satellite phone

[Retterath]

I need to get a sat phone before i go to alaska in sept for a hunt since I'm not going guided. The air taxi person told me that they have the best luck with the iridium phones and got a quote for 350$ that included 2 week rental 60 minutes and charges and shipping back and forth plus i would be getting a $100 back when they receive it in the mail for a warranty refund. Then was thinking maybe i would be better off buying one but the iridium phones are a $1000 and the spot sat phones are around $500. I will be hunting out of kotzebue in unit GMU 23. Does anyone have experience with these two different phones. Would the spot one work fine or not, and or do u think i should buy one cause i would be using it else where even back home or elk hunting. What are your guys thoughts.

 

[mnhunter]

I have used satellite phones pretty extensively, and I can tell you that you want whatever system you have to be on the Iridium Satellite network, it is much more reliable than the Spot network.

What do you want to achieve? Is an "I'm ok"/"SOS" text/email with a google map location good enough, or do you want to be able to have voice comms if required? How often do you anticipate using whatever you get?

I would point you towards the DeLorme InReach system, over the SPOT as it runs on the Iridium network. Check them out they may be what you need. Otherwise, I would probably stick to renting a phone. In the four + trips it would take to realize the benefit of buying the phone will be pretty obsolete, and the battery likely shot.

 

[AKaviator]

I have always rented from an Anchorage company; Surveyors Exchange. They've treated me right and have reasonable pricing. I wouldn't go where you're going without a SAT phone.
Check their website at [email protected] or 907-561-6501 ext. 4.
I might be able to help you pick it up and drop it off.

 

[Retterath]

thanks guys, i will check it out and let you know bob if i go that way i will call them and visit with them. thanks alot

 

[Team Kabob]

I will see who my buddy used. But, I bet it is the same place AK is talking about.

 

[Retterath]

Talked to the sat company in anchorage and they are setting me up, they were very nice and a great help and making the rental a piece of cake.

 

[Team Kabob]

$85 dollars is much better.
My buddy did use the same place AK talked about.

http://www.tse-ak.com/default.aspx?cid=63&desc=satellite+phone+rental+rates