Bike Gear & Info Reviews: Zoleo Satellite SOS Communicator
Zoleo Satellite SOS Communicator
A satellite SOS communicator is an essential safety/emergency kit for anyone who ventures outside cellular service areas, into remote locations & travels alone or with others that don't have one. Several consumer options are available depending on desired features: Satellite Phones, Personal Locator Beakons (PLBs) & Satellite SOS Communicators, which offer the best value for features that may include emergency SOS, 2 way messaging, tracking, navigation, weather + more. The Garmin InReach Mini2 Satellite Communicator is the device of choice for those balancing messaging with tracking & navigation, but pushes price enough that a lower priced sub-set has emerged focusing primarily on messaging, which is more appealing & practical to the average user or those that might never have considered a full featured satellite SOS device with tracking & navigation. Which is a great way to segue to the Zoleo that I opted for during Black Friday pricing of $199 CDN, which may include a free 1 year subscription of Gaia if activated by Jan 1st depending on the seller. Zoleo may be a newer player, but has serious pedigree in the satellite communications world as noted below.
Delorme, InReach & Garmin Historical Context
Delorme, founded in 1974 & acquired by Garmin in 2016, was one of the pioneers in personal satellite tracking, messaging, and navigation technology utilizing the Iridium Satellite Network of which their popular InReach series became an industry staple with consumers. Newer competitors, such as Zoleo, Spot, ACR, Motorola, Somewhere Global + others have evolved during the past decade or so with a recent shift in industry focus prioritizing messaging & lower pricing over traditional tracking/navigation functionality & higher price points.
Zoleo the Company
Zoleo Inc. is a Canadian company formed in 2018, with historical ties to the satellite industry & InReach, that is a joint venture between Australian Beam Communications Pty. Ltd. (est 2002) that designs, develops, and manufactures satellite terminals and accessories for three of the world’s largest Mobile Satellite network operators: Iridium, Inmarsat & Thuraya AND Roadpost Inc. (est 1991) that is one of Iridium’s top world-wide partners & were an original InReach platform development partner and the Canadian Master distributor for InReach until its acquisition by Garmin.
Zoleo Satellite SOS Communicator
Zoleo's emphasis on 2 way messaging set new standards for ease of use integrating seamlessly with cell phone & tablet bluetooth, wireless & cellular connectivity via a feature rich, easy to use free companion software app downloaded to your cellular device in early 2020 with pricing about 50% to 100% lower than much of the competition for the device & competitive (with Garmin), flexible subscription plans. It's success & industry accolades prompted Garmin to develop their InReach Messenger satellite communicator in late 2022 with similar design/functionality/companion app, target market & expanded feature set that allow the option to be used as a stand alone device for messaging without your cell phone via a small 3 line onboard screen, but for around a 50% higher price than the Zoleo. It will be curious to see if Garmin's shot across Zoleo's bow results in a next gen or completely new model from Zoleo soon.
Pros
- Lower cost than most other devices
- Global coverage via the extensive & reliable Iridium Satellite Network
- Dedicated SMS & email, can be suspended & maintain same SMS & email, recipient does not have to use app to text or email (this feature is not offered by most other satellite communicators)
- Characters supported: SMS/text up to 160, email up to 200, app-to-app 900+
- Automatically sends message via wifi or cellular 1st if available, then by satellite, will continue to send message for up to 5 days
- Intuitive user interface & software app
- Zoleo app continues to receive updates with the most recent being: Medical Assist, Free Unlimited Check In Messages & Location/Map Sharing
- Share your GPS location via messages, check-ins, automated Location Share+ updates or through a secure Share Map URL
- Unlimited Check-in Messages included with all subscription plans
- Medical Assist, 24/7 access to non-emergency medical advice
- Industry 1st Progressive SOS, receive timely status updates/confirmation throughout your emergency via the free app
- Secure SOS safety cover preventing accidental activation
- SOS instruction on back of device
- Can send check in message & SOS on device, but need phone/app for 2 way communication
- AerisWeather forecast on demand, currently only in fahrenheit
- Off-line map can be downloaded to device
- On device sound & led light alerts/confirmation
- 1,430 mAH battery, battery life 200+ hours or approximately 8 days (setting 'check for messages' frequency to manual vs the default every 12 minutes extends battery life, options are 12, 24, 60 min or always on)
- 1.5 watt transmitter
- Carabiner + lanyard included
- Proven durability & reliability, rubber coated exterior, IP68 dust & water resistant rating to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) for 30 min
- Customer support better than some of the competition
Cons
- No on-device message viewing or composition, relies on phone app
Does not provide tracking ability (although it’s simple to send location points)
Only 1 preset check-in message, some competitors offer multiple presets
