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Marten
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03/11/2020 09:11AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
https://www.zoleo.com/en-us/plans/ Zoleo Satellite messenger

A new option to compete with Inreach and Spot.
 
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singlebladecanoe
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03/11/2020 07:34PM  
That looks like a cool alternative. Only downside I see to that is I don't see on their site if they have the tracking and map features the inreach does. I see you can share a gps location but not an actual tracking feature.
 
03/12/2020 05:41AM  
It mostly needs a tablet or smartphone in connection for messaging, the Inreach and Spot X (the only unit compared in advertising) are stand alone units. This adds power and equipment needs to the Zoleo.

butthead
 
billconner
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03/12/2020 07:09AM  
Interesting and if I wasn't please with my Spot might consider. I liked the ability to cancel an SOS. So many carry phones already, not sure how big of burden that is. Plus since it would solve no cell service the rest of the year, for those who travel for work it's a business expense at tax time.

If it doesn't track it would seem a future version of the cellphone app certainly could do that, albeit leaving both on.

Again, the individual's priority - SOS or check-in/convenience - is a major factor in the choice.

I'm pretty sure that ultimately I'll end up with a sat phone, or equal thanks to Space-X.
 
03/13/2020 07:51AM  
butthead: "It mostly needs a tablet or smartphone in connection for messaging, the Inreach and Spot X (the only unit compared in advertising) are stand alone units. This adds power and equipment needs to the Zoleo.


butthead"


We use a cell phone paired with my buddies inreach to sent messages to our wives. it's pretty slick, we turn it on at night give the wives an update that everything is OK. It holds a charge all week doing this.
 
Marten
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03/13/2020 07:59AM  
Competition is good! I have had a Globalstar Sat. Phone for about 15 years. By threats ing to cancel they drop the cost to $460 US a year from about $1200 on the price sheet. I keep paying and hope one of these new start-ups will make the perfect device.
 
03/13/2020 09:36AM  
There are work arounds, tablets are much less expensive than cell phones, and I have to wonder how many folks know what their cell phone costs outright. I have 2 older tablets that are configured as an automotive gauge display and a remote for a GoPro's via Bluetooth connections. One free, the other $50 and either would work with a Zoleo.
Just a point, the Zoleo needs a tablet for 2 way and tracking as these use (to the best of my knowledge) email protocol.
Inreach and Spot can work as stand alone units, Inreach with 2 way, Spot pre-worded one way or 2 way depending on version.
Definitely competition is good and only 2 brands are current market dominators.

butthead

 
AussieShep
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03/13/2020 02:59PM  
One of the features I require is the weather forecast. And one crucial feature I need from the forecast is wind speed and direction for forthcoming days. This information will inform my direction of travel and lake selection.

Does inReach do this?

Zoleo provides wind info for the current day only. That is a giant showstopper for me.

These products are designed for outdoor enthusiasts such as sailors and paddlers. How could they overlook this feature???

 
03/13/2020 06:22PM  
Inreach offers 3 weather plans, basic, premium, marine premium. And some basic forecast functions built into the GPS. How good? I do not know. Have only looked at them.

butthead
 
Marten
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03/14/2020 07:24AM  
We have used the Inreach 3 day forecast a lot and found it very good. Especially the next days wind forecast as we looked at forest fire flames across the water.
 
AussieShep
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03/14/2020 08:11AM  
I had a chat with a rep from Zoleo and he is going to respond shortly as to if or when Zoleo intends to include this data. They are getting the data from the same source as Garmin.

Their weather display makes room for sunrise and sunset times. This is not necessary as these are virtually static pieces of data that could be researched before heading into the bush and are not weather data.
 
03/14/2020 09:36AM  
AussieShep: "One of the features I require is the weather forecast. And one crucial feature I need from the forecast is wind speed and direction for forthcoming days. This information will inform my direction of travel and lake selection.


Does inReach do this?


Zoleo provides wind info for the current day only. That is a giant showstopper for me.


These products are designed for outdoor enthusiasts such as sailors and paddlers. How could they overlook this feature???


"

Weather radio is good for this. I have to say however that in my experience accurate wind speed prediction is limited at best beyond 24 hours.
 
MidwestFirecraft
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09/06/2021 06:41PM  
Looks like weather and tracking have been updated with the Zoleo.
 
Savage Voyageur
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09/06/2021 07:17PM  
AussieShep: "One of the features I require is the weather forecast. And one crucial feature I need from the forecast is wind speed and direction for forthcoming days. This information will inform my direction of travel and lake selection.


Does inReach do this?


Zoleo provides wind info for the current day only. That is a giant showstopper for me.


These products are designed for outdoor enthusiasts such as sailors and paddlers. How could they overlook this feature???


"



You asked if Garmin InReach does wind direction and speed. I’ve had my InReach unit for about two years now. I can verify it gives me a very detailed weather forecast including wind speed and direction in two hours increments.
 
