Spot Transmitter/Satellite Phone

[BrentLaBere]

Does anyone have experience renting these? I am looking for one on my next trip (October 2nd through the 6th). No one in my group wants to head back out so I am going solo. Family members pushing me to get some one to go with, which is very unlikely, or get something to communicate I am OK.

[WindedBowhunter]

I ask as a dealer of SPOT and Satellite phones, we also have a partner who rents sat phones

Yes, I have used multiple SPOT devices and sat phones, including renting sat phones.

Brent, to clarify are you considering renting a SPOT Satellite phone?

[Broken arrow]

I rented a spot II from http://www.lowergear.com
Was easy and straight forward.

[BrentLaBere]

I ask as a dealer of SPOT and Satellite phones, we also have a partner who rents sat phones

Yes, I have used multiple SPOT devices and sat phones, including renting sat phones.

Brent, to clarify are you considering renting a SPOT Satellite phone?

I plan on renting one. I wish I would have seen your response yesterday. I ended up contacting the the company that broken arrow posted about. After talking with them on the phone, it sounded like a better idea just to rent one. The cost of updates every year I would need to use it a certain amount before it would be worth it. I had to pull the trigger on it before doing much more research because they recommend have it one day prior to your hunt to set up which left no time to waste (leaving next Wednesday and the spot is coming from AZ to ND). I appreciate the responses guys. Did you use the tracking for google maps or just the "ok" preset messages? It seems like a really nice tool to have in the back country considering on our 9 day hunt I was only able to find a spot and get 1 text message out.

[JGH]

I've got the SPOT phone ... I used it last week to call about updates back home, and arrange transport out. Since my wife was going to come get me with the horses, it was nice to know when/where and if there were any changes.

Overall, quality of transmission is like a cell phone, but ... there is a problem keeping a connection sometimes. Overall, I'm satisfied with it, but if a text-messaging machine like the Delorme would work, I'd prefer that. For me, I have to have speech capability due to possible work issues. If it weren't for that, I'd use a satellite text communicator.

[JGH]

Before the phone, I used the SPOT communicator ... which worked great for your uses ... just a "I'm OK" button and it kept my wife happy. Son would take it along when he would camp in the back-country, too, and I have to say, it's nice to get that text message that everything is "OK".

[WindedBowhunter]

I definitely use the Maps Tracking for my family. So they can watch me hike and hunt in circles!

I used the "OK" button 3 times a day for them. At first awaking, mid-day and before sleep.

If you're going to get a Sat phone for the backcountry, the best made is Iridium, without question. The only things that reduce your connection are very heavy canopies, steep crevasse that block the southwestern view and if you are getting close to the either pole at the end of the planet.

Plus, there is no "cost of updates every year"! You can rent these, buy a new one or refurbished one! We sell both and have a partner to rent them. Just buy a calling card, unless you're an outfitter'guide, then it would be cost effective to buy a plan.