Has anyone experience of using handsets in the Iridium system?

After exploring Inmarsat C and email via a Pactor III modem as well as
Globalstar sat systems it appears to me that the best, most cost effective
system and best global cover for receiving weather emails and the like at sea is
the Iridium pre-paid system.

I am a project manager for a 3G telco and understand the technology but am
having trouble finding out the practicalities (especially limitations) from
those who have used the system.

Anyone know a vendor of these phones/handsets?

Any advice please?

Peter
NZ Yacht Herodotus