Iridium GO device for travel

[gobdeep]

My family likes to boondock a good bit far away in the mountains, but we also like to keep tabs and share our experience with friends and family. As far as inter-family communications go, we have HAM licenses and the gear. But for non-family communications, we have a Verizon MiFi. This is great when there is cell service, but even at our home, cell service is spotty.

Any folks have experience with Iridium GO? I have experience with Iridium satellite phones from a previous line of work and they saved my skin a few times. As a "regular Joe", I haven't used anything related to satellite communications except for HAM radio CubeSat stuff and that is more for fun than anything else.

I am considering the Iridium GO Marine bundle, due to the external mount and antenna. https://satellitephonestore.com/cata...-marine-bundle

But I'd like to get some other opinions and input before I pull the trigger on anything. We are still a few months out from our departure so we have some time to explore options.

[CAG]

I/we do a bunch of back country hunting, fishing and hiking. Much of that country in Arizona is RF lacking. Sat phones are expensive. We have used InReach for some time as it allows tracking, texting and various emergency contact if necessary. I used Spot for some years but it too became expensive. I can suspend InReach service for the time we are not using it.

InReach allows you to pair with your phone even when you do not have cell service thus tracking and texting with your phone rather than the tiny keyboard in the Garmin.

It is best to go to the Garmin site and read the info there than me trying to explain it all here.

[gobdeep]

That's helpful!

I should clarify my original post. Actually we have an InReach device coming next week for the satellite SMS functionality. One of my teammates had an InReach device during Hurricane Ida last year and he was able to keep in touch with the team. I saw first hand how the InReach was a crucial tool in the toolkit during Hurricane Ida.

We have a PLB that I take fishing, hunting, and hiking which is simply an SOS device. The wife likes the PLB and I imagine she'll keep that device and I'll hold on to the InReach.

I'm like you in that I am on the fence trying to justify the high price of satellite data. If it were $50-$100 less expensive, I think I'd go with the Iridium device for data functionality, but it is still a little too rich.

I'm guessing you can't suspend service with the Iridium GO like you can with the Garmin InReach?

[pconroy]

$1200 bucks for the gear, $60 a month for 40 minutes.


I love my family and want to stay in touch.










But not that much.

[pconroy]

I'm not sure how far into the boonies you go, but with a directional Yagi on their cell booster and a 20' mast, plenty of people have reached out to a tower about 10 miles away.


I think I'd try this, at $100 or so, first.


Second would be smoke signals.
Third, maybe one of those Navy signal lights...

[craigav]

If you use sat123.com (which redirects to satellitephonestore.com) you can find some deals for a free phone with a 100$+ plan. Free phone, 100~150 minutes, 100$ per month (plus other taxes and options). I don't have that but I have heard from others that say they work very well. ~CA