The satellite-messaging marketÌýhas two major players: SpotÌýand Garmin, with the latter claiming most of the market share. For a product that’s now ubiquitous and high dollar (largely due to subscription revenue), I’d like to see more brands competing and innovating in this space.
There is a new one that’s worth consideration: theÌýÌý($200, 5.3 ounces), which debuted in January. It’s priced, constructed, and engineered well,Ìýand it provides a significantly improved messaging experience for both the user and their contacts. (Another option isÌýthe new Global Hotspot from , though I have not had the opportunity to review this model.)
When theÌýGarmin InReach MiniÌý($350, 3.5 ounces) was released two years ago, it seemed like the holy grail, providingÌýreliable two-way messaging, location-based weather forecasting, and functional GPS navigation in a palm-sizeÌýpackage. The ZoleoÌýsatellite communicator is 40 percent heavier and lacks any navigation features (which is fine—just useÌýGaia GPS), but it outperforms the InReach in its core function: messaging.
The ZoleoÌýplatform, which is comprised of the device and the app, offers seamless communication across all connection methods. From theÌýapp, texts and emailÌýcan be sent over cellular service or Wi-Fi and, if combined with the communicator, overÌýsatellite. In comparison, an InReach owner must use at least two messaging appsÌý(one for the front country, like Google Voice, and Garmin EarthmateÌýfor backcountry), often resulting in disjointed conversations and missed messages, especially for thru-hikers, avid weekend warriors, international travelers, and residents of rural areas who bounce regularly between the frontÌýand backcountry.
Like the InReach devices, ZoleoÌýrelies on the Iridium satelliteÌýnetwork, which offersÌýtrue global coverage. While testing the Zoleo, messages cleared the device within minutes.
Key Product Specs
- Two-way satellite messaging
- Global coverage with the Iridium satellite network
- 5.3ÌýouncesÌý(150 grams),Ìýplus 0.3 ounceÌýfor optional carabiner
- $200Ìýfor the device, plus required monthly service planÌý($20 to $50 per month, or $4 per month to hold)
Device Activation
Before taking ZoleoÌýinto the field, register the device and select aÌý.ÌýThen download theÌý,Ìýand sync the device with your smartphone.
TheÌýwebsite is well designed in terms of both its aesthetics and intuitiveness, and I successfully sent my first message about 30Ìýminutes after unboxing the device.
Sending and Receiving Messages
Messages can be sent directly with the communicatorÌýor using the app (which connects to the unit via Bluetooth).
From the device, two formÌýmessages can be sent: SOS and check-in/OK.
Custom texts and emailÌýcan also be sent and received from the app. SMS is capped at 160 characters,Ìýemail at 200; however, when both the sender and the recipientÌýuseÌýtheÌýapp (which is free, even without purchase), the caps increaseÌýto 950 characters, or the equivalent of about six text messages.
For receiving messages, each ZoleoÌýowner is given a dedicated phone number and a Zoleo.com email address. I gave this information to my contacts, who could then send me messages viaÌýany device or platform—phone,Ìýcomputer, InReach, or another Zoleo device. Custom messages can only be viewed in the app.Ìý
This configuration is much simpler than theÌýÌýrequired to sendÌýmessages to an InReach unit.
Seamless Messaging
The ZoleoÌýapp can send texts and emailÌýwith cellular, Wi-Fi, or satellite connectionsÌýand is therefore equally functional in the front country and backcountry. This prevents having to migrateÌýconversations to a different app when you enter or leave the backcountryÌýand eliminates any missing messages that were sent usingÌýthe wrong platform.
As an example, here is a seamless conversation I had with my friendÌýDave, sent overÌýWi-Fi and satellite:
The Hardware
The 5.3-ounceÌýdeviceÌýis about the size of a small digital camera (3.58ÌýbyÌý2.6 byÌý1.06 inches) and lacks the InReach’sÌýawkwardly protruding antenna. It’s powered byÌýa lithium-ion batteryÌýand will last more than 200Ìýhours while checking for messages every 12 minutes. The operating temperature range is minus 4 degrees to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
The exterior is made of rubberized plastic, whichÌýoffers a good balance of weight, durability, and grip. It’s shock-,Ìýdust-, and water-resistant.
