ST,  We do not always take a SAT phone, depending on the durability of the folks back home, if any members are currently dealing with any health issues or sick kids?  The purchase price  of phone you posted is the equivalent of 6 1/2 weeks of daily rental fees for what we rent.  The Imarsat does not come with any airtime and you have to call for plan details??  I do not think there are any bargains with anything that has the word satellite in it. 

The InReach has some other interesting features which I do not fully understand, which is why I am seeking info here. 

When I first started going North, we could not even call home without a payphone involved, now the family expects regular contact by some means.  The downside is that we also have to hear the current drama that we tried to leave behind for a week or so.

Regards,

MossBack