New ~ SPOT Satellite Phones
Seem reasonably priced. Anyone have one? Couldn't get the link to work.
Forum Discussion
Do you own research.
3 most often used providers are Iridium, Isatphone and Globalstar. Iridium is the most expensive - usually, both handsets and plans. Isatphone - a little cheaper, $650 for handset.
Isatphone and Globalstar use geostationary satellites, so if there is a coverage in your area, the satellite is always there. If there is a poor coverage due to mountains, for example - then it is always poor in this location.
Most common complaint on Istaphone is - it may take too long to lock on satellite, up to a few minutes, and there is a "delay" in receiving - they hear you and respond a few seconds after you've said something.
Iridium has "moving" satellites, they come and go on the horizon, so there is no "bad" location, unless you're deep under ground. At any given moment there "should be" at least one of them in view, but in reality you may have intermittent signal at times.
All of them have raised the prepay rates recently - you can't get 60 minutes prepay card valid for 2 years like in the past, to use it in occasional emergency.
3 most often used providers are Iridium, Isatphone and Globalstar. Iridium is the most expensive - usually, both handsets and plans. Isatphone - a little cheaper, $650 for handset.
Isatphone and Globalstar use geostationary satellites, so if there is a coverage in your area, the satellite is always there. If there is a poor coverage due to mountains, for example - then it is always poor in this location.
Most common complaint on Istaphone is - it may take too long to lock on satellite, up to a few minutes, and there is a "delay" in receiving - they hear you and respond a few seconds after you've said something.
Iridium has "moving" satellites, they come and go on the horizon, so there is no "bad" location, unless you're deep under ground. At any given moment there "should be" at least one of them in view, but in reality you may have intermittent signal at times.
All of them have raised the prepay rates recently - you can't get 60 minutes prepay card valid for 2 years like in the past, to use it in occasional emergency.
