TESTED: ZOLEO SATELlITE COMMUNICATOR

WHAT IS ZOLEO?

ZOLEO is a global satellite communicator that offers a unique and seamless connection to its users, utilizing satellite technology to send two-way messages via a smartphone or tablet. With SOS alerts and 24/7 emergency monitoring, ZOLEO is a great choice for safety and connectivity whilst off the grid.

SO, WHAT IS A PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON?

For us at Camper, safety is number one and honestly, I reckon professionals will flock to the ZOLEO as well as remote tourers. Imagine you are a farmer with limited radio coverage, and you send workers out to check on dams, stock or fences - with a ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator, you can communicate in real time with your contacts. It’s an invaluable companion for any explorer or remote worker. Using satellites, this technology offers a way for its users to stay connected when outside of mobile coverage.

The same goes for remote families and communities, depending on your lifestyle or occupation. A satellite communicator may play an important part in your every day. You can keep in contact with kids on their way to and from school and with families living outside of the traditional communication range. For remote workers or outdoor enthusiasts, the ability to communicate outside of mobile coverage and share your location in an emergency can be a lifesaving tool, providing peace of mind to employers and loved ones.

With 80% of Australia being outside of mobile coverage, it’s a no-brainer that a satellite communicator is the first choice for safety.

We also love the Check-In function when on remote shoots. It is suggested you tell three people where you are going when heading remote but as plans change and things happen like road closures, you may stray off your expected path so being able to let family know nightly where we are stopped gives them critical info should they need to send in help.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARRY A PLB

There are several reasons why someone might carry a personal locator beacon (PLB):

1. Safety: PLBs are designed to provide a way for people who are lost or injured in remote areas to summon help. If you are hiking, climbing, boating, or participating in other outdoor activities in an area with limited or no cellular coverage, a PLB can be a lifeline in the event of an emergency.

2. Peace of mind: Carrying a PLB can provide peace of mind for both the user and their loved ones. It can be reassuring to know that you have a way to call for help if something goes wrong, and it can also provide reassurance to family and friends who may be concerned about your safety in a remote location.

3. Legal requirement: In some cases, carrying a PLB may be a legal requirement. For example, certain types of boats may be required to have a PLB on board in case of emergency.

4. Professional requirement: Some professions, such as outdoor guiding or search and rescue, may require the use of a PLB as part of standard operating procedures.

SO, WHAT IS A SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?

For us at Camper, Safety is number one and honestly, I reckon professionals will flock to the ZOLEO as well as remote tourers. Imagine you are a farmer with limited radio coverage, and you send workers out to check on dams, stock or fences - with a ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator, you can communicate in real-time with your contacts.

The same goes for remote families and communities - with a communicator like the ZOLEO, you can keep in contact with kids on their way to and from school and with families living outside of traditional communication range.

There is also a Check-In function which we utilised the most. A simple one-press button on the device or on the app sends a simple message to programmed recipients. The message includes your GPS position and the time of day.

HOW THE ZOLEO COMMUNICATES VIA SATELLITE

The ZOLEO global satellite communicator works with your smartphone or tablet to send messages over the Iridium satellite network, this is handy for when you’re outside of mobile coverage.

The Iridium satellite network is made up of 66 cross-linked satellites that orbit 780 kilometres above the Earth. Travelling at more than 30,000 kilometres an hour, each satellite makes a full orbit of the planet every hour and a half. That means one passes overhead every ten minutes.

If your ZOLEO device has a clear line of sight to the sky, it will be able to connect to an Iridium satellite and allow its user to communicate with their contacts no matter where on earth they are.

WHY DO WE LIKE ZOLEO?

There is one small but important detail with the ZOLEO Communicator, the device has one registered, local phone number regardless of who has connected to it.

As an example of why this is handy, think of a lone worker out in the field. They could be coming home later than expected and be out of mobile range, instead of driving back to get into mobile reception and risking fatigue, he can simply take out his phone and text his work team and family when he will be returning.

We also love the Check-In function when on remote shoots. It is suggested you tell three people where you are going when heading remote but as plans change and things happen like road closures, you may stray off your expected path so being able to let family know nightly where we are stopped gives them critical info should they need to send in help.

WHAT ELSE CAN IT DO?

One thing we love is how ZOLEO offers access to real-time weather information and forecasts.

To access weather information via a ZOLEO Communicator, you will need to use the device's messaging or internet service to connect to the ZOLEO servers on your app. Once connected, you can use the app to access weather data provided by third-party weather providers. The app and portal allow you to search for weather information by location and provide current conditions, forecast data, and other weather-related information.

We found this really handy when remote on WA’s south coast where mobile coverage is poor and the weather changeable.

Along with its fantastic in-app features, the ZOLEO device is built for the outdoors, with an IP68 Ingress Protection rating, meaning it’s dust and water-resistant up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. It is also shock resistant for those who enjoy the rough outdoors.

