I work in the forest industry in Vermont. My wife bought me one of these because no cell service most of the time. It’s been absolutely reliable and dependable. Even though there’s forest canopy overhead I get full 3 bars of satellite most of the Time. It’s never failed me.
This would technically be for my wife’s peace of mind while I’m out backpacking, so I should be able to get it for myself as a birthday gift to her, right?
I have this device for over a year now and find it super easy to use. It's effective and I bump up the messages I can send/receive if I'm doing an extended trip (a month) and put it on the $5/month setting when I'm not using it. I've used it text my husband back and forth from off the grid mountain areas in Canada and Europe (and elsewhere if you need it). The check-in function is great and I had no issues checking weather from the Pyrenees this year. Of course, the weather is general to the area so you still need to understand the risks of high mountain trekking and weather changes that can be localized. It's waterproof so I could stick it outside my tent in the rain to text home. Communication isn't instant and depends on weather and location. Some stormy nights took longer to send and receive but nothing longer than maybe 6 minutes. I've never used the tracking option which now exits.
This one seems to check the top three boxes for me: Your own dedicated US number, weather forecast delivery, and 100% global coverage. None of the others do all three.
This review is well thought out, thank you for doing it. I ordered one from amazon right after I watched this. I have a Garmin Inreach, but it looks like this Zoleo is going to make it easier for my family to contact me. The Garmin is confusing to use, and you can never be sure if you have the right settings since they are scattered all over the place. This looks much simpler.
I run a hiking group and usually download my maps on my iPhone. My biggest concern was being out of cell range if one of my members injures themselves. Think this would be a perfect match.
My daughter is into multi-day hiking expeditions and we were looking for a device that could allow her to do all of this things the Zoleo does! thanks for the detailed review - certainly helped in the decision making! bought her one today!
Great review! I’m using one now on an international motorcycle journey. Id like a tracking feature and suspect they’ll eventually add that but without that feature I realized I don’t need the device powered on all the time and therefore don’t need to charge it much (200 hour life). I simply turn it on when I want to send or receive messages.
I'd imagine most people who have the Inreach Mini aren't spending for the top-tier plan. They're using the $11 or $20 plan and using the extra cash saved to buy a years worth of rescue insurance for $30 or whatever it is.
Jason Brooks totally fair. That’s why I spend so much time reminding to consider the features of various devices and choose what matches your needs and user type best.
Thanks for confirming that Spot X and GlobalStar satellite network aren't that reliable. I've heard that in other reviews. Spot X doesn't need a smartphone which I like but if the reception isn't good it's not worth it.
also motorcycle riders that ride often in the mountains might find this device handy. i was using spot but the subscription is quite expensive. maybe this might be a alternative for me. greatt vid/good job!
Great review, thanks for including information about monthly fees. Any thoughts about this device being water resistant compared to, let say the InReach mini, being waterproof ? Did you get a good soaking rain on the Zoleo?
@@BackcountryExposure yeah I realised that afterward, when I saw your vid date. Decided to leave the comment anyway as an update for other people watching your vids.
Thank you tons for a complete and honest review! Mine is on its way. I’m ow now going to search your channel for a recommendation on GPS watches. If you haven’t done one, get busy on that please 😂
Need to make a correction on this video...you have the costs for the InReach backwards. Activation is $50 and monthly cost is $19. I use the InReach and those are my costs.
@@BackcountryExposure I just double-checked my account. If what you say is correct then the Garmin website is wrong. The past three years I was charged $45 for activation and then $19 a month. (Last year it was in Europe so £40 activation and £15 a month). Same applies for this year as about to reactivate for the summer
Don’t know what to tell you. I’m basing everything off what I see myself on Garmins website. Both are good devices that serve slightly different purposes.
The freeze fee maintains your designated phone number. This is a huge benefit of Zoleo in being able to have a dedicated phone number associated with the device. If you cancel completely, then that number is lost.
Useful video with a lot of specifications and opinions. However, you have not provided ANY practical information about how well it actually works, how reliable it is, or how well it communicates with the Iridium network. These are the most important features!
Great budget device, only downside is the almost ‘strobe’ nature of the function lights. Very disconcerting and annoying when on night passage and it needs to be out and in use
I don't care for the Zoleo pricing plan for basic location tracking and check ins counting as messages. Maybe I'm more of a Spot gen4 kind of user because my partner requires that I carry a tracker SOS device when I go out alone.
Great review. Anyone know know offhand if your monthly subscription runs from the first of the calendar month to the following calendar month? Or, say, if you activated it on July 25 would the first month go from July 25 to August 25? I ask because if I were to be on a 15 day thru hike from August 20 to September 3, would my 25 text messages included in the basic plan then start anew with 25 new text messages after August 25? If this were the case you can strategically plan your start up date so you can get a new set of 25 text messages half way into your trip.
