Satellite Phone info needed.

[sledhead ut]

Looking into buying a Satellite Phone but after reading as much as I have I'm not sure which direction to go.

Globalstar Phones are dirt cheap but have very limited coverage times for use. They do provide a printable list of prime air times to use during the day but that seems like a pain to use. $35/month for unlimited use is a great deal but if it's not user friendly it doesn't matter what you pay. Iridium Phones are an arm and a leg but seem to be very reliable with 24/7 service. I understand the background of both companies and the difference between LOE VS. Geo Satellites but I'm wondering what kind of experiences people are having with their current phones and service? It really boils down to me spending $60 or $1000 for a phone that will only be used to check in with the kids at the cabin or for an Emergency.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Hardass]

I have no experiance with these types of phones that said to me the answer is in your own post, your kids and emergency's. you say one phone has spotty service with limited air time. kids and emergency's do not happen on schedules. $1,000 seem's like a lot, but if you get the other phone and there is an emergency and you can not get through because of limited air time ,Well i think you see what i mean. Good luck with your decision.

 

[smokindave]

I have the Globalstar phone,that being said everytime that I have needed it to call for a helicopter to haul some sled out it has always worked.
In a emergency though there is the chance that it may not have service,they do say they are going to launch new satelites though...but have yet to see them.
There is about 35-45 minutes every hour that you do have service,so a Spot maybe a good thing to have in your pack,I like to be able to talk to someone instead of a prerecorded message.

 

[JedInUtah]

Ron- have you looked into something like the GeoPro Messenger http://www.geoprosolutions.com/ or Solara devices? Both operate on the iridium network.

Not sure if this is viable for your solution or not or there may be other tools out there like this. It allows you to 2 way text anywhere over there satellite network just like with you cell phone.

I am sure your kids are texting fools.

 

[sledhead ut]

Thanks Jed, I'll check it out. I'm actually getting rid of our SPOT just because I would rather talk to a person and brief them of the situation. Pushing 911 tells me nothing and tells them nothing. Texting is definitely a good option for checking in with kids and would also allow me to inform somebody of a critical situation.

 

[xrated]

Montly fees?

Try Fordy he's the sat phone king.

 

[falconsledder]

Thanks Jed, I'll check it out. I'm actually getting rid of our SPOT just because I would rather talk to a person and brief them of the situation. Pushing 911 tells me nothing and tells them nothing. Texting is definitely a good option for checking in with kids and would also allow me to inform somebody of a critical situation.

Check out the new DeLorme PN-60 gps with Spot
It allows you to text through the Spot

 

[christopher]

Ron- have you looked into something like the GeoPro Messenger http://www.geoprosolutions.com/ or Solara devices? Both operate on the iridium network.

Not sure if this is viable for your solution or not or there may be other tools out there like this. It allows you to 2 way text anywhere over there satellite network just like with you cell phone.

I am sure your kids are texting fools.

Here is the sales page.
http://www.gmpcs-us.com/IRIDIUM/GeoPro-Messenger-.htm

$699.99

Overview

•Rugged two-way satellite GPS messaging device
•Dedicated covered emergency button
•Easy to use in one hand with non-slip form factor
•Network and power-optimized push messaging
•Intuitive interface design
•Joystick to navigate on-display menus and keyboard
•Dynamic softkeys for quick selection and response
•LED and audio alerts (e.g. message waiting)
•USB sync for predefined messages, address book and waypoints

 

[Jeff K]

Anyone have any experience with the new Inmarsat phones? They seem fairly reasonably prices ($578). They do voice mail, text and email messaging as well as phone.

http://satphonecity.com/products/IsatPhone-Pro-.html

 

[Indy]

I have an Iridium 9555 sat phone.

My observations:

Pretty reasonable monthly price but the initial cost was expensive (1200 CAD).

If you are in a valley or under trees the service can be spotty, you need a clear line of site to the satellite. If you have a few bars of service it works great.

It texts well.

Battery life is sufficient if you are only turning it on for talking. If you leave it on it will die over a weekend. I carry a 12v charger. If a 12 power source was not available I would think about an extra battery. It is more than sufficient for one day of use.

Receiving calls can be spotty, do not rely on it to receive unless you are in great/good service all the time. I don't have a voice mail, I have anyone calling me try my sat then leave a message on my cell. I check my cell messages routinely.



I recommend this phone. I know I can rely on it. I also have a SPOT, but I'm more comfortable talking with a person directly. The SPOT as far as I can tell is the best bang for your buck, you can get rescue insurance with it - it seems to work well. You can buy the older 9500 iridium phone for pretty cheap on e-bay.

Indy.

 

[EricW]

Same as Indy^^^^^^^. Had the Iridium for a couple years now of packing, hunting, white water, sledding, ATV's, and just in my pickup and Harley the rest of the time. I have never not had it work. It has been knocked around a bit and seems to take it really well. I am very happy with the function/service and the price...............well I figure I'm worth it. My wife sends me with a broken pencil and post-it notes though. What does that mean??????? lol. EW

 

[xrated]

Same as Indy^^^^^^^. Had the Iridium for a couple years now of packing, hunting, white water, sledding, ATV's, and just in my pickup and Harley the rest of the time. I have never not had it work. It has been knocked around a bit and seems to take it really well. I am very happy with the function/service and the price...............well I figure I'm worth it. My wife sends me with a broken pencil and post-it notes though. What does that mean??????? lol. EW

Means you need to swap the policies to benefit your boys and not the wife