3 Years Of Using ZOLEO | Is It Still Worth It?

Get Your ZOLEO Satellite Device!
- Direct From ZOLEO: geni.us/ZOLEO-Satellite
- From REI: geni.us/ZOLEO-REI
Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for ZOLEO, but this video reflects my true, real world use and experience of the device after 3 + years of use in the backcountry.
Become a Member of this channel to get access to perks:
geni.us/Support-BCE
˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜
ZOLEO Satellite Communication: geni.us/ZOLEO-Satellite
** Get FREE Activation with code BACKCOUNTRYEXPOSURE **
🔥MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE GEAR🔥
- Outdoor Vitals CS40 Backpack: geni.us/CS40-Backpack
- Waymark Gear Co. THRU 40L: geni.us/Waymark-THRU40
- Tarptent Dipole 1 DW: geni.us/Dipole-1-DW
- Nemo Dragonfly 2P: geni.us/Nemo-Dragonfly
- Paria Outdoor Products Zion Tent: geni.us/Paria-Zion-Tent
- Big Agnes Zoom UL Pad: geni.us/Zoom-UL
- Zenbivy Light Bed: geni.us/Light-Bed-Zenbivy
- WM UltraLite Sleeping Bag: geni.us/WM-UltraLite
- MH Bishop Pass Sleeping Bag: geni.us/MH-BishopPass
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: geni.us/Sawyer-SqueezeFilter
- CNOC Vecto Water Bag: geni.us/CNOC-Vecto
- Toaks 750ml Pot: geni.us/Toaks-750
- Toaks Long Handle Spoon: geni.us/Toaks-Spoon
- Soto Amicus Stove: geni.us/Amicus-Stove
- Govee Thermometer: geni.us/Govee-Thermometer
- Outdoor Vitals Altitude Sun Hoodie: geni.us/Altitude-Sun-Hoodie
- Outdoor Vitals Vario jacket: geni.us/Vario-Jacket
- Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket: geni.us/Tushar-Rain-Jacket
MY CAMERA EQUIPMENT I USE 📸:
- Sony A7C: geni.us/Sony-A7C-Camera
- Sony 20-70mm F4 Lens: geni.us/Sony-20-70mm
- DJI Wireless Mic: geni.us/DJI-MIC
- Carbon Fiber Tripod: geni.us/AokaCarbonTripod
- Rode VideoMicro: geni.us/RODE-VideoMicro-II
- GoPro Hero: geni.us/GoPro-Hero
SHOP THESE GREAT OUTDOOR RETAILERS:
- Moosejaw: geni.us/Moosejaw
- REI: geni.us/REI-Co-op
- Backcountry: geni.us/BACKCOUNTRY
- Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/Garage-Grown-Gear
- Amazon: geni.us/Amazon-BCE
🔥🔥 Check out my website for more reviews and written content! 🔥🔥
www.backcountryexposure.com
As an Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. By shopping using the above links, you are supporting the work I put into creating content on this channel. This has no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my channel and content.

[@benhikescamps]

Very useful and helpful review. Many thanks from the UK! 🇬🇧

[@Everydaybackpacker]

Great update. I currently use an inreach mini, but I definitely like and would consider changing to the Zoleo. It has so many great features and even as a former paramedic, I think the medical support program is really important. I also love how streamline the communication is in comparison to my inreach. Great insight!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks! The Medical Assist feature is excellent! I imagine other companies will follow up with similar features at some point. But the UX of the ZOLEO app is hard to beat.

[@rubenantunes1603]

What features you have in zoleo that you don't have in inReach mini? Just the medical assistant, that's new. Because all the messages written in your phone, the free check in messages ( in reach as up too 3, customized), the contact with SOS team. I'm not being being a critic. Genuinely asking, because for me the inreach looks the same in a lighter package, and with GPS, and with a possibility to write a message ( letter by Letter but possible)

[@jonsanford2515]

@@rubenantunes1603I bought a Garmin Mini several years ago. The two features Zoleo had at the time that made me seriously consider it were: 1. Zoleo has a dedicated number for texting. You can give it out, and someone can initiate messages with you. Garmin only allows others to reply after you’ve initiated contact. 2 Zoleo automatically switches between wi-fi, cell and then satellite to send messages based on what’s available. Garmin only uses satellite. If you initiate a message by satellite, then enter an area with cell service, zoleo switches to cell and saves you the satellite charges while continuing threads with their app. I went with Garmin because the 3 free check in messages allow me to use the base plan, and save on the service cost over time, and because it allows you to communicate without a phone paired. Zoleo also didn’t have tracking back then.

