ZOLEO Satellite Communicator – Two-Way Global SMS Text Messenger & Email, Emergency SOS Alerting, Check-in & GPS Location – Android iOS Smartphone Accessory

A few weeks ago when we were camping/overlanding, my wife asked a great question - what do we do when someone gets hurt or an emergency, and we have no cell signal? A very good question, and where we live cell signal outside of the few major cities and interstate is a bit spotty, and in mountains is non-existant. After some research, we decided to give Zoleo a try. We set it up and tested it on our deck outside (it needs open sky to work), and all the features seemed to work (we didn't try SOS, but everything else). The "I am OK" check button had our location within 30' (it sends GPS coordinates with the OK message), so that seems to work as well. We really just wanted a system that we could get help when needed (I have an overland truck with a roof-top tent. It would take a while to fold up everything even good enough to travel, and sometimes time is important), message folks when needed, or get updates from pet sitter, etc. We didn't need all of the maps and stuff that come with other products (I use other apps to do navigation). We were able to send/receive text messages with it in the middle of nowhere (no cell signal for miles), battery life was great, the app is actually pretty easy to use, and initial activation worked great. My wife and I both set it up together (so either of us can use it), and it was pretty easy to setup contacts and such after you understood the interface (it's not that hard to pick up). I called customer service once (to understand what my emergency contacts would see if we activated SOS), and the person answering the call was very friendly and knowledgeable. For us, this is pretty close to a perfect device for our needs. The cost of the device isn't that bad, its rugged/waterproof, 200hr battery life (we left it on for multiple days - I think 200hr is pretty accurate), the monthly cost gives you more messages than other brands (and you can suspend it after 3 months - they charge $4 per mo. for your account when suspended, and you can turn on/suspend however you like after the initial 3 months...if you turn it on, then they charge you for a month, but you can suspend it for the next month..all done on website), the app is fairly easy to use (we use iPhones). We just wanted to be able to do basic messaging/check-ins/get help, and that is really all this device does (but it does it well). You don't have to have the app running for check-in or SOS, and the device also let's you know some info via lights (you have a message waiting, SOS received, check-in sent ok, you need to charge it, etc). This won't give you a bunch of maps and stuff, so if that is more of your need, look elsewhere. But if your looking for an inexpensive PLB/sat messaging system, then this little guy may be it. It's a newer company, but so far I think they have a winning solution. With the new camping boom, they may have rolled this out at a great time. Very satisfied.

Got to use all the features on the first time out unfortunately. I bought this unit based on some great reviews and had all the features I needed. Ultimately purchased it to communicate with group of snowmobilers during winter rides. I had a break down and was separated on back to back trips this year and wanted a solution. So I took it on a hiking trip over the recent holiday weekend and told a contact (Android phone) once I got up to the camp site, I would send a location pin (IOS phone) and have him guess which location we ended up in in order to test sharing a location and having them find it on their app with offline maps. Just short of the camping spot I ended up breaking my leg. I started texting contacts in my iPhone using the Zoleo device and phone app to find out how far behind the rest of the group was and learned they were about 3 hours behind me. I debated for about 30 minutes about what to do and ultimately ended up pressing the SOS button due to the severity of the injury and remote location. Things I learned from my Zoleo device experience: 1. Response time between texts was very good. Even though I was in a real bad spot against steep sloping terrain with very tall trees on all sides......signal was the only problem based on my injury location. However, I believe the longest time for sending or receiving a text was 1-2 minutes but most of the time it was almost instantaneous. 2. SOS response was excellent. Once pressed they immediately reached out to my emergency contacts. They were in contact with me within 2 minutes and updated me throughout the ordeal. First communication was "GEOS: This is the IERCC, what is your emergency?". 3. Once IERCC determined that it was an emergency, they contacted a sheriff's office around 65 miles away (nearest location by checking Google). The sheriff's office then immediately contacted a local volunteer search and rescue crew. 4. When the search and rescue crew arrived, they were very professional, prepared, and very good at what they do. Very happy about that part. They immediately said they were pleased that I was able to get a very accurate location and inquired about how I did so. I showed them the Zoleo device and the SOS function and they were super impressed but hadn't heard of it before. They were able to use the location pin sent from my Zoleo device and input it into an onX app on their iPhone's and arrived exactly to my location. So there was no time "searching" around and took the guess work of finding me out of the time it took to rescue me. 5. At some point I inquired if I had to do any paperwork with them once finished and they said no. So there was no financial liability with these search and rescue folks. However, once we reached my vehicle I wasn't sure what their protocol was and requested that I drive myself out to the hospital of my choice. Their response was that there was too much liability for them to release me and instead drove me to the forest area boundary to be picked up by a waiting ambulance. So at that point I was liable for the cost of the ambulance and an overnight stay at an unknown hospital. Not really a bad thing in the end but I wasn't sure what the financial implications would be by pressing the SOS button......but I know now. Bottom line: I will never go off grid again without my Zoleo device. It was peace of mind when I got injured and the search and rescue crew gave me great feedback on how it helped them do their job to help me. Also, my contact that was sent the location pin instantly knew exactly where I was at as well, which is why I initially purchased it. Hope this helps anyone looking for something similar in a satellite communication device linked to IOS and/or Android phone.------not affiliated in any way with this company or how the device works------

La possibilité de suivre avec des points GPS régulier sur une appli maison est un vrai plus. On peut aussi importer les rapports CSV dans Google Earth

As I will be doing a lot of solo back country hiking / camping in Arizona shortly, I was looking for a product that would keep me in touch with love ones when out of cell phone signal, as well as giving me the assurance of calling for assistance should I injure myself etc. I done a lot of research and chose the Zoleo GPS Communicator over all the other brands as this gave me everything I needed at a reasonable cost. The set up was so easy and after making some test SMS and emails was confident that I will be able to keep in touch with people back home. The unit itself is small and feels high quality. This item will take some knocks in its stride. You do need to sign up for a monthly subscription but out of all the others on the market this one gave more buck for my money and also gave me the option to suspend or cancel after 3months which will suit me just fine. I obviously have not tested the SOS function and hope I never have to So far happy with the purchase Update….. Have just got back from almost a month off grid in the US backcountry. It would not be right to not of give an update. This tiny little box was fantastic! It kept me in touch, not only with mt SOS buddies, but anyone else I wanted to (upto 5 additional people). There was never a time I had any concerns while out solo. It sent out OK updates to all my contacts along with a breadcrumb trail. It never let me down once. Another great thing was, it held its charge for just over 7 days. Fantastic piece of kit. Can not recommend this enough if you do solo trips where there is no mobile signal or patchy. I am now using this in the windscreen of my car driving around the U.K. as a back up for when mobile signal drops

Me ha gustado mucho. Funciona fenomenal con una relación calidad precio excelente. Fácil de poner en marcha, vincular al móvil y contratar plan satelital. Servicio postventa eficiente(eso si en ingles porque te atienden desde EEUU aunque puedes hacerlo vía SMS con la ayuda de la IA). Una tranquilidad ir con él a zonas sin cobertura porque no solo tienes el SOS sino que puedes contactar vía SMS satelital.

Totalmente confiable para la transmisión de mensajes. De fácil configuración y con un app muy sencilla de usar. Mis amigos y familia en cualquier momento pueden ubixarme y comunicarse conmigo.

Easy to set up. Worked first time. Affordable. Will save your life. No brainier