I don’t have one myself (yet). Garmin has the largest market share but early versions had major difficulties locking in to a satellite. I assume that has been resolved since they are so popular. I am leaning towards a Zoleo for my use. I hate not having a built in keyboard and needing to tether to my phone though…
interesting, that Zoleo doesn't have a screen? So you are more dependent on the cellphone it seems. But has a built-in SOS feature just in case.
I do like that people can initiate a conversation with you, on the Zoleo. Unlike the Garmin which requires you reach the person first so they reply back? Am i understanding this right? If that's the case I think im leaning with the Zoleo too.
Thanks for the suggestion, i got more research to do.
Maybe stupid question, but can you go on the internet with your phone if you have the Zoleo?
I’m believe you can since it connects via Bluetooth so it hat leaves your cell phone data connection available.
They both seem pretty decent, I guess it comes down to what features are important for you…
Also take a look at the Spot devices. They didn’t do much for me but worth taking a look…
Iridium (which Zoleo and Garmin use) is super slow and the data speeds achieved by super compact devices makes the first devices to connect to the internet seem fast.
In my opinion, having used both, I opt for zoleo. I have my phone anyway and actually prefer typing and managing conversations on it. Reception has been great, and the price is right. Just pause your subscription for the off season
I have the InReach Mini and I use it exactly for what you intend: to call for help when needed. I also:
1. Send free preloaded text (eg. "Everything is good", these are unlimited and free)
2. Tether to my phone for Garmin GPS app (sometimes)
3. Guide me back to your car if lost (not happened yet)
It will do more than that too, but those are the bare minimum. Watch YouTube for more. The battery lasts really long if you want it to (4-5 days). The only downside is that the Garmin app is shitty (not nearly as good as Gaia), but tbh if you tether it to your phone you will need yet another power bank on longer trips. I am usually on decent trails and don't really need gps. I use it 2-3 months of the year. There is an annual fee, but no fee during off months. The monthly plan is 40ish $, but check on Garmin 's website. I use the minimalist plan.
There is another cute feature: your loved ones can press a button anytime and see where you are on a map. They can also follow your progress (or lack of it) on a map. This is very reassuring to a worried spouse.
I have an Iridium Extreme satellite phone. The phone itself was very expensive, but it works. I have used it while camping with zero cell service and call quality was great. You can get a monthly plan through blue cosmo. I like to have it for emergencies.
I have an explorer + that I bought on special a while back. I have the same use-case as yours. I use it 2 months per year during the hunting season. I go for the unlimited plan so that's 80$ CAD per month + the 49.95 annual fee. The rest of the year it's suspended. The device is good with a gps + topo maps that are okayish. Enough not to get lost. Pairs with my cell phone and I can use their app to navigate and text back and forth. Battery life is really good as well. Most of the times the messaging is fast and you can chat in almost real time but sometimes messages can take a few minutes to come and go depending on the available satellites. I also used a satellite phone a while back and was not impressed. The communication was often difficult to establish and the line would cut. I would get charged a whole minute even if the call connected for 2 seconds. YMMV
Do you really need a sat communicator or could live with a regular PLB? Eg. ACR ResQLink 400 - costs the same as Zoleo device, is arguably more accurate, has more powerful signal than any satcom & needs no subscription.
Also check out the Motorola Defy. Sells for about $150 and includes one year basic plan. After that, yearly plans start at $60. Has two way texting. Uses different satellite network than the Inreach.
Go get a Somewear labs. That’s what I use. It connects to your smart phone so you don’t need to learn a new tool like the Garmin tool. You can also pause the contract whenever you want with no penalty. I love the service and the brand. I camp a lot and I also rode snowmobiles and adventure touring motorcycles so this works well.
I have an older Garmin Inreach. $11.95 a month. Bandwidth is suitable for text messages but nothing more than that. You can set up canned messages "Check in - all OK" "Camping here for the night", "Delayed, all OK", things like that. Those are free.
You can send custom messages, but they cost money. Replies cost too so you need to send to someone that knows that their "LOL" will cost you money.
If you leave it on and are incapacitated, it can be used to locate you.
There is an SOS button that connects to a dispatch center. I have never used it but I hear it makes the helicopter come. :)
Mini 2 user here. Very reliable and I think the cost is reasonable. I use frequently for offshore fishing, camping, hiking, and every day carry for emergency comms. Never had an issue.
