SPOT satellite phone

[Enigma]

For anyone that is on the fence...SPOT is having some promo now where the satellite phone is free (regularly $500)...still need to of course sign up for annual activation which is pretty damn spendy starting at $780 ($65/month).
Actually "almost" on par with most cell phone plans when you compare at a monthly rate.

http://www.findmespot.ca/SummerDeal..._medium=website&utm_campaign=SummerPromos2015

Promo's on their other stuff as well.

 

[Fantom]

you can buy inexpensive satellite phones these days, they will not be as pretty as the SPOT one but they will work perfectly fine, and then buy minute cards for it and use it only when needed. Way cheaper.

 

[cruiserpilot]

you can buy inexpensive satellite phones these days, they will not be as pretty as the SPOT one but they will work perfectly fine, and then buy minute cards for it and use it only when needed. Way cheaper.

Do you have any examples? I have a spot, but was thinking of upgrading to spot 'Connect', thus being able send short text messages
through my smartphone.

 

[Fantom]

If you check on eBay you can buy a sat phone (new, used or rebuilt) for around $100+. If you go for a larger unit they are usually cheaper than the new, fancy ones. Then there are several carriers that let you buy minutes the same way 7-11 phones work. Just do a search online.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Qualcomm-Glo...541?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9c895b5d

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/OGara-Networ...077?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2352679f5d

 

[cruiserpilot]

I did just go to the SPOT website, it looks like they discontinued the 'Connect'. Hmmm...it was a cool idea, but
not popular I guess. I hadn't thought of a satellite phone. Ironic going into backcountry to 'get away from it all',
only to take it all with us.