What is your experience with Sat phones? I already have two VHF’s, deLorme Inreach and PLB, but think the Sat phone might be worth it to me…going offshore in a mid-size center console. The initial numbers look like $600 for a phone and maybe $35-40/month? The Inreach costs less, but can be awkward to use, and its not like direct contact.
Any issues or recommendations would be appreciated. More specifically, has anyone known of a situation here, when they failed to work? A recent thread touched on the various options; Got2Go, what Sat phone do you have?
I have a Spot Messenger, a PLB, and a Iridium Satellite Phone. I used to have a Globalstar, but the service was unreliable. I buy Prepaid card with 300 minutes for 12 months. I like the prepaid 12 month card, since I use it primarily during the warmer months. The 12 month, 300 minute card runs about $500 per year.
I have an iridium phone in a base connected to an external antenna, but the phone can be removed and used with its own antenna outside of the cabin. Service through the Sat phone store. $50/month for a bare bones plan without text. Minutes carry over so I have plenty since I don’t use it much. It has never failed to work either in the base or on its own. It is more for safety but is nice bc unlike the Delhorme, which works great btw and is less expensive, family can call us if something comes up.