Satelite Phone - Which One is Best?

[mep1811]

Is there a purpose in having it off?

Keeping the InReach off ? I suppose some people don't want to use the battery. Another feature is you can set the InReach to track and it will track your trip. You can have people authorized to see the track .

 

[Alanymarce]

Is there a purpose in having it off?

Saving the battery basically. Although it can take a while to find satellites, it's never taken more than a few minutes in my experience.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Saving the battery basically. Although it can take a while to find satellites, it's never taken more than a few minutes in my experience.

I would be using it in/around my vehicle so multiple power sources would be available.

 

[mep1811]

Saving the battery basically. Although it can take a while to find satellites, it's never taken more than a few minutes in my experience.

I would be using it in/around my vehicle so multiple power sources would be available.

Keeping it on ,also allows you to receive messages in real time instead of in a batch whenever you turn it on.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Keeping it on ,also allows you to receive messages in real time instead of in a batch whenever you turn it on.

Yeah I wouldn't foresee any real circumstances where I would just turn it off, when the whole purpose is to have it on.

If the Garmin does everything the Iridium does and does it for less money then it is a good choice, but I don't think it does.

I'm not keen to fall into the "just buy this because I have it trap".

 

[mep1811]

Yeah I wouldn't foresee any real circumstances where I would just turn it off, when the whole purpose is to have it on.

If the Garmin does everything the Iridium does and does it for less money then it is a good choice, but I don't think it does.

I'm not keen to fall into the "just buy this because I have it trap".

The InReach is data only (messaging) comms. It also has a app Earthmate with mapping that is excellent. The Iridium Sat phone is for voice comms.

 

[bgenlvtex]

The InReach is data only (messaging) comms. It also has a app Earthmate with mapping that is excellent. The Iridium Sat phone is for voice comms.

No, specifically I am looking at Iridium Go 9560, which allows all of the functions that your smart phone which you would tether to it has (low download speeds) voice,text , data.

Iridium GO!

Stay connected with Iridium GO!® and access global voice calling, text messaging, GPS, SOS, and real-time updates all through your own smart device.

www.iridium.com

 

[bgenlvtex]

Satellite Communitions Solutions | Roadpost

Roadpost USA, satellite voice and data solutions provider since 1991.

www.roadpost.com

I want to add this one to the list. Does anyone have any experience with Zoleo?

 

[mep1811]

No, specifically I am looking at Iridium Go 9560, which allows all of the functions that your smart phone which you would tether to it has (low download speeds) voice,text , data.

Iridium GO!

Stay connected with Iridium GO!® and access global voice calling, text messaging, GPS, SOS, and real-time updates all through your own smart device.

www.iridium.com

If you go that way get the external antenna . That was not available when I got my sat phone.

 

[Wtf3rap]

From what I understand, those are a lower level of service (i.e. no voice) that are basically a global inReach that benefit from the worldwide coverage. Same general concept as the Garmin though so not really necessary unless you find yourself venturing outside Garmin's coverage.

Iridium GO! 9560 Portable Satellite Phone | NorthernAxcess

The Iridium GO 9560 portable satellite phone with wifi is iridiums newest satphone with global coverage and functions with smartdevices. Call for more..

www.northernaxcess.com

I have the InReach as well and provides a sense of security when going solo. Have wanted to get a sat phone so could more easily check email. Definitely will look into this. Thanks
That link gives a good description, basically serves to merge your cellular device to satellite, so phone, internet sms, GPS, etc.

I would rather use a bridge device than a stand alone device, the Iridium allows up to 5 connected devices at a time.

 

[Wtf3rap]

Define am going to research this. Could be the answer to my sat phone and email needs.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Define am going to research this. Could be the answer to my sat phone and email needs.

Report back what you discover please

 

[passivelyoffcourse]

I don't have one, however, my company uses the Iridium 9xxx series.

