Don't Buy A ZOLEO - Real World Experience
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- čas přidán 29. 03. 2024
- I absolutely 100% DO NOT recommend anyone buy a ZOLEO GPS/SOS device and I explain why in this video.
I learned from first hand experience that you need a better device than ZOLEO currently offers. In a real-world rescue situation ZOLEO just doesn't cut it and my opinion will not be changed.
Link to Mount Whitney Rescue video:
• Mount Whitney Rescue -...
This video may stir up some controversy but it is my own opinion. When you are in a life threatening situation you need a better device. Do not be cheap when it comes to your safety. Spend more money if you have to on a better device or you could die.
I bought my ZOLEO at REI so I was able to return it and get another brand instead. If you are a ZOLEO owner, watch this video and really think about what I'm saying here. Maybe you can trade yours in too. I now own a Garmin Messenger, and it wasn't much more money than a ZOLEO.
Your life is worth the extra cost.
I am not sponsored by any company and have never been paid for anything I've done on this CZcams channel. This is my own honest opinion and I want to share what I've learned.
#hiking #safety #GPS - Sport
Very interesting. This video came at the time that I am about to purchase a SOS backpack device. I am considering the Garmin and the ZOLEO. My usage is primarily in-shore and near-shore marine and sometimes remote mountain hiking.
My boat has an EPIRB on it per good sense and Coast Guard regulation, so that covers water rescue. EPIRBs do not have any text capability and they’re used by vessels all over the world. So the Zoleo would be a back-up on my boat that would allow me to text the “I’ll be home soon” or a business text when I am out of cell phone coverage, and my cell tower coverage area in Alaska is very spotty and with Zoleo I don’t have to worry about cell towers. The Zoleo will use the cell phone if it’s there (for free) and satellite if needed without me deciding which method.
For remote hiking, I can see your point that the Zoleo could use a small screen for typing, but I also see the comment above that said if you have the right charger, the right connector the right cables for the phone then the Zoleo should be OK also. I am pretty sure I am going to purchase the ZOLEO because of its features.
I will have the cables and batteries and iPhone ready.
However,
if I was only climbing dangerous mountains on week long treks, I think the Garmin may be best.
good information that people need. Hope it helps hikers make an informed decision on communication devices.
Thank you!
Great point. A phone is a scuba k up at best. Stand alone is the best
I can see only two reasons why someone would disagree: either a person already has a Zoleo and feel they must defend their purchase, or they don't think they can afford an alternative.
I owned a Zoleo because it was cheaper but traded it in. Thanks for the comment!
Cheers mike .
Back atcha! 👍
I have no clue why other backpacking youtubers don't bring this up. Or don't acknowledge a real event like this happened. That lady could have died.
Many people don't even realize the problem with that missing feature on their device. I didn't until this happened to me in real life. Some are also probably hoping to make a commission selling these on their channels. Hey I sent you an email a few days ago ;)
@@outsidewithmike Hey I replied but I might have to change the email. I left my contact info.
I ordered the Garmin Mini 2 and it would not allow me to register for satellite service once I paired it with my phone. Had to send it back.
Maybe you got a dud? I know it's a great device. Sometimes GPS is tricky to set up. There are plenty of others though. I have the Garmin Messenger. Has a much better battery which is good for trips of several days. Doesn't have the detailed route following like the Minis have.
@@outsidewithmike Thanks!
So you or the people you came across bought a unit that is considerably chaper...didnt use it correctly, didnt have the correct cable to charge in the event of an emergency...and its the devices fault?
I am glad everything went well with the situation you were in but people buying things and then not really using the properly and then posting a video saying to buy the item is a little odd.
Or Maybe this video should have been geared a little different.
Getting a better device is what solves all of those problems.
- No need to charge a phone.
- No need to have a cable.
- No need for a phone at all.
The fewer items that can go wrong the more likely you are to get help when you need it. The video says exactly what I wanted it to say.
How much money is one's life worth? The extra $100 to get something more reliable? It is to me.
Thanks for commenting.
Although I think it's good to point out the differences between these devices, I agree.
I went with a Zoleo exactly BECAUSE I always travel with my phone and enough battery bank to keep it alive (and 2x the proper cables to do so... I mean, really??) for as long as I'll be out, and I do that for several reasons (GPS, maps, marking fishing spots in a canoe, etc.). And, I really like the weather feature on the Zoleo - I use it even more than I thought I would. But the odds of me not having phone for 2 way comms if I ever do need to hit the button are extremely low.
Geez, I used to carry an ACR PLB with NO 2 way comms -- actually still have it!
But yeah, you really need to choose your equipment based on YOUR individual needs AND it's features and limitations, and then you really need to KNOW it's limitations before ever having to rely on it to save your life.
Don't remember exactly where that was, but wait till they get the possible $50,000+ bill for the helicopter and find out about the SAR Insurance they should have gotten... 🤦 I sincerely hope that's not the case! I'm hearing talk about a new bill that was passed that might now eliminate those enormous SAR helicopter bills? Hope that's true. Happy trails!
@@briandavies1397 SAR isn't usually charged to the person rescued in California unless there was extreme negligence involved. Other states and some localities may differ. I'm willing to be corrected but that's the info I have seen.
The more devices in the chain the more likely something will go wrong. Phone screens break, bluetooth can be an issue, batteries are extra weight and can have problems in cold weather.
I can also send messages to other Garmin devices which is good for me since we all have Garmins. That's the reason I traded the Zoleo for it. Me and Matt on our first trip to Whitney couldn't msg each other I received some of his but he got none of mine) so he insisted I get the Garmin.
I'd rather spend the extra $100. Considering how much the rest of my gear cost me it's a drop in the bucket.
A small quibble...I got SPAM messages on Zoleo's device thanks to it having a unique phone number. I had to call or email them every time and make sure they weren't charged to my account as a call. Hopefully they addressed this.
The Zoleo may have better weather, not sure. I know it's good.
Thanks for the comment!
I just want to say that these people only made one tiny mistake with their SOS gear. They had an external battery, they had a Zoleo. They had a phone that worked with the Zoleo. But the phone battery died, perhaps prematurely because of the freezing temps. Not sure if phones are designed to withstand that. Not all are that's for sure.
But they forgot one tiny little item, a charging cable, and it almost cost them their lives.
Perhaps it was on their checklist and they brought it but needed to charge on the drive up to the portal and forgot to put it back in their pack? Very simple mistake anyone can make. A $10 item. Someone almost died.
If I have my Garmin (or other brand similar device) I am covered, even if I forget or break all the other stuff. There is no way I will ever buy a device that relies on other devices to function. It makes no sense to me.
Some good points made but definitely avoidable.
"Wait, I thought YOU brought the charging cable?"
"I did but it doesn't want to work, you know how cables fail sometimes?"
"Oh well I guess we'll just have to die out here"
👍
ZOLEO is half price of the Garmin because it leverages your cell phone, not the phone's network, but just the phone's interface.
Zoleo is currently $200
Garmin Messenger $300
In case others don't know...Both can be used with a phone. Only Garmin can work without one.
Regardless of what device you use, if any, you should always ensure your cell phone does not run out of battery. It's a critical piece of equipment. Buy a $25 portable battery charger if necessary.
@@robertfindley921 Yep. I use mine with AllTrails to navigate when needed. I carry a big battery brick for my cameras. I'm the dork with the USB cable running from my front pocket up through my hat to my head-mounted camera!