hm, than i think it's better to use the LORA stuff, no? if i need an external device with my device anyway, i can use one of them.

because the fun thing is cool, but people want some usable...

It depends on which step of the staircase, from pure hardware to pure software, you want to position yourself. Some projects require staying closer to the metal, while others can be purely software. I move up and down this staircase depending on the specific requirements.

If the requirement is to communicate where consumer standards like Bluetooth fail, like in a ship, you have to choose the system for the environment. I evaluate these choices like an architect building a robust system, rather than just using what is available at the nearby shop.