Thread: Iridium Go

I'm not real good with too much of this modern computer stuff, but I have heard of an app (a term I hate) that you put on your phone. If your in or out of a service area and you are lost or in trouble you activate this app and it locates you via satellite and sends your position to the authorities. I heard that the first week it was released it saved the life of two bush walkers. However, as I say, I don't know what it is called or how to get it, so I will leave you with this useless piece of info. Sorry, Grant

The new Spot would work for you.. and a lot cheaper..

Sat phones are often woftam...
The Spot (high end one) can send SMS and signal for help.

I refused to carry my Work SatPhone as it was useless.

I went through all the options available about 12 months ago before the trip to Lorella Springs. In the end I went for a Iridium 9575 from Telstra. I haven't kept up to date with technology since, so how useful this info will be is debatable.

The main factor I would say is whatever you go with, use the Iridium network of satellites. I have never not had reception (despite everyone telling me it would be useless up in the Gulf), and have successfully made phone calls from the bottom of valleys in the High country. I charge it, turn it on and test it before I go out each trip, it otherwise sits turned off in it's case for 99% of the time.

It's probably not the cheapest option at $105 a month (for the first 2 years until I pay off the handset at least), but I know it will work, and if I ever use it in anger it instantly pays for itself. By the same logic, for the peace of mind it gives me, $2k over 2 years is nothing.

Happy researching!

I'm not real good with too much of this modern computer stuff, but I have heard of an app (a term I hate) that you put on your phone.

There is a misconception around that if you are out of range of your provider that if you ring 000 it goes to a satellite.

AFAIK what happens is that it will roam and find any provider and link via them.
I have been told the satellite story before and checked it out then.

If it is so easy , why does a sat phone cost $1000? and why are SPOT and satsleeves sold.
Regards Philip A

I last month, did a new sat phone, for $850 on a $15/month no contract/term with calls at 0.99c/min and SMS at 0.50c per message ... Post paid, so I never run out of credit, and the calls are cheap enough that I'm not worried about using it ... That's roughly $1k for the first year plus calls ... $180/yr for the service plus calls after that ... $2k takes you along way on this deal.

No, it doesn't do data, but really, at $5/MB ... $5000/GB why do you want data ?

Cheers

Thanks Kev , who is that satphone with please?

Originally Posted by PhilipA

There is a misconception around that if you are out of range of your provider that if you ring 000 it goes to a satellite.

AFAIK what happens is that it will roam and find any provider and link via them.

Correct. I've had quite a few arguments with people over this one. Here's the official quote from the government website

"112 is a secondary emergency number that can be dialled from mobile phones in Australia. Special capabilities, including roaming, once only existed when dialling 112, however mobile phones manufactured since January 2002 also provide these capabilities when dialling Triple Zero (000) to access the Emergency Call Service.

There is a misconception that 112 calls will be carried by satellite if there is no mobile coverage. Satellite phones use a different technology and your mobile phone cannot access a satellite network.

Important ? if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone, regardless of which number you dialled."

Triple Zero (000)

Originally Posted by MVFrancis

Correct. I've had quite a few arguments with people over this one. Here's the official quote from the government website

"112 is a secondary emergency number that can be dialled from mobile phones in Australia. Special capabilities, including roaming, once only existed when dialling 112, however mobile phones manufactured since January 2002 also provide these capabilities when dialling Triple Zero (000) to access the Emergency Call Service.

There is a misconception that 112 calls will be carried by satellite if there is no mobile coverage. Satellite phones use a different technology and your mobile phone cannot access a satellite network.

Important ? if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone, regardless of which number you dialled."

Triple Zero (000)

I agree, what I meant was that this "app" accesses the satellite the same way your "map feature" does. The phone becomes a gps that gives your location. Anyway, I have no idea what it is, how or if it works. But I have been able to see my position on the map with my phone when I've had no mobile signal!