The war is open between the two leading operators worldwide satellite phone. After the announcement of the GO! by Iridium (¹), here is IsatPhone 2 by Inmarsat.
Inmarsat will deliver its new mobile satellite phone on March 24 next. IsatPhone 2 Targets the high-end of the satellite telephony market. Described as "a fine device combined with a feeling of high quality", it has additional options and more features than the previous IsatPhone Pro model (²), such as GPS tracking, an emergency button or the reception of calls with the antenna folded.
Offered at a higher price than IsatPhone Pro, However, it still has an excellent quality/price ratio. This new phone should be of interest to home users, especially those looking to replace an older satellite phone (overtone : from another brand). Parallel, the IsatPhone Pro model will continue to be marketed as a low-cost, entry-level satellite phone. Thus with two models, differentiated by price and performance, Inmarsat intends to target customers in two complementary markets.
Description
Waterproof IP65, IsatPhone 2 differentiates itself by a distress call function and, thanks to its built-in GPS, Tracking capability via a subscription to a specialized service, just like Iridium 9575 Extreme.
It is featured with a more powerful antenna that the first model, that allows a two times faster satellites acquisition (about half a minute), thus significantly reducing connection costs (³). A high-resolution color screen allows full sunlight use. Its lithium-ion battery provides a high capacity battery life up to 8 Talk Hours, 160 standby hours. It is provided with a micro-USB connector to connect a WiFi router Optimizer, an antenna connector, and a Bluetooth interface 2.0 for an earpiece or other accessory.
Opinion
[Update 2 of 15/09/2014] Upon enquiry to E-SAT, French company, the antenna connector may only receive a passive antenna, but not the omnidirectional active antenna to be supplied with a docking station. This external antenna is essential at sea (and on any mobile device) to lock the connection to the geostationary satellite if you want to be able to perform data transfers without interruption. There is therefore no particular improvement compared to the previous model for the reception of offshore weather files.
A Beam docking station IsatDock2 Lite is available in the USA at the price of $645 (environ 600 € inc VAT) to which must be added the antenna and cable.
The IsatPhone 2 has been available in France for a few weeks, already priced in Nauticom website 890 € with SIM card, which positions it at a particularly aggressive price compared to the Iridium Extreme for voice use.
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(¹) Iridium GO! promises to connect you – almost – anywhere
(²) IsatPhone Pro versus Iridium, which one to choose
(³) IsatPhone Pro versus Iridium (continue)
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Salvo, Sono in procinto di acquistare il terminale in oggetto, ma non ho ben capito se ha la possibilita’ Di inviare e ricevere email, Senza Connetterlo al Computer.
I hope someone can help me or give me other advice on the matter.
Currently being a seafarer I use a Globalstar, That gave me huge problems, leaving me and I talk about the lower Mediterranean without a telephone line for several days, and then with connections not for the whole day.
so I'm opting for another terminal, I hope someone can help me.
No, this is impossible. You need to subscribe to a messaging service, Then connect your satellite phone to a computer or tablet via a dedicated WiFi router. The satellite phone can only make and receive voice and sms.
For use with Mac, iPad or iPhone, ho realizzato un tutorial multimediale per iBook in inglese e francese:
Get Weather Forecast with Satphone at Sea.
Mi scusi, Ma non è tradotto in Italiano.
Thank you for your very interesting and relevant articles. The significantly lower purchase price and improved connection time could tip the analysis : if one plans to use the phone on 1 year with for example 500 minutes of communications over the period, with a price lower than 500 at 600€ at Iridium Extreme, wouldn't the Isatphone become the most cost-effective solution? ? Indeed, your analysis of use this summer will be extremely interesting if you have the opportunity !
We also hope to be able to read your comments before the summer, supplemented by the eye of the user you may have been.
What about the communication costs compared to other solutions on the market? ?
This remains identical to the brand's previous model ?
For the time being, there is no change in the rates or the terms.
An important question seems to me to be whether the device will work inside the boat without an antenna. I bought the first model based on the attractive starting price but without antenna and docking station and inside the boat, it does not pick up satellites. Obviously, Externally, it works, but the various market players were very silent on this point. Therefore, vigilance on this because antenna and docking station, it doubles the price.
Sincerely
FH
Reason why I insisted in my article on the presence of an external antenna connector on this new device, unlike the previous model.
Just one thing missing – an easy way to connect to a Mac or iPad