ZOLEO Satellite Communicator: The BEST?!?!?

Check out the Zoleo Satellite Communicator: amzn.to/2J28dEu
**VIDEO UPDATE**
The Spot Communicator uses the Globalstar GPS Network, not the Iridium Network. Mistake on my part.
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ULA Ohm 2.0: ula-equipment....
My tent: Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2: bit.ly/331TdL3
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Top Quilt:
Warm Weather: Massdrop EE Revelation 20 degree Quilt: bit.ly/33pb9A7
Cold Weather: UGQ Bandit Top Quilt: ugqoutdoor.com...
Underquilt:
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens: amzn.to/2Ih5l2c
Neewer LED Softbox Lighting Kit: amzn.to/2XnXK8d
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro: amzn.to/2L8Z7p1
Geekoto 77" Tripod: amzn.to/2WtImG9
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[@Detonator_Prime]

I have a Zoleo and it is by far the best unit I have had. Way better than Spot devices and In Reach etc.

[@john_kelley]

I love mine!

[@GT_Racer347]

I'm looking forward to using my wife's Zoleo this weekend in the Nicolet National Forest! Solo camp etc.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Been thinking about the Zoleo, glad to see so much support for it!

[@john_kelley]

It’s a great piece of gear. I’d suggest it to anyone.

[@BohemianAdventurers]

This is what I needed. Perfect timing man! Great review! This should get Zoleo lots of sales!

[@john_kelley]

Thanks man. I think it's a great option.

[@pmclellan123]

Great video. Lots of info without being too wordy. Thanks.

[@john_kelley]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaellopez8003]

Good review. Have heard similar feedback from other reviews. Kinda waffling between this and the Garmin I reach but from what I am the zoleo may fit my needs just fine I'm 59 and planning to more solo hikes and backpacking trips and I think my wife would be just fine with the Zoleo. Thanks again!

[@VistarCreative]

New to the channel. Good stuff! I’ve had my Zoleo for two years. I used it initially while shooting a documentary in the Colorado mountains. I picked it up just a while back to use it again and saw that the USB port had become loose and was not working anymore. Not sure if it was my fault or not. Zoleo didn’t care. They immediately sent me a new one and a package to send mine back and I’m back up and running in no time. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@joproinc3294]

Great info and great bloopers! Keep up the awesome work bro! You’re crushing it

[@john_kelley]

Thanks!

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Love that battery life. That’s awesome!! Seems like a great piece of equipment to have 👍👍

[@john_kelley]

I'm a fan, for sure!

[@KrizAkoni]

I had no idea there were other choices like this. I need to check it out.

[@john_kelley]

It’s worth it! I’m really impressed by it.

[@BensonGregory]

This is the review I’ve been waiting for! Great detailed review.

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Benson!

[@mejbp]

Good review and seems to be a solid SMS and SOS product using the Iridium network. Couple points: SPOT uses the the much inferior GlobalStar network, not Iridium. Prospective Zoleo buyers need to be aware that the check-in messages count against the monthly allocation and the user has only one pre-addressed/composed check-in message. Conversely, InReach offers three different user defined pre-addressed/composed check-in messages and they are unlimited. Also Zoleo has no mapping, navigation or map sharing, no way point finding, tracking, or backtracking which for me makes it more like a PLB. I know you said you didn't want to "start a war" with InReach, but these non-features are clearly a downside to the Zoleo device and should be openly discussed in your review.

[@john_kelley]

Fair enough.

[@SnoringVids]

Would like to see a comparison between the two

[@DaveNorona]

actually initially zoleo had 3 people for check in and now it is 5, you dont need this to be a huge number as check in should be family or friends who will come to help you if needed over a major search and rescue

[@DaveNorona]

@@SnoringVids kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZSwh5uChLGjf7s

[@RonaldRippen]

To recent viewers: Along with SOS, check-in messages do not count against your plan.

[@ryankeane8072]

Thanks for the video! The recent addition of the +$6/mo to get unlimited location sharing and unlimited check-ins made me finally jump for this, rather than getting an Inreach Mini as I had been planning. Dedicated phone number and connection to cellular (I often can get an intermittent bar where I hike) are big pluses. For my purposes (primarily wife’s piece of mind during solo trips), I think Zoleo is the best and most affordable option for me.

[@john_kelley]

It’s a great unit. I love mine.

[@stronglikemonkey]

Hey John, new subscriber here. Me and my wife just moved close to the RRG. Glad she found your channel. Looks like an awesome channel. Dig your personality and you seem to keep it real. Keep doing what you are doing Brother! I also heard from a app developer that Dark Sky is going the way of the white Buffalo at the end of 2021. Hopefully not true. Take care!

[@john_kelley]

Yeah. The Dark Sky news has me worried about what developers are going to do for units like this one.

[@MarkGoesHiking]

Good review John. Really helpful review. You answered the big questions. 🤙👍

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Mark!

[@danielmarrero6014]

Thank you for the review, I am considering this as well as a bivystick, reviews like your's are great.

[@john_kelley]

Glad to help.

