Anyone using the Zoleo Communicator?

[M20F-1968]

I was reading about Personal GPS Locators.  Anyone using the Zoleo Communicator.  It is a device that will transmit a location via cell network, WI-Fii, or Iridium Satellite network in an emergency.  One can after 3 months, place the service on stand-by so you are not paying when not needed.  Thought it would be something good to have, at least for long trips and trips over less populated areas where there may not be cell phone coverage.  The cost for Garmin Person GPL is twice the cost.  Where appropriate, I try to keep 1 foot in the CBC (Cheap Bastards Club).

John Breda

[toto]

I had never heard of the Zoleo before your post, but it seems interesting. It uses the Iridium network like Garmin (often considered the factor that puts Garmin ahead of Spot). Having a separate subscription for tracking is potentially interesting, since ADS-B makes that feature somewhat obsolete for aircraft in much of the US (at least above 10k). 

I find the subscription plans really hard to compare side-by-side, since they have different offerings with different prices.

https://blog.ja-gps.com.au/2021/08/inreach-mini-vs-spot-x-vs-zoleo-which-is-the-best-2-way-satellite-communicator/

ETA reading more about this.. the only real downside to the Zoleo seems to be that it has no screen, so sending messages requires a tethered phone or tablet. But I really like the idea that the Zoleo app will use cellular or wifi if available - so you can continue a conversation even after you’re back in coverage. 

https://andrewskurka.com/review-zoleo-satellite-communicator-seamless-messaging/

Interesting stuff. I’ve been in the market for one of these for a while, and this newish entrant is cool. Hopefully having more competitors will drive subscription prices down (though I understand iridium needs to make a buck, and launching satellites isn’t cheap)..