|
|
| Post Number: 1
|
toesnorth 
Group: Members
Posts: 2523
Joined: Jan. 2007
|
 |
Posted on: Feb. 16 2013, 9:22 pm |
|
   |
We go 'out' twice a month. We have someone to stay with my mom and our critters. I need to be able to be reached in case of an emergency but cell phone service is spotty at best, usually non existent, where we backpack.
Would a satellite phone be cost effective for 8-10 days per month?
Thanks.
--------------
"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
|
 |
|
|
| Post Number: 2
|
ol-zeke
me in the Tetons
Group: Members
Posts: 10928
Joined: Sep. 2002
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 16 2013, 9:46 pm |
|
 |
$50 a month for 10 minutes of service plus the initial $2250 for an iridium phone? I guess you have to decide how much it is worth to you.
--------------
Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 3
|
toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2523
Joined: Jan. 2007
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 16 2013, 9:58 pm |
|
|
The one I was looking at was $1145 and $1.50 per minute. If there was an additional per month charge I didn't see it.
Is it worth it to me? Yes, I don't want to give up my passion, nor my responsibilities.
Life's choices seem to get harder, rather than easier, the older I get.
--------------
"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 4
|
ol-zeke
me in the Tetons
Group: Members
Posts: 10928
Joined: Sep. 2002
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 16 2013, 10:27 pm |
|
|
Well, then, I guess you have your answer. None of us know your exact circumstances. $1150 seems like a cheap insurance policy, allowing you peace of mind while you are out there. I suppose you have ruled out renting? Seems like every couple of years the technology changes significantly. If you only need it in case you Mother takes a turn for the worse, renting might be the way to go.
--------------
Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 5
|
toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2523
Joined: Jan. 2007
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 16 2013, 10:49 pm |
|
|
I would consider renting.
I also wonder about efficiency. I should have included that in my post, sorry. I've never used one so I don't know if they work everywhere every time.
No point in it if it won't do the job I need done.
I'm thinking it would be a reasonable solution for me but since I have no actual experience with one, I was asking for advice from people who have used one.
--------------
"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 6
|
High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39804
Joined: Aug. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 10:51 am |
|
|
They're good but not perfect. The satellite systems orbit so coverage varies by location on the planet. Check coverage maps and information for where you'll be going and judge whether the performance is adequate to your requirements.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 7
|
Walkinman
A rainbow
Group: Members
Posts: 6634
Joined: Nov. 2002
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 8:27 pm |
|
|
You can get a perfectly fine Iridium phone MUCH less than $2250.00. You can get 'em for less than $1150 if you want. There are usually quite a few on ebay for less than half that. A few years ago, when the military had so many people over in Iraq, they were much harder to find, and more expensive.
Renting is a good deal if you like.
fwiw, I've never, ever, had a sat phone not be able to reach someone in more than a couple of attempts. Sometimes a call gets dropped, as a satellite moves out of line of sight, but it's never been more than a minute or 2 before I can call through again.
I get a plan called the northern lights plan, or something similar .. it's around $200/6months, with 180 minutes included.
--------------
Guided Alaska backpacking and hiking trips
"What good is a used up world and how can it be worth having?" -- Sting, All This Time.
|
 |
|
|
| Post Number: 8
|
|
|
| Post Number: 9
|
Three
.jpg)
Group: Members
Posts: 765
Joined: Dec. 2011
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 8:48 pm |
|
|
I used them a lot 8-10 years ago. I thought they were very useful.
As Walkinman said sometimes it took a couple of minutes to "find" a satellite and calls would drop occasionally but I thought it was a very useful tool.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 10
|
High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39804
Joined: Aug. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 8:58 pm |
|
|
How about calls to the phone? The OP wants to receive calls from home.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 11
|
ponderosa
Group: Members
Posts: 4026
Joined: Jul. 2003
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 9:13 pm |
|
|
My husband has to have one for work whenever we travel. We've received and made calls from many remote backcountry locations all over the western continental states, plus hawaii, alaska, maine, new brunswick, and nova scotia. It's worked well for us everywhere we've been.
Fortunately, we don't have to pay for the thing, so I can't comment about cost issues.
--------------
The harder the toil, the sweeter the rest.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 12
|
toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2523
Joined: Jan. 2007
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 9:20 pm |
|
|
(ponderosa @ Feb. 17 2013, 9:13 pm)
QUOTE My husband has to have one for work whenever we travel. We've received and made calls from many remote backcountry locations all over the western continental states, plus hawaii, alaska, maine, new brunswick, and nova scotia. It's worked well for us everywhere we've been.