[@tiggertrailtails3112]

great video. great review. ive been using this device for the last year or so. it works great. Definitely can't beat the price. don't go anywhere without my zoleo. awesome review

[@meinthewild]

Thanks for doing this review. I’ve been investigating which Satellite locator unit I want to buy. The Inreach is too expensive and heavy. I also like that I could suspend the plan for a mere $4 per month when I’m not using it.

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

Definitely worth checking out when my SPOT subscription runs out!

[@john_kelley]

I've really enjoyed using it.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Great review John. Thanks

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Warren!

[@shanec508]

Great review, thanks for putting this together!!

[@cyprant]

Great Review! I'm really intrigued by the ability to use the app all the time while hiking with out having to think about if I have cell service or not... You have me thinking twice about what SOS/Irridium Text device to buy...

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Tom!

[@johnnywishbone932]

It’s a nice addition. I like mine a lot.

[@HikingwithGus]

Hey John.... Hope you little one is feeling better. I have been using inReach Explorer + for few years now. I have been happy with it but something smaller would be nice. I'll be watching this unit to see how it evolves for sure. Thanks for the review!

[@john_kelley]

Thanks for the kind words. My daughter is amazing. You would’ve never known she was sick.

[@HikingwithGus]

@@john_kelley So glad to hear it!

[@lakorai2]

Garmin makes some nice units too. If you need to go out by yourself or if you are going on a trip to a remote location with friends then you definately need something like this. I just wish they had affordable prepaid options. Most people will only need this for a week or two a few times a year.

[@john_kelley]

A GPS unit is a must if you are out alone.

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great review! I've been interested in there product for a while now. I've used a Garmin Inreach for a few years now and it does a pretty good job and I feel their pricing is a bit better but their app is horribly outdated. I may end up switching things up for the new year. Thanks for sharing!

[@john_kelley]

The Zoleo app is incredible. So easy to use.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great review. That is an awesome product. Well done. Crow✌️

[@john_kelley]

Thanks, Crow!

[@AndrewSmith-rp6ee]

Hi, just wanted to make a correction - SPOT is on the Globalstar satellite network, not Iridium.

[@richardweremiuk933]

SPOT trackers do not use the Iridium Network, those comments are incorrect.

[@butchbinion1560]

Good info thanks

[@john_kelley]

👍🏼

[@masteraquarius747]

Spot does not use the iridium network

[@erikatkinson1395]

Garmin inreach uses dark sky weather as well

[@john_kelley]

Thanks for the heads up. I looked online, and Garmin's site didn't say anything about it. Although, Garmin and Zoleo may now have to give up on it. Apple bought Dark Sky, and they may be taking away the API from non-apple apps. We'll see what's up. Thanks for making me go look that up.

[@erikatkinson1395]

@@john_kelley forsure what you get with that zoleo GPS it pretty sweet for the price point though! I am a inreach owner and I kinda wish I had that 😅 at the same time its nice to have the screen on the inreach incase the cell phone takes a crap

[@john_kelley]

That’s a good point. The screen is definitely nice. My guess is that is one of the main reasons for the lower price.

[@JeremiahStringer]

Great review bro!

[@john_kelley]

I appreciate it!

[@prasantachowdhury729]

Looking forward to getting this in India soon . But the plan charges are to high according to Indian condition .

[@gregsantos9392]

SPOT does not use the Iridium system, it uses the Globalstar system. I live in Hawaii and none of the SPOT devices have coverage in Hawaii, Iridium devices do.

[@jonsanford2515]

I read a comparison of this unit vs. Garmin mini. Their conclusion was both work well but both have flaws. This one doesn’t do route tracking, and requires a cell phone to do everything but SOS and the generic check in, but they loved that Zoleo switches between satellite, cell and wifi. Garmin is capable of stand alone operation, and does everything Zoleo does plus tracking, but they wished it would automatically switch between signal type. They said if either would add what the other has that they are missing it would be their top choice. As is they slightly favor Garmin.

[@john_kelley]

Both definitely have the ups and downs. For me, I like the ease of use for communicating with the Zoleo.

[@jesusfreak7777]

All i want it for is to be able to contact my parents that live in the island during hurricane season. If push comes to shove

[@dracojdh]

How can you get the weather on your smartphone if you are in the bush with no cell service?

[@briankwest]

usb-c or not, this device is affordable and able to give people access to satellite coms on a budget.

[@L19-o7r]

1:02 Spot doesn't use the Iridium network.

[@stormw777]

Does it have the ability for your wife who is at home to ping your locations anytime she feels like checking in on you? What happens if you are on the trail and you fall and get knocked out? How will you share your location then? Or what happens if your driving in your jeep and you roll down a cliff and are unable to get to your device while you lay there? This device needs to have the ability to be tracked by who ever is at home.

[@john_kelley]

They just added that feature in the last few weeks.

[@christopherbrinegar4122]

Love your review!!! Trying to decide between Garmin inReach and Zoleo. Does the Zoleo have the ability to message a map location to my contact so they can see where I am?

[@john_kelley]

I had to wait to reply to this, because they just added waypoints to the Zoleo. For $6/month, you get unlimited waypoints.