MidwestFirecraft
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09/06/2021 08:03PM  
Looks like Zoleo also has a very detailed wind forecast for at least 4 days from Dark Sky. Also has 200 hours battery life! Never considered one of these units, but I believe I'm going to pick one up before my October trip. I can leave the weather radio at home, text my family, and have an emergency device if needed.
Zoleo
 
mschi772
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09/07/2021 07:50AM  
I chose a Somewear for myself, but Zoleo was easily my runner-up.
 
straighthairedcurly
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11/14/2021 07:32PM  
MidwestFirecraft: "Looks like Zoleo also has a very detailed wind forecast for at least 4 days from Dark Sky. Also has 200 hours battery life! Never considered one of these units, but I believe I'm going to pick one up before my October trip. I can leave the weather radio at home, text my family, and have an emergency device if needed.
Zoleo "


Did you end up getting one of these? I am interested in trying one since I tend to have really crummy cell phone coverage when I am driving around northern MN along with needing a communication device for my solo trips. Does the tracking feature now offered require use of cell phone or do they just auto transmit from the device like a SPOT? I carry a cell on trips, but keep it off.
 
billconner
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11/15/2021 06:27PM  
This review might be of interest if it's not censored: https://www.canoetripping.net/threads/my-review-of-the-zoleo-2-way-satellite-messenger.116392/
 
11/15/2021 07:45PM  
MidwestFirecraft: "Looks like Zoleo also has a very detailed wind forecast for at least 4 days from Dark Sky. Also has 200 hours battery life! Never considered one of these units, but I believe I'm going to pick one up before my October trip. I can leave the weather radio at home, text my family, and have an emergency device if needed.
Zoleo "

It sounds like Dark Sky is the engine behind the weather forecast for both Garmin and Zoleo. I have not used my Garmin Mini much, but on my 20 day trip inSeptember found the Garmin/Dark Sky forecast to be largely amazingly accurate - even when I just got the basic forecast. I’d be reluctant to give up my WX radio during severe weather season though. I’d miss the alert in the middle of the night telling me a storm is about to hit.
 
MidwestFirecraft
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11/16/2021 03:02PM  
straighthairedcurly: "
MidwestFirecraft: "Looks like Zoleo also has a very detailed wind forecast for at least 4 days from Dark Sky. Also has 200 hours battery life! Never considered one of these units, but I believe I'm going to pick one up before my October trip. I can leave the weather radio at home, text my family, and have an emergency device if needed.
Zoleo "



Did you end up getting one of these? I am interested in trying one since I tend to have really crummy cell phone coverage when I am driving around northern MN along with needing a communication device for my solo trips. Does the tracking feature now offered require use of cell phone or do they just auto transmit from the device like a SPOT? I carry a cell on trips, but keep it off.
"

I did. I am incredibly impressed with it. The weather forecasts where accurate and allowed me to leave my radio at home. The unit was light and never needed charging on my 10 day trip (turned off at night). Got signal everywhere regardless of tree cover, Moose River to Lac La Croix. My friends and I where able to send texts to our families which was great, but it also didn't feel like an intrusion. I always have my cell phone because that is my camera, and when on airplane mode and battery saver, it also didn't need to be charged. I highly recommend it. I also use it for business in rural WI where I don't get a signal.
 
uqme2
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11/16/2021 05:20PM  
I also use it for business in rural WI where I don't get a signal. "




Wait what?
 
MidwestFirecraft
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11/16/2021 05:24PM  
uqme2: "
I also use it for business in rural WI where I don't get a signal. "




Wait what?"


What is confusing? When I work in rural areas that don't get service I can text my family or business colleges.
 
straighthairedcurly
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11/16/2021 10:27PM  
MF, glad to hear you liked it. One clarification, will the Zoleo unit send tracking info without having a cell phone turned on? I know the cell phone would have to be on for sending texts, but I like to have my cell off and packed away during the day. But I like family to be able to track me during my solo traveling days.
 
MidwestFirecraft
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11/17/2021 06:24AM  
straighthairedcurly: "MF, glad to hear you liked it. One clarification, will the Zoleo unit send tracking info without having a cell phone turned on? I know the cell phone would have to be on for sending texts, but I like to have my cell off and packed away during the day. But I like family to be able to track me during my solo traveling days."

As I don't pay for the additional Tracking feature I don't know, but they have great customer service where you can call and ask them any question. The check button doesn't use any messages and if set up to share location will do so without having your phone on. You would have to press the check button at each location, not difficult, but something you would manually have to do. It is pretty accurate. I sent the check at Lake Agnes and my wife could see the opening in the tree canopy where my campsite was.
I don't know if you are anywhere near the twin cities, but you are welcome to try mine before you buy. Really great feature is that when available it will use your cell phone coverage and not charge you messages. Shoot me an e-mail if you are interested.
 
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