I am sure we have all been in a pickle once or twice when the phone at our destination is out of order or the airport manager has decided to shut shop for the night. Is anybody flying around with a handheld sat-phone that is fairly cheap to buy and operate? I fly mainly in Ontario, Manitoba and some flights further north. I'm tired of having to explain myself to FIC or the dispatcher every time they accuse me of not calling in or updating the flight plan. This is what I found: https://www.findmespot.ca/shop/index.ph ... ocate=true. Any suggestions?

You should be able to pick up an older model, used Iridium 9500 for around $500.00 Absolutely do not mess around with Globalstar. A newer model is likely a couple hundred more. I have no problem with my older models.

I had an extremely bad experience with someone using a Spot device that was supposed to send OK signals. Had to fly out to see if they were alright, they were, Spot just was not sending signals consistently. Spot uses Globalstar sats, Globalstar sat phone service is not the best. As sheephunter says, go with Iridium if you want service, that's what I have.

The Inreach units by Delorme offer the same functions as the new Spot Connect ( ability to send & Receive text messages ), but are on the Iridium Satellite network. Under 400 bucks and subscription plans, available month-to-month, no contract, for as low as 15 bucks a month.

They work, but are not completely fool proof. I've lost messages or had delivery delayed by hours. Beauty is, you can ask/demand a response if the message is critical.

Its been a few years now but I have worked for a really good company that had hardwired Irridium systems. I have also worked for company in Yellowknife that gave us portable Globalstars.. We were informed by our all-knowing CP that they worked great and we should not complain. Unfortunately they were completely useless.

I don't know about up in Yellowknife, but for the last year or so, Globalstar phones have worked as good as or better than the Iridium. Globalstar have some new satellites in orbit and system is good for us. I have both types of phones in my company, right now I prefer the Globalstar.

duCapo, where you working out of that you have such good service?

Prince Rupert

Use Iridium, Globalstar and Spot in BC. Globalstar was very poor a few years ago, service is good now.

I used Globalstar from Brown Lake Nunavut and chatted with my woman for about 10 minutes. The signal was great up there just like using a land line. Brown Lake is a couple of hours north of Baker Lake, NU. My information is 2006 vintage but if they have more satellites, it should be even better now. 2 hours east of Snow Lake (Lootsulkay) the signal was not so good.
I've used my Spot all over including Borneo and it worked very good in all locations.