistance or alerting mode, the device will be carrying out per second tracking with network communications every minute, which will significantly reduce the battery life. It will typically last approximately 7 hours in one of the tracking modes.

We'd love to be able to make the mSafety purchase a one off cost, as we know it isn't cheap and our users have a lot of other equipment costs. However the ability to provide an always connected, live tracking and emergency alerting device and the life saving services that support it is dependent on a number of services that bear an ongoing cost.

The mSafety device is always connected to the LTE-M cellular network, which is why it is able to send your live data and emergency alerts at any time. This is similar to your mobile phone and the data contracts that you would be familiar with.

Without this connection, which is covered by all subscription plans, the mSafety will not be able to perform any of its functions.

The subscription fee is required to cover the following: Network connectivity and data costs that are paid to network providers to support "always on" connectivity and roaming.

Contributions made to any affiliated rescue organisation who will receive a portion of every subscription payment. Hardware and software costs associated with providing the SafeTrx cloud and services platform.

While the SafeTrx platform costs are consistent across countries, the rescue organisation contribution and network fees can vary by country resulting in different subscription costs.