The satellite-messaging markethas two major players: Spotand 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: the($200, 5.3 ounces), which debuted in January. It’s priced, constructed, and engineered well,and it provides a significantly improved messaging experience for both the user and their contacts. (Another option isthe new Global Hotspot from , though I have not had the opportunity to review this model.)
When theGarmin InReach Mini($350, 3.5 ounces) was released two years ago, it seemed like the holy grail, providingreliable two-way messaging, location-based weather forecasting, and functional GPS navigation in a palm-sizepackage. The Zoleosatellite communicator is 40 percent heavier and lacks any navigation features (which is fine—just useGaia GPS), but it outperforms the InReach in its core function: messaging.
The Zoleoplatform, which is comprised of the device and the app, offers seamless communication across all connection methods. From theapp, texts and emailcan be sent over cellular service or Wi-Fi and, if combined with the communicator, oversatellite. In comparison, an InReach owner must use at least two messaging apps(one for the front country, like Google Voice, and Garmin Earthmatefor 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 frontand backcountry.
Like the InReach devices, Zoleorelies on the Iridium satellitenetwork, which offerstrue 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
- 5.3ounces(150 grams),plus 0.3 ouncefor optional carabiner
- $200for the device, plus required monthly service plan($20 to $50 per month, or $4 per month to hold)
Device Activation
Before taking Zoleointo the field, register the device and select a.Then download the,and sync the device with your smartphone.
Thewebsite is well designed in terms of both its aesthetics and intuitiveness, and I successfully sent my first message about 30minutes after unboxing the device.
Sending and Receiving Messages
Messages can be sent directly with the communicatoror using the app (which connects to the unit via Bluetooth).
From the device, two formmessages can be sent: SOS and check-in/OK.
Custom texts and emailcan also be sent and received from the app. SMS is capped at 160 characters,email at 200; however, when both the sender and the recipientusetheapp (which is free, even without purchase), the caps increaseto 950 characters, or the equivalent of about six text messages.
For receiving messages, each Zoleoowner 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 viaany device or platform—phone,computer, InReach, or another Zoleo device. Custom messages can only be viewed in the app.
This configuration is much simpler than therequired to sendmessages to an InReach unit.
Seamless Messaging
The Zoleoapp can send texts and emailwith cellular, Wi-Fi, or satellite connectionsand is therefore equally functional in the front country and backcountry. This prevents having to migrateconversations to a different app when you enter or leave the backcountryand eliminates any missing messages that were sent usingthe wrong platform.
As an example, here is a seamless conversation I had with my friendDave, sent overWi-Fi and satellite:
The Hardware
The 5.3-ouncedeviceis about the size of a small digital camera (3.58by2.6 by1.06 inches) and lacks the InReach’sawkwardly protruding antenna. It’s powered bya lithium-ion batteryand will last more than 200hours 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, whichoffers a good balance of weight, durability, and grip. It’s shock-,dust-, and water-resistant.
The unit does not have a screen. To convey activity, it instead relies on cheery beeps and four LED lights, whichblink 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.
ZoleoVersus the Competition
Zoleoenters a market dominated bytwo other brands: Spotand Garmin. I don’t recommend the ($250, 7 ounces).Garmin’s InReach service is available in four devices,my favorite of which is the , because it’s the lightest and least expensive option while retaining the functionality ofthe other units (assuming it’s paired to a smartphone).
How does the Zoleostack up against the Garmin InReach Mini?
Messaging: ZoleoWins
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 Zoleomessaging experience is better in every way. Messaging is centralized in the apprather than, as in Garmin’s case,split between conventional messaging apps when using cell service or Wi-Fiand the Garmin Earthmate app when using thedevice. This makesconversations continuous, and no incoming messages get missed.
As an added perk, if your contacts send and receive messages from you through the freeapp, they can contain up to 950 characters, whereas the InReach’s max is 160.
Extra Functionality: InReachWins (Maybe)
The InReach deviceoffers GPS navigation through the device itself (though the Mini and SE+ are limited due to screen size and a lack of built-in mapping) andin the Earthmate app. The Zoleocompletely omits this functionality. I think that’s finesince I useԲɲ.
Zoleo also omits location tracking, whereas with Garmin, it can be set to a specific frequency,like every tenminutes. 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 Zoleoapp:
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 messagesand 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 frontis its $200price, which is $150less 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 has, 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 month
The Safety plan includes unlimited preset messages but only tencustom messages (and 50 cents per overage).Tracking, location requests, and weather forecasts are available but are charged àla carte. With the Expedition plan, everything is essentially unlimited. The Recreation plan fallsin between, with 40 custom messages per month and unlimited tracking and location requests, butpremium weather is still àla carte.
Zoleo alsohas.
- 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.
The Basic plan includes 25 messages total,both standardand custom. For anything beyond just-in-caseuse, the In Touch plan is more realistic—it includes 250 messages, which iseight times more than Garmin’s mid-tier Recreation plan. Unlimited is the final optionand fairly named.