questrider Posted April 30, 2009 Posted April 30, 2009 Anyone here rented a satellite phone? And if you had a good experience, where from? Cost? I've looked at a few places through a Google search but wanted to see if there were any opinions or experiences around here before I choose a rental plan. My wife and I are taking an extended trip out west where cell phone coverage will be spotty at best and we simply would like to rent one for emergency purposes only. It's like insurance in that you never know what may happen and it would be nice to have a connection to the "outside world" if something does in a remote area. Thanks in advance!
David Posted April 30, 2009 Posted April 30, 2009 I've rented them twice for motorcycle trips to Mexico. I don't know that I'd go to the hassle and expense of doing that in the US, but I used Satellite Outfitters both times. Talk to "smiller" here--he works in the industry and can give you the pros/cons of the two major choices.
Nice n Easy Rider Posted April 30, 2009 Posted April 30, 2009 Anyone here rented a satellite phone? And if you had a good experience, where from? Cost? I've looked at a few places through a Google search but wanted to see if there were any opinions or experiences around here before I choose a rental plan. My wife and I are taking an extended trip out west where cell phone coverage will be spotty at best and we simply would like to rent one for emergency purposes only. It's like insurance in that you never know what may happen and it would be nice to have a connection to the "outside world" if something does in a remote area. Thanks in advance! If you're worried about contacting the 'outside world' in an emergency I'd look into getting a SPOT satellite messenger. http://www.findmespot.com/en/ It can send regular messages to anyone you choose and your family/friends can track your routes. In an emergency it can contact the nearest emergency responders. For what you'd probably pay for renting a satellite phone (or less) you can buy the SPOT, activate it for a year, and still have it when you get home for later trips. Just a thought.
smiller Posted April 30, 2009 Posted April 30, 2009 There are basically three choices, Iridium, Globalstar, and Inmarsat. Globalstar (my employer) two-way voice service is currently limited due to some age-related failures in the satellite constellation and users need to use pass prediction software to ensure that your call is bring made at a time when service is available. The upside is that service is incredibly cheap right now to compensate for the lack of availability. If you can afford a possible wait for service and limited call durations then it might be a good value for you, but if you need 'right now' emergency service then it probably won't fit your needs (until the availability issue is resolved in early 2010 with the scheduled launch of new satellites.) The Inmarsat solution will probably be too bulky/complicated for you, leaving Iridium which should work reasonably well most of the time. If you need only emergency notification (vs. two-way voice) then SPOT may be a good and cost-effective option. It is also supported by the Globalstar network but uses a different set of transponders aboard the satellites, all of which are fully operational.
tgregg Posted April 30, 2009 Posted April 30, 2009 +1 for the Spot. Phil, Did you turn your SPOT off before you left Joshua Treet? It shows you still there!
Firefight911 Posted April 30, 2009 Posted April 30, 2009 +1 for the Spot. Phil, Did you turn your SPOT off before you left Joshua Treet? It shows you still there! Mentally still there!!!!!!
Traveler1 Posted May 1, 2009 Posted May 1, 2009 Check this site out: http://www.medjetassist.com/plans/plus.aspx They used to offer a free satellite phone, but I see they now charge for anything over 1 week. I think it's a good deal for someone who carries their medical evacuation insurance anyway. Members of BMWOA get a discount on the insurance.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.