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Jasonf
senior member (82)senior membersenior member
  
02/09/2020 12:43PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
In the winter my go to activity is back-country snowmobiling in the Rockies so I've really been considering a PLB for there and also during the summer trips to the BW.
Just recently one of the guys I follow on social media just started pushing this Zoleo device and it has peaked my interest. Looks like it was designed by the guys who originally designed the Inreach and then sold it to Garmin.
By chance anyone have one of these yet, really would like to get some feedback as I cant find many unpaid reviews online. From what I've read base plan is $20month after a $25 activation and you can go month to month. Zoleo
 
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02/09/2020 01:08PM  
It seems to be marketed like the inreach, minus a screen.

It is always good to have options. It looks simple, you can do simple okay message with out a cell phone. Longer battery life. Price is cheaper, but not by a lot. You can get an InReach SE at Costco for $280—many times less on sale if you wait and watch

Negative, I have no idea how good/bad this company is or will be 3-5 years from now. I like that I can do month to month with Inreach. It appears you have a 3 month minimum with ZOLEO.

Just initial thoughts, don’t really know anything.

T
 
02/09/2020 02:55PM  
Satellite communicator yes,
PLB no. It meets none of the requirements to be certified a PLB, including sealed battery life and transmitting power.

Competition for Inreach and Find Me Spot, sure but far as cost and quality only time will tell. The competition is well established and developed.

Jason, just so you understand the Zoleo and like sat comunicators do not function reliably at below 0 F temps.

butthead
 
Jasonf
senior member (82)senior membersenior member
  
02/09/2020 03:43PM  
I guess I shouldn't have called it a PLB then with it lacking those accreditation's. Unofficially speaking and though incorrect I consider something that can transmit a SoS and a location to be a PLB.

I am interested to see what actual battery life is in the cold. The person I seen pushing these is actually a well respected back country snowmobile rider up in B.C. so I would hope that cold weather performance would be adequate. Many of the guys I ride with now use basic Spot devices many times mounted out in the elements without battery issues so we'll see.
Like stated above the time on the market concerns me more than anything. I'd hate to get in early on an expensive paperweight.

I've almost pulled the trigger on Inreach mini several times but with all the reports of connectivity issues I keep shying away. Personally I've never been much for electronics in the BWCA but now with my kids coming along I'd like to know what ever I choose will work if the time arises.
 
02/09/2020 04:09PM  
It looks like it's $4 a month too when you suspend service. Also your need a phone to text and use most of the functions if I'm understanding right. It is amazing the things they are coming out with now though.
 
billconner
distinguished member(8607)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
02/09/2020 06:56PM  
I'm waiting for Elon Musk's 42,000 satellites.
 
05/18/2020 06:49PM  
Zoleo review by Andrew Skurka
 
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