[@DaveNorona]

you have always been able to send a map location of where you are...and as John states below location ping has just been added this allows for timing of every 6 min to 4hrs for an automatic ping to your location.

[@gabrielakins8673]

How well did Zoleo perform in Talladega Forest? Pinhoti? I hike primarily in Bankhead Forest in the other side of Alabama. I’ve been deciding between Zoleo and Bivy Stick Blue. Thank you.

[@john_kelley]

It worked flawlessly. There were two of us using one, and both worked great.

[@operationseekingtruth]

Man, I just bought the InReach Explorer Plus. Between the two, what do you think?

[@michaelpicones195]

Zoleo is a winner for me!

[@shanehellsten2418]

Thanks for the review. John, what is the message latency. We are a hunting party considering getting a few of these and for big game hunting, being able to send very timely messages with minimal lag is critical and would be communicating between multiple devices.

[@melanier5753]

Can the zoleo receive messages as well as send them

[@john_kelley]

Absolutely! It works just like texting.

[@jay-mk4yt]

can you clarify please are check ins free?

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

John, does it let you know when a message went by cell or by satellite? Just so you can keep track of how many you used...

[@john_kelley]

It does not, but I've talked to people there, and they're trying to figure something out with that.

[@john_kelley]

Just wanted to follow up. They just added the ability to see, on the fly, how many messages you’ve sent on your Zoleo. It literally came out a couple days ago.

[@AndyParrishOutdoors]

@John Kelley That's awesome. Any word on when we'll be able to play Super Mario Bros on it? 😂 Hey, did I see that you hurt your knee recently?

[@john_kelley]

Lol. I don’t know about video games, but we’ll see 😂. I jammed my knee a few weeks ago, but I’ll be good in about 3 or 4 weeks.

[@dalejayne2461]

just curious if it works if your phone dies or is not working for some reason. Can you still use SOS and check in feature.

[@kevinboyer6249]

John, did you try any of the other sat communicators? I'm torn between the Zoleo and the Bivystick Blue.

[@john_kelley]

I’ve checked out the Garmin InReach mini. For me, I like the interface in the Zoleo better. I don’t need it for maps or waypoints, just communication.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Hey John how's it going man. That was a good review you did on the Zoleo man. My coworker has a question about it? Me and him hikes and kayak and he was wondering does it have a clip on the back side of the unit or do you have to tie it down to something and do you think it will work well for kayaking on the river. When he's on the river he has no cell phone signal. I'm putting this on my Christmas list. I'm having problems with my feet swelling up so this would be great for when I have problems while hiking or kayaking. It was stop my wife from worrying so much. You and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving and be safe out there.

[@john_kelley]

Hey Mack!!! It comes with a carabiner that you can hook on just about anything. There are also kits you can buy that give you all kinds of ways to affix it to just about anything. Have a great Thanksgiving.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@john_kelley me and my coworker want to thank you for the information. My coworker said he liked your video. I think you got a new subscriber. Thank you John I definitely would have a Happy Thanksgiving. For once I would be home and not trucking 🚛.

[@john_kelley]

@@mackjenkins7721 Thanks again, Mack! Glad you’ll be home.

[@justme-uw1yq]

Just one question from me, can a zoleo to zoleo text go through, thanks

[@tamiboelter2833]

I only want to pay for it when I am out on the trail, which is infrequent. Possible?

[@john_kelley]

You can pay for only one month

[@JulesOille]

@@john_kelley how much ?

[@soloadvtravel]

I think they might have a minimum of 3 months at $39 then you are able to suspend at $4/mo

[@prasantachowdhury729]

If Zoleo wants to market this in India they may contact me . I would love to give them suggestions.

[@JulesOille]

I’m not wild about another monthly fee

[@raythompson6151]

Can i receive any messages too?

[@john_kelley]

Yep. It sends and receives.

[@kiltrohiker5568]

Is the plan month by month?

[@john_kelley]

Yes.

[@kiltrohiker5568]

@@john_kelley thanks man! I really appreciate your review.

[@john_kelley]

@@kiltrohiker5568 no problem!

[@neemancallender9092]

Just spoke to ZOLEO They are only in the USA, Canada, and Australia So to be polite useless for your overseas viewer

[@john_kelley]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully, that will change in the near future.

[@SummitSeeker546]

The BEST satellite communicator out there is the one my backpacking partner brings and pays for... lol. Frankly all this technology is taking away from skill(s) development and ruining the back country experience. IMO...

[@spencer5618]

IMO I despise these “outdoor” companies who “truly” wanna help you out, makes you pay for your safety... if I have WiFi why use the app for free messages when I could just use my phone 🤔

[@spencer5618]

I got mortgage,internet, car payment, Hulu,Netflix HBO go, prime, etc etc etc etc etc hi my name is bob I have 326 payment plans a month 😂 but again I guess you can’t put a price on your well being....or can you...it’s the new normal

[@ShootTheTrail]

Man I so need one of these. My mom is always concerned, that I am going get lost on the trail somewhere with my little boy who can’t really do anything for me if I ever get in to a precarious situation.

[@john_kelley]

I love mine!