Fortunately, we don't have to pay for the thing, so I can't comment about cost issues.
Thanks, that's encouraging.
--------------
"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 13
|
Walkinman
A rainbow
Group: Members
Posts: 6634
Joined: Nov. 2002
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 9:21 pm |
|
|
HSF
I don't receive calls on mine .. I just carry it for emergency call outs. But they work fine. I was on a personal trip 2 years ago with some friends who had one as well, and they received calls and txts just fine. But there's no point in worrying about receiving calls any old where as few people will walk around in the backcountry with their sat phone turned on all day anyway.
A solar panel works fine for keeping them charged, however.
--------------
Guided Alaska backpacking and hiking trips
"What good is a used up world and how can it be worth having?" -- Sting, All This Time.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 14
|
GoBlueHiker
Obsessive Island Hopper...
Group: Members
Posts: 14223
Joined: Jul. 2006
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 10:03 pm |
|
|
Fwiw I've used Iridiums while in Greenland. Each field team gets issued at least two for a field campaign, or four if the group will be splitting up at all. We mostly just use them for getting weather forecasts, sending status updates and communicating between teams, but also use them for the occasional personal call home. They've been quite reliable and don't really ever drop calls on us, but that's largely because our high latitudes (Arctic Circle and northward) cause us to always be in range of at least a couple of the nearly-polar-orbiting satellites.
Like poderosa, it's through work and I don't ever see the final bill, so can't comment on that. I've never yet carried one on a backpacking trip, but in your case it makes sense you'd want to. Best of luck!
- Mike
--------------
Wealth needs more. Happiness needs less. Simplify.
www.RainForestTreks.com
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 15
|
High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39804
Joined: Aug. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 10:09 pm |
|
|
"But there's no point in worrying about receiving calls any old where as few people will walk around in the backcountry with their sat phone turned on all day anyway."
That's the OP's intended use.
"We have someone to stay with my mom and our critters. I need to be able to be reached in case of an emergency"
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 16
|
|
|
| Post Number: 17
|
Walkinman
A rainbow
Group: Members
Posts: 6634
Joined: Nov. 2002
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 18 2013, 12:49 am |
|
|
toes
text messages work best for that kind of thing, imo. You turn it on, check your messages, and call out if you need to. Either way, you should be able to find a reasonable setup. Try renting one a couple of times first, if you like.
Cheers
Carl
--------------
Guided Alaska backpacking and hiking trips
"What good is a used up world and how can it be worth having?" -- Sting, All This Time.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 18
|
|
|
| Post Number: 19
|
High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39804
Joined: Aug. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 18 2013, 12:00 pm |
|
|
Terrific idea: then that the message lies in wait in a queue eliminating the coordination aspect is a great idea.
That's a good approach even for cell phones when some one is going to be in and out of service.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 20
|
no_granola
minor deity
Group: Members
Posts: 12660
Joined: Dec. 2004
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 18 2013, 3:17 pm |
|
|
$250
http://www.satphonestore.com/globalstar-gsp1600.html
Looks like a pretty good deal.
--------------
The difference between people who think for themselves and those that follow the herd is that thinking people aren't afraid of reality.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 21
|
dayhiker9
Group: Members
Posts: 5309
Joined: Apr. 2003
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 18 2013, 4:46 pm |
|
|
(Walkinman @ Feb. 17 2013, 5:27 pm)
QUOTE You can get a perfectly fine Iridium phone MUCH less than $2250.00. You can get 'em for less than $1150 if you want. There are usually quite a few on ebay for less than half that. A few years ago, when the military had so many people over in Iraq, they were much harder to find, and more expensive.
Renting is a good deal if you like.
fwiw, I've never, ever, had a sat phone not be able to reach someone in more than a couple of attempts. Sometimes a call gets dropped, as a satellite moves out of line of sight, but it's never been more than a minute or 2 before I can call through again.
I get a plan called the northern lights plan, or something similar .. it's around $200/6months, with 180 minutes included.
Looks like that plan is good only in Alaska and Canada?
http://www.sattransusa.com/irid-sim-nl200.html
EDIT:
Though there are other prepaid plans for a year which aren't too bad:
http://www.sattransusa.com/irprpl.html
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 22
|
vigilguy
Group: Members
Posts: 465
Joined: Mar. 2003
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 11:35 am |
|
|
To the OP - I would not have recommended this until now, but you may want to consider renting a Globalstar first and see if that option works for you. If it does, then you could pick up a Qualcomm 1600 for $200 or so. Globalstar is making a comeback. I own one and have a demo line, and use it when I go out each summer. For the last few years, it was 50/50 whether or not I'd get a signal, so I set it so I would receive an audible alert when I did have signal strength. the Globalstar website shows call times when satellites are in position for a signal. Apparently, Globalstar just launched a new batch of satellites, and are offering some really good rates right now, in order to persuade customers to come back. I read where the reception will be back to full coverage sometime this summer.