So can you only communicate with people whom have the app. Or does this device contact with other phones through the app. Like the user with the device able to communicate to send a message to a cellphone.
Fantastic review on what appears to be a great product!!! Question: Is this device/app system able to send jpg images and small video files via satellite in the same way that they can be sent via SMS over a cellular network?
The Adventure Biker thanks. No, you can’t share video or images over satellite. I don’t recall the date speeds of the iridium network, but it’s just enough to support transmission of text and obtaining weather reports.
@@BackcountryExposure Zoleo seems like a cost effective basic entry to the world of SatCom, thanks for the review. A remark, unlike you mentioned, technically you can share data (everything is data, including pictures and videos btw) on satellite phones' basic datalink (Zoleo is partially based on this) but at the Internet speed of 1996, (9600bps) Starlink has been launched to fix this issue. Zoleo is based on Iridium Short Burst Data technology.
Very interesting, I've been considering something like this for a while. Thx for the breakdown and the price chart comparison was very helpful as well.
@@BackcountryExposure do you know when you will get a gen2 bivy? Have you heard what has changed? I did recieve a message from bivy. They will have a trade in /upgrade deal. I have used the bivy in northern Minnesota. Canoe country. A clear view of the sky was needed
Does the zoleo use the WiFi and cell signals within the device or does it rely on your phone for these signals? I am curious because of cellular roaming charges. It would seem redundant if the phone is doing the primary role of communications. Have you had a chance to test the somewear satcom communicator? The subscription cost is a little more reasonable and it does have a tracking feature.
You can use the ZOLEO app on your phone for texting when in cell service, similar to how WhatsApp works. The ZOLEO device connects to the Iridium Satellite network when out of cell service to send and receive messages. It also has the sos function. You will not incur roaming charges using the device.
Thank u for video. The Zoleo monthly plan covers emergency communication, not the rescue cost. And once your rescued, you better have deep pockets- its very expensive $$$$$ to be rescued. You also need to sign up for a Global Rescue membership or a GEOS membership, cheap insurance on top of your monthly satellite plan. Just a heads up
When i send a text does it say it's coming from my cell number or from zoleo? Will I get texts that are directed to my cell number or do the texts have to go to some zoleo number? thanks
Im wondering if thenuser of this device cam send a message to another persons cell phone. Or os it just communication through the zoleo app. And who has the app
Yes, dark sky weather reports are part of the subscription service. You do have to have your phone connected to the device to obtain the weather report.
I left a reply to someone who said: "Before you spend a big chuck of money on this use a ham radio with APRS functionality for this instead". But they deleted the original comment. So. This is my reply: As a ham, this is absolutely awful advice. First, it's not as reliable/dependable. You need to be able to "see" an APRS gate/receiver/whatever. (Line-of-sight only and terrestrial based means it won't work well in the mountains.) Second, it's about 2x more expensive as this zoleo setup. Third, it's way way too complicated to get set-up and working for the average user. Forth, you need to practice with your radio and become familiar with how they work. Not pull it out for the first time and hope I can figure it out. Fifth, and probably most importantly: no one is actively monitoring APRS looking for hurt hikers' sos calls. Zoleo, Garmin etc.. use a 24/7 staffed call center. Please everybody, use ham for fun and learning recreationally but DO NOT rely on it to save your life out in the backcountry. That is my PSA.
I have been getting my ass kicked by a Garmin In Reach Mini for the past 4 hours. Please tell me that this thing is easier to set up than the Garmin. Thanks!!
Thanks for a great review. But I wonder, since the ZOLEO runs on the iridium network, how does it compare to iridium's own messaging device, the iridium GO! Hotspot? Could you perhaps comment on that?
I know a little bit about the Go. I don’t see the Go as a good device for the recreational user. It’s expensive to get the equipment and the plans are expensive too. To me when compared to the other devices available it’s not practical. That’s my shirt and sweet answer. But there’s a lot more I could comment on.
@@BackcountryExposure thnx for the prompt reply. I am looking at buying a device like that but don't have enough info yet to make an informed decision. One question I still have, and I'd appreciate your input, is this: when it says that the device can check my email, then how can I control the emails it checks? The reason I ask is because I receive tons of emails, not only spam but also legitimate ones, but they are often very large because people tend to send html emails with fancy formatting or even pictures. I would think that this could be a problem where the ZOLEO then gets stuck with downloading large emails.
I like it better than the first generation bivystick. Bivy is soon releasing gen2 Bivystick and a new app. That’s supposed to happen in the next couple weeks. So hard to say.
