Sat phone hire 2017

[steveG]

Anyone looked into hiring a satphone recently?
Have a 3 week trip at the end of July, and my better half is insisting we take one...

Steve

[goingbush]

Don't know how much they are to hire but I have an Inmarsat Isatphone pro that I don't need if you would consider buying used.
Less than 1 hour total talk time , complete with mobile cradle and mobile antenna (magnetic) .
you just need to grab a Prepaid simcard from any sat phone provider , e.g. Pivotel etc.

I moved to a Iridium 9555 simply because I can use my regular Telstra GSM simcard in it & dont have to worry about remembering to top up the inmarsat prepaid sim.

[cjc_td5]

My local Comms store has Sat phones for hire. They sell and service 2 way gear etc. Hire wasn't that dear when I enquired a couple of months ago (sorry can't remember the $$$ exactly). Calls are pricey though and data a definite no-go.

[steveG]

Don't know how much they are to hire but I have an Inmarsat Isatphone pro that I don't need if you would consider buying used.
Less than 1 hour total talk time , complete with mobile cradle and mobile antenna (magnetic) .
you just need to grab a Prepaid simcard from any sat phone provider , e.g. Pivotel etc.

I moved to a Iridium 9555 simply because I can use my regular Telstra GSM simcard in it & dont have to worry about remembering to top up the inmarsat prepaid sim.

The hire costs seem to be around $20/day for a 3 week period, so not cheap. Could be interested in a used one - will send you a PM.
I've also found the InReach devices that are SMS only (no talk) with SOS and tracking. They are available for hire for around $180 for 4 weeks and 100 texts. If I can convince the better half that she can get away with a few texts that might be a good option.

Steve

[Bearman]

Anyone looked into hiring a satphone recently?
Have a 3 week trip at the end of July, and my better half is insisting we take one...

Steve

Steve do you want it just for emergencies or for regular chat?

[Vern]

Google epirbhire, they have some ex census ones for sale, most have never been used

[steveG]

Steve do you want it just for emergencies or for regular chat?

Not intending to use it for regular chat, but definitely want to be able to send/receive a SMS every couple of days to stay in touch with eldest daughter as she'll be close to having our second grand-baby at that time.

I've actually had a very generous offer of a loan phone for the trip from a member here, so looks like we might be sorted for this one.

In the past I've been fortunate to have a phone at work that I could take, but thats no longer an option.
I'll definitely be looking into purchasing something going forward - whether it be a phone or one of the InReach sort of devices. Hire itself seems hideously expensive - and then you still have the call costs.
I've discovered the whole satellite phone thing is a minefield though, between the multiple networks, device types and call plans its damn confusing!!

Steve

[donh54]

Not intending to use it for regular chat, but definitely want to be able to send/receive a SMS every couple of days to stay in touch with eldest daughter as she'll be close to having our second grand-baby at that time.
.........
Steve

Before you do purchase one of the "Spot 3" type ones, do some research.

Some of the most popular ones are only suited to use in the northern hemisphere, due to the satellite constellation they use. Some have very limited Australian coverage, often low on the horizon (bad if you're in hilly country) or only at certain times through the day.

Also there can be lots of restrictions/costs on the SMS system. Lots are limited to pre-programmed messages, and are send only, or have all messages routed through their (usually USA based) servers, at a considerable cost in overseas phone charges.