QuietJourney Forums - spot vs. sat phone

May 26^th, 2026 at 10:12am (UTC)

QuietJourney Forums › Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums › Strictly Gear - Gear specific reviews and ideas. › spot vs. sat phone

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spot vs. sat phone (Read 13160 times)

Waterlily Lucky Member Offline Posts: 12 Location: ontario Joined: Aug 12^th, 2009	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #20 - Sep 29^th, 2010 at 4:27pm	Quote Print Post
	Having used both a SPOT, and a sat phone, on my own time I'll take a sat phone any day. Yeah, they're expensive, but if you only use it in an emergency, the price is worth it. Iridium by far beats Globalstar for coverage and reliability (used to be reverse, but I hear G lost a bunch of satellites a few years back, and hasn't replaced them yet). As for the SPOT, was useful for checking in each day when working in the bush, but also felt like someone was always watching over my shoulder. I prefer to leave the gadgets at home when tripping. Reliance on a gadget can never replace good planning and judgement. (maybe its my invincible youth speaking here!)


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BillConner Inukshuk Offline Posts: 665 Location: Thousand Islands Joined: Apr 12^th, 2010	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #21 - Oct 14^th, 2010 at 11:18pm	Quote Print Post
	I can only report that as the parent of a son soloing for three weeks, I'm glad he agreed to take a Spot II and sends an "everyting is OK" message once each day. I already planned to not worry till third day with no message. It is for our peace of mind. Since many people have come and gone pre satellite, I belive he his fine and that I face more hazards here in the city. Otherwise, I'd have gotten him a PLB. I think my wife will expoect me to carry Spot now when I go.


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wally Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1987 Location: Minni-soda Joined: Apr 3^rd, 2003	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #22 - Oct 15^th, 2010 at 2:46am	Quote Print Post
	a few well disguised towers, and I could cell phone home nightly


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Marten Inukshuk Offline Posts: 545 Location: IL Joined: Feb 7^th, 2010	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #23 - Oct 27^th, 2010 at 1:46am	Quote Print Post
	I have been using a Globalstar Sat. phone for 6 years. At first it worked perfectly but then the satellites started losing the ability for two way communication. They have since put up some new generation satellites and moved others around to fill some of the big holes. Now it may take me 3-4 attempts to get a good satellite. When things were getting bad they offered an unlimited package to keep customers. I pay a total of about $28.00 for unlimited use. I doubt the package is available anymore. On the Globalstar website you can enter the area you will be and get a 4 day read-out of the best times to call. Four days is not enough but it shows you what level of service you can expect if you opt for the Globalstar Sat. phone. The Sat. phone is really nice but the Spot does a good job in giving the family back home some peace of mind.


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MNAdventurer Inukshuk Offline Posts: 25 Location: St Paul, MN Joined: Feb 19^th, 2010	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #24 - Oct 28^th, 2010 at 2:22am	Quote Print Post
	I was on the receiving end of Spot messages last week while a friend was on a solo trip. I appreciated both the piece of mind as well as the opportunity to "see" how the trip was progressing.


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BillConner Inukshuk Offline Posts: 665 Location: Thousand Islands Joined: Apr 12^th, 2010	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #25 - Nov 1^st, 2010 at 11:37pm	Quote Print Post
	As I reported above, my son on 21 day solo sent a signal every day and it was great. I knew where he was for the night. Talked to outfitter and he told of a dad + 3 children at site of Rebecca Falls drowing this summer. He pushed the HELP! button. RAngers showed up but for the intervening 4 or so hours his wife was beyond herself. Interesting dilema and a case for sat phone.


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SunCatcher Inukshuk Offline Posts: 95 Location: Norfolk, NE Joined: Jul 17^th, 2010	Re: spot vs. sat phone Reply #26 - Dec 5^th, 2010 at 11:31pm	Quote Print Post
	I took a rented Sat Phone to WCPP Solo. I called home every night for 3-5 minutes. Cost $9 per day to rent and $1.99 per minute. I rented it to come 2 days proir to trip and sent back 2 days after trip. Just put in Fed Ex with returnable label they sent along and it was done. It worked fine as long as I was along shore or in open. Lost signal once, but regained and called right back out after I got a new signal. I took a spare charged battery with me and kept it in a zip lock to keep it dry inside a dry bag. I loved it, and my better half enjoyed knowing I was fine. Here is the link where I got mine from. SunCatcher (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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