Sat Phone Service Plans 2017/2018

[skegpro]

Quoted rgm by accident. I renewed today

480$ for 1500 min, one year. with voicemail.

Mint.
If you want call back and say you don't want voicemail and they will scrub another $60 off.

 

[skegpro]

Did you have to call in and threaten to leave? That price is getting more reasonable. I still might do the inreach though.

Why inreach over spot x if you don't mind me asking?

 

[FastFarmer]

I looked at both the spot x has a blackberry keyboard, I know they all Bluetooth to your cell but if your ever separated then trouble. Pre programmed messages on each though and emergency onlysituations not a social party, I’d go with the inreach I think because their plans are a little cheaper and you can have a gps. Tough decision really...

 

[Pink-Inc]

I just picked up the Inreach. I liked the idear of the gps with it

 

[skegpro]

I looked at both the spot x has a blackberry keyboard, I know they all Bluetooth to your cell but if your ever separated then trouble. Pre programmed messages on each though and emergency onlysituations not a social party, I’d go with the inreach I think because their plans are a little cheaper and you can have a gps. Tough decision really...

Ok think about it this way though.

Your in a wreck and you need to get details out to a third-party. Good luck doing that on the inreach.

I'd keep a couple heli companies 24/7 cell phone # in the spot x and a credit card in your pocket. Its your get out quick plan.

SAR is great but sometimes you need out now!

As for cost the spot x is cheaper to buy and you can then buy a standalone Garmin GPSMap 64. For about the same price as buying the inreach.

And at a glance the spot x is cheaper than inreach on a monthly basis too.

Imo spot x is the next best to a sat phone.

(Also don't forget to put your radio frequency as one of your pre programed messages.)

 

[FastFarmer]

Ok think about it this way though.

Your in a wreck and you need to get details out to a third-party. Good luck doing that on the inreach.

I'd keep a couple heli companies 24/7 cell phone # in the spot x and a credit card in your pocket. Its your get out quick plan.

SAR is great but sometimes you need out now!

As for cost the spot x is cheaper to buy and you can then buy a standalone Garmin GPSMap 64. For about the same price as buying the inreach.

And at a glance the spot x is cheaper than inreach on a monthly basis too.

Imo spot x is the next best to a sat phone.

(Also don't forget to put your radio frequency as one of your pre programed messages.)

100% true story. Most guys have their phone hooked up via Bluetooth to the I reach and can text away. I just want a simple fix and one unit to deal with. GPS isn’t a big deal for me, new areas I have an old Garmin Legend that’s got me in and out of everything to date so all good there for this guy.

You make some solid points, really good on the pre programmed info and CC number..you’re right! Ive got a sat phone, broke a couple too. If things go real bad I just want to hit a button, send good solid info to S&R and get home! But I never want to use it...

 

[gunner3006]

Switched to the inreach a year ago and unless there is a price miracle with global star I will never be back. So fed up with the rates and pricing. I love the inreach. And I use it way more than the sat phone. Had it out on the ocean this summer and man I was impressed. A lot of awesomeness stored in that little device.

 

[skegpro]

100% true story. Most guys have their phone hooked up via Bluetooth to the I reach and can text away. I just want a simple fix and one unit to deal with. GPS isn’t a big deal for me, new areas I have an old Garmin Legend that’s got me in and out of everything to date so all good there for this guy.

You make some solid points, really good on the pre programmed info and CC number..you’re right! Ive got a sat phone, broke a couple too. If things go real bad I just want to hit a button, send good solid info to S&R and get home! But I never want to use it...

Having been in a situation where we needed to bring in a private sky hook to get evacuated, I'll tell you this.

The cell phones in our group had one bar.
They dialed 911 and it drop the call.
The cell phones had full batteries, but froze and died within seconds.

It was cold, snowy and windy.
There is no way a guy could have taken the time to sync a cell phone with another device.

Thing that saved us was sat phone, Boefeng radio (talked with pilot) and gps to give coordinates.

So imo keep it simple.
Go with the big buttons. Lol
My two cents anyways.

 

[FastFarmer]

Having been in a situation where we needed to bring in a private sky hook to get evacuated, I'll tell you this.

