ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

A few weeks ago when we were camping/overlanding, my wife asked a great question - what do we do when someone gets hurt or an emergency, and we have no cell signal? A very good question, and where we live cell signal outside of the few major cities and interstate is a bit spotty, and in mountains is non-existant.After some research, we decided to give Zoleo a try. We set it up and tested it on our deck outside (it needs open sky to work), and all the features seemed to work (we didn't try SOS, but everything else). The "I am OK" check button had our location within 30' (it sends GPS coordinates with the OK message), so that seems to work as well.We really just wanted a system that we could get help when needed (I have an overland truck with a roof-top tent. It would take a while to fold up everything even good enough to travel, and sometimes time is important), message folks when needed, or get updates from pet sitter, etc. We didn't need all of the maps and stuff that come with other products (I use other apps to do navigation).We were able to send/receive text messages with it in the middle of nowhere (no cell signal for miles), battery life was great, the app is actually pretty easy to use, and initial activation worked great. My wife and I both set it up together (so either of us can use it), and it was pretty easy to setup contacts and such after you understood the interface (it's not that hard to pick up). I called customer service once (to understand what my emergency contacts would see if we activated SOS), and the person answering the call was very friendly and knowledgeable.For us, this is pretty close to a perfect device for our needs. The cost of the device isn't that bad, its rugged/waterproof, 200hr battery life (we left it on for multiple days - I think 200hr is pretty accurate), the monthly cost gives you more messages than other brands (and you can suspend it after 3 months - they charge $4 per mo. for your account when suspended, and you can turn on/suspend however you like after the initial 3 months...if you turn it on, then they charge you for a month, but you can suspend it for the next month..all done on website), the app is fairly easy to use (we use iPhones). We just wanted to be able to do basic messaging/check-ins/get help, and that is really all this device does (but it does it well). You don't have to have the app running for check-in or SOS, and the device also let's you know some info via lights (you have a message waiting, SOS received, check-in sent ok, you need to charge it, etc).This won't give you a bunch of maps and stuff, so if that is more of your need, look elsewhere. But if your looking for an inexpensive PLB/sat messaging system, then this little guy may be it. It's a newer company, but so far I think they have a winning solution. With the new camping boom, they may have rolled this out at a great time. Very satisfied.

Pros:* Affordable (I am on a 20 message plan + automatic sharing plan for $26 a month)* Plus during offseason you can suspend the service for $4 a month.* Reliable and works even in partly cloudy days and partially covered with forestry* Battery lasts a long time. after using this for 2 days it went from fully charged to 77%* Excellent tech support* Automatic location sharing works flawlesslyCons:* App is not real intuitive to use* Setup is somewhat confusing I had a hard time setting up contacts plus the payment is only done through their website and everything else is done via the app.While solo riding can be quite a enjoyable activity there is the problem of getting help. Especially if you are in a remote area with no cellphone coverage. To resolve this problem I tried out the Zoleo Satellite Communicator. Overall it works really well but setting it up was a bit challenging and the app is not real user friendly. I had to contact tech support several times and they were quick and helpful.From trial and error I find that the best way to mount the device is with their proprietary mount and it has to be out in the open. Before I had this in my tank bag but found that it can't communicate with satellites due to interference. Attached is a picture of the mount on my motorcycle. As you can see I have a front brake RAM mount attached and then a small arm which holds the zoleo mount. Through this mount it works 100% of the time and can share my location reliably.One really cool feature is that it can share your location automatically with your contacts. I have family and they want to at least know where I am in case I need help. You can configure it to share your location every 6, 12, 24, etc.. minutes. I use the every 12 minute update feature and found that works well for me.It does have a SOS feature where you can text with worldwide 911 services. Fortunately I've never had to test this. And according to their documentation you don't even need the phone do do a SOS. You can just press the SOS button and someone should head to your location.Conclusion: Recommended as long as you don't mind text-only communication. A great plus is it can automatically share you location to family/friends.

I have used and recommended this device many times. I love the fact that the messaging app tries to send WIFI first, Cell second and Satellite last, saving money. I find it much easier to send a pin to someone using this app than using Google Maps. You don't have to be connected to the device in order to use the app as long as you have WIFI or Cell service.I have also used this off the grid and unlike some other systems, the message goes through quickly as there are many more satellites in this constellation. I also used it in Dallas this summer when AT&T's system was down (and for some reason the WIFI was down as well).I noticed that a few people gave this a "1" rating and so I read some of them. They are not describing anything like my experience or the experiences of my friends that have purchased this item. Satellite communication is not free and while it's cheaper than the past, it's similar to the cost of using a cell phone. For me it's about safety and being able to communicate at all times and everywhere.I bought this right after hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Coast. I was inspecting property north of Corpus Christi just 36 hours after Harvey hit. I had a Ham radio, CB radio, multiple cell phones and nothing worked. Turns out, hurricanes knock down EVERYONE's antennas for several miles. My neighbor's land line worked but her chordless phone battery was dead. That's when I resolved to go satellite and bought this device.We love to go to Big Bend National Park in West Texas. Most of the park is off the grid, and for nearly 100 miles around. The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club has a robust system of repeaters but even that does not cover the whole park. I've used this for business communcation and just checking in from many areas in the park that are off grid. I've noticed the other national parks have very poor cell service as well.In my opinion, this device is well priced and the service cost is reasonable and the device has never failed to perform. As I said, I have and I continue to recommend and use this device.

