The Best Satellite Phone to Make Sure You’re Always Connected

Best Satellite Phone

Do you love going on serious hiking adventures? How about exploring the backcountry areas? These activities are absolutely booth freeing and exhilarating. In fact, going deeply into the wild to disconnect from the world and unwind a little bit comes with several benefits.

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But sad to say, along with these benefits are the inherent outdoor hazards that you will likely encounter. What’s going to be your next move when there’s an emergency like hurricane or tornado and the cell towers go down, and your regular mobile phone is no longer working? Isn’t this the very moment that you will need your phone?

This is where a satellite phone comes to the rescue, just like a long-range two-way radio (but much better), it’s a great way to make sure you can call for help wherever you are. So if you’re quite not sure which satellite phone you should invest, don’t worry! I have here a list of the best satellite phone you will find in the market today.

What are you waiting for, please keep on reading below.

2019 Unlocked IsatPhone 2.1 Satellite Phone - Voice, SMS, GPS Tracking, SOS Global Coverage - Water Resistant - SIM Card Included (No Airtime) - Prepaid and Monthly Plans Available

What makes this satellite phone stand out is its incredible battery life that guarantees to provide standby usage of up to one week and up to 8 hours of usage. The brand claims that this is the longest battery life of any satellite phone. In addition to that, this satellite phone is heavy-duty and sturdy enough to match your active and adventurous lifestyle.

It is water, dust, and shock-resistant, it can even put up with wide-ranging levels of humidity. It can even handle low temperatures up to -4 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 137 degrees Fahrenheit. I must say this is absolutely a rugged satellite phone that would give you peace of mind whenever you’re traveling under extreme conditions.

Its menu is composed of basic functions. You can set your preferred ring tones, save contacts and search about the information of the satellite you're currently using. It also has an SOS function that will connect you to 24/7 GEOS emergency assistance service.

It uses website text messaging through the Inmarsat website, a platform that is free from any fees and does not need any payment to receive SMS messages. This is a very handy feature to help you cut costs, especially if the unit already costs high.

Moreover, this model comes with a Global SIM card which you can load up with pre-paid minutes whenever you need them or by subscribing monthly plan services to enjoy endless connectivity.

Pros

  • It has an incredible battery life as well as standby range
  • It's rust, shock, and water-resistant satellite phone
  • It provides service plan options
  • Its audio quality is amazing.

Cons

  • The keyboard function is limited
  • There are some customers who complained about its connectivity issues in some location.
Iridium 9555 Satellite Kit - Factory Unlocked Phone - Retail Packaging (Black)

Next one is from Iridium, which is the most accessible satellite network and offers the best coverage. They’ve been in the industry for decades already and they never fail to provide 100% coverage.

Iridium 9555 Satellite Kit, on the other hand, is one of the newest models in the Iridium series. It's also the most compact and smallest version. This is because it has been totally remodeled to make sure it will seamlessly fit into your hands. But what’s even great is that its interface is a whole lot more user-friendly.

I like how this handset has innovatively hidden its antenna, unlike most satellite phones where the antennas stick out irksomely. But despite this kind of design, you will see no difference when it comes to its capability to connect to satellite networks. You can just send both emails and SMS right on the phone too.

Another thing I like about Iridium 9555 is its brighter screen that makes everything easy to see. It also has a speakerphone which is vital in case of an emergency. Bonus is that it's a very rugged satellite phone, being water and shock-resistant.

Pros

  • It comes in an industrial-grade design making it durable enough
  • It’s very portable and comfortable to the hands
  • It offers hands-free operation
  • It has a user-friendly interface.

Cons

  • It’s quite expensive.
BlueCosmo Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 Satellite Phone Kit (SIM Included) - Global Coverage - Voice, SMS, GPS Tracking, Emergency SOS - Prepaid and Monthly Service Plan Options

In the world of satellite phones, BlueCosmo is definitely a name you will frequently encounter. BlueCosmo is very popular for producing incredible pieces of satellite phones and Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone is no exception.

What makes Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 Satellite Phone stand out is that it does not need roaming services, just like our first product. It comes with a SIM card you can use to create voice calls and send messages all over the globe.

But what I like about this unit is its GPS tracking system which is very handy especially if you're someone who constantly goes to distant destinations or even during emergency activities. Speaking of emergencies, it also helps that this phone has reliable battery life. I won't drain as quickly as your regular cellular phones.

But what’s even great is that other amenities such as universal plug attachments and wall chargers are already included in the package, even a holster with a belt clip too so you can easily and comfortably carry it.

Pros

  • It has a simple interface that is user-friendly
  • It comes in a waterproof and rugged built
  • It gives you access to global services without any roaming charges
  • It comes with an ear-piece that makes hands-free set-up possible.

Cons

  • Its antenna feels a little flimsy.
Iridium 9575 Extreme Satellite Phone with Prepaid and Postpaid SIM Cards

What’s great about Iridium 9575 Extreme Satellite Phone is that it has the capability to set up Wi-Fi hotspots. This means you will have access to the internet wherever you are and share this connection with the devices nearby. It even has online tracking feature, plus you can also use Google Maps so you can send your accurate location through SMS.