Anyway, check them out. They may or may not meet your needs.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 23
|
GoBlueHiker
Obsessive Island Hopper...
Group: Members
Posts: 14223
Joined: Jul. 2006
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 11:48 am |
|
|
(vigilguy @ Feb. 19 2013, 9:35 am)
QUOTE To the OP - I would not have recommended this until now, but you may want to consider renting a Globalstar first and see if that option works for you. If it does, then you could pick up a Qualcomm 1600 for $200 or so. Globalstar is making a comeback. I own one and have a demo line, and use it when I go out each summer. For the last few years, it was 50/50 whether or not I'd get a signal, so I set it so I would receive an audible alert when I did have signal strength. the Globalstar website shows call times when satellites are in position for a signal. Apparently, Globalstar just launched a new batch of satellites, and are offering some really good rates right now, in order to persuade customers to come back. I read where the reception will be back to full coverage sometime this summer.
Anyway, check them out. They may or may not meet your needs.
That is a good point. If text messages are all they'd need anyway (and a chance to call out when reception is good), that might work for a fraction of the price.
I've never used Globalstar, don't have any opinion one way or another about them (other than they've generally been avoided due to the reception issues you outlined), but if their satellite constellation is being upgraded that might be a good option. Maybe.
--------------
Wealth needs more. Happiness needs less. Simplify.
www.RainForestTreks.com
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 24
|
High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39804
Joined: Aug. 2005
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 12:10 pm |
|
|
That's why I alluded to checking coverage: good information if Globalstar is making some improvements and every effort of theirs to recover marketshare would save some money for an otherwise potentially pricey service.
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 25
|
toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2523
Joined: Jan. 2007
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 12:46 pm |
|
|
Thanks for the continuing input. I'm looking at all of them and noted all the new satellite launches by Globalstar. Their only negative reviews were when coverage started to decline.
It's mind-boggling. I would likely only be using it in North America so it narrows the field some, I guess.
--------------
"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 26
|
SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
Group: Members
Posts: 3702
Joined: Mar. 2009
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 2:47 pm |
|
|
(vigilguy @ Feb. 19 2013, 11:35 am)
QUOTE To the OP - I would not have recommended this until now, but you may want to consider renting a Globalstar first and see if that option works for you. If it does, then you could pick up a Qualcomm 1600 for $200 or so. Globalstar is making a comeback. I own one and have a demo line, and use it when I go out each summer. For the last few years, it was 50/50 whether or not I'd get a signal, so I set it so I would receive an audible alert when I did have signal strength. the Globalstar website shows call times when satellites are in position for a signal. Apparently, Globalstar just launched a new batch of satellites, and are offering some really good rates right now, in order to persuade customers to come back. I read where the reception will be back to full coverage sometime this summer.
Anyway, check them out. They may or may not meet your needs.
Globalstar GSP 1600 Satellite Phone - USEDName
$249.00
Unlimited Airtime Only $39.99 a month - Guaranteed for 12 months!
That's better than most cell phone plans here!
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 27
|
|
|
| Post Number: 28
|
toesnorth
Group: Members
Posts: 2523
Joined: Jan. 2007
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 11:52 pm |
|
|
It is looking like I should wait until June or so and see how Globalstar's new satellities affect their service.
I will probably rent one of theirs and an Iridium and see which performs best in my circumstances.
A pricey way to do it, maybe, but trying them out at the same time and same place under the same circumstances will be a good test.
If I wind up wanting one sooner, rather than later, I will either rent or just buy an Iridium 9555. Best reviews I've seen so far.
--------------
"Failure is never as frightening as regret."
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 29
|
vigilguy
Group: Members
Posts: 465
Joined: Mar. 2003
|
|
Posted on: Feb. 23 2013, 12:00 pm |
|
|
If you would like a good reference to a really good satellite phone company that is very knowledgable and very experienced with Iridium and with Globalstar, call Russ Smith with SkyCall Communications in Salt Lake City. Super friendly guy, easy going and regularly rents and sells to groups worldwide.
Number is 801-450-8317. Sky Call Satellite
|
|
|
|
| Post Number: 30
|
|
|
|
|
|
That's cheaper than my cell phone plan, actually, and I don't have unlimited voice! (I do have some data, so there's that, but still, lol.) 
Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