Got to use all the features on the first time out unfortunately. I bought this unit based on some great reviews and had all the features I needed. Ultimately purchased it to communicate with group of snowmobilers during winter rides. I had a break down and was separated on back to back trips this year and wanted a solution. So I took it on a hiking trip over the recent holiday weekend and told a contact (Android phone) once I got up to the camp site, I would send a location pin (IOS phone) and have him guess which location we ended up in in order to test sharing a location and having them find it on their app with offline maps.Just short of the camping spot I ended up breaking my leg. I started texting contacts in my iPhone using the Zoleo device and phone app to find out how far behind the rest of the group was and learned they were about 3 hours behind me. I debated for about 30 minutes about what to do and ultimately ended up pressing the SOS button due to the severity of the injury and remote location.Things I learned from my Zoleo device experience:1. Response time between texts was very good. Even though I was in a real bad spot against steep sloping terrain with very tall trees on all sides......signal was the only problem based on my injury location. However, I believe the longest time for sending or receiving a text was 1-2 minutes but most of the time it was almost instantaneous.2. SOS response was excellent. Once pressed they immediately reached out to my emergency contacts. They were in contact with me within 2 minutes and updated me throughout the ordeal. First communication was "GEOS: This is the IERCC, what is your emergency?".3. Once IERCC determined that it was an emergency, they contacted a sheriff's office around 65 miles away (nearest location by checking Google). The sheriff's office then immediately contacted a local volunteer search and rescue crew.4. When the search and rescue crew arrived, they were very professional, prepared, and very good at what they do. Very happy about that part. They immediately said they were pleased that I was able to get a very accurate location and inquired about how I did so. I showed them the Zoleo device and the SOS function and they were super impressed but hadn't heard of it before. They were able to use the location pin sent from my Zoleo device and input it into an onX app on their iPhone's and arrived exactly to my location. So there was no time "searching" around and took the guess work of finding me out of the time it took to rescue me.5. At some point I inquired if I had to do any paperwork with them once finished and they said no. So there was no financial liability with these search and rescue folks. However, once we reached my vehicle I wasn't sure what their protocol was and requested that I drive myself out to the hospital of my choice. Their response was that there was too much liability for them to release me and instead drove me to the forest area boundary to be picked up by a waiting ambulance. So at that point I was liable for the cost of the ambulance and an overnight stay at an unknown hospital. Not really a bad thing in the end but I wasn't sure what the financial implications would be by pressing the SOS button......but I know now.Bottom line: I will never go off grid again without my Zoleo device. It was peace of mind when I got injured and the search and rescue crew gave me great feedback on how it helped them do their job to help me. Also, my contact that was sent the location pin instantly knew exactly where I was at as well, which is why I initially purchased it. Hope this helps anyone looking for something similar in a satellite communication device linked to IOS and/or Android phone.------not affiliated in any way with this company or how the device works------

Instructions for set-up were a little vague, but their new subscription deal is phenominal! Tests all worked well, once we got it set up. Customer support is really good, as long as you get a real person to talk to. It's now hurricane season in Florida, and the acid test is coming up!

My husband, son, grandson and a friend went north in the province of Quebec to fish; there is no cell coverage, no electricity etc. I bought this device so they could get in touch with the family. We like to know that they have made it there safely.Since my husband is not tech savvy, he was unsure about this device, so I also rented a satellite phone which cost us $360. Including 60 minutes (obligatory amount) for 10 days.Satellite Phone, pro: can make actual phone call.Con: expansive, if cloudy may not work. Also, always the worry it will not be shipped on time, and then need to drive to FedEx for the return.Zoleo communator: The initial cost of purchase $200. Then about $65. For registration and messaging time. Next year, will only have to register again and buy more messaging time since we will already own the device.If cloudy, the message will be sent but may be delayed. It connects to caller cell phone.It works only with messaging, no actual phone calls.My son and grandson both really like how they could message and keep in touch. Next year, we will not rent a satellite phone, we found this to be a much better option.PS: Also purchased a solar charger for all their cell phones