[@chase4116]

Zoleo gives you your own dedicated phone number and email. Garmin inreach does not. So you can hand out one phone number to people and they can always get you on that Zoleo #. The Garmin number will change. The main reason I went with the Zoleo.@@rubenantunes1603

[@bucky716]

I've had my Zoleo for a couple of years and no issues. It's worked efficiently anytime I've used it for messaging which has been plenty. Only nitpick about it is that I wish it had USB-C. A new model would interest me with that as long as they don't ruin how well it does things now!

[@BioDave1955]

I love my zoleo for when i go on canoe camping trips or winter camping

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. I'm seriously considering such a device. With advancing age and other challenges it's time for me not to delay. Stay safe out there. 😊

[@BackcountryExposure]

thanks!

[@hikingwheather]

I've been happy with my Zoleo. I don't keep it on all of the time to save my phone battery. I turn it on if I want to send a message or check in. Sometimes it can take a little while to fix on your location before sending/receiving messages, up to 8 minutes in my experience.

[@beararms6945]

Still using the spot x myself, its just super cheap for my plan still and it works soooo good ,literally everywhere i backpack, or kayak .i used the sos December to get help for an injured climber that we came across and having the freedom of being able to use just the spot x and not have to use a cellphone app was perfect. We talked back and forth too with the sar team but my battery didn't wear down at all . Long story short the sar team actually came within an hour and air lifted the guy out , was pretty cool , i ,Had the zoleo for a year and it took forever to charge with the solar panels i had which was a real issue. Nice video though man, who makes the shirt your wearing

[@forestswami]

We have used the Zoleo devices for our Security and Wildfire suppression company. We operate in a very high alpine reservoir, surrounded by peaks all around. some of the new features like Zoleo track are excellent for emergency situations to know exactly where our team members are. I would recommend it.

[@bobtosi9346]

@backcountryexposure great video. You just sold me on the Zoleo

[@justiceforall1288]

Great video

[@CarlsonAdventures]

I’ve had my Zoleo for the past year. Super reliable and a great price.

[@bluebird443]

Love my Zoleo

[@BackcountryExposure]

:)

[@SlykDesigns]

Do the unlimited check-in messages include location, even if you do not have the additional $6/mo Location Share feature? Or just a check-in without that?

[@KrizAkoni]

Great real world info and update. I’m in the market for a device…still weighing the options.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thank you!

[@waxler2]

I went the Bivy stick. A lot of the same features but the monthly subscription cost was better for me.

[@recentskepticism122]

How much does that air lift ride cost?

[@smetlogik]

Can you "test" the text message feature and SOS feature before using it in a real emergency? To 1) make sure you as the user understand how it works and 2) to make sure it works.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yes, you can send text messages any time to make sure it’s sending messages. You can also do a test sos session as well. Check the Zoleo FAQs for more detail on that.

[@edwin8808]

hi devin_indoors. great video!. are u going to get a freezer to test the sleeping mats rating? or going to alaska?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Ha! Nah, I'll leave that to Myth Buster Steven. ha ha!

[@HypnoticLasagna]

My only issue with Zoleo has been not getting connection to the satellites when others right next to me have full services on their Garmins. I am not sure what the issue is, but it seems like it takes a long time to find a satellite. I look like a new cellphone user from 2006 trying to get signals :D. My favorite feature is the checkmarks on the messages, so you know your contact has been delivered or seen, still not sure what they all mean. Just nice to know the contact has the message waiting for them when they pickup their phone.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Interesting, I don't know that I've made a point to notice that when I've got friends with me on other devices. Besides when a friend is using a Spot device, which seem to regularly struggle to connect.

[@HypnoticLasagna]

It isnt the biggest deal, since it is usually at camp where I have some time to spare to connect to loved ones. I have gone so far to actually look at the Iridium satellite orbits to see the reasonable coverage for my hiking area XD (is the view blocked by a tree or a canyon wall). Still happy with it though, and glad they made tracking a bit easier as of late.

[@beararms6945]

Same here and the battery dies way too quickly and charging it in the bush sucked , I just started using the spot x 2 way after that, works everywhere in the US

[@beararms6945]

​@@BackcountryExposurecrazy Mines worked flawlessly everywhere I used it so far even in Norway where 99% of everyone reviewing another device says isn't possible 😂, I'm really starting to wonder about the truthfulness of some of these reviews .

