Thread: One more tragedy in the outback

As the occasional private traveler, I find renting a sat phone the easiest option especially if up to 5 vehicles share the cost on the sometime mandatory 2 units per group.

7 to 14 days at $18.00/day with optional $3.00/day insurance and call charges at $1.00/ 20 seconds and sms/ text $0.75 ea. Relatively small cost for something that will save your life.

When I work remotely, I just draw an Iridium from stores and I occasionally manage to hang on to it for private travels, but more than often I just hire one.

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by bob10

All I need to do is learn how to use a smart phone. Have to admit, sounds good, any known problems using in Aus.? Bob

I've been using a Spot device at work for a good few years now, with no problems (except in Southern Africa where there is no coverage). Aside of the emergency alert function I use it to send a daily position and all OK message to work/friends.

Spot have a number of devices/models. You only need a smart phone for the Connect version, all the others are stand alone. Downside of the system compared to a PLB is that you have to pay an annual subscription for the service, about $150 or so from memory but you get the messenger or tracking services which the PLB system doesn't do.

That said I also carry a PLB as it is an international government agency system that works everwhere.

Cheers