If you’re looking at just the dollar amount yes. But more complicated than just cost. More important to look at your type of use for you and decide. To me, the basic $12 plan from Garmin isn’t worth it. But I spend a lot of time out of cell service and use the satellite device a lot. But I’d you only go out a few times a year, then the $12 plan may be all you need.
@@BackcountryExposure I am out of cell service most of the time in Alaska and routinely use the InReach at $12 month. 1) I like that I can broadcast my location every few hours to my wife on her facebook account with the InReach.....I really like this feature cross country skiing alone. 2) I also like that I can communicate with others in the field with InReachs and free preset text messages like "Safe back at camp good night". 3) I also like the InReach battery life...I used it every night for a 3 week trip and returned to town with 88% battery life left. All this for $12 per month seems like a good deal to me.
@@RetrieverTrainingAlone But with the $12 plan, each tracking message is another $0.10, so it is not only $12. The other downside is that you can't suspend the $12 plan.
@@johnbarge6135 No you get 3 free pre-set text messages that you are not charged for. So for example, I send a message every night "Safe back at camp" and I'm not charged for those messages. I'm in the backcountry all year long in Alaska, so I've never wanted to suspend the $12 plan since I need the InReach all year long.
@Backcountry Exposure sound like a much better device and cost effective than Spot Gen3 (Don’t buy it its a waste of money). But for this device can you received reply messages? Not sure if you mentioned that on your review.
I just need it for my parents for hurricane season. They are often left with no power and no cell service. Im iffy about the monthly plan when i only neef it when a hurricane season.
The new Bivystick fixes pretty much all the cons of the first device and then adds additional features. The biggest difference between the Bivystick and ZOLEO are cost and the Bivy being lighter, and have tracking/maps. The credit system plan of the Bivystick is really slick and no contract length makes it enticing for more infrequent use when looking to just use every few months. The ZOLEO plan hits you with 90 days of service required before you can freeze the device until you’re ready to use again. I think the Bivystick will be worth waiting for. It’s really nice, but I don’t believe it’s as dialed in as the ZOLEO.
@@themustachedadventurer1533 I dont think the "dialed in " comment carrys that much weight. The Bivy does more. Flexible plans. And not that complicated. Once you have learned the bivy. It works well. Bivy messaged me and said they will have a trade in plan
hermetically sealed you aren’t required to update when an update is released. But not having to plug the device into a computer and download the update and then install it is a big big bonus.
So if your phone got separated from you in a fall, let's say, ran out of battery, broke the screen etc., you would *not* be able to use the SOS, because GEOS would not be able to communicate with you? If correct - this would be a deal breaker. A rescue device that requires a secondary device to save you, makes me scratch my head. Also, your cost analysis has at least one inaccuracy. For the In-reach mini - there are 3 cost plans/subscriptions depending on what you require. They are $11.95, $24.95, & $49.95 - all with SOS service. So that would mean that the In- Reach could be both cheapest to obtain and use and would not be dependent on your phone and I think it is only 3.5 ounces. While I very much appreciate the review, you are missing important details.
I was simply comparing the unlimited use plans between devices to keep the comparison more simple cause once you move away from the unlimited plans, the variations in plans gets way confusing to compare as the cost is so variable. The ZOLEO does not require your phone t function. You can still activate sos from the device and it will send all the necessary info to geos to initiate a rescue. If you have your phone then you would be able to have two way communication with geos, but if you don’t have your phone, then the sos still works. That’s the whole point of the sos button on the device itself.
All these types of satellite communication devices assume that your "check-in" contact is reliable, which may or may not be the case in reality. Also, who is the satellite service that Zoleo uses (Iridium, Globalstar, ??). They are not all created equal in performance. Finally, why should anyone choose this over the smaller/lighter Garmin inReach Mini? Many thanks.
In theory, this product looks great. In practice, it is not. I bought this product based on this review, but the experience was not good. Bottom line, the company seems incompetent. I can no longer trust this to be the safety device it claims to be. Nothing in this review is wrong, so this is no offense to Backcountry Exposure, but the pain points that I experienced with this device are not talked about. I do not recommend.
