ZOLEO

I’ve used Zoleo for 3 years now on backcountry trips. It’s easy to use and keep in contact with loved ones. My brother has a Garmin Mini and Zoleo out preforms the Garmin on every trip both in speed of messages coming in and out and overall service. The 1000 characters is also a big deal when sending detailed messages to others with the Zoleo app. If you are choosing between the two devices go with Zoleo….You won’t be disappointed.

Works fine, not sure why others have issues but the app and the device have to be kept up to date or there will be issues. One improvement would be to have Apple Watch support.

I’ve had the device for 3 years and I still find the app hard to use and non intuitive. It took an inordinate amount of time to set up additional check in and location sharing users. Account changes are allowed on web page only and synchronization to app takes a long time. While the rating is not for the device I also have to say service is less than stellar. Messages are often delayed even with good satellite coverage, and most frustrating is when auto location sharing stops for hours only to update in a batch. Does zoleo understand this is a critical service? The app and device firmware need a thorough revamping. Nothing has changed in a while and it smells like abandonware.

It’s a solid three. Can be very slow but I can keep in touch with fam while we go fishing on the ocean . Should have call tho. I think that is stupid. That’s why I have deducted two points from my rating

The requirement to have this poorly coded software in between you and the Zoleo device renders this a poor choice. After the first setup, it just wiped all data, disconnected from my device, and now I am unable to even use this as anything besides a paperweight. Go elsewhere if you're looking for reliable emergency rescue equipment because you'll be really upset, or worse, when the required software fails to work as advertised.

Zoleo app does not work anymore. I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max

The app works fine, the constant emails are annoying. I don't want to unsubscribe just in case there’s some type of urgent operational alert issued. I’ve only had the device one month but if the annoying emails continue, I’ll unsubscribe.

The latest update on the app has badly implemented jail-break detection. If your iPhone isn’t jail-broken anymore, but you’re using the same backup file from when you USED to jail-break, the app will crash on immediately on startup. I had to completely restore and start my iPhone from scratch, with no backup restored on it, because the app was still able to tell that I used to jail-break my phone over four years ago because of my backup file. So, if your Zoleo app is crashing on startup, and your iPhone isn’t jail-broken, it’s because the app is still able to tell that you used to jail-break from your backup file. In which case, you’re gonna have to restore and start from scratch. DO NOT backup with iCloud either, the Zoleo app was still detect the traces. You’re gonna have to use iCloud Photos and turn on iCloud sync for all the apps you use to save your important files. Shame on Zoleo for having such badly implemented jail-break detection. It is literally the only satellite messaging app with this issue. Garmin, bivy stick, and even the latest moto app doesn’t do this.

This app and device worked as advertised. I was able to run my business from the Colorado wilderness while on a hunting trip. We lost cell service as soon as we hiked into the wilderness, but I was still able to get texts in and out through the ZOLEO device. The battery lasted a long time, and I re-charged it with a battery backup that I brought since we were out for 5 days and I was using the device a lot. I would definitely use this device again. My girlfriend was able to track me with the location share in case something happened in the wilderness.

The app used to work well, however, sometime in the last couple months it stopped working on my 14 Pro Max. It works on my work X. It crashes immediately upon opening. ZOLEO tech support has not been able to diagnose or solve.