Sat phone Internet

[Falshator]

Has anybody had experience with Isatphone Pro (Inmarsat) and getting the Internet on them? Do you need the Xgate and their docking stations and how easy are they to use?

[svseachange]

Getting anything that resembles the modern Internet via sat phone is wildly optimistic even with xGate. Think 14.4k bps max. That is probably slower than any Internet connection you have ever used. Most people started with 33.6k bps connections in the early 90s. You can however, use Internet protocols to access very low bandwidth services.

We use our Iridium phone to download weather via zyGrib while on passage. Works well even when we are rocking and rolling. Also just started Tweeting our position via SMS. A lot of sailors we meet use their sat phones to access specialized sat phone email services. Don't expect much.

Not sure first hand how Inmarsat compares, but anecdotally sailors with Inmarsat are not as happy with reception as sailors with Iridium.

[goboatingnow]

Real satellites data rates to Iridum and Inmarsat iSatphone are around 2500-3000 bps, not 14.4k

You can send text emails and get GRIB files etc, thats about it

Ive used both handsets and much prefer Iridum, far less difficult getting a sat lock and keeping it. but iSatphone is cheaper to buy and run

dave

[svseachange]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Real satellites data rates to Iridum and Inmarsat iSatphone are around 2500-3000 bps, not 14.4k

I was covering myself. The theoretical limit of a 2400 baud modem in these units is around 14.4k bps. Iridium Direct Internet claims 10k bps.

However, I agree with your 2500-3500 bps on a stable platform and clear view of the sky. We have a small, unstable platform (34' boat, 10' beam) and see more like 1200 bps except when the seas are exceptionally calm.

But it works great for GRIB files, and GRIB files are worth the expense, even for budget cruisers like us.