Recommended Satellite Phones for Backpackers

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About to go backpacking? Don’t forget to bring a satellite phone with you! That way, you can stay connected wherever you are, so long as you are on the planet. You can view more backpacks from https://www.rucksackherren.com/.

Experienced travelers know that a smartphone is not enough. When both cell signal and internet connection are nowhere to be found, a satellite phone can save you. However, some satellite phones are better suited than others when embarking on an adventure.

Here are your top options to take so you can stay connected in the great outdoors:

Iridium 9575 Extreme

You can’t go wrong with a satellite phone built with military-grade parts, which to us translates unbreakable and long-lasting. 

With its battery, you can enjoy 30 hours of standby time and 4 hours of talk time. SMS and emails are already a given. If you find yourself in an emergency, there’s an SOS function as well as GPS so that you can be tracked when asking for help. Enabled with Iridium AxcessPoint, your company can also connect to the Internet through your device.

Iridium 9555

Here’s a satellite phone good for beginners. 

Another handset made by Iridium, the 9555 easy to use even without referring to a manual every now and then. Another draw is its compact size, which makes it easy to bring along with all your other backpacking essentials. The hands-free capability is particularly useful for adventurers who keep their hands busy. Dropping the phone in the water won’t be a cause for headaches.

Thuraya X5 Touch

Satellite phones don’t always have to look as if they’re from a bygone era. They can be modern and sleek in appearance and still make it to the list of recommended satellite phones for backpackers.

With it, you get unmatched reception, thanks to its omnidirectional antenna. The walk-and-talk ability is a feature that Thuraya also gets right. Similar to smartphones, it supports different cell frequencies. It is not as fragile as them, though.

Globalstar GSP-1700

This Globalstar satellite phone may not be as expensive as others on our list, but it should not be underestimated.

It serves great voice quality comparable to pricier options because it can establish connections with cell stations on Earth. It also allows for an assignment of a cell number. With a Globalstar Data Kit, you can connect to the Internet seamlessly. Physically, it is also an attractive choice as it is both lightweight and compact.

Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1

Inmarsat’s IsatPhone 2.1 is almost everything, if not everything, you would want in a satellite phone. 

It is small, it is affordable, it is built for the great outdoors. You can get all the basic services such as calling and texting without any charges that would have you scratching your head. The phone is built to last and comes with an IP65 rating so going through the waters should not be a problem. You can also keep it on for more than a day without having to recharge.

Conclusion

Backpacking may be exciting, but don’t let the desire to wander make you forget bringing along tools that can help you stay connected. You can save your life and even that of others in the unfortunate case that you become lost in the wilderness. 

It doesn’t matter wherever you are—as long as you can see the sky, then you can send text messages, call loved ones, and connect to the Internet. Purposely getting lost shouldn’t be as scary with a satellite phone in hand.

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