The ZOLEO Satellite Communicator: 6 Months Later!
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- 🛰 6 months on, I thought it was about time I showed you the Zoleo Satellite Communicator. I also show you how to use the Zoleo, the plans available and my thoughts on the device.
Whilst I received the Zoleo device for free, I'm not obliged to give a positve or biased review, in fact it was my left to my decision if I reviewed it or not. Therefore my thoughts are my own.
🔗 www.zoleo.com/en-gb/plans
⏲ For your convenience, I've broken up this Zoleo video into time chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - ZOLEO Device
2:23 - How to Use ZOLEO
4:05 - ZOLEO App Tour
6:42 - Location Share+
8:26 - Price and Plans
9:45 - Conclusion
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🔗 Other useful links: linktr.ee/WalkWithWallace
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information in my videos is correct, I cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Hiking and wild camping can be dangerous and you head out at your own risk. Please ensure you’re adventure smart before heading out:
1: Do you have the right gear?
2: Do you know what the weather will be like?
3: Are you confident you have the right skills and knowledge for the day?
For more information visit: www.adventuresmart.uk/ - Jak na to + styl
⚡ I wasn't able to secure a discount code for you, however I've been informed that between 23rd Nov - 31st Dec the ZOLEO unit will be in promotion from £199 to £149 with UK retailers.
Very good Robin, but what did it hit when you chucked it! You didn't even blink. Nerves of steel evidently.
@@Fellmandave1 just my partner's favourite glass 🍸. Lol 😂
A couple worthy mentions regarding the plans and pricing:
-There is a 3-month commitment before you are allowed to cancel the subscription. If you only planned to use for 1 month, plan for 3 months + Activation Fee.
-You can choose to put a hold on your subscription for $4/month which keeps your account active.
-If you choose to cancel your subscription instead of putting a hold on it, you'll have to pay the Activation Fee again when re-activating.
So basically, canceling the subscription is worth it if you expect to wait longer than 7 months before using it again. Otherwise, paying the $4/month to suspend line makes sense.
Thanks you reposting. Spot on. 👍🏼
Excellent review. Thanks
Thanks Tom 👍🏻
Great review mate, looks the business 👏
Cheers Tam. 👍🏼 😁
Nice disco box ;) great looking bit of kit that, really like the app features, especially the geo locations & messages 👍
Haha, 🚥
Aye the Location Share is my favourite. I just let that do its thing then when I'm finished for the day ping an okay message and the missus knows I'm hale and hearty.
Looks like a nice piece of kit with usable real world functionality. Great review
Cheers Alex, if you don't mind the subscription then it is a nice bit of kit. 🛰
Excellent review.
Cheers mate. 😎👍🏼
Good review Robin , an intreresting little device which could be a life saver mate..cheers Stevie
Cheers Stevie. Keeps the missus sweet too. Win/win.
Thanks for this mate, I'm on the hunt for something similar and this may tick the box. Well rounded review. ATB Steven
Cheers Steven. Let me know what you end up with mate. 🛰
will do fella!@@WalkWithWallace
Great review Robin. That's a small price to pay for peace of mind! 👍👍
It's definitely an insurance policy, you hope you never need.
Good stuff Robin... I did like the look of the app. I'm hoping Motorola sort out the app and device interface... If they do, it will be a very exciting prospect... It's all good competition... Thank you for sharing.. 👍
The app is where Zoleo have really excelled in my opinion, but the more competition the better imho, as the price of the subscription plans across all companies stick in the throat a bit.
I was coming back down from Hill of Stake and was passing a quarry wall and steep river bank and had a major stumble.
Just managed to stop myself falling into the river with about a 10 ft drop onto rocks.
I could have had a dodgy experience as there was nobody nearby and a difficult scramble back up even with no injuries.
Certainly worth a serious consideration 😮
Oooft, glad you're alright. It's these near misses that do make you think, even if you were knocked clean out the device would know you have stopped and you should be easy to find.
Really concise review as ever. Ive been playing roulette for years with a mobile and praying for mobile signal. Fort Bill to south tends to be not bad, but further North, the coverage gets quite dire (as no doubt you already know 😂😂) I tend to go solo now with a wee camp thrown in.........tbh i really need to think about this quite seriously. I see you can suspend for a small monthly fee too. Thanks again Robin.
Cheers Del. To be fair, you're usually covered by mobile signal on the tops, it's when you're doing multi peaks dropping into glens, corries and hill sides that don't face a nearby town it gets sketchy. It's an insurance policy at the end of the day. Puts Nicola mind at ease so she can enjoy her weekend too. 😁
Full view Robin. These guys have certainly observed their offering - they've pretty much got protection down to an art. I can see you leave nothing to chance with this device. I still go out with no phone - perhaps I may regret that one day but If I'm in the mountains of Mid Wales for example I could always crawl a couple of mile to the remote settlements. Up in Snowdonia or your mountains it may well be different. All the best. Mark
Cheers Mark, yeah they've thought of a lot and always improving the app. I heard you mention that in your latest vid. Should probably pop it at the bottom of your pack switched off but you're hill wise, and experienced.
@@WalkWithWallace A pleasure Robin. Yeah, they work on it for sure. Yeah, I could perhaps take it. I do indeed know what keeps me safe. Have a good rest of the week.
