A good day at Queanbeyan

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 at 21:09

ThreadID: 91806 Views:2530 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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mikehzz

I went to the Queanbeyan 4wd show today and had a great day. I got to ride in a couple of new cars on the 4wd test track, very informative. I have 2 questions from the day.
There was an impressively cheap Satelite phone for $749 that you could get on pre paid for as little as $20 a charge with 2 years to use the credit. Call costs 90c a minute. It was an Isatphone Pro and uses a satelite in a stationary orbit over New Guinea. Has anyone had any experience with it as far as reception goes?
Second question. Apparently all the new models of Cooper ST tyres are now 10 ply light truck construction. Before, you could buy them in 6, 8 or 10 ply. Could this be why some people love them and others are less than impressed? Those who bought 10 ply were happy and those on 6 ply not. I was told at the show, not by Coopers, that they now only make 10 ply LT to stop the confusion. Any comments on that? A good looking tyre.
Well done by the 4wd clubs who put the show on. Seminars and demos all day. Cheers

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Reply By: Member - Rich - Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 at 21:18

Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 at 21:18

Mike,
I saw the same phones.

Up the road a bot another mob had them as well, however they were pushing getting the gov subsidy. They had the forms for you to fill out. I did fill them out but reckon i probably dont qualify. I was not sure what they charged.

There is some onfo on this site about those phones and do seem OK from whati have read.

I was also very interested so look forward to comments.

Also looked at the tyres like you, how can you not :).

It was a good day, luckier with the weather this year.

Richard

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AnswerID: 477512

Follow Up By: mikehzz - Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 at 21:27

Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 at 21:27

The phones are cheaper than buying an iphone :-) And $20 for 20 minutes talk time with 2 years to use it is a pretty good deal.....but only if the satelite is visible. I think the phones use Inmarsat.

FollowupID: 752754

Follow Up By: Jonesy1959 - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 at 15:44

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 at 15:44

Richard,

The other Sat phone mob are MGL Telecoms and charged a little more for the phone but had what I think are better unit rates/ call costs with no sim card fees. They also have a local Queanbeyan / ACT Region rep. You can ring Greg on 0488 241 522 and he can advise you more on if you would get the gov subsidy.

FollowupID: 753047

Follow Up By: Member - Rich - Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 at 17:59

Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012 at 17:59

Jonsey,
I talked to them and they gave me the forms for the subsidy.

As i am nsure exactly where we will be, i am not sure we qualify. If i did i would buy one now.

I guess i could always state where i would like to go.

Richard

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Follow Up By: Jonesy1959 - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 at 09:48

Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 at 09:48

Hi Richard,

You could submit the subsidy form and it would take approx 2-3 weeks to get an answer. If it is yes, you can save 50% off the cost of the handset, if it's a no, then you haven't lost anything.

The subsidy states under the heading "Who is eligible for a subsidy?" spend a substantial amount of time (no less than 180 calender days in the two years FOLLOWING the date the phone was purchased)

All the best

Jonesy

FollowupID: 753138

Reply By: vk1dx - Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 08:14

Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 08:14

We got an isatphone on Inmarsat with prepaid and no other costs like monthly fees or plan about 18 months back. We are not mobile phone users. It is just for emergency. Only a couple of calls and emails. Got the subsidy. For us it beats all other comms stuff. I had to have 24/7 for medical reasons.

Phil

AnswerID: 477526

Reply By: Member - MIKE.G - Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 09:21

Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 09:21

Hi Mike, I purchased one of these phones last year and am very happy with it. We used it quite a lot in WA on the Canning Stock Route last year and the reception was excellent. The phone will send/receive text (sent for free if the sender uses the Isatphone web site) and can be hooked up to a laptop - which I didn't try. It gives your current GPS position of Lat and Long. when you log on. There is no capability to call 000 but this is overcome by pre loading emergency numbers like the RFDS and police for the areas you are travelling. Great value for the price.

Cheers,
Mike

AnswerID: 477535

Reply By: Member Andys Adventures - Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 09:38

Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 09:38

Hi mikehzz, Mine is from TC communication and is pre paid, only 78c a minute in 15 second blocks. I have an in-car kit and the reception is great, as you can be in thick scrub and still get service.
Andy

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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 09:42

Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 09:42

Hi Andy

Have you got a link for an in car kit? Wouldn't mind a look. They were four figure costs when we got our Isatphone.

I walked past them at the 4WD show yesterday. Should have asked then. But I had my mind on maxtracks and some side bar and step work.

Phil

FollowupID: 752775

Follow Up By: Member Andys Adventures - Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 18:04

Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 18:04

You could ring them, TC Communication on 0297145100 or
Below is the price for the ISAT Dock Lite, this price is the complete unit. I have one here at the show, but I don’t have the cable.

ISAT DOCK LITE with Magnetic Antenna and 6mtr cable is $1135.00 + GST.

Kind Regards

Mark Nowakowski Product Manager - Handheld and Tracking
TC Communications Pty Ltd | Unit A3 Cameron Centre, 255 Rawson Street | Auburn | NSW 2144 | Australia
P. + 61 (0)2 9714 5130 | F. 02 9648 0946 | M. 0407 205 115 | markn@tc.com.au | www.tc.com.au
Give mark a call and he might have someone near you or he will post it.
Cheers Andy

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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 22:31

Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 at 22:31

I think we dropped into their tent and talked about "000" on Inmarsat. But then my short time memory is skipping a beat every now and then.

That is too much to spend on the phone. We do not really need it on all the time anyway. I think we will give the kit a miss.

Thanks Andy

Phil

FollowupID: 752851