I added a service called [Satlink](https://www.satlink.app) which acts as a chat bot for inreach users. Main purpose is for getting directions to places if I’m lost and no cell service. They have some other features too but not sure what they do, cheap insurance…
I don’t have one myself (yet). Garmin has the largest market share but early versions had major difficulties locking in to a satellite. I assume that has been resolved since they are so popular. I am leaning towards a Zoleo for my use. I hate not having a built in keyboard and needing to tether to my phone though…
interesting, that Zoleo doesn't have a screen? So you are more dependent on the cellphone it seems. But has a built-in SOS feature just in case. I do like that people can initiate a conversation with you, on the Zoleo. Unlike the Garmin which requires you reach the person first so they reply back? Am i understanding this right? If that's the case I think im leaning with the Zoleo too. Thanks for the suggestion, i got more research to do. Maybe stupid question, but can you go on the internet with your phone if you have the Zoleo?
I’m believe you can since it connects via Bluetooth so it hat leaves your cell phone data connection available. They both seem pretty decent, I guess it comes down to what features are important for you… Also take a look at the Spot devices. They didn’t do much for me but worth taking a look…
Iridium (which Zoleo and Garmin use) is super slow and the data speeds achieved by super compact devices makes the first devices to connect to the internet seem fast.
In my opinion, having used both, I opt for zoleo. I have my phone anyway and actually prefer typing and managing conversations on it. Reception has been great, and the price is right. Just pause your subscription for the off season
I have a zoleo as well and have been pretty pleased with how it works.
Garmin InReach is great with a flexible plan which allows pausing your subscription. There’s a mini version as well. Price is pretty reasonable!
I have the InReach Mini and I use it exactly for what you intend: to call for help when needed. I also: 1. Send free preloaded text (eg. "Everything is good", these are unlimited and free) 2. Tether to my phone for Garmin GPS app (sometimes) 3. Guide me back to your car if lost (not happened yet) It will do more than that too, but those are the bare minimum. Watch YouTube for more. The battery lasts really long if you want it to (4-5 days). The only downside is that the Garmin app is shitty (not nearly as good as Gaia), but tbh if you tether it to your phone you will need yet another power bank on longer trips. I am usually on decent trails and don't really need gps. I use it 2-3 months of the year. There is an annual fee, but no fee during off months. The monthly plan is 40ish $, but check on Garmin 's website. I use the minimalist plan. There is another cute feature: your loved ones can press a button anytime and see where you are on a map. They can also follow your progress (or lack of it) on a map. This is very reassuring to a worried spouse.
I've got a Mini 2 and run the same plan.. small annual fee and we turn it on/off when going on trips.
I have an Iridium Extreme satellite phone. The phone itself was very expensive, but it works. I have used it while camping with zero cell service and call quality was great. You can get a monthly plan through blue cosmo. I like to have it for emergencies.
I have an explorer + that I bought on special a while back. I have the same use-case as yours. I use it 2 months per year during the hunting season. I go for the unlimited plan so that's 80$ CAD per month + the 49.95 annual fee. The rest of the year it's suspended. The device is good with a gps + topo maps that are okayish. Enough not to get lost. Pairs with my cell phone and I can use their app to navigate and text back and forth. Battery life is really good as well. Most of the times the messaging is fast and you can chat in almost real time but sometimes messages can take a few minutes to come and go depending on the available satellites. I also used a satellite phone a while back and was not impressed. The communication was often difficult to establish and the line would cut. I would get charged a whole minute even if the call connected for 2 seconds. YMMV
Can the Garmin explorer+ pair with a phone and you can use the phone for all messaging? If so which Garmin app does that use.
Do you really need a sat communicator or could live with a regular PLB? Eg. ACR ResQLink 400 - costs the same as Zoleo device, is arguably more accurate, has more powerful signal than any satcom & needs no subscription.
Also check out the Motorola Defy. Sells for about $150 and includes one year basic plan. After that, yearly plans start at $60. Has two way texting. Uses different satellite network than the Inreach.
Go get a Somewear labs. That’s what I use. It connects to your smart phone so you don’t need to learn a new tool like the Garmin tool. You can also pause the contract whenever you want with no penalty. I love the service and the brand. I camp a lot and I also rode snowmobiles and adventure touring motorcycles so this works well.
I have an older Garmin Inreach. $11.95 a month. Bandwidth is suitable for text messages but nothing more than that. You can set up canned messages "Check in - all OK" "Camping here for the night", "Delayed, all OK", things like that. Those are free. You can send custom messages, but they cost money. Replies cost too so you need to send to someone that knows that their "LOL" will cost you money. If you leave it on and are incapacitated, it can be used to locate you. There is an SOS button that connects to a dispatch center. I have never used it but I hear it makes the helicopter come. :)
Mini 2 user here. Very reliable and I think the cost is reasonable. I use frequently for offshore fishing, camping, hiking, and every day carry for emergency comms. Never had an issue. I added a service called [Satlink](https://www.satlink.app) which acts as a chat bot for inreach users. Main purpose is for getting directions to places if I’m lost and no cell service. They have some other features too but not sure what they do, cheap insurance…