 

[BigDogYJ]

sorry this is kinda long....
But, I've been an Iridium customer for the past 10+ years and have had both 9555/9575 phones for work as I'm on call 24/7 for some critical services and travel to remote areas (in the US) without cell coverage a few times a year and both devices have been really solid for voice comms and limited txt messages (think old school nokia interface -- minus snake). In recent years I have had several inreach devices, Mini, Explorer+ and more recently the Garmin Montana 750i. I will say the Garmin service (although uses Iridium for Sat services) usually works just fine. they have had their share of service outages and issues (affecting the website and new device activations -- not Iridium sat services) but generally its a great option for the $$. I switched to the Montana device as it has a much better touch screen interface for typing messages without the need to be paired to a smart phone, but it's not cheap and is quite a bit bigger than the other inreach models but i'm pretty happy with it. i still keep the iridium phone with me as well for critical voice comms, but find myself using the inreach more frequently than the phone.

My opinion regarding the mobile data options with the Iridium Go unit is its extremely limited. its not a simple wifi hotspot that allows your phone full data access over the Iridium network. Once your phone is connected via wifi, you have to use its own application (which is pretty frustrating at times) to make calls or access data services (email, messaging, etc). It is sLoW. Think of the old dial-up internet speeds (if you've been on this earth long enough to remember that) and its basically about 1/3 of that. Iridium finished launching a new constellation of satellites (called NEXT) about 2 years ago. This has increased their capacity and data speeds (up to early DSL speeds). they have been focusing on adding additional products to the government and maritime portfolio. They will begin upgrading their consumer side services in the next year. It's unclear if current hardware will be able to take advantage of these new data speeds. Because of this I'd hold off on the Iridium Go unit. Stick with an inreach for now if you just need txt messaging and gps tracking. Its likely the best bang for the buck. Hope this helps.

 

[bgenlvtex]

sorry this is kinda long....
But, I've been an Iridium customer for the past 10+ years and have had both 9555/9575 phones for work as I'm on call 24/7 for some critical services and travel to remote areas (in the US) without cell coverage a few times a year and both devices have been really solid for voice comms and limited txt messages (think old school nokia interface -- minus snake). In recent years I have had several inreach devices, Mini, Explorer+ and more recently the Garmin Montana 750i. I will say the Garmin service (although uses Iridium for Sat services) usually works just fine. they have had their share of service outages and issues (affecting the website and new device activations -- not Iridium sat services) but generally its a great option for the $$. I switched to the Montana device as it has a much better touch screen interface for typing messages without the need to be paired to a smart phone, but it's not cheap and is quite a bit bigger than the other inreach models but i'm pretty happy with it. i still keep the iridium phone with me as well for critical voice comms, but find myself using the inreach more frequently than the phone.

My opinion regarding the mobile data options with the Iridium Go unit is its extremely limited. its not a simple wifi hotspot that allows your phone full data access over the Iridium network. Once your phone is connected via wifi, you have to use its own application (which is pretty frustrating at times) to make calls or access data services (email, messaging, etc). It is sLoW. Think of the old dial-up internet speeds (if you've been on this earth long enough to remember that) and its basically about 1/3 of that. Iridium finished launching a new constellation of satellites (called NEXT) about 2 years ago. This has increased their capacity and data speeds (up to early DSL speeds). they have been focusing on adding additional products to the government and maritime portfolio. They will begin upgrading their consumer side services in the next year. It's unclear if current hardware will be able to take advantage of these new data speeds. Because of this I'd hold off on the Iridium Go unit. Stick with an inreach for now if you just need txt messaging and gps tracking. Its likely the best bang for the buck. Hope this helps.

Awesome, thank you very much for taking the time to share that, very helpful and much appreciated!

 

[BCMoto]

anyone use the weboost?

 

[mep1811]

anyone use the weboost?

Yes for years. Works great when there is a signal to boost.

 

[BCMoto]

So would the inreach be a better option to the weboost?

 

[mep1811]

So would the inreach be a better option to the weboost?

Two different things. A WeBoost amplifies cellular telephone signal . I stress amplifies the signal , it does not create a signal. An InReach is a Iridium satellite 2-way messaging, tracking and SOS capable device.

 

[BCMoto]

thanks for the clarification