[@bertman4]

It's been great but I am hoping for a gen2 with usb-c and smaller form factor. I have had a few issues. One was my fault for forgetting to turn off the VPN. It was running in the background and the device/app got confused on location when updating weather. Weird as it should use satellite data but there you go. The other issue I had was an incomplete update and I had to call in for tech support. It was fixed.

[@BackcountryExposure]

That's interesting about the VPN. I've not heard of that before with the device. That's good to know though. Yeah, there have been a couple times where I've not powered on the device until I am at the trailhead and I get an alert that an update needs to happen. Fortunately it's already been downloaded to my phone and has updated just fine. But a good reminder to turn on the device before you leave. Thanks!

[@colinreed1652]

What’s the OR hoodie ya got there?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Vigor Grid Fleece Pullover. It’s excellent!

[@NotYou9311]

I have considered a sattelite device, including the Zoleo. I've never come to a purchase decision, however. The fact is, I really have no use for the messaging facility of the device (no family and no close friends) ...only the SOS function. Besides, I find that I am rarely outside of cell service...at least, so far. So, I am not in favor of paying for a device or plan which is so much devoted to messaging. I wish that I could find a device and plan that are ONLY for the SOS function - at least at a reasonable price. There are SOS-only devices out there...but they tend to be more expensive than the devices like the In Reach or Zoleo.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I totally get it, which is why at the end of the video I talk about doing your research and ultimately getting what checks the "needs" boxes for you. Each device is going to have pros and cons and different feature sets. I'd still think that if the SOS function is important enough to have, that paying for the lowest cost plan on ZOLEO or Garmin would be worth it. :) Thanks!

[@natalieroy4849]

Messages are definitely not as fast as regular texting. Same with weather updates. I also wish you could use it without turning on your cellphone. If you lose your phone or the battery dies there goes the usefulness of the Zoleo.

[@purplegangsters86]

While you won’t be able to text or get weather updates. You still can send check in / I’m ok. And the sos feature with the ZOLEO by itself. A few of my buddies love their in reach minis. But I’ve been super happy with the ZOLEO in the back country and my daughter is super happy that we can text each other full conversations. When I’m deep in the back country. Not just send her 2-3 fixed generic messages like my old spot. Something i don’t think he touched on. Is if you aren’t planning any trips you can pause your ZOLEO subscription. Only pay $4 a month but keep your designated phone number and email. Unless things have changed you couldn’t do that with other devices.

[@natalieroy4849]

@@purplegangsters86 I have a Zoleo. I'm mostly happy with it. I didn't know you could send check it's without turning on your phone. Good to know.

[@bewhiskeredjuarez6851]

Dan Becker was rescued out of a canyon!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yes he was. Glad he was able to get help!

[@andrewramos1542]

*promosm*

[@oldcrust4741]

I have had my Zoleo for about 3 years now, and I'm generally happy with it. I never had very high expectations, so it's often balky satellite connections aren't that upsetting. As I expected, it will have problems in canyons, deep valleys, or heavily treed locations (this likely affects all such devices). That's not surprising as this tiny little radio has to reach out and touch a satellite under pretty suboptimal conditions. If I'm above the tree line, it works great! In these conditions, I can send and receive texts without a hitch. What happens if I suffer a mishap in an area without a good view of the sky? I guess I would try to get to an open area, or perhaps throw the Zoleo into a better spot and cross my fingers! Finally, Zoleo should consider partnering with an insurance provider a la Garmin and Bullitt to provide SAR coverage. Helicopter rides are expensive. I believe Garmin's coverage runs $39/year, and Bullitt's Overwatch and Rescue is $35/year.

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

An American Alpine Club membership will solve the rescue insurance issue for you 👍🏻

[@waynebayer3144]

turned out to be a piece of junk none of my messages got out

[@BackcountryExposure]

Really? Did you work with their customer service to fix issues?

[@alanshaw6161]

I think I just watched a 12 minute commercial

[@BackcountryExposure]

I did clearly explain that I am an ambassador for Zoleo…

[@jannamozdzer4100]

I wont give up my Garmin for a Zoleo, not gonna happen. You can send any message you want, just type it in yourself, why does it have to be preset? I do like the non emergency chat but if you’re out there at all you should have basic knowledge to get you by if you don’t need emergency assistance.