BMWMCCWA

I am looking to buy maybe hire a sat phone, I understand that the iridium system is the rolls royce of sat phones, however there is another one called the Inmarsat Isatphone Pro which is quite a bit cheaper and if you believe the salesman is adaquate however takes a bit longer to connect, coverage is not as robust as you head toward the poles etc.
I would probably only use for emergencies.
Any informed views would be appreciated.
By the way Smelly you can hire them from SattelitePhoneSales in Subiaco for $20 /day for a 5 day period.

Bowe

I have an Iridium phone that I have lent to people from time to time.
Always happy to help out...
pete

Satphone sales have some good deals as well as e bay at the moment ,even better if you can claim the gst componant back

If it is only for use in an emergency, then obviously you want the best. Just ask Ben and Shane, I have used both.

Thanks for all the advice, I think I will go the Iridium path, there also subsidies available if you meet certain criteria.

Bowe

100% agree with Ben (who said it would never happen ).

One extra thing a few people have found out (sometimes the hard way) over the years is to make sure you are VERY FAMILIAR with how to use your satphone before you head off on a ride. Also, gather up all the emergency numbers (eg RFDS has different numbers for different geographical zones across Aust.) and put them on a card with your staphone. Also, before you head out, learn & check what prefixes are needed to call 13 numbers and 1800 numbers in case you have to make that call.

Have used mine twice in 'anger' now in remote WA. I reckon the second usage was instrumental in saving permanent brain injury. The fallen rider was later found to have bleeding on the brain (2 weeks in RPH)... not good and was a scary experience at the scene.

BTW: g'day Kev!

112 ,000 Thanks Ben ,Are their any other numbers that should be added ,and are their any lessons learnt to make the procedure run smoothly in case any of us are in this situation

Are you still looking to buy....if so, this link may be worthwhile.
http://www.iridiumdirect.com.au/product ... -Pre-Owned

I hired one when I went riding in Africa and Namibia for a month. Depending on your level of activity in remote areas you may wish to rent rather than buy. I rented from Rent A Sat Phone in Churchill St Subiaco. I must admit I didn't do an ecomical analysis but you may wish to consider the option!

Picked up the Iridium Satphone recently, for those interested there is a government subsidy available which cut the price in half which I managed to get, however the criteria is pretty tight but worth investigating.

Bowe

Do tell more

In a nutshell if you live in an area that has mobile coverage you need to show that you will be travelling into areas without coverage for a period of 6 months out of the next 2 years, the government will pay to a max of 50% of the value of the phone to a maximum of $700 .
If you live outside mobile coverage I think the max is $1000. The latest Iridium 9555 phone with all the bits is about $1400 unsubsidised.
Bowe

Anyone know the cheapest satelite phone rental in Perth?

Have located:

$17.60 pd [incl. GST] from Fastwave. Call cost to Aus landline or mobile $3.00 + GST.
$18 pd [incl. GST] from Rent a Sat Phone for an ISatPhone Pro. No Flag Fall; $1.50 per 30seconds.
$21 pd [incl. GST] from Rent a Sat Phone for an Iridium. No Flag Fall; $1.50 per 30seconds.

Others at $22 pd [incl. GST]

Looking at 8 day rental.

Cheers

Koos