Every January we get plenty of enquiries from people full of enthusiasm to plan their next adventure. Of course, for those planning trips in remote areas satellite communications are often an essential part of their trip not only for keeping followers back home up-to-date but also for their life-saving SOS functionality.
Here’s our pick of the best gear for your next expedition:
DeLorme inReach Satellite Trackers
The DeLorme range of inReach Trackers are award-winning satellite communicators that use the Iridium global satellite network to enable communication anywhere in the world. The trackers offer 2-way personal and SOS communications and remote Follow-me/Find-me tracking and have been used by numerous GTC customers to track journeys all over the world.
Can I see the inReach in action? Check out Jon Beardmore's DeLorme page, driving on a 25,000 mile round trip to China/South East Asia and back. https://share.delorme.com/JonBeardmore
DeLorme Satellite Trackers are available from £150 ex VAT
BGAN Satellite Internet Terminals
BGAN terminals are ideal for travellers who need an internet connection during their trip. We offer a variety of terminals, all offering speeds of at least 384 kbps. Although they are not as fast as the speed home broadband connections we are used to these days they are fine for sending and receiving emails, photos, updating blogs and general internet browsing. Who uses a BGAN terminal? British adventurer Leo Houlding counts a BGAN terminal in his top five expedition gadgets: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/09/expert-guide-gadgets BGAN Terminals are available from £1,115 ex VAT Thuraya SatSleeve
The Thuraya SatSleeve is a world first in satellite add-ons, transforming an iPhone 4/4S/5 into a satellite phone, allowing you to send and receive SMS messages and make calls using the Thuraya network, which covers 2/3rds of the planet. It's great to know that you can use your normal iPhone in areas of GSM coverage to reduce costs and have the back-up of the SatSleeve in more remote areas. The iPhone 5 version also allows you to use data services to update your Facebook and Twitter pages.
With inclusive plans offering voice and data calls for as little as €0.15 per minute and the lowest handset prices in the market, Globalstar sat phones are hard to beat. In 2013 Globalstar became the only mobile satellite service provider to deploy a second-generation constellation of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, allowing you connect to one of the most advanced and modern satellite networks currently available. With pre-paid plans being launched at the end of Jan Globalstar is a great value handset.
Who uses a Globalstar sat phone? Team Savoir Faire used a Globalstar phone on their round Britain rowing challenge Globalstar GSP-1700 is available for just £250 ex VAT Iridium Extreme Satellite Phone
The Iridium 9575 Extreme is the newest satellite phone currently available. Not only does the 9575 Extreme offer Iridium's global coverage for voice, data and SMS but it is the first satellite phone to offer the fully integrated services of customizable GPS, online tracking and emergency SOS with notification services with the 2 in 1 design allowing you to carry one less piece of kit!
Who uses the Iridium Extreme? Mountain Guide Bruce Goodlad relies on his Extreme, see his review here:
https://gtc.co.uk/wp/bruce-goodlad-review-of-iridium-9575-extreme
Iridium Extreme is available from £735 ex VAT
