Recently a new cruiser came to us who needed satcom data (marine weather, email and satellite Internet) for his first blue-water cruise. He had already purchased an IsatPhone based on the handset cost. (See our blog post comparing IsatPhone Pro and Iridium pricing for downloading GRIB files)
Does IsatPhone Pro Data Work?
However, he had heard the IsatPhone Pro was very difficult to set up for data and that data just didn't work well on the IsatPhone Pro. We've worked with many customers since the launch of IsatPhone data service last year, and well, it hasn't always been as easy as with other satellite phone data services. Driver issues are more common, and uncompressed speeds are slower. Plus, there was no way to use an iPad.
But tens of thousands of IsatPhones are in use, and email is the most efficient way to communicate when you're out there. Plus, we have had success with email using the XGate service. So we knew there had to be a way to make IsatPhone data service sing.
Yes! Email and Weather via IsatPhone
IsatPhone Pro Satellite Phone Data Optimization Tip: Get an Optimizer
There is a way to make IsatPhone Pro data service work for email and weather, easily, reliably and quickly: Optimizer.
Optimizer is a small Wi-Fi hotspot with a built in firewall that stops all unwanted data requests from a user’s computer. It creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to easily connect with virtually any modern computer or iOS device, eliminating setup and support issues otherwise common with IsatPhone Pro data.
Optimizer works wonders with IsatPhone data service for compressed email when using XGate service. XGate also handles the phone connection: dialing, monitoring the satellite phone signal, and hanging up calls as needed.
END RESULT: The myth that IsatPhone Pro is difficult for data is debunked - when you Optimize. Set up is easy (no USB driver problems!) and email zips.
Optimizer and XGate make email easy and fast on the IsatPhone Pro. Even though it is still slower than other services, for emails, one could live very happily with an IsatPhone Pro.
TAKE AWAY: With Optimizer and XGate, IsatPhone Pro data is now an easy, fully functioning satellite phone option for satellite email and weather at sea.
MORE INFO: Learn how to compare
data airtime costs for IsatPhone Pro and Iridium handhelds. You will also want to consider the peripherals such as antennas and docking stations before you have the complete financial picture.
Need help deciding which system works best for you?
Recently we were contacted by a cruiser that wanted to get GRIB files onto his iPad over a satellite phone while at sea. He was looking for the least expensive way to do this. Knowing the Isatphone Pro handset costs less than the Iridium 9555 or Iridium Extreme, he had some questions:
1) Could he get GRIB files onto his Ipad with the IsatPhone Pro
2) How long it would take for a typical GRIB file download, and
3) How should he compare the total price of hardware and service between the IsatPhone Pro and Iridium offerings?
Excellent questions and here are the answers:
1) Yes, You can download GRIB files to your iPad (or any iOS device, like an iPod Touch or iPhone) using an IsatPhone Pro - with the Optimizer satellite firewall and Wi-Fi hotspot
What You Need:
1. an IsatPhone Pro
2. an iPad or other Apple iOS device
3. either iNavX or Weather4D weather software
4. an Optimizer satellite firewall and Wi-Fi hotspot
5. XGate satellite email service App
You can use the identical setup with and Iridium phone, or a similar setup with the Iridum AxcessPoint and Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web App.
Let's look at the elements of this:
- Optimizer's firewall ensures that all of the very narrow IsatPhone data feed is available.
- Optimizer's Wi-Fi hotspot allows the iPad to connect to the data feed.
- iNavX and Weather4D work with XGate so when you request a GRIB file, the request is sent to XGate.
-XGate then sends the GRIB file request as an email, and receives the reply email from the GRIB file provider.
How Long Does It Take to Download a GRIB File over a Satellite Phone?
There are two calls that need to be made - first the request, then the download of the file. The first call can generally be done in the minimum calling increment of the satellite service:
IsatPhone minimum calling increment: 1 minute
Iridium minimum calling increment: 20 seconds
Then, you can look at the time it will take to download the reply email from the GRIB service (For this example, we are using a 3 day GRIB File with 12 forecasts of wind every 6 hours arrows every degree for the size of the Caribbean sea) :
When using the IsatPhone it takes a full minute to bring up a connection on an IsatPhone before you start downloading data. Once connected you can transfer about 12Kbytes of data per minute. A typical GRIB file is about 15Kbytes. So, it takes a bit over a minute to download this grib file on an IsatPhone. 1 minute to connect + 2 minute of airtime to download (one minute plus a few seconds is billed as two minutes) = 3 minutes of airtime
IsatPhone Pro billing time to request and receive a GRIB file: 4 minutes
Iridium runs a bit faster: 18Kbytes per minute on an iPad is routinely seen. It takes 20 seconds to get connected to the network and the billing increment is 20 seconds. So you are looking at 4 billing increments, or 1.33 minutes, to download the same file.
Iridium billing time to request and receive a GRIB file: 1.66 minutes
How Much Does It Cost To Request and Recieve a GRIB File?
Based on some typical airtime plans, let's do the math to compare pricing.
Lets assume that you your have a 100 minute prepaid airtime plan for IsatPhone... the retail price for this is $99 or $1 per minute. In this case:
IsatPhone airtime costs to request and receive a grib file: $4.00
For an Iridium user with a 500 minute plan the cost is $1.29 per minute or .43 cents per billing increment. In this case:
Iridium airtime costs to request and receive a grib file: $2.15
Total Cost of Ownership
Baseline costs: the IsatPhone costs about $595 and the Iridium 9555 costs $1,195. However, additional hardware such as a dock or external antenna, must-haves for most boaters, will eliminate any hardware pricing advantage. The options are complex, but should be called out. A firewall/Wi-Fi hotspot is required for either service and should be factored in.
Additionally, your time has value - if you're staring at your screen waiting for a download, is that worth the $1.85/minute difference in this example to you? Maybe, maybe not.
The short answer is that for heavy data users who will be using their service for years, the Iridium solution is preferred due to the extra speed and lower price for airtime. For light users or those who will only be out on the water a limited time, the IsatPhone Pro will likely cost less depending on accessories, and will certainly work well when paired with Optimizer.
Take Away: Yes, you can download GRIBS at sea over your IsatPhone Pro or Iridium 9555. Contact us to help you compare total costs.
Please contact us if you have more questions!
