Garmin inReach Messenger vs ZOLEO

Check out this satellite messenger comparison between the Garmin inReach Messenger vs ZOLEO.
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✔ WEBSITE - ARTICLE LINK:
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✅ LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH SATELLITE MESSENGER:
Garmin inReach Messenger: hikingemergencybeacon.com/gar...
ZOLEO: hikingemergencybeacon.com/zoleo/
________________________________________________________________________________________________
🏬 Amazon PRODUCT LINKS:
Garmin inReach Messenger: amzn.to/3pEQAQa
ZOLEO: amzn.to/3M671MX
🏬 REI PRODUCT LINKS:
Garmin inReach Messenger: bit.ly/3M5bK1r
ZOLEO: bit.ly/3W45hII
🏬 Scheels PRODUCT LINKS:
Garmin inReach Messenger: scheels.sjv.io/oqLAOY
ZOLEO: scheels.sjv.io/9gzNzQ
________________________________________________________________________________________________
✅ RELEVANT PLAYLIST:
Satellite Messenger Comparison: • Satellite Messenger Co...
✅ RELEVANT VIDEOS:
Garmin inReach Messenger Field Test: • Garmin inReach Messeng...
ZOLEO Field Test: • Garmin inReach Messeng...
✅ ADDITIONAL PLAYLISTS:
Satellite Messengers: • Satellite Messengers
📹 CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:33 Similar Features
01:33 Different Features
03:18 Synced with Smartphones
03:50 SOS from Each App
05:20 Message Test
08:50 Physical Comparison
16:34 Final Thoughts
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[@josephgrn2818]

perfect! I was looking for a video on the interface of both. You were the only one I could find! Thanks Rick

[@outdooremergencytech]

Any time Joseph. I'm glad you stopped by. Let me know if you have any questions. Rick

[@mixonmixon2723]

Damn good, to the point review. I’m going with the InReach.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Thank you. I believe the Garmin inReach Messenger is the better choice. Rick

[@saraw6710]

Good review thanks. I’ll prob go with the Garmin.

[@outdooremergencytech]

That's my opinion also. Let me know if you have any questions. Rick

[@samuraioodon]

Hi I'm deciding between these. If be using this primary for bikepacking. Front or Backcountry. I like the live tracking but zoleo charges you. I will be using handful time during the year. Cost for plans for my usage could be a deal breaker. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you

[@outdooremergencytech]

Personally I like the Garmin Messenger better because it is significantly smaller and offers pretty much the same services. If you're using the satellite communicator only a few times per year then I would go with a monthly plan, keep it suspended until you need it, then depending on how much you use it, you can pay for the Expedition Plan that gives you unlimited tracking and messages, but then you can suspend it after your trip. The other option is to go annual on the safety plan and switch to the Expedition plan when you need it. Let me know if that helps and if you have any other questions. Rick

[@Jdub970]

I’m looking at these two units for backcountry day trips. I will be fishing and around rivers. Which would you recommend?

[@outdooremergencytech]

There both offer similar features but there are a few differences. ZOLEO - Dedicated phone number Messenger - Smaller - You can message on the device without being synced - You can TracBack on the device without being synced - You can get weather on the device without it being synced They are both great at communicating as they both change from WIFI to Cell Service to Satellite Service without you having to do anything. I have used both of these a lot and I prefer the Messenger because it's smaller and there are several things you can do on the device, such as 2-way messaging, without being synced to your smartphone. It takes time to 2-way message but at least you can do it. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick

[@Jdub970]

@@outdooremergencytech if you text someone from the inreach messenger since it uses a random number. If they don’t respond to that phone number within a certain time frame will the text not come back to you? Was wondering that since garmin uses random numbers and the zoleo is a dedicated number.

