Could anyone help with vendors for the Motorola 9505? Any ideas on what a good deal might be and are there any breakthroughs on newer and smaller models? Thanks.

Here is a link to another satellite phone thread. You might do a search.
Sat Phone Thread

Whatever phone you decide to buy, DON'T use IRIDIUM!

There service is bloody awful, their calls are dropped more often than a hot potato, and the voice quality is dreadful.

To be able to talk to your family for 5 minutes will take you an hour - at least!

Get a Thuraya. There is absolutely no comparison between the two services.

In fact, everyone I know who had an IRIDIUM has sold it and bought a Thuraya phone, and never looked back!

Saeed, is it available in the USA and usable in the USA as well as Africa?

I have had NO problems with my Motorola 9505 which I use to call from Cairo sometimes or from areas here that are beyond cell phone service. Voice quality is fine and I never have dropped calls (as long as line of sight is maintained with a decent patch of sky). Further, Iridium coverage is 100% of the globe. One can't ask for more than that.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

berore the iraq was the iridum was great now it sucks, i think they alloted more band width to the armed forces or something,

outfitter sattelite ripped me off real good too for about 1700, its too bad I have bought 2 phones from them and used to promor\te them as good people but their greed got the best of them, I have a nera and 9505 from them but thats the end of my dealings with them, my bill is well over 1,000 per hunt I go for 20-30 day hunts and use the phone alot, otherwise I couldnt leave for such long trips secont to my gun the phone is that important.

thuraya is the way foward my friends in the bush have called me a number of times using one and WOW is it great thats my next phone.

LVEric and Saaed- Thanks. Do either of you know what Thuraya coverage is in the US? I would be using is in the Northern Rockies. Thanks again.Bob.

Her is a link, it is a Boeing company.

http://www.thuraya.com/country/int_sp/boeing/

Guys,

I have used Thuraya in East Africa for two years in a row,and its cheaper then using the local phones when calling international.


Hamdeni

Crane-

Looks like you are out of luck for the US. From the Thuraya Web site:

quote:

Our coverage spans Europe, North, Central Africa and large parts of Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia.

WE personally have used Nera Mini using INMARSAT which has been just perfect we find, used it in Zambia for 7 years now without a hitch, it has great worldwide coverage as well

pdf file link

Regards, Peter

Seems like Iridium is still best bet for all of world. Who is best source and do AR members get any deals. Would appreciate any ideas. Ok to send PM if you have contacts.

BB

Saeed, which Thuraya model phone are you using?

Thanks!

FWIW I couldn't buy an Irridium at all earlier this year and was told that all models made since 1/1/05 had been recalled for software & hardware changes. According to SA dealers (and their own website also suggested this was true) the recall applied worldwide. - Whether they're available now, I don't know.

I eventually bought the Thuraya and it works very well indeed - no dropped calls or other problems. however it doesn't work in SA, Botswana, Namibia or the lower half of mozambique.

The Thuraya has more applications than the Irridium but call charges in some areas are anything up to 50% higher.

My father bought the Motorola 9505 from a dealer in Anchorage, Alaska. It is Iridium and it works great! I have used it extensively in ALaska and this summer in Africa. Once in a great while will the call get dropped. Not a big problem though. It is awesome to have and coverage world wide. You can't go wrong.

I have the Irridium and love it, I have used them back since the old days when they were big as a suitcase. Keep in mind I use a SAT phone as a common piece of equipment, its not uncommon for me to use 2-3 hours a month. I would say the clarity on mine is much better then my cell phone in the US and as good as land lines. I have had dropped calls from time to time but I would say its been the exception rather then the rule.

James

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
Could anyone help with vendors for the Motorola 9505? Any ideas on what a good deal might be and are there any breakthroughs on newer and smaller models? Thanks.

crane or other guests /

Contact Ms. Carla Taylor
1 888 808 3088

and mention Peter Bird from Balla-Balla Safaris referred you ..

Good luck

Peter

I agree with Saeed the Thuraya is a much better phone for Africa, but if you want world wide coverage including all the remote parts of North America and Alaska, the Motorola Iridium 9505A is your only real option as far as being compact and convienient. Yes calls do ocasionally get dropped. It's happened most to me when calling from under or around moderate to heavy tree canopy. I had very few problems from Zim, RSA or from Alaska as long I was in an open area.

All the recalled phones have been replaced and are in service as far as I know.
I have had my new replacement for over a month now!

It's beats smoke signals when the S!*T hits the fan!

Thanks all- It will have to be the 9505 for me because of where we need it besides Africa. Anyone know what I will be paying?

While my friend David was in Tanzania last month he called me from his iridium sat phone that he rented for his 21 day hunt. It seemed to work OK when I spoke to him.

When I tried to call him it isn't just call his sat phone number and he answers. I had to call an iridium number and when prompted, then enter his sat phone number and then the call was placed.

Is this standard proceedure?

Rusty,

Actually, you can call Iridium phones directly but calling the domestic routing number is MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper. I haven't checked the rates lately but, if my memory is correct, I think the rate to an 8816 "country code" (Iridium) is around $20+ per minute.

Best,

JohnTheGreek