@@BackcountryExposure Ok. You asked. 1.) "Follow Me SMS" notifications and emails coming through every 20 minutes during a trail run. I get a notification it is turned on. 20 minutes later, it's turned off. And on and on. Needed to reset the entire device to fix it. 2.) Repeated notifications and emails about a "critical software update." It's completely unclear if they mean the app or firmware, but both are updated on my side anyway. It continues to this day without resolution. In fact, nobody can even tell me what the current software version is. 3.) There's no way see how many messages I've used, which messages went via satellite, which went by cellular. I just need to wait until I get a notification while I'm on the trail to tell me I've used 50% or have 10% remaining. 4.) When I do get those messages, they come in groups of four. So I need to deal with this thing beeping four times as I'm out enjoying the trails, and I suddenly think there is an emergency back home, but no. There is no way to turn them off. Also I wouldn't want to, since there is no other way to know how many I have left. 5.) Half the time I perform a check-in with my spouse, there are no GPS coordinates. It just says "I'm ok. Location could not be determined." No idea why. Am I doing something wrong? Who knows because nothing is documented. 6.) Customer support is horrible. I contacted them four times about these issues, since they have nothing documented on their website. I'm not saying they were never helpful, and they were always friendly, but they were only able to solve one item above. They contradicted themselves multiple times. It just depended on who I spoke to that day, I guess. I could go on. How can I trust a safety device like this when it has so many problems?
I'll stick with my EPIRB that my government monitors for free. Anything that needs a mobile phone to work is a fail. For not much more I can buy a satphone or rent one for the trip.
An EPIRB is a completely different device with completely different functions and reasons for use. And have you ever USED a rented sat phone? It’s... not as simple as dialing a phone and talking about the weather
![The Wall Song ร้องข้ามกำแพง | EP.213 | กรีน อัษฎาพร | 3 ต.ค. 67 [1/5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3KrlLbCsadI/mqdefault.jpg)
I work in the forest industry in Vermont. My wife bought me one of these because no cell service most of the time. It’s been absolutely reliable and dependable. Even though there’s forest canopy overhead I get full 3 bars of satellite most of the Time. It’s never failed me.
I collect trees in remote mountains here in Washington. This is perfect. Affordable as well. Also the battery life is super long.
This would technically be for my wife’s peace of mind while I’m out backpacking, so I should be able to get it for myself as a birthday gift to her, right?
For sure ha ha
Dead😂😂😂 Im going to use this rationale for my husband to upgrade my spot gen 3!
Absolutely GTO!
Yes. BUT you need a wife tracker, too. Fair is fair.
Dudes, if you have a wife that needs to be talked into a product like this then you need to drop your life insurance, stat!
So happy to see an alternative to the usual $400-$500 sat communicators! Just ordered my Zoleo yesterday for my Elk hunting trip in two weeks 🦌👌🇺🇸
Thank you for this review. This is a much needed competitor in this market and it looks to be the most affordable for the features.
👍🏻
I have this device for over a year now and find it super easy to use. It's effective and I bump up the messages I can send/receive if I'm doing an extended trip (a month) and put it on the $5/month setting when I'm not using it. I've used it text my husband back and forth from off the grid mountain areas in Canada and Europe (and elsewhere if you need it). The check-in function is great and I had no issues checking weather from the Pyrenees this year. Of course, the weather is general to the area so you still need to understand the risks of high mountain trekking and weather changes that can be localized. It's waterproof so I could stick it outside my tent in the rain to text home. Communication isn't instant and depends on weather and location. Some stormy nights took longer to send and receive but nothing longer than maybe 6 minutes. I've never used the tracking option which now exits.
This one seems to check the top three boxes for me: Your own dedicated US number, weather forecast delivery, and 100% global coverage. None of the others do all three.
Which of the three does bivy stick not have? And what is the mini not have? This one is new to me. Thanks
Thanks for a detailed and well thought out review. I have just ordered one based on the excellent information you have provided, thanks heaps.
This review is well thought out, thank you for doing it. I ordered one from amazon right after I watched this. I have a Garmin Inreach, but it looks like this Zoleo is going to make it easier for my family to contact me. The Garmin is confusing to use, and you can never be sure if you have the right settings since they are scattered all over the place. This looks much simpler.
Agreed! ZOLEO has really put together a polished user experience.
I run a hiking group and usually download my maps on my iPhone. My biggest concern was being out of cell range if one of my members injures themselves. Think this would be a perfect match.
Thanks for the breakdown and discussion of uses/features.
Great review - very helpful. Thanks.
Nice overview! I just picked one up for some trips this year in WY, NV, and possibly VT.
Right on man! The more I use it, more I like it. What you got planned for WY?
@@BackcountryExposure CDT/WRHR loop! Stoked
Very thorough and detailed review Devin. I really like the mounting kit with it. Really cool and way less expensive than my inreach. 👍👍
Yeah man, the mounting kit is awesome.
Thanks for the review. This might be the communicator that gets me to pull the trigger!
The more I use mine the more I love it!
I am going to pick up one of these this year. Thanks Devin!
You won’t regret it!