Another thing I like about this phone is that it's much easier to use compared to most satellite phones. The moment you will push its power button, it will only take a few seconds and you can immediately start making calls from anyplace in the world. You can also then send text messages or communicate through the web. Moreover, it comes with a panic button that is very handy just in case you need to send an SOS signal.

It's also prey heavy duty and is built to be dust and water-resistant. Its battery life is impressive too, it allows you to talk non-stop for four hours straight and a standby time of up to 30 hours.

Pros

  • It’s a very durable satellite phone with military-grade durability
  • Its keypad is illuminated and is weather-resistant
  • It has an impressive battery life
  • It allows you to set up a WiFi hotspot.

Cons

  • It has pretty outrageous monthly subscription fees.
Globalstar GSP-1600 Satellite Phone

Lastly, we have Globalstar GSP-1600 Satellite Phone which comes with decent features. It allows you to make calls and send texts and at the same time will show you the amount of your battery left as well as the strength of your signal.

I like that it allows you to receive voice mails whenever you turn this device off. It also has a call log so you can keep track of the calls you made. But what I like the most is its feature of 99 memory location that also has the ability to control unwanted calls.

Other features that I find interesting is how you can configure all call timers plus there’s also a minute alert that will let you the amount of time you’re left. This is absolutely a user-friendly feature as it’s one way to save money.

This satellite phone also prioritizes security. It allows you to lock the keypad, you can then set a code if you don’t want any person to have access to your phone.

Pros

  • It’s a user-friendly satellite phone
  • It's a durable unit that is resistant to a wide range of temperatures
  • It allows you to lock the keypad and add a code for better security.

Cons

  • There are complaints from some users saying they noticed a small delay when talking.

Best Satellite Phone: Buyer’s Guide

Best Satellite Phone: Buyer’s Guide

Getting a satellite phone is not a pretty easy task to do. Take note that not all satellite phones have been made the same. So you have to spend some time checking out its features to make sure you’re buying something that is durable and reliable enough to handle whatever condition you’ll be in.

If you want to make sure that you’ll end up with the best satellite phone, let me walk you through the important features you need to consider.

Built

Make sure that your satellite phone has a heavy-duty built. It should be able to resist extreme weather conditions as well as low and high temperatures. Moreover, it should also be resistant to countless impacts and shocks you'll encounter during your adventure. It should also not be easily damaged by water.


Battery Life

A heavy-duty satellite phone will just be useless if its battery gets frequently empty that you’ll have to charge it over and over again. So make sure you’re choosing a unit that is capable of working for a long period of hours without any complications.

Most of the models you will find in the market can endlessly for up to four hours and withstand more than 30 hours on standby. This is just the average battery life, but if you will be traveling to remote areas for days and finding a wall socket can be challenging, you might want to choose one that lasts much longer.


Network Coverage

This boils down to Iridium vs. Inmarsat. Each network has its own advantage and disadvantage. For instance, Iridium satellites are in constant motion, while Inmarsat’s satellite can be found in geostationary orbit.

This is the reason why Iridium’s coverage is often a bit unreliable as the satellite you’re using might move out of range. And it may also take a bit much longer to connect or the signal might drop whenever you’re in areas where the line of sight with the sky is somewhat obstructed.

But this is also the reason why satellites of Iridium can provide you with coverage even if you're behind the mountain ranges or in canyons where the fixed satellites of Inmarsat can't reach. So ask yourself first where you are going to use the satellite phone before you choose a network that can provide you with reliable and flexible coverage.


Features

Most of the satellite phones come with texting capabilities, though it is limited to about 140 characters. Some models also come with mail access, but then again the function is limited to reply. But take note that internet connection of satellite phones is only capable of low-data usage such as email.

Another important feature you need to find is, of course, the safety features. It would be best if it has one-button SOS capability so you can immediately call for help and be quickly found. There are also some models that have the ability to leave GPS breadcrumb trail which allows you to see a summary of your route and determine the steps needed so you can go back to your starting point.


Ease of use

It's also important that it's easy to use. Take note that you might be using your satellite phone during emergencies like when you're dealing with extreme weather conditions when you're in dark areas or when you're suffering from injuries. Of course, you don't want to find yourself struggling to send a simple message or make a call under these circumstances.

Conclusion

Exploring outdoors will never be the same again without the best satellite phone. Whether you’re up for weekend adventures or when you’re working in remote areas, a satellite phone will always be an important outdoor gear you can bring with you to make sure you will maintain contact with the world just in case regular phone coverage is not available.

Anyway, I hope this article has helped you find the unit that would suit your needs and preference. If you still have any more questions, please feel free to leave it in the comment section below. You might also want to read other reviews like the best CB radio which is a good alternative to different various communication devices.

Sure enough, the importance of radios cannot be undermined. There are essential pieces of communication, especially in areas and situations where modern phones can't keep up. You should see the best waterproof walkie talkies, marine GPS, portable AM FM radio, ham radio for beginners, marine radios, BaoFeng radios, marine stereo, walkie talkies for kids, handheld ham radios, CB antennas, marine VHF antenna, long-range walkie talkies, and walkie talkies for cruise ships. Any of these devices can maintain your connectivity with the world even if you are in the fringe already. Also, better check the best walkie talkies here.

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