Posted: Sep 08, 2009 09:35 pm EDT
(HumanEdgeTech.com) Last December, Iridium introduced 9555, its latest satellite phone model.

Competitors such as Thuraya and Globalstar offer smaller, cheaper and smarter phones - so why choose Iridium? The answer is simple: coverage.

Iridium remains the only truly global sat phone network and there is simply no alternative for many areas around the world.

Many explorers own multiple systems such as a Thuraya for Himalaya, Iridium for Antarctica and South America, and Inmarsat high-speed BGAN for video uploads. But if you plan to move around broadly with only one phone - Iridium is the best choice.

Should you get the new model?

Iridium went active in 1998 and has plus 300000 subscribers globally. It's an essential communication tool for US military and aid-organizations. For many explorers it was the first satellite phone they tried out.

Iridium 9555 is considerably lighter and smaller than the previous three models (9500, 9505, 9505A). But should you get it?

It depends. If you are planning to use it mostly for voice - go for it. If you are planning data transfers using an XP or Vista (32bits) the new model certainly has some advantages to the 9505A.

But Mac, Unix and PDA's are not supported by the new 9555 leaving the old 9505 a preferred model.

Now pocket size

At 266gr (9.4oz) the new unit is 27% lighter than the previous 9505A.

The difference might not sound impressive, especially not to users of Thuraya's 130gr satellite phone. But the new Iridium is slim and light enough to move from your backpack to your pocket.

The unit is only half as thick as the previous model. It's also shorter, but the antenna sticks out 2 inches in stowed position (6 inches extended) making the overall length actually exceeding the old phones (see image).

Antenna and storage

The antenna is not improved and thus just as flimsy as on the old phone. Broken antennas have been the most common Iridium repair and at $200 a piece don't come cheap. A thumb down to the developing team for not fixing this.

We do like the new included docking station and external antenna useful for travel in a car, boat or similar.

Battery and power

The car and wall chargers are interchangeable with the Iridium 9505A. The battery is a 3.7V 2200mAh Li-ion with similar capacity of the previous model. Talk- and stand-by times are marginally improved.

The phone charged well in a couple of hours from HET's Feather 5 and 10 Watt solar panels.

Display and functions

The display is slightly bigger than on the old phone and the menu is similar. The number keys light up in the dark and are nicer to use than on previous models.

Data over laptop - don't forget the upgrade

Since its very introduction last December, the data functionality on 9555 has been an issue that is now partly solved. The new Iridium connects to a computer through a USB/miniUSB cable which is a good step.

Iridium has done 3 firmware updates. If you want the unit to work with a laptop running XP or Vista you MUST update to HT09014 or higher, a complicated procedure that can take up to several hours. HumanEdgeTech only delivers updated phones; if you buy elsewhere make sure the phone comes updated or have HumanEdgeTech upgrade it at a fee.

Linux, Mac, 64bits XP and VISTA not supported, Windows 7 question mark

HumanEdgeTech have had several Iridium 9555/Netbook setups out for testing since July 2009 with good feedback.

9555 does not support Linux or Mac at this time. We don't know yet if Windows 7 will be supported. XP or VISTA 64bits is not supported. Our guess is that Iridium will have drivers for Mac and Windows 7 in the future, but no dates are set to our knowledge.

Data over PDA - use old Iridium

The new Iridium 9555 requires a USB cable with a USB driver. Iridium have at present no plan to develop a driver that runs on Mobile platforms and the 9555 can not be connected to a PDA. The 9505A with serial interface remains a must for true ultra light data setups.

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