My daughter is into multi-day hiking expeditions and we were looking for a device that could allow her to do all of this things the Zoleo does! thanks for the detailed review - certainly helped in the decision making! bought her one today!
Boy am I glad I clicked the link before watching the entire video. Not available outside the US, Canada and Australia.
Thanks for breaking down the cost compared to other satellite communicators. Very informative. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾😃
Thanks!
Great review! I’m using one now on an international motorcycle journey. Id like a tracking feature and suspect they’ll eventually add that but without that feature I realized I don’t need the device powered on all the time and therefore don’t need to charge it much (200 hour life). I simply turn it on when I want to send or receive messages.
Thanks, I've been really interested in the Zoleo.
👍🏻👍🏻
I'd imagine most people who have the Inreach Mini aren't spending for the top-tier plan. They're using the $11 or $20 plan and using the extra cash saved to buy a years worth of rescue insurance for $30 or whatever it is.
I am hard of hearing and am wondering if you use a shotgun mic in this video. I cannot quite catch all your words. Great video review. Thanks
Sounds cool, but I don't like to have to depend on 2 devices being charged when I can have an inreach and navigate with that if necessary.
Jason Brooks totally fair. That’s why I spend so much time reminding to consider the features of various devices and choose what matches your needs and user type best.
Thanks for confirming that Spot X and GlobalStar satellite network aren't that reliable. I've heard that in other reviews. Spot X doesn't need a smartphone which I like but if the reception isn't good it's not worth it.
Very cool techie instrument. Nice review brah!
also motorcycle riders that ride often in the mountains might find this device handy. i was using spot but the subscription is quite expensive. maybe this might be a alternative for me. greatt vid/good job!
OUTSTANDING! .... Thank You!
Great review, thanks for including information about monthly fees.
Any thoughts about this device being water resistant compared to, let say the InReach mini, being waterproof ?
Did you get a good soaking rain on the Zoleo?
Haven’t had it in a soaking rain, but it’s gonna be fine in rain.
It is IP68 rated.
8.57 ‘no mapping or tracking feature available’ - that sir is incorrect. It costs extra, but it is available.
At the time of this review that was true. The feature was added later.
@@BackcountryExposure yeah I realised that afterward, when I saw your vid date. Decided to leave the comment anyway as an update for other people watching your vids.
Thank you tons for a complete and honest review! Mine is on its way. I’m ow now going to search your channel for a recommendation on GPS watches. If you haven’t done one, get busy on that please 😂
Thanks! Only have experience with one GPS watch and it’s the one I wear everyday. Suunto 9 Baro. Love it!
Will the ZOLEO effect a avalanch beacon signal , a lot of your users would appreciate this information.
That's a good question that I do not have a quick answer for. I would need to contact them to find that out. You could also reach out. Thanks!
Thanks! I've been looking at this one.
It's awesome! Highly recommend!
Very cool device!
Need to make a correction on this video...you have the costs for the InReach backwards. Activation is $50 and monthly cost is $19. I use the InReach and those are my costs.
Hmm looking at the Garmin website the annual plans, which is what I am comparing in this video is $19.95 for activation and $49.95 per month.
@@BackcountryExposure I just double-checked my account. If what you say is correct then the Garmin website is wrong. The past three years I was charged $45 for activation and then $19 a month. (Last year it was in Europe so £40 activation and £15 a month). Same applies for this year as about to reactivate for the summer
Don’t know what to tell you. I’m basing everything off what I see myself on Garmins website. Both are good devices that serve slightly different purposes.
Great review... But I do prefer to have tracking so going to stick with my Spot for now.
Are you using the standard Spot or the Spot X?
@@BackcountryExposure Just the standard gen 3, I really just can't afford the plan for the X
Good review. Not a fan of paying for something unless im usimg it though. But very good option
👍🏻
Thanks I appreciate this you did a good job here
If you freeze the account, I wonder why ZOLEO charges $4-5 dollars per month. Seems you should only have to pay for the periods of activation. ??
The freeze fee maintains your designated phone number. This is a huge benefit of Zoleo in being able to have a dedicated phone number associated with the device. If you cancel completely, then that number is lost.
Useful video with a lot of specifications and opinions. However, you have not provided ANY practical information about how well it actually works, how reliable it is, or how well it communicates with the Iridium network. These are the most important features!
Great budget device, only downside is the almost ‘strobe’ nature of the function lights. Very disconcerting and annoying when on night passage and it needs to be out and in use
Lights and tones can be turned off completely.
I don't care for the Zoleo pricing plan for basic location tracking and check ins counting as messages. Maybe I'm more of a Spot gen4 kind of user because my partner requires that I carry a tracker SOS device when I go out alone.