[@outdooremergencytech]

Slightly complicated question as it looks like Garmin has made some changes recently, but I have not seen any official information coming from them. I was testing out sending and receiving messages from my Garmin GPSMAP 67i and the ACR Bivy Stick. It use to be that the phone number would change every 24 hours so if someone using a different manufacturer did not respond in that time period, the Garmin inReach user would have to initiate another message so you could continue messaging. That seems to have changed though. With the 67i and Bivy Stick test I mentioned above, I had someone with an ACR Bivy Stick message me every day for a week, with no response back from me and I was able to get the messages for that entire time so even though Garmin still does not assign a unique phone number, it looks like they have extended the time that number stays connected to the inReach device. I'll check with Garmin and see if they have an official response. Rick

[@outdooremergencytech]

I just spoke with Garmin and they have not made any changes to the Garmin phone number assigned to the device or the length of time it will continue to work. They said that it can depend on several factors but devices from other manufacturers can continue to message for more than a week, but as it depends on factors that this technician could not define for me, there's no telling how long you will be able to communicate before the inReach user would need to send another message. I am going to do some further testing on this with my ACR and the ZOLEO to see if these devices can message my 67i after several weeks and after a month. I'll do my best to respond with what I find here. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have other questions. Rick

[@Jdub970]

@@outdooremergencytech wow, thanks for looking into that! Thats a big deciding factor for me.

[@AlgonquinPrincess]

Hmmm … wondering if I only needed to buy the Messenger instead of the Mini 2? Didn’t know about the Messenger 🤔

[@outdooremergencytech]

Well, that's a great question but to answer it I would need to know how you spend your time in the outdoors. Personally, if you hike, mountain bike, kayak, run, etc, very much then I would absolutely go with the Mini 2. I have it and it's my favorite satellite messenger. If you mainly camp or RV and don't stray to far away from your camp site, then the inReach Messenger would be a good choice. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Rick

[@AlgonquinPrincess]

@@outdooremergencytech Thanks, Rick! You're the best! I really enjoy your reviews! You are right. I primarily hike. So, the Mini2 it is! Happy Trails!

[@outdooremergencytech]

Let me know your thoughts after you get the Mini 2. Rick

[@AlgonquinPrincess]

@@outdooremergencytech Thanks for asking! I did buy one, and I love it! It's a big purchase for me, and the REI employee challenged why I would need one :( I used it in Sedona last week when we went off trail at the recommendation of another YTer. It was nice to confirm where we were. I'm looking forward to using it more. Very common not to have cell service in AZ. So, this is a good upgrade for me. Thanks, again!

[@outdooremergencytech]

It's interesting that the REI employee would ask that. Most of the REI staff I have met would understand why or point you to someone who understands. Here in Colorado, as in Arizona, there are big gaps in cell service so the answer for "why" is an easy one for me. Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad you're enjoying it. Rick

[@RichRich1955]

I was considering a GPS messenger. I looked at the negative comments for the Zolio on Amazon. I wondered if most of them are fake comments because there's so many of them. Anyone care to comment?

[@outdooremergencytech]

Hey Richard. The ZOLEO is a great satellite messenger. I have had really good success with it. My favorite satellite messengers are the Garmin products but the ZOLEO, SPOT, ACR Bivystick and Somewear Global Hotspot are excellent satellite messengers to look at. I can give you some more direction if you would like, but I would need to know how you plan on using it and what you like most in a satellite messenger, and if you like staying connected with others or you only want it in case there is an emergency. Rick

[@RichRich1955]

@@outdooremergencytech thanks Rick. I was wondering if the comments on Amazon were a rash of fake comments to harm their sales but no one can tell for sure. I'm on the fence with the inreach mini 2. I have 3 garmin products and have good luck with them. I can get it with 12 payments on Amazon. I day hike mostly alone but may be in a remote area next year. Thanks for your informative vids.

[@RichRich1955]

I just ordered the mini 👍

[@outdooremergencytech]

Did you get the Mini or Mini 2? Rick

[@claudem.p.7969]

I may suggest these units use the same Iridium satellites. The software analyse positions and it is the same for the same satellites. Just saying. give unit to your wife and test again

[@outdooremergencytech]

Thanks, and I understand they use the same satellite networks but I have tested "a lot" of messages between many satellite messengers and I always get a slower response with ZOLEO vs Garmin, however, granted none of these tests have been in a controlled environment under strict conditions and tested many times against each other. I'm only giving my opinion of what I have seen in my tests. I will be comparing many more of these satellite messengers and will do my best to be more strict to have a true comparison between them. Thanks for the comment and suggestion. Rick

[@markio2010]

Inreach has more complaints about fails on messanging and SoS than Zoleo. But i think they both Suck..

[@outdooremergencytech]

I'm always interested in other peoples experiences. Personally, I have nothing but excellent service from Garmin and no one has touched their quality based on all of my field reviews. Thanks for leaving the comment. Rick

[@RESISTAGE]

while they both suck there's absolutely nothing else that can outperform them.