Not getting any hits on product reviews so I thought i'd try here. Looking at the iridium extreme 9575, and buying one instead of renting as I need on in AZ as well.....

thoughts? Experience?

Thanks

I have had good experience with my 9575 out here in remote areas of W Texas and SE New Mexico while hunting oil.

Check with Andy Cool at Explorer Satellite. Good folks.

I own a 9575 and, while I just received it, the unit seems to work well. I will also second the recommendation of Explorer Satellite. Nina is my contact there.

I bought an Iridium 9555. Have experience with it but not the 9575

OK thanks, for $300 more I like the messaging and GPS functions of the 9575. Is explorer sateelite a company? I will try to find as I am looking to buy soon. Thay had a defective run of them and a recall and as far as I can tell the problem is solved....I hope

Bought one. Will give a field report after using it in Moz in 3 weeks

I would like to buy a sat phone too...but all I want is basic talking capabilities.

Western OK where I hunt in the fall still has poor cellular coverage.

I would like to buy a sat phone just for use when I hunt. This would include Africa every 3rd year or so, use in hunting camp in Western OK, and in the mountains of southern CO.

Is there a basic phone and basic plan to allow this for NOT an arm and a leg?

iridium 9555 for basic talking but the $300 for the text, gps and emergency function seems well worth it. (text is a 1/3 talk time and free incoming). Inmarsat phone is less than half the price but don't plan on taking to northern or southern extremes (AK). Check out Satphonecity.com Chris knows what he is talking about spent several hours going over every possible setup. Prepaid time is the way to go and cheapest. I am paying 1.20 a minute with 500 prepaid. I plan on having it with me all the time as in AZ there is minimal cell off roads and that goes for the western states. Really cheap insurance especially if Global rescue gets involved. And cheaper then ATT Mozambique and SA rates for cell phones (if you can get one to work) with an Intnl plan. Those extremes are small and light as well, and Mil-spec

OK got the phone, and the pelican 1200 case it goes in with all the cool stuff. My question is:

How do people carry there phones? Case is kinds bulky and I probably don't need all the crap. Plus I don't really want to check it with the luggage....sshould I skip the case and just carry it and the charger in a pack?

It's funny how solving one problem brings up another...

When I travel to Africa I have a small soft case that contains my Iridium phone and its leather slip cover, and the two chargers-one for the vehicle and one for the chalet. Other than that, I leave everything at home including the Pelican 1200 case and all of the other parts.

Thanks UEG. What kind of soft case?

Two extra heavy wool socks...one holds the phone and one with the charger and plug adapters. The socks go in a small backpack along with binos, an emergency change of lighweight clothes, matches, FAK, spare cash, extra contact lenses, etc.

As funny as it sounds, the soft case that I carry my Iridium in in my carry on is a Delta essentials bag that they give you with essentials when you have been delayed in a flight that requires an overnight stay. The phone is in its own leather case (that you can get with the phone), and then in this soft case. Any small soft case that the phone will fit in will work. It just so happens that this small case works fine for my satellite phone.

Personally, I have the latest greatest Iridium. I am not unhappy with it but do experience a dropped call from time to time.

I just received a call from Tanzania. The call was made by an Inmarsat phone. It was so clear that I have my assistant getting me the information on one right now.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Personally, I have the latest greatest Iridium. I am not unhappy with it but do experience a dropped call from time to time.

I just received a call from Tanzania. The call was made by an Inmarsat phone. It was so clear that I have my assistant getting me the information on one right now.

I used the latest Inmarsat phone in SE ZIM this year, and it worked well. I found it very clear and the text messaging feature worked well.

I just spoke to Explorer Satellite. I bought one of the Inmarsat phones. It was less than $600!

I have to tell you that the call I received was crystal clear with little to no lag in hearing the other party and vice versa.

I will take both phones to Zim on Saturday. I will see which works best.

Good luck on the hunt!!

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
I would like to buy a sat phone too...but all I want is basic talking capabilities.

Lane,

I bought the old 9505 with Antenna. Car charger, 110 charger, and extra batteries for $330 way used. It works great and I lend it out to friends because if it gets trashed it's not much of a loss. Brett's taking it on his Marco Polo/Ibex hunt next month.

Look around for an old used one on Ebay or put a WTB ad in the Classifieds.

Cheers
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
I would like to buy a sat phone too...but all I want is basic talking capabilities.

Western OK where I hunt in the fall still has poor cellular coverage.

I would like to buy a sat phone just for use when I hunt. This would include Africa every 3rd year or so, use in hunting camp in Western OK, and in the mountains of southern CO.

Is there a basic phone and basic plan to allow this for NOT an arm and a leg?

Explorer Satellite has the monthly "Emergency" plan at $30 per month + 2.50 per minute.

PThe smaller prepaid plans all seem to have at best a one year expiration.

So, 30 per month to have it 'on' and pay 2.50 per min , or have it on and use it for $55 per month (500 minutes prepaid).

I looked at the imarsat phone and yes its cheaper, potentially better call quality and you can text. But, don't plan on bringing it to Alaska. Iridium is the only true global network. That was a deal breaker for me if you only want one....The geos function was pretty handy too.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I just spoke to Explorer Satellite. I bought one of the Inmarsat phones. It was less than $600!

I have to tell you that the call I received was crystal clear with little to no lag in hearing the other party and vice versa.

I will take both phones to Zim on Saturday. I will see which works best.

Can't wait to hear about this Larry. My old Iridium is shall we say rustic and it sounds like you are talking with your head in a trash can.

Jeff

Jeff:

I will call you from over there one day.

I have to say that dealing with Explorer Satellite was a very pleasant experience. My assistant called around 3:30 yesterday. Subsequently, I made 1 call to them with a couple of questions. I probably decided to buy the phone around 4. The phone was just delivered here and it was fully charged. They are efficient.

Check out 'Thuraya' too:
http://www.thuraya.com/products

Had a 9555 now a 9575. Aside from the completely STUPID charging system on the 9575, I like it a lot. Both Iridium phones worked extremely well everywhere in the world I've been.

Sometimes voice does sound like the other person has a head cold, though.

Have not tried other satellite phones to compare so looking forward to hearing experiences of those who have.

quote:

Originally posted by PD999:
Check out 'Thuraya' too:
http://www.thuraya.com/products

Thuraya are a UAE company and they are clients of mine. Their African coverage starts to fade south of the Limpopo. At present they have no coverage in the Americas. Rest of the world they have a superb coverage.

That pretty much rules them out for me. I want Global coverage. I believe Iridium is the only commercial one that provides that

You're right in that only iridium I'd truly global. The Inmarsat phones have a clearer reception but are not truly global. I now have both ane use Inmarsat first for data and. Phone through bgan, and iridium is now backup just in case no signal from Inmarsat.

Cheers

Nick

Yeah thats an interesting idea and a cost effective one as I believe the air time is much cheaper on inmarsat as well...