Great review. Anyone know know offhand if your monthly subscription runs from the first of the calendar month to the following calendar month? Or, say, if you activated it on July 25 would the first month go from July 25 to August 25? I ask because if I were to be on a 15 day thru hike from August 20 to September 3, would my 25 text messages included in the basic plan then start anew with 25 new text messages after August 25? If this were the case you can strategically plan your start up date so you can get a new set of 25 text messages half way into your trip.
So can you only communicate with people whom have the app. Or does this device contact with other phones through the app. Like the user with the device able to communicate to send a message to a cellphone.
Thx. So people can text or email you right? It’s not just outgoing comms?
Will this work internationally, as in a trip to the Alps?
Fantastic review on what appears to be a great product!!!
Question: Is this device/app system able to send jpg images and small video files via satellite in the same way that they can be sent via SMS over a cellular network?
The Adventure Biker thanks. No, you can’t share video or images over satellite. I don’t recall the date speeds of the iridium network, but it’s just enough to support transmission of text and obtaining weather reports.
@@BackcountryExposure OK thanks for the reply! 👍
@@BackcountryExposure Zoleo seems like a cost effective basic entry to the world of SatCom, thanks for the review. A remark, unlike you mentioned, technically you can share data (everything is data, including pictures and videos btw) on satellite phones' basic datalink (Zoleo is partially based on this) but at the Internet speed of 1996, (9600bps) Starlink has been launched to fix this issue. Zoleo is based on Iridium Short Burst Data technology.
Very interesting, I've been considering something like this for a while. Thx for the breakdown and the price chart comparison was very helpful as well.
Thanks!
Be advised in regards to price comparison...the numbers for activation and monthly fee for the InReach are backwards. Monthly cost is $19, not $50
How good or bad is the battery life?
Does a “check in” constitute a message against your plan?
Yes, check in messages do count toward the plan.
Were you going to review the BivyStick Gen 2 you held up in some other video? Or is Zoleo just going to win hands down?
I will have a review of the gen 2 Bivy soon.
@@BackcountryExposure Great and thank you!
@@BackcountryExposure do you know when you will get a gen2 bivy?
Have you heard what has changed?
I did recieve a message from bivy. They will have a trade in /upgrade deal.
I have used the bivy in northern Minnesota. Canoe country.
A clear view of the sky was needed
How long does the battery last? Is there any indicator for how much battery you have left?
Long time! Like 200 hours. Heavy use will drop that down. And there’s a battery indicator percentage within the messaging screen of the app.
Backcountry Exposure Cool. Thanks man!
Could that be used in the middle of the ocean?
Does the zoleo use the WiFi and cell signals within the device or does it rely on your phone for these signals? I am curious because of cellular roaming charges. It would seem redundant if the phone is doing the primary role of communications.
Have you had a chance to test the somewear satcom communicator? The subscription cost is a little more reasonable and it does have a tracking feature.
You can use the ZOLEO app on your phone for texting when in cell service, similar to how WhatsApp works.
The ZOLEO device connects to the Iridium Satellite network when out of cell service to send and receive messages. It also has the sos function. You will not incur roaming charges using the device.
Thank u for video. The Zoleo monthly plan covers emergency communication, not the rescue cost. And once your rescued, you better have deep pockets- its very expensive $$$$$ to be rescued. You also need to sign up for a Global Rescue membership or a GEOS membership, cheap insurance on top of your monthly satellite plan. Just a heads up
Nice work!
When i send a text does it say it's coming from my cell number or from zoleo? Will I get texts that are directed to my cell number or do the texts have to go to some zoleo number? thanks
Im wondering if thenuser of this device cam send a message to another persons cell phone. Or os it just communication through the zoleo app. And who has the app
Can this be used outside of the country?
Can I use zoleo to receive messages too?
Does Dark Sky come with the subscription or did you show that just because you have it on your phone?
Yes, dark sky weather reports are part of the subscription service. You do have to have your phone connected to the device to obtain the weather report.
I left a reply to someone who said: "Before you spend a big chuck of money on this use a ham radio with APRS functionality for this instead".
But they deleted the original comment. So. This is my reply:
As a ham, this is absolutely awful advice.
First, it's not as reliable/dependable. You need to be able to "see" an APRS gate/receiver/whatever. (Line-of-sight only and terrestrial based means it won't work well in the mountains.)
Second, it's about 2x more expensive as this zoleo setup.
Third, it's way way too complicated to get set-up and working for the average user.
Forth, you need to practice with your radio and become familiar with how they work. Not pull it out for the first time and hope I can figure it out.
Fifth, and probably most importantly: no one is actively monitoring APRS looking for hurt hikers' sos calls. Zoleo, Garmin etc.. use a 24/7 staffed call center.