The unit does not have a screen. To convey activity, it instead relies on cheery beeps and four LED lights, whichÌýblink or stay solid in four colors. The meanings of the beeps and lights are mostly intuitive, but until you have them memorized, pack the Quick Start Guide or use the app.
The SOS button is well guarded by a hinged door. An accidental depressing of the SOS button is unlikely, though I’d be comforted if its snap closure required more force to open.
ZoleoÌýVersus the Competition
ZoleoÌýenters a market dominated byÌýtwo other brands: SpotÌýand Garmin. I don’t recommend the Ìý($250, 7 ounces).ÌýGarmin’s InReach service is available in four devices,Ìýmy favorite of which is the , because it’s the lightest and least expensive option while retaining the functionality ofÌýthe other units (assuming it’s paired to a smartphone).
How does the ZoleoÌýstack up against the Garmin InReach Mini?
Messaging: ZoleoÌýWins
The messaging reliability seems about the same between my InReach and the Zoleo. Since both use the Iridium network, this is what you’d expect.
Otherwise, the ZoleoÌýmessaging experience is better in every way. Messaging is centralized in the appÌýrather than, as in Garmin’s case,Ìýsplit between conventional messaging apps when using cell service or Wi-FiÌýand the Garmin Earthmate app when using theÌýdevice. This makesÌýconversations continuous, and no incoming messages get missed.
As an added perk, if your contacts send and receive messages from you through the freeÌýapp, they can contain up to 950 characters, whereas the InReach’s max is 160.
Extra Functionality: InReachÌýWins (Maybe)
The InReach deviceÌýoffers GPS navigation through the device itself (though the Mini and SE+ are limited due to screen size and a lack of built-in mapping) andÌýin the Earthmate app. The ZoleoÌýcompletely omits this functionality. I think that’s fineÌýsince I useÌýÌý²¹²Ô²â·É²¹²â.
Zoleo also omits location tracking, whereas with Garmin, it can be set to a specific frequency,Ìýlike every tenÌýminutes. As a hiker, I don’t particularly see the value in this service (as opposed to, say, a pilot or sea kayaker), but I know that some backpackers do use it.
Both devices have location-specific weather forecasting. Here is the screenshot from the ZoleoÌýapp:
The Hardware: InReach Mini Wins
The InReach Mini has two advantages over Zoleo. First, it’s just 3.5 ounces—33 percent lighter. Second, and more importantly, the Mini has a small screen that more clearly displays its status and any received messagesÌýand can be used to send messages (albeit using its painfully slow virtual keyboard). This latter use is probably rare, since the Mini will most often be tethered to a smartphone, but it’s a nice option to have just in case.
The single advantage of the Zoleo on this frontÌýis its $200Ìýprice, which is $150Ìýless than the Mini. I tend not to put too much stock in the retail price of these units, however, since its lifetime cost is largely determined by the monthly service fees.
Service Plans: Toss-Up
Garmin currently hasÌý, all of which include a $25 annual fee and allow you to pause your subscription during the off-season.
- Safety: $144 per year, or $15 per month
- Recreation: $300 pear year, or $35 per month
- Expedition: $600 per year, or $65 per monthÌý
The Safety plan includes unlimited preset messages but only tenÌýcustom messages (and 50 cents per overage).ÌýTracking, location requests, and weather forecasts are available but are charged à Ìýla carte. With the Expedition plan, everything is essentially unlimited. The Recreation plan fallsÌýin between, with 40 custom messages per month and unlimited tracking and location requests, butÌýpremium weather is still à Ìýla carte.
Zoleo alsoÌýhasÌý.
- Basic: $240 per year, or $20 per month
- In Touch: $420 per year, or $35 per month
- Unlimited: $600 per year, or $50 per month
- Month-to-month plans are charged a $4 per month hold fee, which is similar to Garmin’s $25 annual fee for its Freedom Plans.Ìý
The Basic plan includes 25 messages total,Ìýboth standardÌýand custom. For anything beyond just-in-caseÌýuse, the In Touch plan is more realistic—it includes 250 messages, which isÌýeight times more than Garmin’s mid-tier Recreation plan. Unlimited is the final optionÌýand fairly named.