Sat phone recommendations

I've used Iridium and Inmarsat in remote parts of Canada. Iridium is much better. Their system is low orbit so latency is way less than Inmarsat. Both require a good view of the sky, but Inmarsat only has a couple satellites visible at any time, kinda like XM radio. Iridium has way more satellites and better coverage, but it is still problematic. Check out Bluecosmo.

Honestly, if you can text vs talk, those devices may be cheaper/better to run.

Worth looking at.

Easy to check in with an “Im ok” as well as any other call needs.

T Mobile and Starlink announced last year that they are going to be using Starlinks satellites to basically transform your existing phone into a sat phone if you have 0 service.


Nice to have, but T Mobile sucks ass in coverage in remote areas.

kindabitey said:

I've seen a few 2 way messaging devices, but don't know anything about operation/ reliability.

Click to expand...

Online reviews are good regarding coverage and reliability for emergency situations.
And they have a GPS that sends that data too.

A close friend took a sabbatical last summer and backpacked the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango with her 14 yr old daughter.

She used one.
Her husband appreciated the daily check in.
Couple times they covered more miles and needed their resupply early and it worked great, sent a normal text like from a phone, but via the device.

I think initial cost and fees are cheaper than a full sat phone.
My girlfriend and future mrs is a fan of me buying one for solo back country hunts. She says she knows I am skilled and tough (I am neither, just have her fooled) , and that level of assurance eases her mine.

I have been using Iridium Extreme for 5 years, small compact, water proof, SOS, 911 etc as well as sending a Google Map of your location with
text messages if desired. Pretty handy. Costs $60 month for service. Cheap insurance if SHTF; ~ 30 rounds / month down range.

I found that texting via sat was all we needed.
Used a Garmin inreach se+ all over Alaska and the inside passage, worked great!

As a backpacker, I use an Inreach satellite communicator (text messaging with phone or email) GPS/PLB. Much cheaper, smaller, lighter, batt efficient.

Used zoleo last fall. Similar to inreach text only
Friends/family only need to download the app
Worked great

I took a SAT phone on my last deployment in 2008 but the overall cost does not justify the need so I stopped the service. Now I keep an InReach Explorer + for emergencies if needed. I pay 13 dollars a month to keep it active. If I need to use it extensively during some major issue, they can bill me later.

it's a phone no trills no pop ups no adds no constant nagging it just works . big buttons easy to see the grand kids will hate it ( a huge draw ) . you won't need to be a 13 year old to operate it .

I use the iridium extreme as well.

The newest iPhone has an emergency SAT feature. Not sure if it fits your needs but worth a look.

Another recommendation for garmin inreach texting. Cheap money for what it is.

I go offshore a lot and have always had great service from inmarsat and a garmin inreach. Both will keep you communicated. I personally like the plans that inmarsat offers since you can get a prepaid that lasts you all year without getting into a subscription.

^^^^one more reason I selected its satellite array.