I'm looking to buy a Sat phone. I'm considering an Iridium 9555. Anyone here own one that they have on an annual contract plan? I'm also thinking that a plan with minutes that roll over might be the way to go. I haven't used one before so if you have knowledge or advice that you'd share I'd appreciate it. I'd like to hear if you experience dropped calls frequently or if ever. I'll be on some extended hunts in very remote areas and may be the only person out there so this would be mainly for emergency contact use if required.
Thanks.

I have one. I also have an Inmarsat.

The phone that works best depends on where you are. The Iridium is better the further north you go. The Inmarsat is FAR better in Africa. However, it doesn't work in the far north.

Delorme InReach. check them out. love mine.

might be a good alternative, or even a backup to a sat phone. fairly cheap, and the monthly plans are very reasonable.

Ditto on the delorme inreach. I have the inreach SE. Great flexible monthly plans.

Hey Bobby,

Nixon said to tell you hello. Just back from 2 buff hunt.

I have the Inmarsat. Like it. Less expensive to buy than the iridium, works great in Africa, free texting feature.

We have used Iridium Inmarsat and Thuraya.

All work to a certain extent, and all drop calls at certain times.

I have the Iridium 9555. It drops calls frequently. Very frustrating for the $$ you pay for these devices.

BTW: The Delorme InReach devices also use the Iridium Sat network.

I've yet to find a sat phone that is reliable in all locations.

yes but the beauty of the InReach is that it only needs to connect for a second or two to get your message thru (vs trying to have a conversation). So you wait long enough and it will go thru.

quote:

Originally posted by bobby7321:
yes but the beauty of the InReach is that it only needs to connect for a second or two to get your message thru (vs trying to have a conversation). So you wait long enough and it will go thru.

Make sure your smartphone is charged as well

I guess I should say InReach SE. The original one does need to be paired and wouldn't recommend that one. the SE or SE Explorer would be the way to go

Actually it also depends on the satellite and weather conditions.

We hunt from the same camp in the Selous.

One year we get absolutely fantastic reception, and the next we have incredibly bad reception.

I got an Iridium 9555. Tried it a couple times and worked fine. Guess we'll see. Seemed like my best option. Thanks all.

Try the Iridium GO! wifi device. I just used it AK and it was great. Worked exactly as advertised.

Lee