@@WyeExplorer you too mate. 👍🏼
It does sound impressive, especially with the weather forecast on the app. I've had so many phone fails, and I rarely succeed in getting a weather forecast when I'm on the move. I'm happy with the Spot X for now - it's 50g heavier than the Zoleo and not quite as compact, but I've been able to use it to send messages when my phone just would not get a signal. I'm not sure which device would work best in an emergency and I hope I don't have to put it to the test any time soon.
You're well covered with the Spot X device and at least you can text if your phone dies whereas I could only send I'm OK or 🆘 message. Zoleo using the Iridium satellite network, I believe is a bit more reliable than the Spot devices though.
Hi Robin, great review mate. These satellite communicators are great bits of kit aren't they? I've got the Inreach mini, it gives my Dad and my missus, and myself the peace of mind that I'm OK. I just send a pre-set message to them that I'm still alive every 90 mins or so. 🤣
I would say to anyone who is out in the hills, that they really should invest in one. Which ever one they choose they won't be disappointed.
Cheers Dave, you're not always guaranteed a phone signal so if you can stomach the price of the subscriptions then they're a must particularly if you're a solo hiker. My missus likes it more than me.
@@WalkWithWallace Haha, yeah mine too mate. It was her that beat me in to submission to get one, and I’m glad she did. 🤣
@@DAoutdoors ditto, and we even agreed to go halfers on the subscription costs. 😁
@@WalkWithWallace Haha, fair play mate, mine wasn’t that generous! 🤣🤣
Point out that it's for both of you. 😂
hi robin great bit kit am love my Garmin in reach and fact that if my mobile fails am safe there worth it thanks for shreing atb Bryan
That's the bonus of these devices, you're covered if your phone packs in. Great peace of mind.
Are the text features 2-way if using the app? In other words can those in your contact text you via the app (without cellular or WiFi)?
Hi there, yes you can have a two way conversation. Works like a typical messaging app.
@@WalkWithWallace thank you so much for your prompt reply and video!
@@monicabaros7262 you’re welcome, thank you ☺️
I was looking for an alternative to my spot as the plan is now about £200 a year, I don't think this the answer sadly its too expensive but thanks for the video.
Totally understandable, tbh I wish they'd make a 4th plan that was literally just SOS and you paid the flat rate £0.55 for texts if you needed to message someone.
Used one all summer after talking to a Robin... Well worth the money for off Grid... Cheers Robin.. BTW did you smash a glass table when you lobbed it... 😂
Haha, aye the missus was ragin. Was her favourite table. 😜
🤣
Can you receive messages when out of signal on this device?
Yes, as long as you’ve got a view of the sky. 🛰️
Thank you! Think this will be a must the the Cape Wrath Trail.
@@adamwheeler7620 definitely, it’s to be able to keep in touch at all times if needed.
@@WalkWithWallace good video thanks for your help. Ordered my Zoleo
Cheers and all the best for the trail.
Up Scotland! Aberdeen??
Fife but Edinburgh originally.
I am in US, My grandfather came from Aberdeen. Do you think Scotland will ever be independent from the UK?
That’s a tough one to call, the UK is bitter and divided at the moment, Scotland is at a political crossroad, the main political party pushing for independence will probably lose the next election. Time will tell how the next 5-10 years pan out.
What do you hope for?
I am hoping for Independence and the possibility for citizenship by decent, I would love to have a independent passport. UK will not allow citizenship as far back as grandparents 😭
What do you hope for?
I am hoping for Independence and the possibility for citizenship by decent, I would love to have a independent passport. UK will not allow citizenship as far back as grandparents 😭
Looks like I'm just going to lay down and die in the backcountry at the prices of this stuff 😂if I hurt myself or drag my own butt out on my own lol
Haha, it is pricey to run these satellite communicators. The pause function helps I suppose.
Good unit, subs seems a bit expensive.
Yeah, I think for most when purchasing a satellite communicator it will come down to the monthly cost. I think if you want tracking, then Zoleo is the stand out. I'd have to cross reference the plans with the competitors again as its been a while since.
@@WalkWithWallace Defo. As I've said before, if I was to go back in time, I'd just buy an SOS type with no tracking or messaging and hence subscription, that would suit me fine.
Nice review mate. When ye buying me one? Free sub for a year tae eh. 😉 Nice pic o the paps 😉
You can use mine in the event of an emergency. 😜 Mon the Paps. 😁
Nice info there Robin, it’s probably a must have tbh. Cheers, Dave
@@milesfromanywhere. If you do a lot of solo stuff, definitely worth looking into.
Just seems too expensive for me mate.
I know we can spend a lot on gear but I'm not paying that
Equivalent of 4 pints of beer a month once you've got the initial outlay paid but totally get that mate, you've had one or two squeaky bum moments mind you. 😜
@WalkWithWallace think I'll stick with the 4 pints of beer 🍺 🤣.
In all seriousness the item itself, OK I'd pay that but the plans are far too expensive
@@summitwithstevie6934 if you don't want the plans but want the the 🆘 function then look at a PLB like the McMurdo one.
micro-USB?! GTFO!
Not a deal breaker for me, but USB-C definitely would have been a nice finish.