ZOLEO Satellite Communicator – Two-Way Global SMS Text Messenger & Email, Emergency SOS Alerting, Check-in & GPS Location – Android iOS Smartphone Accessory

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.

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------

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 flawlessly Cons: * 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 waited a while to test this out in the field before writing a review. I love this device. It is so simple to use, it is rugged/durable and it just works. 1. The device itself is simple to use. No screen, only a few buttons, no confusion, good visual and audio confirmations. 2. The app is very user friendly 3. Setup was simple. 4. Connectivity is really good. With a clear view of the sky messages ususally send within 30 seconds. 5. Battery life is great for what I need it for (up to 5 days of light use) The only con is no USB-C, but for the price I can overlook that. I highly recommend this device if you are traveling out of cell service or just want a little extra safety and peace of mind when in the backcountry.

This device was designed to facilitate two-way communication between its smartphone app and the rest of the world, and allow you to signal for help via satellite in the case of a dire emergency. It excels at the latter, whether it is used as a stand-alone PLB/ELB or in conjunction with a smartphone and its Zoleo app. The battery life is incredible, and the plan is incredibly low-cost ($20/month with an optional $6/mo 'unlimited check-ins' feature), give that this device is capable of functioning literally world-wide. (See the MFR website for a few legally-restricted areas of operation - Sudan, North Korea, Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan, etc.) The Zoleo smartphone app lets the geek in you see exactly what's going on with your device, to include the received signal strength of the satellite constellation, and live status reports on the status of your in- and outbound messages. This device is not for everyone, though, and you probably should view some youtube videos comparing this Zoleo Satellite Communicator with other devices you are considering buying, such as the Inreach, SpotX, Somewear, and the like. There are differences, but in the end I love this Zoleo, as I am practically married to my smartphone, and the Zoleo app gives me a seamless experience between the "IRL" and "off-grid" world. Incredible device, excellent customer/technical support, incredible battery life, and a great smartphone-based satellite communications-enabled device!

The ZOLEO Satellite Communicator is an outstanding piece of technology for anyone venturing beyond cellular coverage. It offers unparalleled connectivity and peace of mind, whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, traveler, or simply someone who wants to stay connected off the grid. Seamless Global Messaging: This device bridges the gap between the Iridium satellite network, cellular, and Wi-Fi seamlessly. The ability to transmit text messages and emails over the lowest-cost network available is incredibly efficient and reliable. Life-Saving SOS Feature: Knowing I can send an SOS alert with my GPS location to a 24/7 emergency monitoring center is invaluable. The option for non-emergency Medical Assist is another thoughtful feature, adding another layer of safety during trips. Dedicated Contact Details: The assigned SMS number and email are fantastic. Friends and family can easily reach out to me directly, even when I’m far off the grid, which has been a game-changer for staying connected. Check-Ins and Location Sharing: The unlimited check-ins and optional location-sharing features are perfect for letting others know I’m safe. Including GPS coordinates in messages ensures my contacts always know exactly where I am. Built Tough for Adventures: With an IP68 rating, this device is built to handle rugged environments. The battery life is phenomenal—lasting over 200 hours, it has never let me down on multi-day trips. Affordable and Feature-Packed: The monthly plans start at just $20, which is a small price to pay for the security and functionality ZOLEO provides. Bonus features like weather forecasts and support for long messages (up to 900 characters) make it even more versatile. If you need a reliable satellite communicator that’s easy to use, durable, and packed with features, ZOLEO is the way to go. It’s worth every penny for the connectivity and peace of mind it delivers. Highly recommended!

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.

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.