Satellite phones for upcoming bowhunting trips... which one?

[LEOPARD]

Hi All

I'm looking at getting a satellite phone for some remote bowhunting trips I have coming up over the next few years, and hoping to get some advice here. The main purpose of the phone will be emergency comms, so something reliable.

My trips are to Australia NT, New Zealand, South Africa and USA, so I'm looking for fairly wide coveresge.

While I'm spending the money on a sat phone, I'd like to go for full functionality (e.g. phone, text and data).

I'm leaning towards the Iridium 9575 Extreme, does anyone here have experience with this phone for bowhunting and the coverage that I'd require?

Thanks,

Nigel

[John Havard]

Nigel,

I'm not sure my experience will help you but for what it's worth each year I rent an Iridium Motorola (top-end model, can't remember the name) for my annual trip to the Alaska bush for moose hunting.  Every time I rent one I'm asked WHERE I'll be.  Not sure why I'm asked but I am.  I would assume that means that a sat phone might be useful or "tuned" for a specific portion of the globe?  

As to which model to purchase I can't help you there since I only rent.  Just so you know my rental costs are around $175-$200 for a two-week period of time.  Air time cost around $2/minute additional but that's small beer and great consolation if you want or need to be in touch while otherwise unreachable.  I use my rental to check in at home and to call the air taxi operator with "come pick up the meat" sort of calls.  I would not be without one when hunting truly wild and roadless places where the nearest help might be 50-75 miles away and across rivers and mountain ranges.  Perhaps of little help but that's my experience.  Good luck with your decision.

[longbowray]

I rent also , 225 for 16 days

[Steve H.]

I was doing the rent thing for years and finally broke down and bought a used 9555 last year and have been 100% pleased so far.  It has a bunch of texting capabilities that is beyond me.  I needed one that was reasonably small as I routinely carry everything on my back everywhere I go, no luxury of trucks or camels to carry the burden.

Different sim cards are needed for different parst of the World, I turned mine on with a 6 month card last fall for here in Alaska.  I suspect its all in how they are programmed.

[Steve H.]

Here's an idea.  Just invite me and I'll bring MY phone and you won't need to track one down!

[highpoint forge]

Thuraya. They work well enough in AFPAK......

[highpoint forge]

Thuraya. They work well enough in AFPAK......

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Mine's an Iridium-something. It works well, and I wouldn't be without it in remote Australia.

[matthewp]

I rent one from  www.mobalrental.com.   They were great.

[David Yukon]

We have an iridium, the only one that work up in the Yukon Alaska, And the reason they will ask you where you will use it, is that the plans for Yukon/Alaska, is different, more expensive different! Global star don' t really work up here...

[Steve O]

A few years ago, for a one month trip in CO, I bought one off the auction site, used it and sold it for no loss when I returned.  I don't have much time for that anymore, so when I need one, I rent one.  The plus to renting is you are getting the latest technology, which they are always improving.