DeLorme inReach <span class="highlight">Satellite</span> Communicator vs Sat <span class="highlight">phone</span>

The ones available in Oz through Exploroz are the first version which we have.
We bought ours in the US and in conjuction with a smartphone/tablet it worked well giving us live mapping with the latest topo maps.
Here in Oz it still has all the features but we don't use the live mapping as our maps via Oziexplorer are better.
The latest versions (there are two later versions) have a screen and are standalone and are possibly cheaper (haven't checked).
But yes the device does give full text messages via the Iridium satellite system as well as live tracking to others, plus the short pre programmed messages that can be sent in an emergency plus the standard PLB features.

Another thought is that with a satphone, you can actually cal and speak to emergency services such as police or Flying Doctor. Can you text these services?

With all satellite services your paying for bandwidth and time, an email or text needs very little bandwidth, time and low transmission qualities/speed compared with voice .

There is already a device for Apples iPhone called sat sleeve.

The inReach is designed as a simple inexpensive device for data only.

I think the Inreach is a little more than just a tracking device, as it allows you to send & receive messages. I don't think SPOT offers this & I don't know about the yellowbrick system.

I see any system that is used (tracking device or sat phone) as an emergency device only, I wouldn't think it would be used to have long discussions with the kids as to why the dog got out back at home, etc. Your normal phone in a receiving area will cover those conversations.

A few have mentioned the fact that you can't have a voice to voice conversation with the Inreach system, while this is true, but what if your emergency did not allow you have a verbal conversation? e.g. Say your accident gave you a broken jaw?

With a Sat Phone, do you know exactly where you are, to direct the emergency service team?

The tracking device systems appear to have one distinct advantage over Sat Phones that I can see, you can send a SOS alert (life threatening emergencies only) to a 24/7/365 monitored office that will instantly have the coordinates of where you are & will start to alert the local response, all this without any other electronic or verbal conversation. On Inreach they will confirm message has been received.

The Inreach system also allows you to send SMS or emails (all messages have your location data attached) to others for this & general non-emergency situations, that would allow a bit more detail.

I am not saying which one is better, as I don't know & I have neither, I am researching for my big trip next year & the (good) trouble is, there are so many options to look at & review.

Thanks

Motherhen has summed up all the advantages of a verbal communication device over the alternatives well, should you happen to get a broken jaw you can alway text on the sat phone as well or pay a couple of hundred bucks extra and carry a phone and a PLB style device.

When you need assistance be it an emergency or not, it is great to have the option to get on the phone to the appropriate person / authority to seek advice or help.
The more options you give yourself, the more control you have of a better outcome

We purchased our satellite phone because of a possible medical emergency - it worked - phone not needed that year and medical emergency waited until we were home where it was easy to get medical assistance and the RFDS.

Having the phone when we had a breakdown helped us to think rather than panic, and we did not need to phone for help that time.

The following year when we had a breakdown, we used it to phone for parts, and it was needed daily for two weeks to try and find where the parts had gone, eventually getting a second consignment sent. As we were going to drive 200 kilometres (one way) to collect the consignment, we needed to know when it was there. Nothing but a satellite phone would have helped and it was cheaper than driving 400 kilometres each day.

We were on a $30 per month plan, which allowed $10 of calls; more than enough to call family at home and let them know each time we were delayed or just to let them know we were still alive and not lost.

Mh

Tony on your question of :
'With a Sat Phone, do you know exactly where you are, to direct the emergency service team?'

I have the Inmarsat Sat phone and one of its functions is that it can text your GPS coordinates.
I dont know what navigation gear you use but a lot of the standard street navigators also have a page that displays your GPS coordinates which you could verbal the authorities with as well.

Most people who travel in areas where they need a sat phone usually knows their own location, when ever we are travelling the laptop is running and recording out location.

One other thing..... texting or emailing your location is a waste of time most of the time as the person your texting or emailing has to know what to do with it and then in most cases texting and email is not available....... telling someone your co-ords in most cases is more beneficial.

Plus as I said above you have to make sure they got it.... and how long will they take to receive it after you have sent it....... bit like sending a letter in the post asking for help.

Voice is voice and you know straight away if it's working and they are responding.

The wait for action or a response can some times be worse and more painful then the event your phoning about.

BTW I hate text messages......