Iridium GO! WiFi Smartphone Adapter (AHKT1301)

The Iridium Go is an $799 portable satellite hotspot designed to provide voice, SMS, weather reports, Internet, email and social media connectivity for up to five iOS and Android devices simultaneously.

A satellite hotspot?
Yeah! Unlike a traditional portable hotspot that connects to a cellular network, the Go is designed to upload and download data via Iridium’s world-spanning satellite network. Ideally, if you’re outside and have an unobstructed view of the horizon, the Go should be able to connect to Iridium’s network.

Leveraging the data that the Go’s network connection provides is made possible through the use of two free apps (available in the iTunes Store or via Google Play) that provide satellite voice/SMS capabilities and data optimized Twitter, Facebook and email clients. (I’m at a loss for why Iridium wouldn’t bake all of the Go’s functionality into a single app, but here we are.) Browsing is made possible via Opera Mini—but don’t expect to visit your favorite sites: in an effort to save bandwidth, Iridium limits browsing mobile site lookups only. But it’s hard to begrudge them that, since the data is being beamed down from space.

The Iridium Go app (left) allows you to make calls, send texts, and tweet. To send email and access web content, you need to use the separate Iridium Mail & Web app (right).

In addition to letting users stay in touch with the outside world, the Go can also be set to emit a GPS distress beacon that’ll bring first responders to your location almost anywhere in the world.

Because Iridium assumes that the Go will be used in the sorts of environments where you might need the ability to send out an SOS, they designed the Go to be tough: it comes with an IP Code of 65. That means it’s completely dustproof and it’s water resistant enough to survive being dinged by a strong stream of liquid.

How it works
After using it for a few hours, I discovered that a device which I thought would be very James Bond was in fact, Johnny English. Almost nothing with the Go works quite the way you’d want it to.

On the plus side, text messaging via the Iridium Go app works pretty well: a message I sent was received and responded to in under 40 seconds. Not too shabby, considering the data was bounced back and forth from space. That said, Iridium caps message lengths at 1,000 characters.

Now, let’s talk about what made me want to beat this thing to death with a chair.

The Iridium Go app promises to deliver GPS-specific weather reports. But after five attempts to get the service to work for me, I surrendered.

I found the Go’s handling of social media just as frustrating. Facebook posts can be made through a rudimentary portal in the Iridium Go app, but they’re capped at 255 characters. Twitter posts are 140 characters in length, but I found that the Iridium Go app’s interface sent my messages into the ether more often than not. Posting them à la 2008 via SMS was a lot more dependable. And while you can send and receive email through the Go, it’s only by using an Iridium-specific email address. Should you ever cancel your service with the company, you’ll lose access to your account.

Oh, and speaking of service, using an Iridium Go ain’t cheap. 400 pre-paid data airtime minutes, which expire after 180 days will set you back close to $500. For individuals looking for a reliable communications lifeline to the outside world, that might be OK, were the Iridium Go actually reliable.

Bottom line
While the idea of being able to use your smartphone or tablet off the grid might be appealing, the Iridium Go, in practice, isn’t as convenient or as reliable as using a dedicated satellite handset.

I took a unit up on Mt. Rainier and found it quite easy to use. The process from powering on, to getting connected and dialing a contact was seamless and intuitive. I'm new to using satellite phones and having something that works with my mobile is welcoming.

This is a great tool while at sea. I recommend using it with an external antenna.

This unit is fantastic ! I can use my iPhone for everything now and it works great with the Go unit !

Pretty cool device. High quality and better than my Spot Global Phone.

I bought this satellite phone for my husband. we have our own business and he isn't able to be out of cell reception. With Iridium GO we were able to go away for the weekend and receive calls and emails.
Easy to pair with your iphone and to use.

This works when your out of cell range.was able to complete calls and get info needed. Can send text too.
Almost as good as a cell phone call under clear view sky.

The times I've used it were just for short calls.
This could be used to pay bills over phone when your away from phone coverage.

If your traveling across us and want phone coverage everywhere also. If you go over seas like a cruise ship this thing should be a good option.

Hunters,hikers or anyone who leaves the coverage area will enjoy this device. Pairs fine most of time with phone.just put device in airplane mode before you open the go app.activate wifi and connect to the go.

Good for a hotspot in the middle of nowhere. Worked great with the App for iPhone/iPad. Make sure to read the setup guide to have all of your emergency information in there. You need to install the App, and set up before you leave for your trip. Look for data cards for it, as there are some dedicated Data only cards that are cheaper than the phone cards.

Fantastic!!!

1. Unit works as designed.
2. GEOS was easy to setup.
3. Call quality is acceptable.
4. Data speeds are 2400bps

I grew up with a 2400bps modem, so my expectations were spot on as far as the speed is concerned, I've found two fairly software bugs.

1. The firewall which you setup in the web UI of this device applies to starting the internet connection from the display on the device and not the app. The firewall rules are broken if you use a third party app to connect, then try to connect via the display, you have to power cycle the device to get the firewall rules for the internet call via the display to work and allow connectivity.

2. If you change the guest password, and reinstall web&mail it will fail with ERROR, and no indication of a problem, Change the guest password back to 'guest', Then open mail&web. Then you should have no issues and can change the guest password now.

This device is also Iridium NEXT ready, I suspect a firmware update will come out ahead of the NEXT constellation activation that will increase the L-Band speeds to 64-128kps, So about 50 times faster than it is now.

I was up in Idaho for five days hiking it was nice to have it didn't need to use it but it was good to know it was there well worth the money you never know where I'll be in the future and I'll need it.