Please everybody, use ham for fun and learning recreationally but DO NOT rely on it to save your life out in the backcountry.
That is my PSA.
I have been getting my ass kicked by a Garmin In Reach Mini for the past 4 hours. Please tell me that this thing is easier to set up than the Garmin. Thanks!!
Thanks for a great review. But I wonder, since the ZOLEO runs on the iridium network, how does it compare to iridium's own messaging device, the iridium GO! Hotspot? Could you perhaps comment on that?
I know a little bit about the Go. I don’t see the Go as a good device for the recreational user. It’s expensive to get the equipment and the plans are expensive too. To me when compared to the other devices available it’s not practical. That’s my shirt and sweet answer. But there’s a lot more I could comment on.
@@BackcountryExposure thnx for the prompt reply. I am looking at buying a device like that but don't have enough info yet to make an informed decision. One question I still have, and I'd appreciate your input, is this:
when it says that the device can check my email, then how can I control the emails it checks? The reason I ask is because I receive tons of emails, not only spam but also legitimate ones, but they are often very large because people tend to send html emails with fancy formatting or even pictures. I would think that this could be a problem where the ZOLEO then gets stuck with downloading large emails.
If I am out on a hike, Would by wife be able to look to see where I am or not since there is no tracking
Not in the way that the Inreach does, cause there isn’t tracking. You’d have to send a message with your current location.
Will SOS work when my phone is dead/don’t have phone with me at all??
Chris DeGenova yes it will
Do my recipients need to have the app when I am using satellite to communicate? (I know I need to). Thanks :)
No. They email or text as normal.
Im a sailor and my trip is hawaii to oakland where we dont have phone coverage for 5 days. Will this device help me?
Sure will!
Godbless bro
i have a bivy. do you like this better?
I like it better than the first generation bivystick. Bivy is soon releasing gen2 Bivystick and a new app. That’s supposed to happen in the next couple weeks. So hard to say.
Does checking the weather cost you a text?
Is this device works international?
You need to be a USA, Australia, or Canada resident to be able to activate. From there it will work anywhere.
Seems more expensive compared to InReach. Zoleo Basic $20 per month, Inreach $12 per month.
If you’re looking at just the dollar amount yes. But more complicated than just cost. More important to look at your type of use for you and decide. To me, the basic $12 plan from Garmin isn’t worth it. But I spend a lot of time out of cell service and use the satellite device a lot. But I’d you only go out a few times a year, then the $12 plan may be all you need.
@@BackcountryExposure I am out of cell service most of the time in Alaska and routinely use the InReach at $12 month. 1) I like that I can broadcast my location every few hours to my wife on her facebook account with the InReach.....I really like this feature cross country skiing alone. 2) I also like that I can communicate with others in the field with InReachs and free preset text messages like "Safe back at camp good night". 3) I also like the InReach battery life...I used it every night for a 3 week trip and returned to town with 88% battery life left. All this for $12 per month seems like a good deal to me.
@@RetrieverTrainingAlone But with the $12 plan, each tracking message is another $0.10, so it is not only $12. The other downside is that you can't suspend the $12 plan.
@@johnbarge6135 No you get 3 free pre-set text messages that you are not charged for. So for example, I send a message every night "Safe back at camp" and I'm not charged for those messages. I'm in the backcountry all year long in Alaska, so I've never wanted to suspend the $12 plan since I need the InReach all year long.
@Backcountry Exposure sound like a much better device and cost effective than Spot Gen3 (Don’t buy it its a waste of money). But for this device can you received reply messages? Not sure if you mentioned that on your review.
Yes, it’s two way messaging.
I just need it for my parents for hurricane season. They are often left with no power and no cell service. Im iffy about the monthly plan when i only neef it when a hurricane season.
Hey no antenna
How does this compare to the bivystick that isn’t out yet
Is it worth waiting to see before buying
The new Bivystick fixes pretty much all the cons of the first device and then adds additional features. The biggest difference between the Bivystick and ZOLEO are cost and the Bivy being lighter, and have tracking/maps. The credit system plan of the Bivystick is really slick and no contract length makes it enticing for more infrequent use when looking to just use every few months. The ZOLEO plan hits you with 90 days of service required before you can freeze the device until you’re ready to use again.
I think the Bivystick will be worth waiting for. It’s really nice, but I don’t believe it’s as dialed in as the ZOLEO.
Backcountry Exposure You had me sold until that last bit. Decisions decisions all of them wrong haha
The Mustached Adventurer 🤷🏼♂️😀
@@themustachedadventurer1533
I dont think the "dialed in " comment carrys that much weight. The Bivy does more. Flexible plans. And not that complicated. Once you have learned the bivy. It works well.
