 | Home > In Car Electronics > Satellite phones & set up recommendations |
 
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069  
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where are you thinking of going ?
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22nd Jan 2013 7:42am |
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| me@td5.org Member Since: 16 Jan 2011 Location: Warwick Posts: 856 
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No experience of the various handsets but the customer service and coverage from Inmersat has always been good when we have been looking at there data services. They even let us fasten a weather station to their offices to test bandwidth.
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22nd Jan 2013 8:03am |
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| YeomanOfTheBar Member Since: 04 Nov 2012 Location: North Notts Posts: 206  
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Been a while since I looked at them, and it does depend somewhat on what you want to do with them (voice vs. data), but Thuraya generally seemed to be the cheapest option. There are some compromises however - they don't cover the Americas, and their groundstations are in the Middle East (which is seen as a potential security issue for some users), for example. 2013 Defender 110 XS DCPU
2016 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 |
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22nd Jan 2013 1:26pm |
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| littlepow Member Since: 13 Oct 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 11
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Have used a Motorola iridium 9505A in some really remote places around the world. Basic but works well, just remember to move the aerial if you change hands!
Have you thought of a Bgan dish, as you can wireless connect smartphones, tablets and laptops. Giving you both voice and data - but can cost £15 a minute at 300Kb streaming. If I knew what I was doing - I would be scared! |
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24th Jan 2013 8:17pm |
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| BigWheels Member Since: 21 Mar 2010 Location: Somerset Posts: 1405 
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UK places where there is no mobile signal; Exmoor, Dartmoor, Salisbury..anywhere remote in the UK. For emergency calls, calls charged for after, so no PAYG credit running out... Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender
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2nd Aug 2013 10:16pm |
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| Glynparry25 Member Since: 16 Feb 2009 Location: Miserable Midlands Posts: 3015  
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If just for emergency call-out, what about a 2 way communicator? Like the Spot or Delorme. The initial unit costs about 1/10 of a Sat phone and you don't get crazy bills after making a call.
Just food for thought. I went for this in the end as I didn't need anything for every day calls (like company calls) but wanted the peace and mind of being able to contact friends and family when out of cell phone signal. Other bonus is the tracking so anyone can follow you online if you want them to (or if you SOS it also transmits your grid reference to emergency services): http://www.inreachdelorme.com/ Glyn   |
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2nd Aug 2013 11:06pm |
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| johnnyd Member Since: 13 Apr 2013 Location: Chippenham Posts: 1006 
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Do you pay for using the inreach delorme device? If so do you know the charges?
JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW |
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3rd Aug 2013 6:37am |
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| Glynparry25 Member Since: 16 Feb 2009 Location: Miserable Midlands Posts: 3015
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Yes I am currently using the service (I am using the inReach for ipod/smart phone)- but have been offered the ability to move straight over to the SE package if I buy the device.
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/subscription-plans.php That is the overview. Yes it is more expensive than the SPOT (£100 a year) but for me it was better. I started on the 'Safety plan' when I was playing and getting used to it, and since being on my trip have been on the 'Expedition Plan'. It has been AMAZING. I have been able to report in to family every day (even in VERY remote areas) and they have also been able to message back. For them the 'Track feature' has been the best- most of the family all over the world have been following me as I go along.... this is what they see:  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Once back home and off traveling I will then revert back to the 'Safety Plan' ($25 admin charge to go down a plan but free to go up). I went for the Delorme over spot pretty much mainly because it uses the Iridium satellites which have better, more reliable coverage- I spent 2 months trawling outdoor forums to get all the info- for another £50 you can buy a car adaptor too so no need to worry about batteries (which last about 72hrs of use). Just a possible 'cheap' solution if you need safety but don't need to make phone calls etc. Glyn :sheep:
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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3rd Aug 2013 6:59am |
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| johnnyd Member Since: 13 Apr 2013 Location: Chippenham Posts: 1006
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Very interesting, is that travelling Work or pleasure? Just curious
Looks like a good system, how much is the activation fee OOI? Do you have the inreach or inreach SE ? Is the SE worth the extra 50/60 quid do you think? JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW |
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3rd Aug 2013 7:21am |
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| Glynparry25 Member Since: 16 Feb 2009 Location: Miserable Midlands Posts: 3015
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Pleasure (got made redundant in Cyprus so made the most of a break in work to take my time heading back).
I think the activation was $25 from what I remember (I have slept since then ). When I bought it (4/5 months ago) there was the 'InReach SE coming soon' and I held off for as long as I could but it was only released 1/2 months ago so I didn't have the option. I am thinking of upgrading to it when I get home. The one I have is great- I connect to ipod touch and my sony phone but would also like the ability to use the features (downloadable maps) without worrying about my other device batteries.
Once home I will do a proper write up on it as I just don't get the time whilst traveling. I will be back in UK in about 14 days if things go to plan and will be passing you if you want a look/ verbal review over a pint. Glyn |
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3rd Aug 2013 7:30am |
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| Tiger Member Since: 06 Jul 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 2265 
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I have a SPOT, costs me about £120 a year.
Good bit of kit, use it loads for the checkin and tracking. But the Help & SOS are a peace of mind thing. |
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3rd Aug 2013 7:47am |
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| johnnyd Member Since: 13 Apr 2013 Location: Chippenham Posts: 1006
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Glyn many thanks for the offer but that will probably be when we are away (France possibly) which is why i am looking now, i'm never one to say no to beer
 are there any laws re bringing the device into countries as it is a transmitter?
JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW |
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3rd Aug 2013 8:03am |
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| BigWheels Member Since: 21 Mar 2010 Location: Somerset Posts: 1405
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Thanks seems like the type of phones I'm after.
 Land Rover Defenders. 67 years heritage, minimal appearance changes, still going strong all over the world. Not a fashion vehicle, but fashionable to own. Made for the needy, not the greedy. Ta ta Defender |
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3rd Aug 2013 1:48pm |
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| TR51 Member Since: 17 Apr 2012 Location: Dorset UK Posts: 333  
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As an extra, (and fully understand that having a dedicated means of communication is a huge bonus and peace of mind to just relying on a phone), but for the UK you can also sign up to : http://www.emergencysms.org.uk/
Basically you text 999 with a location and brief description of the incident and it is logged just as a 999 call is. The benifit is that text messages can be sent when there is much less signal than is required for a voice data. (also note that calls to 999 will use ANY mobile phone company mast to send a call, so even if you have 'no signal' shown on your phone a call may still get through). (That said, I also take along a SPOT tracker when I head out into the mountains...) |
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3rd Aug 2013 2:33pm |
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