Inreach mini vs messenger

[BluMtn]

Because you can text back and forth and they can follow your movements. Also when you text, Zoleo will try and send it through cell service first and if no signal then will send it to the satellites. So you are not burning sat time everytime you send a message.

 

[406life]

I'm planning on getting a Messanger before this season. What makes Zoleo better?

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Reliability of messages incoming and outgoing is better.
Dedicated 10 digit number to share with people to message with.
App functionality is easier and seamless.

The only down side is no screen on a Zoleo, yet, but it does have the sos buttons.

You can also find Zoleo for around $50 less than a Mini.

 

[khunter]

I'm planning on getting a Messanger before this season. What makes Zoleo better?

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

OK , got my popcorn. ready for this…

 

[Mikedlaw]

2 reasons I prefer the Garmin over Zoleo.

1 - on the Zoleo there is no way to check or send messages other than SOS without your phone.

2 - I pay $11.95 a month for the basic Garmin plan. Zoleo cheapest plan is $20 a month.

 

[JDBAK]

Hmmm, you’ve all got me interested in switching from a InReach Mini 2.

Besides just being not that intuitive to use, does anyone besides me notice there mini2 races through battery life at random for no apparent reason.

It doesn’t happen all the time, can’t figure out why.

 

[RWT]

Following

 

[silversmith]

Just don't get a Spot messenger...

 

[mtnbound]

The main benefit of the Mini is to be able to use the built-in keyboard to send custom messages if your phone dies.

 

[HighUintas]

Because you can text back and forth and they can follow your movements. Also when you text, Zoleo will try and send it through cell service first and if no signal then will send it to the satellites. So you are not burning sat time everytime you send a message.

This is the exact same way the Garmin Messenger works.

 

[HighUintas]

Reliability of messages incoming and outgoing is better.
Dedicated 10 digit number to share with people to message with.
App functionality is easier and seamless.

The only down side is no screen on a Zoleo, yet, but it does have the sos buttons.

You can also find Zoleo for around $50 less than a Mini.

Have you done a side-by-side test of the messenger and the zolio in the exact same conditions to compare their message sending and receiving ability?

I have sent and received hundreds of messages through my messenger and haven't lost any messages yet.

The Messenger app couldn't get any easier to use.

The only downside is it is a bit hard to figure out how to message another Inreach user you meet in the field if you don't already have their contact info. It's easy if you know how. Figuring it out is not.

 

[406life]

Have you done a side-by-side test of the messenger and the zolio in the exact same conditions to compare their message sending and receiving ability?

I have sent and received hundreds of messages through my messenger and haven't lost any messages yet.

The Messenger app couldn't get any easier to use.

The only downside is it is a bit hard to figure out how to message another Inreach user you meet in the field if you don't already have their contact info. It's easy if you know how. Figuring it out is not.

I did about 3 seasons ago. It wasn't even close.

 

[mtnbound]

I believe both Garmin and Zoleo use the Iridium satellite system, so I doubt there is much difference between them.

 

[HighUintas]

I did about 3 seasons ago. It wasn't even close.

Must have been the Inreach mini. Messenger didn't release until 2022. I can't speak to the function of the mini

 

[HighUintas]

28-36 days of battery life, hourly weather forecast every day, small size, and great function seal the deal for me and the messenger.

 

[406life]

Must have been the Inreach mini. Messenger didn't release until 2022. I can't speak to the function of the mini

Yup mini. Not the messenger.

 

[Pecosray]

Well as for me & mine, we run the Zoleo, Love it.. Works great and cheap insurance just in case...

 

[JDBAK]

Just got back from a week out with the mini 2. Fortunately it didn’t race through battery life like it sometimes has, but sending messages through the messenger app worked less than 50% of the time, so had to send messages manually through the device.
No clear reasons or setting changes that I could tell.
Kind of a pain in the ass, not a happy customer….

 

[NSI]

Does the Garmin messenger provide a static 10 digit number for receiving messages? It kills me that my Garmin mini does not, since I have to use a message to proactively message people once I’m out in the field so they have my temporary number to reach me. Making me switch to Zoleo this season unless messenger changed that.

-J

 

[mtnbound]

Just got back from a week out with the mini 2. Fortunately it didn’t race through battery life like it sometimes has, but sending messages through the messenger app worked less than 50% of the time, so had to send messages manually through the device.
No clear reasons or setting changes that I could tell.
Kind of a pain in the ass, not a happy customer….

I use the Earthmate app for sending messages. I found the Messenger app a pain as it tries to send messages via cell or satellite.

 

[BBob]

Just got back from a week out with the mini 2. Fortunately it didn’t race through battery life like it sometimes has, but sending messages through the messenger app worked less than 50% of the time, so had to send messages manually through the device.
No clear reasons or setting changes that I could tell.
Kind of a pain in the ass, not a happy customer….

I wonder if something is up with your particular unit? I’ve owned and used the Mini 2 since it came out. I switched over to the Messenger app at the same time and have had zero problems. I use it year round and not just for hunting. Hasn’t failed me once. We also use it for long distance marathon type event race tracking and coms as well and so far so good. We can see the 10 minute updated pings on the map pretty much without error so we know where people are. No weird battery issues ever.