Globalstar or Iridium phone - The Hull Truth

bp fishin · 04-25-2003, 05:35 PM

Anyone with experience along the gulf coast with either phone? Iridium, which phones are more expensive, tells me that Globalstar service does not work well offshore. I will be buying one next week, mostly for peace of mind, and would like any comments. thanks in advance.

John S · 04-26-2003, 07:51 AM

I have the golbalstar and have used it 90 miles off the east coast of Florida and in the Bahamas (Abacos) from Walkers to Hopetown and it has always worked well for me. I believe the coverage would be fine in your area as it's satelite communications.

I bought it from "Outfitter satellite inc." They had the best prices and the best Useage plan fron 14.95 per month and 1.19 per min. which is cheap in the Bahamas. Phone 887-GEO-CALL or 615-889-8833
www.GRSphones.com

John S · 04-26-2003, 07:53 AM

Sorry web addres is www.GPSphones.com

not GRS

trouty · 04-26-2003, 08:33 AM

Both Vodaphone globalstar dual mode sat/gsm

Ones a Ericsson R290 & the Other a Telit something or other (can't remember - it's in the glovebox of the work ute).

Both work OK.

Telit seems to hold battery charge longer - the Ericssons always in need of charging. For me - the Telit's menu system is more confusing.

I HAVE come across a couple occasions where I've been unable to hit a sattelite for no reason that I could fathom - and when I rang Voda - they had no idea either.

On subsequent days I've uplinked to sat from the same location no probs so - go figure.

Maybe the sattelite had all channels busy or something, just got a 'no service' display and I tried multiple times.

I still think they are prettty good and wouldn't be without one now.

1 year plan - $80 Pacific Pesos a month of which $47 is free calls, pays off the phone.

Calls (incomming and outgoing) are charged at $1.47 a minute).

Your costs I guess would be 61% of that - based on todays exchange rate.

Haven't used Iridium, and havent a clue how voda globalstar would work in your neck a the woods but they work OK upside down out to about 200 nm from shore.

Might find more details Ericsson web site HERE

Cheers!

irish · 04-26-2003, 09:57 AM

The Globestar systems looks like a good replacement for Cellular on a boat. Especially on the Eastern Atlantic Coast of the USA. Apparently their map shows good coverage and we have 2 people using them as far out as Bahamas. With a 400 minite a month plan this would actually be Cellular that works.
Irridium is EXPENSIVE. But it is totally operational on a ring of sattelites, so in an emergancy it would probably be the most dependable. (Look at the Fox News and CNN coverage from Iraq, and you see what they are doing there).
When you absolutely have to have the best, for anywhere in the world, Irridium would work better.
For us people living in the real world less then 50 miles off shore, I would go with Globestar.

jjmcdonald@hotmail.com
jmcdnald@cisco.com

First Light · 04-26-2003, 10:49 AM

Trout: Apparently you like to see your name in writing as I'm a bit curious and confused why you think your post will help a guy looking for sat phone coverage along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the US where different companies use different satellites than are used in your hemisphere.

trouty · 04-27-2003, 08:41 AM

I haven't a clue what sats they use (nor do i care much as long as they work) and I stated at the outset - that my advice was related to downunder. I figured my "observations" about a couple of the "model phones" available from Voda under their globalstar service might have application if he goes that way and gets offered a choice of handset.

Maybe he will wan't to travel one day with his sat phone - had you thought a that - and better yet - had he?

At least my answer was partially related to his question - whereas yours is just a cheap shot at me, and makes absolutely NO worthwhile contribution at all to this string as best I can see, which IMHO makes your motives quite suspect.

It's not necessary to tear someone else down in order to make yaself look big, lil feller.

Do us a favour, heres 50c - go ring and tell someone who gives a shit!

Cheers!

bp fishin · 04-27-2003, 03:43 PM

John, thanks for the tip and number. That is a very good rate.
Irish, you are correct about the different phones and expenses. I am sure Iridium will work 100+ miles out of Galveston, but has anyone used Globalstar off the Texas coast. I am not interested in anything but the gulf coast and primary Texas.
There is a debate on the boaters forum about epirb vs. sat phone. I have an epirb, but wanted the phone to check on weather reports or emergency situation.

First Light · 04-27-2003, 06:58 PM

There's a lot going on in the Sat phone business today with fewer providers and tumbling prices. Iridium and Globalstar are the two leaders in hand-held phones (in fact, about the only players) and the Iridium system has been the most widely accepted system - their low earth satellites means there is no time lag when you talk. A few facts:

Globalstar GSP 1600 Cost: $895 + $70 add'l equip
Iridium 9505 Cost: $1,495

Reoccuring Costs:
Globalstar: $25/month + $1.50/min
Iridium: $50 activation fee, $20/month + $1.50/min

bp: BTW, I use your gas - buy it from the green pumps.

bp fishin · 05-04-2003, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the help. I bought the Globalstar, because it is easier to use, cheaper, and works in the Texas gulf.
Thanks especially to the Hull Truth and Perry-Dice, because he helped me save alot of $ and time, based upon his recommendation to buy thru Eddie. I do not personally know Eddie, but he was quick, honest, and had great prices( sent to me at no charge in Houston).

captadamnj · 08-06-2003, 03:08 PM

was thinking about getting a sat phone. pretty sure i'm going with globalstar and had seen this post, but the best rates i can find these days seem to be $34.50/month for 30 minutes. do any of these lower posted rates exist anywhere still?

thanks!

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Capt. Adam
Karen Ann II

bp fishin · 08-07-2003, 06:17 PM