Satellite telephones - question - wot to get?

Hi Dick - try this search and sit back and read almost 200 threads :O

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Default.aspx?s=1&ky=satellite+and+phone

Just make sure that you know what and how to call in an emergency for what ever you choose. This is more important that cost if things go wrong.

Motherhen

Hi Richard H, This subject has been hashed and rehashed on this forum for awhile. Try and do a search there are plenty of them.
Andy

Hi Dick

I too have been eying a sat phone for those remote trips. I am aware also that there is so many toys that if I bought all of them there would be no room for beer.

Recently at a prospectors meeting a sales rep came spruiking these phones called an 'isatphone pro'. Now this information is only what he told us at the meeting and I am still considering it. I have yet to compare to other phones but talking to some of the other prospectors who already have sat phones - they say it is a good deal.

Normal legal jargon - I have no connection to this company and only reporting stuff I heard.

http://www.isatphoneproreview.com.au/

They look the part and seemed robust enough - he had some demo models for us to look at. The sales rep was also offering a deal of just the phone or the phone and airtime & activation. He was recommending using 'Inmarsat' for the satellite connection as they have 4 geostationary satellites which means you will always have a signal - (I have heard with other providers you have to wait for the satellite to come over the horizon and then only talk while it is overhead.)

Price of phone on its own was $658.50incGST.

Phone with $100 connection and activation fees was $795.30incGST. The connection was prepaid valid for 2 years at $1 per minute of talk time.

http://www.gmdas.com.au/

Of course the price goes up when you start looking at all the extras like mounting cradles, covers etc.

What I did like was it had a Li- ion battery which are proven to be good batteries.

Of course the other option is to hire one if you are planning a once of long remote trip. When you hire you will get the latest equipment, only pay for what you use and don't end up with so many toys there is no room for beer.

Cheers

Serendipity

Dick,

I have been looking at satphones for years now and have finally picked the Isatphonepro. I really like the 2 years expiry on the credits, the call cost are expensive compared to other options out there but mine will be in the glove box turned off for most of the time. It will be purely a emergency phone, I have a SPOT so can send my OK messages to family. When my money tree has flowered again I will be getting one :) but I think it's still some time away

Weve had a satphone for several years which is on the Iridium network. Most would agree they are the best for reliability in connecting to a satellite. As far as plans go the TRTelecom suspension plan is by far the best.
The cheapest way is to pop a Telstra sim in your phone and pay for outgoing and ingoing, expensive if you get loads of calls.
Best bet is to buy a $10 Telstra casual sim and dont give just anyone the number.
There are other handsets and networks on the market now that cost way less than the above and in most cases would serve you well, but of course things are cheaper for a reason.
Good luck with your research and keep asking questions as without new questions we would all be reading old stuff.
Isnt that what forums are all about !
BS

Iridium is the best and most reliable service without a doubt.