While the entry price is attractive in comparison to other products, the devil is in the detail. Downsides include:- Web interface. The site is inexplicably slow in comparison to every other website on the internet. Why?- Priority to cell. When you send a message via the app -- the only way to send a message, the Zoleo checks whether there is a land cell signal. If there is, the message is sent that way. Only if there is no cell signal (how strong does it have to be?) does it send the message via satellite. This matters when you are trying to test the system before a trip; to truly check that the Zoleo is doing its job you need to add yourself to the distribution list and then put your phone in airplane mode and wait. With a clear shot to the sky, you should get a check-in message to your Zoleo app. When you take the phone off airplane mode you get a repeat delivery of the message, this time by cell text.- Account. Let's say you want to suspend your service -- you're not going to travel for a while. If you suspend it mid-way through the service month, your service is immediately suspended even if you're paid up for the month. If you want a partial credit you have to ask for it. Compare this to Garmin where you can suspend literally the second after you pay for a month and you have available service for the month that is paid up.- Account, phase II. Tracking is an additional $6. If you selected that in a previous month, suspended, then reactivated in a future month there is no way to preemptively deselect this add-on. So you reactivate, you get charged $6 and...yeah...you have to call Zoleo to ask for your six bucks back.- Tracking. As far as I've been able to determine, there is no "tracking" function. You can send your current location in a check-in message but there's no way for your family to look at your track online in case they ask "where'd Billy go, I haven't heard from him lately?" So what's the $6 tracking good for then?In all these cases, while it's not perfect Garmin is far better than Zoleo. In regard to the last complaint I listed, a "I'm going on a trip" message to your loved ones gives them a link to an online map that shows where you are in real time -- depending on how often you set your device to update its location.That's been my experience.

Definitely was careless to not pick up a GPS unit years ago given the amount of time I spend off the grid, but I finally opted out of peace of mind to get one this year. I’ve read reviews for a while now and really the options boil down to if you want a built in keyboard or not (I.e. ZOLEO vs garmin Inreach) being they’re both on the same satellite network coverage should be roughly the same. Ultimately I opted for the ZOLEO for several reasons. The unit is a simple beacon, it’s rugged, weighs hardly anything, about the same size as a phone (slightly thicker) and holds up against water. I spend a lot of time in backcountry especially on waterways so I didn’t need anything fancy. Next, I’ve read some terrible reviews about garmins software and UX, the need to download multiple apps to manage service and messaging and ZOLEO was just their app for messaging and if you want to use a pairing GPS app (I passed on this). Subscription runs $5/month when idle or $20/month when in use which I believe is slightly cheaper than Garmin and I don’t know if there’s an idle option in Garmins terms. So bad UI and pricing was another strike against InReach devices. In terms of usage, have had minor issues, happened only a couple times where on parts of trips my location ie coordinates were not available when a ping was sent. Again this happened a few times but typically the next interval ping had my location shared. No issues with exposure to elements at all. Messages usually take a 3-4 minutes to relay (when it’s not perfectly clear of obstructions above you) but it’s been as fast as under a minute when you’re in open view of the sky. Haven’t tested the full limits of the battery but no issues running up to a week so far, with battery life stated around 240 hours. For peace of mind, functionality, subscription costs and not needing anything overly complex IMO this is a better buy than the Garmin Inreachs or other GPS units on the market. You get same satellite network as Garmin which is the best one available.

As I will be doing a lot of solo back country hiking / camping in Arizona shortly, I was looking for a product that would keep me in touch with love ones when out of cell phone signal, as well as giving me the assurance of calling for assistance should I injure myself etc.I done a lot of research and chose the Zoleo GPS Communicator over all the other brands as this gave me everything I needed at a reasonable cost.The set up was so easy and after making some test SMS and emails was confident that I will be able to keep in touch with people back home.The unit itself is small and feels high quality. This item will take some knocks in its stride.You do need to sign up for a monthly subscription but out of all the others on the market this one gave more buck for my money and also gave me the option to suspend or cancel after 3months which will suit me just fine.I obviously have not tested the SOS function and hope I never have toSo far happy with the purchaseUpdate…..Have just got back from almost a month off grid in the US backcountry. It would not be right to not of give an update. This tiny little box was fantastic! It kept me in touch, not only with mt SOS buddies, but anyone else I wanted to (upto 5 additional people). There was never a time I had any concerns while out solo. It sent out OK updates to all my contacts along with a breadcrumb trail. It never let me down once. Another great thing was, it held its charge for just over 7 days.Fantastic piece of kit. Can not recommend this enough if you do solo trips where there is no mobile signal or patchy.I am now using this in the windscreen of my car driving around the U.K. as a back up for when mobile signal drops

Me ha gustado mucho. Funciona fenomenal con una relación calidad precio excelente. Fácil de poner en marcha, vincular al móvil y contratar plan satelital. Servicio postventa eficiente(eso si en ingles porque te atienden desde EEUU aunque puedes hacerlo vía SMS con la ayuda de la IA). Una tranquilidad ir con él a zonas sin cobertura porque no solo tienes el SOS sino que puedes contactar vía SMS satelital.

Totalmente confiable para la transmisión de mensajes. De fácil configuración y con un app muy sencilla de usar. Mis amigos y familia en cualquier momento pueden ubixarme y comunicarse conmigo.

Easy to set up. Worked first time. Affordable. Will save your life. No brainier

Guter Lebensretter, wenn man im Nirgendwo unterwegs ist und keinen Handy Empfang hat. Hiermit kann man Zuhause Bescheid geben, dass alles ok ist.