Backcountry communication

[geetar]

So far I've been happy with the Zoleo. I don't think it's as nice as the InReach but at $200 it's about half the price.

 

[WapitiBob]

I have zoleo but also use sat text with the iPhone.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I use InReach. Monthly subscription.
One day when I upgrade phones, I will probably sell both of my in reaches for pennies on the dollar

 

[VMHunter]

I was just off the grid this past weekend and used my iPhone with satellite texting.

You have to point the phone at the satellite and it directs you by showing the satellite. Pretty easy.

I’ve never used a Garmin InReach but it will be obsolete soon.

I’d recommend people try it before you’re depending on it.

 

[WVmike]

Very interested to see how this satellite texting feature will turn out, I'm stuck between getting a zoleo or upgrading my phone. I need to upgrade my phone anyways but I'm not sure I want to rely solely on my phone for an emergency situation. I also find it hard to pay for the inreach vs zoleo.

 

[Moserkr]

Good to know @VMHunter I just got an iphone 16 so it will do sat txt and sos. Keeping my inreach mini for a bit as my wife likes how it leaves location breadcrumbs. When I take my boy out with me I give him the inreach for if we get separated, and now we both will have sat devices.

I remember when my phone replaced my garmin gps map. Its a matter of time.

 

[WapitiBob]

If I’m having a real emergency I’m hitting the zoleo sos. $40/year for 50k of rescue coverage as well.

 

[Super_dave]

I plan on picking up a zoleo

 

[VMHunter]

Good to know @VMHunter I just got an iphone 16 so it will do sat txt and sos. Keeping my inreach mini for a bit as my wife likes how it leaves location breadcrumbs. When I take my boy out with me I give him the inreach for if we get separated, and now we both will have sat devices.

I remember when my phone replaced my garmin gps map. Its a matter of time.

You can share location on iPhones. Try this next time and see if your wife can see your location off grid.

 

[Moserkr]

You can share location on iPhones. Try this next time and see if your wife can see your location off grid.

Good idea i will try that.

I asked AI how the SOS Sat function works on iphones. Confirmed you have to aim at the satellites manually, and cant be under heavy or maybe any cover. First two years are free for new phones. If SOS is pressed it alerts the nearest authorities, and shares your location, med info if active, phone battery life, and alerts emergency contacts. Then it drops your pin every 4 hours and leaves an open text line with authorities.

You can also do a practice test with the sat feature to try it out.

 

[brymoore]

If I’m having a real emergency I’m hitting the zoleo sos. $40/year for 50k of rescue coverage as well.

iPhone has SOS.

I get better connection with my IPhone than I did my Zoleo.