The cell phones in our group had one bar.
They dialed 911 and it drop the call.
The cell phones had full batteries, but froze and died within seconds.

It was cold, snowy and windy.
There is no way a guy could have taken the time to sync a cell phone with another device.

Thing that saved us was sat phone, Boefeng radio (talked with pilot) and gps to give coordinates.

So imo keep it simple.
Go with the big buttons. Lol
My two cents anyways.

You’re on a roll. True story again. I’m not a fan of the linking the phone thing. Like I said I just want to hit a button, send good intel and get home.

 

[RGM]

Here is an email I just got from Globalstar.


Hello Ray,


I am the sales manager for BC and received you recent inquiry.


I am able to offer you the Universal 1500 plan for $480 which is 50% off the regular annual rate - no monthly option.


If you like to go ahead, please provide me with your account number or satellite phone number:

Comments: If you guys want to renew my sat phone contract at my old price of 27.99/month I will renew or else I am am going with inreach. 

​

Vytas Vaitkus


Globalstar Canada


604-838-7323

 

[smokindave]

I left Globalstar after more than ten years of service.
On the plan I originally started with them it was affordable for me.
I have a phone for sale if anyone else is a bit richer than me...

 

[skegpro]

Quoted rgm by accident. I renewed today

480$ for 1500 min, one year. with voicemail.

What did you renew for this year?

They are telling me the best they can do is $370 off the $1140 plan.

Sooo $780 bucks, last year I think I renewed for $450.

Might be my last year with Globalstar.

Coverage has been good, too bad...

 

[Couch]

Soon time - renewal is in Dec. Only used once last year on an overnight out of cell service.

 

[Tchetek]

What did you renew for this year?

They are telling me the best they can do is $370 off the $1140 plan.

Sooo $780 bucks, last year I think I renewed for $450.

Might be my last year with Globalstar.

Coverage has been good, too bad...

No gonna pay this! Lol. I’ve really only tried a couple test calls over the past 2 years. Tried using it once this summer and it Dropped the call ever couple minutes. My total air time used is under 5 min. Also pulled it out for a test and had a dead battery.

Saw your other thread. I’ll watch for new options. Or just get an inreach? Don’t know.

 

[norona]

No gonna pay this! Lol. I’ve really only tried a couple test calls over the past 2 years. Tried using it once this summer and it Dropped the call ever couple minutes. My total air time used is under 5 min. Also pulled it out for a test and had a dead battery.

Saw your other thread. I’ll watch for new options. Or just get an inreach? Don’t know.

There is a some cool things coming cheaper and as goo as inReach. Stay tuned!

 

[Couch]

There is a some cool things coming cheaper and as goo as inReach. Stay tuned!

Ok. I'll bite ...what's coming? Spot / Globalstar vs InReach seems to be the two dependable ones ...couple of new entrants like bivystick but reviews are mixed.
Mine's up for renewal in Dec ....

 

[RGM]

I think they way space x is putting stuff into space it won't be long before there is a new competitor with newer cheaper tech.

 

[Couch]

Called Globalstar and they dropped price by $460 still with 2400 minutes. Back at $700 for the year ..looked at some of the other current new tech and between cost of equip and plans there wasn't any great saving. Nice to be able to chat in real time if / when needed. Total time used last year was less than 30 minutes so a less expensive option would be nice but they are in business for a profit just like I am.
For pure SOS functionality I would go with the stand alone plb.

What would be really great would be an integrated AIS system like on ships which would make it easier to locate separated riders - something like trailtec but with greater range.

 

[Tchetek]

There is a some cool things coming cheaper and as goo as inReach. Stay tuned!

What is the expected timeline? Available for this season kinda thing?

 

[mur190]

I opted out of my spot/global star sat phone last year due to plan price, scored a smoking black Friday deal on a garmin inreach explorer plus last year, $20/month for the cheaper plan then just pay for overages, works great so far. I completely understand the comfort of potential voice to voice talk from the backcountry but we did some backcounty tests this summer while jetboating and text send to receive the reply was under 6 mins on the inreach…