Garmin Messenger or Zoleo pros and cons?

jmh9801

jmh9801

FNG
Joined
Feb 12, 2025
Needing to get a GPS satellite communicator. Would like to know pros and cons of each. Which plans are better and easier to use etc. It's not something I'm going to use very often so don't want to drop a ton of money but don't want to buy junk either that's gonna leave me stranded. I appreciate any help and input on these 2 units!
 
following as one of these is on my list.

Based on similar threads Garmin is best option.
 
That's kinda what I am gathering also. Looks like price has dropped on it also since release of new version which i don't need all that. Kind of nice to be able to disconnect a little bit.
 
I’m also looking at getting a new gps with messenger. I have been looking at the Garmin 67i. I have a satellite phone but the minutes are getting crazy expensive for it so looking at switching. It cost $340 for 200 minutes that are only good for 6-months. When I bought it they were only like $150.
 
I got rid of my Garmin after I tested the new free satellite messaging on my iPhone. I really just carried mine in the backcountry or fly in trips to use in an emergence. The downside to the iPhone is it needs to be out and properly oriented and it does not have an exposed SOS button.
 
Tagged
I’m gonna pull the trigger on a Garmin inreach because I can leave it outside my blinds or tent and still be able to get the house by text
Plus it’s Africa and Central Asia friendly
Battery life is great and I can charge it with solar panels while I’m in the field
 
Spent two weeks up in Alaska this past fall and took the Zoleo with me. Messaging worked flawlessly and the app was easy to use. Phone never had an issue connecting to it and battery life seemed good. If I remember right, you have to pay for the first 3 months but after that you can pause and resume it whenever you want.
 
The iPhone deal seems cool.

I like that you can get a weather forecast through Garmin.

When you send a message via InReach, the recipient can get a topo map of your location.

An InReach mini is also smaller than the Zoleo device.

I think the Zoleo is just a text message relay, but I haven't personally used one.
 
I had the Zoleo for about 3yrs now. Pretty simple to use and the plans are very affordable.
Messages like "I am ok" with current location is mostly what I use it for. Occasionally I will expand on the message like "going to bed all good, will text tomorrow" but when I do, the wife starts responding too many times....lol. But it works well. You can use the programed messages or you can use the app on your phone to write your own messages. You need your phone to use the Zoleo.
And yeah make sure your buddies at home don't have the number..lol..or they will start sending SMS. I prefer not to hear from anyone when I am hunting.
I keep it turned off until I am about to go deep in the woods or towards the end of the day to say all good and good night. A couple of times under a lot of trees it took some time to find the satellites and or the message took a little longer to go out. It probably depends on the terrain. East coasters that hunt in thick woods might have an issue with most GPS but I hunt out west.
After my season is over I freeze the service and save money. Last year I hunted deer and Elk for a total of 20+ days and another 20+ Scouting days. I went over my limit. Zoleo sent me a free message to "press Y" to buy more messages so I wouldn't run out. I am glad they did because I was stressing out. It was like another $6 for a few more I think...
 
450 said:
I’m also looking at getting a new gps with messenger. I have been looking at the Garmin 67i. I have a satellite phone but the minutes are getting crazy expensive for it so looking at switching. It cost $340 for 200 minutes that are only good for 6-months. When I bought it they were only like $150.
Click to expand...
Damn that's crazy not worth it to me.
 
NevadaMike said:
I got rid of my Garmin after I tested the new free satellite messaging on my iPhone. I really just carried mine in the backcountry or fly in trips to use in an emergence. The downside to the iPhone is it needs to be out and properly oriented and it does not have an exposed SOS button.
Click to expand...
Understand that but I dont have an iPhone. But as most all my hunts I'm solo so I'd like having a sos option
 
S-3 ranch said:
Tagged
I’m gonna pull the trigger on a Garmin inreach because I can leave it outside my blinds or tent and still be able to get the house by text
Plus it’s Africa and Central Asia friendly
Battery life is great and I can charge it with solar panels while I’m in the field
Click to expand...
That's exactly why I'm thinking about getting one too! Plus just a peace od mind as most my hunts are solo and the wife don't have to worry as much!
 
Wildgame said:
I had the Zoleo for about 3yrs now. Pretty simple to use and the plans are very affordable.
Messages like "I am ok" with current location is mostly what I use it for. Occasionally I will expand on the message like "going to bed all good, will text tomorrow" but when I do, the wife starts responding too many times....lol. But it works well. You can use the programed messages or you can use the app on your phone to write your own messages. You need your phone to use the Zoleo.
And yeah make sure your buddies at home don't have the number..lol..or they will start sending SMS. I prefer not to hear from anyone when I am hunting.
I keep it turned off until I am about to go deep in the woods or towards the end of the day to say all good and good night. A couple of times under a lot of trees it took some time to find the satellites and or the message took a little longer to go out. It probably depends on the terrain. East coasters that hunt in thick woods might have an issue with most GPS but I hunt out west.
After my season is over I freeze the service and save money. Last year I hunted deer and Elk for a total of 20+ days and another 20+ Scouting days. I went over my limit. Zoleo sent me a free message to "press Y" to buy more messages so I wouldn't run out. I am glad they did because I was stressing out. It was like another $6 for a few more I think...
Click to expand...
That's one of my concerns about most my hunting is in east and not being able to get message or sos out because of leaf cover! But I'm wanting to start heading out west next couple of years.
 
450 said:
Yeah and you really can’t have the service cut-off because they charge you to reactivate the phone every time. Just not worth it anymore.
Click to expand...
No I'd say definitely not at that rate. I'm torn between these 2 and can't make up my mind which one to get.
 
I’m very happy with my Zoleo. Last summer I did quite a bit of research and concluded that for what I needed Zoleo made more sense.. it was only $150 on sale and plans are very reasonable IMO. It is very basic- send/ receive texts/ location with your phone. The app works great. The only thing you can send without your phone, is a preset message from your phone or an SOS.
If you want a more stand alone unit that you can text with, you need an Inreach. Also think the Inreach has more gps capabilities?

For what it’s worth, the caribou outfitter we went with in AK was all off grid and all the staff used Zoleo. They are constantly communicating with hunters in the field and said they have no complaints.. they did say it seems like Zoleo is faster with sending and receiving messages than Inreach, but that’s probably not a big deal for most people.
 
BigSkyHntr said:
I’m very happy with my Zoleo. Last summer I did quite a bit of research and concluded that for what I needed Zoleo made more sense.. it was only $150 on sale and plans are very reasonable IMO. It is very basic- send/ receive texts/ location with your phone. The app works great. The only thing you can send without your phone, is a preset message from your phone or an SOS.
If you want a more stand alone unit that you can text with, you need an Inreach. Also think the Inreach has more gps capabilities?

For what it’s worth, the caribou outfitter we went with in AK was all off grid and all the staff used Zoleo. They are constantly communicating with hunters in the field and said they have no complaints.. they did say it seems like Zoleo is faster with sending and receiving messages than Inreach, but that’s probably not a big deal for most people.
Click to expand...
Im not worried about the mapping parts of the satellite communicator. I just want to get sos out if needed or let my wife im ok from time to time or her be able to track me when I'm out of state hunting with no cell service. So over all your happy with it tho?
 
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