- At 150g/5.3oz is a little heavier than close competitors, but still reasonably compact is size
- Non-replaceable battery
- Micro-USB charging port slower than USB-C & cannot reverse charge
- Battery consumption of Zoleo device & cell phone will increase during progressive SOS & high volume messaging (true for most devices, recommend having a portable battery pack)
- Cell phone/screen more susceptible to damage & could be lost compromising much of the Zoleo functionality
Zoleo Features & Specs From their Website
Technical Specs
Physical
- Weight: 150 g (5.3 oz)
- Size (L x W x D): 9.1 x 6.6 x 2.7 cm (3.58 x 2.6 x 1.06 in)
- Ingress Protection: IP68; dust- and water-resistant (to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) for 30 min)
- Shock-resistant: MIL-STD 810G
- Power input: Micro-USB Type B connector
- Covered SOS button prevents false alarms (also cancellable)
- Audible alerts for messages (user-selected tone)
- Internal GPS chip, location-aware (accurate to 2.5 m (8.2 ft))
- LEDs for: messages, SOS, check-in, and power
- Battery: Rechargeable internal Lithium Ion
- Battery life: 200+ hours
- Charging time: 2 hours using 1.5 A charger
- Operating temperature: -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F)
- Storage temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
- Battery charging temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
- Satellite network: Iridium®
- Connects via Bluetooth LE (one connection at a time; range of up to 50 m (164 ft))
- Global Navigation Satellite System: GPS, GLONASS
- GPS accuracy: 2.5 m (8.2 ft) under ideal conditions
- FCC, CE, ISED, ITU, RCM, GITECKI, REACH ROHS, Iridium® approved
- EN 60945 maritime navigation and radio communication equipment (EMC) emissions & immunity tested
Zoleo Satellite Communicator Review by Adventure Alan & Co
GPS Satellite Networks
It’s important to make a distinction between the two types of commercial satellite networks that a satellite communicator will depend on. Global Navigation Satellite Systems, or GNSS, are satellite networks that provide location and speed information to devices. The 5 current systems are GPS (US), QZSS (Japan), BEIDOU (China), GALILEO (EU), and GLONASS (Russia).
Messaging Satellite Networks
Satellite messaging networks, like Iridium (Garmin, Zoleo, ACR, Somewhere Global), Globalstar (Spot, Apple), Inmarsat & Echostar (Motorola) provide communications information between the transmitter and receiver, and each service features either Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or higher Geostationary (GEO) satellites covering much of the Earth. The polar orbit of Iridium satellites allows it to cover even the poles, while Globalstar & Inmarsat/Echostar has points on Earth it doesn’t reach.
Iridium is the largest commercial satellite network with 75 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (66 operational and 9 in-orbit spares) that are cross-linked in space 780 km/484 miles above Earth, Globalstar with 48 satellites sends them higher, but still Lowe Earth Orbit at 1,409 km/876 miles, to provide additional coverage & relays with 24 Earth-based transmission stations, which can cause a greater delay in messaging than the satellite-to-satellite relay systems. Inmarsat has 14 satellites & Echostar 10, both in geostationary (GEO) orbit at 35,786 km/22,236 miles above the earth's equator.
Iridium Satellite Network (Garmin, Zoleo, ACR, Somewhere Global)
Globalstar Satellite Network (Spot, Apple)
Service May Not Be Available in Every Country or Region
Due to compliance with government embargos or other restrictions satellite service may not be available in every country or region. USA currently prohibits satellite providers from providing products/service in the following countries: Taliban controlled Afghanistan, China, Crimea Region of Ukraine, Cuba, Georgia (SMS), India, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Sudan, Thailand & Vietnam. Each country is different, and regulations may change without notice. Always check with the local Consulate or Customs offices for info.
Usage Tips:
Satellite messengers are dependent on line of sight & impacted by weather, atmospheric & solar conditions or anything that might impede it's signal, like tall structures, tree canopies, canyon walls & mountainous regions, finding a clearing or high ground with clear access to the sky & positioning your device's antenna facing up greatly improve reception. Turn airplane mode on & wifi off on your cellular device when no cell service is available to maximize battery life on both devices & satellite connectivity.
When you send a message, your device will queue it up for the next time that it is in contact with it's satellite network. While these systems offer broad coverage, it may take a few minutes for a satellite to pass overhead and into view of the satellite messenger.
Apple 1st to Integrate Emergency SOS in Cell Phones
Apple's iPhone 14's implementation of emergency SOS is a welcome addition & offers a viable & unique option for casual outdoor enthusiasts, however, currently comes with several caveats outlined in this review that limit effectiveness, keeping dedicated devices both relevant & preferred for most off the grid adventuring. But how long will it take for the cellular industry to incorporate similar levels of functionality & performance to the most popular electronic device in the world that historically has only been available in dedicated devices like Garmin, Zoleo, Spot & others?
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