geetar
Well-known member
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.
Backcountry communication
- Thread starter 338 win mag
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WapitiBob
Well-known member
I have zoleo but also use sat text with the iPhone.
Mallardsx2
Well-known member
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- Apr 4, 2015
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- 3,316
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
One day when I upgrade phones, I will probably sell both of my in reaches for pennies on the dollar
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.
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
Well-known member
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.
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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.
I remember when my phone replaced my garmin gps map. Its a matter of time.
WapitiBob
Well-known member
If I’m having a real emergency I’m hitting the zoleo sos. $40/year for 50k of rescue coverage as well.
Super_dave
New member
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- Apr 29, 2025
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- 13
I plan on picking up a zoleo
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.
Dukeball33
New member
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- Jun 15, 2025
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- 11
were you in open terrain when you were seeing better success, or timbered areas?
Did you end up losing connection with satellite after a few minutes?
PS... trying to get posts but also curious.
Central Idaho type country. Mostly open but some timber. I’m able to use the satellite function in my tent at night without a lot of issues. A little slow picking up a satellite but able to communicate once the connection is made. I’ve used it in my house several times. It takes a bit to get connected to a satellite - through my roof! Obviously open terrain is better.
I lose connection about the same as any other satellite device. iPhone is way better than Zoleo. I’ve never used InReach so I can’t compare.
I’ve used a lot of satellite devices through the years and it’s better than most. I remember doing the circle dance with sat phones trying to get a connection. At least IPhone tells you where to point the phone.
First responders in Colorado’s mountain towns are receiving wave of unfounded texts for help from satellite-enabled iPhones
At least 10 Colorado 911 dispatch centers have received emergency texts from iPhones saying people were trapped, lost or on fire
coloradosun.com
Bowmannate2000
Well-known member
The iPhone that cried wolf.First responders in Colorado’s mountain towns are receiving wave of unfounded texts for help from satellite-enabled iPhones
At least 10 Colorado 911 dispatch centers have received emergency texts from iPhones saying people were trapped, lost or on fire
mevertsen
Well-known member
My daughter crashed in her car, rollover, in January. It set off the crash detector in her I phone. And she canceled it, nit realizing she was actually in a crash (dazed im guessing).
Fine line there.
Ill also notice my "assistant " will start recording what im saying at random times.
Fine line there.
Ill also notice my "assistant " will start recording what im saying at random times.
Whiskey Freak
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2020
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- 303
I see that T-Mobile has rolled out their satellite communication with their cell phone package. I’m curious if anybody has used it or if it is still too new would be a game changer for me as a solo hunter with worried wife and kid at home.
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