Bivy messaged me and said they will have a trade in plan
are you sure remote firmware updates are a good thing though....
hermetically sealed you aren’t required to update when an update is released. But not having to plug the device into a computer and download the update and then install it is a big big bonus.
@@BackcountryExposure that screeching noise is all the developers out there crying out in pain
Correct. Firmware updates are not always successful. And sometimes debilitating
Wonder if they’ll lose Darksky due to Apple acquisition
Good question. Dark sky hasn’t always been my favorite anyway.
Hey Devin! As someone who's brand new and getting into backpacking, any chance you have any old/extra gear you want to get rid of? :-)
How much are the monthly payments? For an account? Thanks!
When you email from a home computer do all characters add up, signature lines etc?
Devon,
Just spoke to them
ZOLEO is only in the USA, Canada, and Australia
So to be polite useless for your over seas viewers
Wish I could make it a win for everyone everywhere. 👍🏻
So if your phone got separated from you in a fall, let's say, ran out of battery, broke the screen etc., you would *not* be able to use the SOS, because GEOS would not be able to communicate with you? If correct - this would be a deal breaker. A rescue device that requires a secondary device to save you, makes me scratch my head. Also, your cost analysis has at least one inaccuracy. For the In-reach mini - there are 3 cost plans/subscriptions depending on what you require. They are $11.95, $24.95, & $49.95 - all with SOS service. So that would mean that the In- Reach could be both cheapest to obtain and use and would not be dependent on your phone and I think it is only 3.5 ounces. While I very much appreciate the review, you are missing important details.
I was simply comparing the unlimited use plans between devices to keep the comparison more simple cause once you move away from the unlimited plans, the variations in plans gets way confusing to compare as the cost is so variable.
The ZOLEO does not require your phone t function. You can still activate sos from the device and it will send all the necessary info to geos to initiate a rescue. If you have your phone then you would be able to have two way communication with geos, but if you don’t have your phone, then the sos still works. That’s the whole point of the sos button on the device itself.
All these types of satellite communication devices assume that your "check-in" contact is reliable, which may or may not be the case in reality. Also, who is the satellite service that Zoleo uses (Iridium, Globalstar, ??). They are not all created equal in performance. Finally, why should anyone choose this over the smaller/lighter Garmin inReach Mini? Many thanks.
He does mention in the video that it uses the Iridium network.
In theory, this product looks great. In practice, it is not. I bought this product based on this review, but the experience was not good. Bottom line, the company seems incompetent. I can no longer trust this to be the safety device it claims to be. Nothing in this review is wrong, so this is no offense to Backcountry Exposure, but the pain points that I experienced with this device are not talked about. I do not recommend.
What were the issues you experienced? Would be helpful to know what those were.
@@BackcountryExposure Ok. You asked. 1.) "Follow Me SMS" notifications and emails coming through every 20 minutes during a trail run. I get a notification it is turned on. 20 minutes later, it's turned off. And on and on. Needed to reset the entire device to fix it. 2.) Repeated notifications and emails about a "critical software update." It's completely unclear if they mean the app or firmware, but both are updated on my side anyway. It continues to this day without resolution. In fact, nobody can even tell me what the current software version is. 3.) There's no way see how many messages I've used, which messages went via satellite, which went by cellular. I just need to wait until I get a notification while I'm on the trail to tell me I've used 50% or have 10% remaining. 4.) When I do get those messages, they come in groups of four. So I need to deal with this thing beeping four times as I'm out enjoying the trails, and I suddenly think there is an emergency back home, but no. There is no way to turn them off. Also I wouldn't want to, since there is no other way to know how many I have left. 5.) Half the time I perform a check-in with my spouse, there are no GPS coordinates. It just says "I'm ok. Location could not be determined." No idea why. Am I doing something wrong? Who knows because nothing is documented. 6.) Customer support is horrible. I contacted them four times about these issues, since they have nothing documented on their website. I'm not saying they were never helpful, and they were always friendly, but they were only able to solve one item above. They contradicted themselves multiple times. It just depended on who I spoke to that day, I guess. I could go on. How can I trust a safety device like this when it has so many problems?
So basically Garmin is still the best.
I'll stick with my EPIRB that my government monitors for free. Anything that needs a mobile phone to work is a fail. For not much more I can buy a satphone or rent one for the trip.
I disagree, but do what works for you.
An EPIRB is a completely different device with completely different functions and reasons for use. And have you ever USED a rented sat phone? It’s... not as simple as dialing a phone and talking about the weather
Do what works for you
get to it man, you blather on and on and are not saying anything about the device