Sat Phone Service Plans 2017/2018

skegpro · Oct 24, 2017

What's every one doing for sat phone plans for this season?

I usually get the prepaid spot plan but is seems to have gone up significantly over the past 5 seasons.

I know it only takes one call to make $1k seem worth while, but has anyone found a more economical way to run a Sat phone?

RGM · Oct 24, 2017

Yup , it is getting to be total rip off for those that only carry it for emergency purposes. The more guys like me that they lose the more expensive it is for those that stay. I was paying 28 bucks a month just a few months ago and know they have knocked it to 40. The plan I am on is not listed you would have to call but might not get it.

blubbles · Oct 24, 2017

Interested to see what you have found at the $28 bucks a month range. That seems extremely reasonable, not sure what these guys are thinking, if they reduced the rates just a bit they would gain a whole additional user group... Who only want it for safety purposes.

skegpro · Oct 24, 2017

RGM said:
Yup , it is getting to be total rip off for those that only carry it for emergency purposes. The more guys like me that they lose the more expensive it is for those that stay. I was paying 28 bucks a month just a few months ago and know they have knocked it to 40. The plan I am on is not listed you would have to call but might not get it.

We'll I am.gonna have to call in and threaten to cancel.

I can't even take the $80/ month package for 4-6 months they want me to sign up for 12 month so I may as well get the $950 package with all the minutes.

What did you have to say to them?

RGM · Oct 24, 2017

skegpro said:
We'll I am.gonna have to call in and threaten to cancel.

I can't even take the $80/ month package for 4-6 months they want me to sign up for 12 month so I may as well get the $950 package with all the minutes.

What did you have to say to them?

I told them I was going to cancel. I was on there 15 min plan which they called satellite 15 . What I am on now they call satellite 50 but I am not paying the full rate. 34.99 before taxes

steveo10 · Oct 24, 2017

Only guys I know that have a sat phone put it through their company and it's a good chance the phone never gets used for work

Caper11 · Oct 24, 2017

Well I was planning on a sat phone, but after reading this I dunno anymore. Is that canadian funds?

What about a inreach? What's everyone's thoughts? I have a old spot messanger an im paying about 20 Canadian for that!

skegpro · Oct 24, 2017

steveo10 said:
Only guys I know that have a sat phone put it through their company and it's a good chance the phone never gets used for work

Just cause you can write it off doesn't mean you don't have to pay for it.......

skegpro · Oct 24, 2017

Caper11 said:
Well I was planning on a sat phone, but after reading this I dunno anymore. Is that canadian funds?

What about a inreach? What's everyone's thoughts? I have a old spot messanger an im paying about 20 Canadian for that!

CAD funds.

Always nice to be able to call for help if **** goes south.

Something about hitting that SOS button and not knowing what is going on the other end doea not sit well with me.

RGM · Oct 24, 2017

skegpro said:
CAD funds.

Always nice to be able to call for help if **** goes south.

Something about hitting that SOS button and not knowing what is going on the other end doea not sit well with me.

If you are a belt and suspender type of guy then you carry both. LOL

f7sp · Oct 24, 2017

I have an iridium phone and buy minutes through network innovations. The minimum amount of minutes you can purchase is 200,and they expire after 6 months. If you only use the phone for sledding you have to purchase the min 200 and then pay for a reactivation fee which comes in around $400 can. I’ve purchased another 200 in the spring for a
few yrs to avoid the reactivation fee and to accumulate min but I missed the deadline one yr and all min were lost. Not sure if there is a better/cheaper way to do this with the iridium or not. Anyone have a better idea?

Jorgy · Oct 24, 2017

Everyone in our group has an inreach for emergency and mapping/tracking purposes. The base plan is $20 which is makes the SOS active and then you pay per text or track which I believe is .10 per. I am on the $35 plan which has 100 tracks and 100 messages a month. For the 4-6 days I do per month I can leave it on the track every 20 minutes setting all day long minus the trail ride. IMO way more resourceful than a SAT phone. I'll never go without mine.

cattechsummitrider · Oct 24, 2017

Our group has both sat phones and inreach,,, the inreach are good for tracking and sos , but if there is an emergency the sat phone is faster because you can call s&r or the police,ambulance or helicopter, and you know what is happening up to date and they can call you back,,, It would be nice if they came out with a sat phone with a gps and a sos on it!

skegpro · Oct 25, 2017

cattechsummitrider said:
Our group has both sat phones and inreach,,, the inreach are good for tracking and sos , but if there is an emergency the sat phone is faster because you can call s&r or the police,ambulance or helicopter, and you know what is happening up to date and they can call you back,,, It would be nice if they came out with a sat phone with a gps and a sos on it!

I agree if there is a major problem and time is of the essence fastest solution is credit card and have the numbers of the local heli companies. Search and rescue takes some time to get dispatch and are only coming if there is no way you can self rescue or shelter in place.

Been there done that.

Teth-Air · Oct 25, 2017

Anyone think we could all sway a sat phone provider to give Snow and Mud or sled club rates to members? Maybe we should start something?

RGM · Oct 25, 2017

Teth-Air said:
Anyone think we could all sway a sat phone provider to give Snow and Mud or sled club rates to members? Maybe we should start something?

Definitely worth a try. They should be a site sponsor as well.

norona · Oct 25, 2017

skegpro said:
I agree if there is a major problem and time is of the essence fastest solution is credit card and have the numbers of the local heli companies. Search and rescue takes some time to get dispatch and are only coming if there is no way you can self rescue or shelter in place.

Been there done that.

with inreach the email you right back in an emergency, intact a lot of times inreach is faster since with talking you need a direct connection for longer, where as with the inreach it is just for the moment the text or email is sent, and if you get a cell phone make sure it is on the iridium platform or you will be disappointed a lot of the time. What makes the inreach so great is it is so much cheaper than a sat phone...

skegpro · Oct 25, 2017

norona said:
with inreach the email you right back in an emergency, intact a lot of times inreach is faster since with talking you need a direct connection for longer, where as with the inreach it is just for the moment the text or email is sent, and if you get a cell phone make sure it is on the iridium platform or you will be disappointed a lot of the time. What makes the inreach so great is it is so much cheaper than a sat phone...

Can you hire a private helicopter to evacuate you with inreach or do you have to go through the normal search an rescue channels.

007sevens · Oct 25, 2017

Just looked at my account. It auto debits on the term date. It just went up a Hundred bucks from what they promised wouldn't. They had said last year that they would change me $500 bucks for the 600 minute plan. Guess I will have to phone in.

cattechsummitrider · Oct 25, 2017

The Inreach is awesome for price, But coming from a search and rescue point of view there is nothing like contacting the emergency personal directly by sat phone,

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