Garmin inReach Messenger vs ZOLEO - Sending Messages Over Wifi Cellular or Iridium 🛰️
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- In this first deep dive comparison between the Garmin inReach Messenger and the ZOLEO Satellite Communicator is the primary function both units try to improve on; messaging experience. We’ll be focusing on the messaging functions on both smartphone apps.
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0:00 Intro
0:36 ZOLEO Focused on Messaging
1:20 Messages Over Wifi, Cellular or Satellite
2:09 ZOLEO app
3:12 ZOLEO SMS Message over WIFI or Cell
4:43 inReach Messager SMSover WiFI or Cell
8:29 ZOLEO SMS message over Iridium Satellite
9:39 inReach Messenger SMS over iridium Satellite
11:05 Messages sent to an email address
13:42 App to App Messages
15:45 Contact Lists
16:39 ZOLEO vs inreach Messenger Messaging Review
How ZOLEO Introduced Messaging Flexibility
Before we start our deep dive, lets go back to what made the ZOLEO very interesting alternative to other Iridium Satellite devices; the focus on messaging.
ZOLEO at launch almost three years ago offered vast improvements on how messaging should work and not be tied to the device only. So they did a few new things to make the ZOLEO messaging app more like any other messaging app you have on your smartphone.
ZOLEO Provides Dedicated SMS number And Email
The main driver of the flexibility is upon activation of your ZOLEO device, you are given dedicated SMS number and ZOLEO email address. Why is this a big deal? Well these are two items that are not dedicated on the Garmin inReach architecture at this point.
Garmin inReach sms numbers are recycled and the device email address is meant only for device to device messaging. Meaning that you cannot have your contacts initiate a message to you unless they already have an inReach device activated. So you as part of your planning, you need to send messages via your inReach before you leave for your trip so that your contacts can message you, most times this step is easily forgotten or you don’t update the contacts on the inReach device.
Sending Messages From Cheapest to Most Expensive
ZOLEO also introduced the concept of sending messages over whichever network the paired cell phone had access to from cheapest to most expensive. This meant that your ZOLEO device wasn’t necessary to continue your conversations with contacts as the app would try to send over wifi, cellular and finally over the Iridium network in that order. Only messages sent over the Iridium network would count against your subscription plan.
Garmin inReach Messenger emulates this functionality in their Garmin Messenger smartphone app.
ZOLEO Send More Characters Over Email or App To App
Messages sent to SMS numbers can be up to 160 characters in length that both ZOLEO and Garmin inReach can do easily.
When sending a message to an email address we see that ZOLEO can handle well over 200 characters while inReach Messenger still sends 160 characters on top of making the recipient click through a web form to reply. ZOLEO messages sent to an email address can be replied to by any mail client as a reply as any other email.
This leaves us with the final message type; App to App. This is where your contacts can download the ZOLEO messaging app or Garmin Messenger app and create an account without a device.
For ZOLEO users this is very useful as the number of characters sent is close to 1000 characters. Got inReach Messenger, you are still at 160 characters. ZOLEO app users have the added bonus of being able to see the Location Share+ tracking points but we’ll keep that for later.
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You’re probably wondering where did the Garmin cell message 9:45 went? I took a LONG time to get received. Sending messages over wifi or cellular using inReach messenger has been glitchy to say the least.
@16:46 has a comparison chart for those wanting the TL:DR
Both these units are primarily messaging devices. The fact that the Zoleo allows a permanent number is a deal breaker. I have both a Zoleo and a Garmin Montana 700i, and I choose to activate the Zoleo because of the permanent phone number. If your cell phone carrier changed your number frequently, you would quickly choose a new carrier.
I appreciate this review. I'm planning a AT thru hike for 2023 and have a Garmin Montana 700i but it's large and heavy. I was considering the inReach messenger but had read there is a known issue with some outgoing messages being delayed. Plus you have to initiate the conversation and some text messages (outgoing) are garbled when received. I think the one advantage the Garmin offers is weather reporting. I don't see an option for that on the Zoleo website. After your review and others, I'm leaning towards leaving the 700i and getting a Zoleo for the hike.
I can confirm that I got similar message routing issues & delays using garmin messenger. As for weather ZOLEO also provides it and acts as same with exception that it only provides the basic forecast like inreach
I have a couple of questions. Can you provide answers or direct me for such? I’ve already discerned they’re not included in the typical questions/answer web pages. Thank you! Justin
Just post your questions here and I’ll do my best.
@@AvoidingChores thanks for responding - much appreciated!
I’m trying to figure out about the point of Wi-Fi and cellular on an inteach other than when exact location is needing to be transmitted.
It seems if one has Wi-Fi or cellular coverage, couldn’t you just use your phone and not the messenger?
Maybe I’m missing something - appreciate your help in advance! Justin
Hi Justin- basically the point is to use the messenger app to continue conversations without needing to switch apps. For some it might be useful. In my usage it was more to keep a few up to date or when I was back to the truck
@@playhouseinthewoods6103 Let me give you an example. I fly in private aircraft a lot. Cell service once you leave the ground is spotty, usually dropping off somewhere between 1000' to 2000' above the ground. In some areas you can get reasonable signal even at 6500'. Some have reported 15000'+ at times. With the way the Zoleo addresses this, I don't have to worry about which way the message goes. Whoever I'm conversing with is sending messages to my Zoleo number and I'm replying. How it gets there is Zoleo's problem, not ours.
Apparently Garmin now consolidates cell, Wi-Fi, and satellite messaging! I think they want the market share that Zoleo was pulling away… plus now friends and family without a Garmin can join the Garmin messenger app. Group messaging is also supported!