Zoleo Sat Communicator

[BigDawgWill44]

Has anyone used the Zoleo satellite communication devise? I see the reviews are pretty good on it but want to know how it compares to an inreach mini. Thanks!


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[wmd]

My son used the Zoleo while elk hunting in South Dakota last week. His wife is pregnant with twins so it was a prerequisite before going. It worked well and there were no problems with it, I believe he said it updated every 15 minutes thru his phone. Cannot compare to Inreach since we have never used it.
wmd

 

[codycleve]

I have had one for about a week now. Initial impressions are that it's a pretty solid unit. I wont really put it through the paces until November.. A few things to remember is that as a stand alone unit it only sends out check in messages and a SOS.

I used the check in to test it out. it sent my exact location to my wife who is my check in contact.. when she got the text it had a link to my location that she could click on and it would bring up a map.

If you want to send longer texts or custom messages or receive a weather report you need a phone also.. This is not a problem for me as I see it as a safety device more that a means of communication, if my phone dies or i lose my phone its no big deal. With a phone you can send lengthy texts if someone also has the app.

I like that I can put it on idle for just 4 bucks a month for the months i dont need it after the first three months. The plans seem more than reasonable at 450 messages for 35 bucks.. Hope this helps and I can and will drop back in after November if no one else has chimed in with more real world experience.

 

[jjolg]

Love mine so far, one of my favourite aspects is that if the people you want to communicate get the free zoleo app you are allowed up to 900 some character messages vs the normal limited amount via sms. Also that it switches to work over wifi/cellular when in range, too many times i got a msg on my spot coming home and didnt get it until i fired it up a few weeks later

 

[BigDawgWill44]

I got a Zoleo for a 9 day elk hunt in the back country. I must say, the Zoleo was awesome. All my buddies with their in-reach want to get a Zoleo now. Messages would come/go through immediately where there was decent lag with the in reach. I had full service in a wall tent and the in reach guys had to go to a open sky area.


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[Split toe]

Any other feedback?

 

[codycleve]

I used mine for a week in the frank church. It worked really well, the messages sent out very quickly and never had any issues. I had maps saved on my phone with at map app that did not open with the zoleo app.. It looks like the teamed up with giai maps so that wont be an issue any longer.. I downloaded the app on my wife phone so we could send each other lengthy messages. One thing that i didn't initially like was that if you have your phone on your person and leave your zoleo with your pack it will chime when you get too far.. so be aware of this but it also ensures that you wont set it on a rock and accidentally leave it there.

 

[Split toe]

I used mine for a week in the frank church. It worked really well, the messages sent out very quickly and never had any issues. I had maps saved on my phone with at map app that did not open with the zoleo app.. It looks like the teamed up with giai maps so that wont be an issue any longer.. I downloaded the app on my wife phone so we could send each other lengthy messages. One thing that i didn't initially like was that if you have your phone on your person and leave your zoleo with your pack it will chime when you get too far.. so be aware of this but it also ensures that you wont set it on a rock and accidentally leave it there.

Good feedback

 

[JBivens]

Can you post pictures within the ZOLEO app? Or can you attach if you are using SMS? Blue Cosmo has a deal going and thinking about pulling the trigger.

 

[codycleve]

I think there are some you tube reviews that show in app screens. There really is't too much to it really. Its very simple and thats the beauty of it. I mainly just used the primary text screen and the weather portion. I will use the maps more that they link up with the giai maps i will use the maps with it more.

 

[codycleve]

Also i would add that the battery life is excellent. at the end of the day, daylight to dark it would still be in high 80's low 90's so you could do most extended hunts without worrying about a battery pack.. your phone would be more of an issue.

 

[JBivens]

How does text work outside of the app, or do you have to use the app for sat. text?

 

[codycleve]

you use the app for all text messages, you can send a check in message or an sos from the device itself.

 

[codycleve]

They just added some new features to the zoleo. You can now assign up to 5 check in contacts rather than one.. this is nice as if you hare hunting with 3 buddies you can check in with every ones spouse in the click of a button.. I take mine on multiday raft trips so will be able to check in for friends.

they also added a feature where they message you when you reach 50% of a basic package or 13 of 25 or 80% of the in touch package which is 200 of 250 messages.. if you think you need more rather than go over your allotment you can simply reply to the message to add 20 or 75 messages. 20 messages being 8$ or 75 being 15$

 

[archp625]

They just added some new features to the zoleo. You can now assign up to 5 check in contacts rather than one.. this is nice as if you hare hunting with 3 buddies you can check in with every ones spouse in the click of a button.. I take mine on multiday raft trips so will be able to check in for friends.

they also added a feature where they message you when you reach 50% of a basic package or 13 of 25 or 80% of the in touch package which is 200 of 250 messages.. if you think you need more rather than go over your allotment you can simply reply to the message to add 20 or 75 messages. 20 messages being 8$ or 75 being 15$

Thanks for the new info. I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Zoleo and not the inReach.

 

[Jaeger62]

Bump for anyone looking at the Zoleo. Amazon is selling them for $150 at the moment

Zoleo - Amazon $150

 

[Carr5vols]

Buy them on black ovis and get a free hat right now for 150...ordered mi e 2 days ago...

 

[Jaeger62]

Buy them on black ovis and get a free hat right now for 150...ordered mi e 2 days ago...

Even better, thanks! Canceled on Amazon and got a hat out of the deal. I need another hat like I need a hole in the head..... but the price is right.

 

[CAH]

I didn’t see the hat promotion on black Ovis when I ordered but hopefully I get one! Also, is the plan easy to activate and the interface is pretty simple
To figure out once I set it up?

 

[Jaeger62]

I didn’t see the hat promotion on black Ovis when I ordered but hopefully I get one! Also, is the plan easy to activate and the interface is pretty simple
To figure out once I set it up?

You have to add the hat to your shopping cart. When you check out it gives you a $14.99 credit and the hat is free.