[pct-l] Global Star Phone

[susan]

I used and continue to use Global Satellite phone.....As Halfmile said the
times you can use it are very limited and as far as for data just forget
that! It is far too slow to be useful. The real benefit of the phone is for
emergencies and I used it to communicate with my resupply when I rode 1,700
PCT miles (over 2,200 total miles) in 09 and again covering 500+ miles in
10. I can't imagine not having it even with the limitations of only being
usable for 15 minutes most hours. It never failed me once I got used to the
timing of the satellite. But would it be necessary/worth it for a hiker? My
guess is a big "no" since you could carry a Spot for emergencies and my
Verizon was pretty dependable for the balance. Catch me off list if you want
any more first hand experience. 
Susan
www.woodswitch.com home to my PCT Trail Journals 2009 & 2010 




________________________________

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:02:56 -0500 (EST)
From: dnlcyclone at aol.com
Subject: [pct-l] Globalstar Satellite Phone
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID: <8CD9A90EC7CC734-C34-17CB at angweb-usd005.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thanks to...can't remember who posted it, but thanks for the heads up on the
Globalstar Satellite Phone.  To those that didn't see that post, it's really
a good deal.  The phone usually goes for over $1100, and a monthly service
plan for $50 a month.  If you launch your annual plan before March 31st, you
can buy the phone for $500 and sign an annual contract for unlimited airtime
minutes for only $20 a month.  Additional fees are $50 for first time
activation, and a $30 shipping fee.  So, for $820 (up to $900 with taxes)
you get a year's worth of great reception in the wilderness and a phone that
will last for years.  I think it's a good deal, and if you're travelling
with a partner or two, you can leave/cancel other phones for 5-6 months and
just take the Globalstar.  You're given a phone number with an area code
that corresponds to your home region in the U.S., so anyone can plug your
Globalstar number into their cell phone and call you.  You also get
voicemail that allows 
 you to save 25 messages.  The phone also has the capability to hook up with
a modem and send emails, store data (audio blogs, you name it)...It's a wad
of money in the beginning, but a worthy investment.  My wife and I have
spent $1000 a year using our cell phones, and cell phones really don't work
on the trail.  Anyway, thought I'd say thanks for the heads up and plug a
product that could be of some help to some others.


David Liechty