Best Satphone Hotspot
 

Am looking for data access while in the outback/out of range. From my research, the Thuraya Hotspot is faster than the Iridium Go. Any experiences? Any others to consider? I apologise if there is a thread on this (please direct me to it), but my searches have not shown a recent thread. Thanks in advance.

If you have a satphone u should b able access the satellites pretty much anywhere. Alternatively, you could connect your computer via a dongle and that will connect with satellites pretty much from anywhere. Using your Satphone to d/l data will prove very exxy.

[QUOTE=humdingerslammer[/QUOTE]

Understood, I had a satphone for ocean sailing years ago, now I'm wondering about the differences in the latest versions from first-hand experience?

I use an Inmarsat phone. A bit of an old model now but the newest ones function pretty much like a phone. I only use it when I am alone and out in the remote donga country. Has proved its worth for getting other people out of trouble I must say.

I used to be able to get a subscription for a month at a time but now I have to buy 6mths worth (about 90 minutes of use time). I think they all pretty much work similar... thing is to understand what coverage u get cos some will have longer satellite connect delay cos of different scope of satellite coverage. Also different providers charge different prices and there can be a big gap between prices. Telstra I think can be exxy but do your research....

If u r not going off the beaten track and are close to towns, mines etc probably dont need a sat phone. If u r going 2 rely on ordinary mobile, use Telstra network as more coverage.

I was travelling the Newell about 3 weeks ago and truck had lost its trailer... jumped clean of the ball joint and ripped out brake lines etc. Stuck like a Toyota in mud it was. I saw driver standing in middle of road 50Km north of Moree holding phone to the sky trying to get a signal so stopped and asked the problem."No signal" he said. "No problem" I said and gave him my Telstra mobile to use.... no probs...signal all good and was able to contact boss and organise help etc.

Thanks HDS. Doing research now. Interestingly, Telstra only have the Iridium gear and their hotspots is much slower than the Thuraya - don't know about comparative access. Optus are currently not offering a satphone. I have Telstra and Optus mobiles as well.

With satphone the issue is coverage by satellites: some systems have access to more satellites than others. Therefore they are quicker to connect and more available in 24 hour period. There r so many now that I dont think it makes much of a difference as to which system u choose. For me its always $ that influence the final decision because ultimately u may not need to use the phone.... which is what u want.