I know this subject has been beaten to death but it has been a while and I was wondering if there is anything new. I am thinking of taking one to Zim this fall.

Take 'em...good to have, and to call home for a daily report....never know, Its when you don't take one, is when you need one....I had no probs taking one thru in my carry-on, I also had it listed on my 4457.

Good thought on the 4457, but since I have my guns listed and won't be near a customs office I'll just take the receipt for the rental agreement.

I had great luck with my portable Iridium in Zim last August. It was nice to touch base with home whenever I wanted. I already have one lined up for Namibia next month and BC in Sept.

We have an Iridium and it works ok in zim. email on iridium is very slow so, we are adding a BEGAN unit to our comms console

another thought: we don't list anything on our 4457 except firearms and scopes. Have never been questioned on anything else; but if we are, we can prove up purchase fairly easily.

I would list everything of value on your 4457, especially optics, to include rifles scopes attached to your rifles, cameras and electronics such as Iridium phones, GPS, etc. need to go on there. This eliminates them, from throwing a "loophole" on your journey back to the states, this is according to the US Customs agent in Casper,WY., You can put it on the same form as rifles, and if form is filled up you can use subsecuent forms for continuation.

The best way to do it is to Fax it to U.S. Customs and they will mail it back, they even paid for the postage, (I offered to pay) This transaction took only 5 days.

D.O.J.

Yes, take the sat phone to Zim with you!

It will likely be the only reliable way to communicate with the world outside Zimbabwe if you want to, or if you NEED to!

I needed to rearrange flights from Vic Falls, quickly, and no other means were available. Another hunter, just handed me his Iridium phone and the call went quickly through to Gracy, and 6 minutes later the problem was solved.

I will never go anywhere over there again [except maybe RSA!] without one!

Les

AKsheephunter, did you say you say you faxed the completed form and USC signed and mailed back. I took a form to Baltimore Customs and had it filled out and they made me bring my guns in so they could check the serial #s. Interesting to say the least, but of course we should remember they are government employees and doing something logically is not in their wheel house, eh.

I have the Motorolla phone and iridium service, don't leave home without it. I'll be in Zim next week nice to have.

Dirk

Does anyone have a link to a reliable website that sells them and service plans?

Take a look at http://explorersatellite.com. I plan on using them next season and several members here on AR have used them with positive results.

I bought my Iridium 9505A from: (www.satphonestore.com) their telephone no. is 866-633-9636 (toll free) the one I have is pretty water resistant and take it to the Brooks range every year amidst the heavy rains.Works good in S. Africa too....CK

we bought our Iridium 9505A from GMPCS WWW.gmpcs-us.com; Landline: 1-954-973-3100. will probably buy our BEGAN from them.