HOW TO USE YOUR ZOLEO SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR IN AN EMERGENCY

If you find yourself in an emergency, you can count on your ZOLEO device to keep you connected. Using the SOS button found on the device, you can activate an SOS alert which sends your location to their industry-leading emergency response partner, Global Rescue. On the clock 24/7, Global Rescue are experienced in emergency response coordination with over 20,000 operations across 200 countries.

To use a ZOLEO in an emergency, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Activate the SOS: To call in for help, hold the device upright to the sky with a clear line of sight and press the emergency button for three seconds. The device will then begin transmitting a distress signal to the emergency response center. You will know your alert has been received via the LED lights on the device.
2. Wait for a response: Once your SOS alert has been sent, Global Rescue will have the GPS coordinates of your ZOLEO device. Via the app, they will confirm your alert and contact the appropriate authorities to send help. You will also receive step-by-step status updates via the progressive SOS function in app which will provide users peace of mind that help is on the way.
3. Follow any instructions you receive: You will be kept up to date on the rescue via the app and You can message the response team for updates or for any questions while you wait for local search and rescue to arrive.
4. It is important to note that the SOS is designed for use in emergencies only, and activating the device unnecessarily can divert resources from other emergency situations. We all know accidents happen, so if you happen to press the SOS button by mistake, don’t panic. Press and hold the button for five seconds and your alert will be cancelled, alerting all parties that help is no longer needed.
5. On your app, you can also activate the emergency call button in the same way as on the device. Simply hold the SOS button down for five seconds to activate the PLB function of the device.

Note that you do not need to have your phone paired to the ZOLEO or to activate it for help. The red button on the device does it all regardless of whether you have your phone paired or are in mobile range.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER COMMUNICATORS THAT ACT AS PLBS?

There are several other companies that offer satellite communication devices similar to ZOLEO, including:

• Garmin inReach: This brand offers a range of satellite communication devices that allow users to send and receive messages, make and receive phone calls, and access other online services via satellite.

• SPOT: SPOT is a brand of satellite communication devices that allows users to send location-based messages and request emergency assistance.

• DeLorme inReach: This brand offers satellite communication devices that allow users to send and receive messages, make and receive phone calls, and access other online services via satellite.

• Thuraya: This company offers a range of satellite communication devices, including satellite phones and satellite data terminals, that allow users to stay connected in remote locations.

• Globalstar: This company offers satellite communication devices, including satellite phones and satellite data terminals, that allow users to stay connected in remote locations.

HOW TO CONNECT YOUR SMARTPHONE TO A ZOLEO SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR

The great thing about ZOLEO is it connects via an app to a smartphone or tablet, which makes it accessible to everyone. The ZOLEO app is a free download from the Apple App or Play Store and is the key to all the awesome features of ZOLEO. Connecting to the device via Bluetooth, it offers its users an easy-to-use messaging solution.

To connect your phone to a ZOLEO satellite communication device, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Get your hands on the free app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to install.
2. Turn on your ZOLEO device and make sure that it is within range of your phone (usually about 30 feet) and enable Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Using the ZOLEO app, connect to your ZOLEO device via Bluetooth. When doing so, if you don’t have Wi-Fi or mobile access, ensure the device has an unobstructed line-of-sight to the sky to connect via satellite.
4. Go outside and send a test message (ensuring the device logo is facing up and has an unobstructed view of the sky)

Note: If you have difficulty connecting your phone to the ZOLEO device, you may need to refer to the device's user manual for further instructions.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO RUN A ZOLEO?

In January 2023, when writing this review, the costs were comparatively good compared to its most obvious rival, the Garmin InReach. Here are the costs we found on ZOLEO’s website.

ZOLEO offers a variety of plans to get you started. With the initial cost of $345 for the device, you can then choose one of three plans that best suit your needs. Starting at $32 a month, each plan offers unlimited satellite check-in messages and 24/7 SOS monitoring, ensuring all users can experience the safety benefits.

As of January 2023, a communicator was A$345 which is not bad when comparing it to its main rival in the Garmin inReach which at best, we saw at $542 (on special at Anaconda). The ZOLEO is much cheaper to buy and to operate comparatively.

WHAT DOES A ZOLEO SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR COST?

As of January 2023, a communicator was A$345 which is not bad when comparing it to its main rival in the Garmin inReach which at best, we saw at $488 (on special at Anaconda). Garmin’s plans vary in cost with their most basic starting at $20 per month for only ten 160-character limit texts and unlimited check-ins. For a plan with unlimited 160-character limited messages, Garmin charges $99 per month plus an annual program fee of $54. The ZOLEO is much cheaper to buy and to operate comparatively

WHERE CAN I BUY A ZOLEO COMMUNICATOR?

You can purchase a ZOLEO satellite communication device from a variety of retailers, both online and in-store. Some options for purchasing a ZOLEO include:

Online retailers: ZOLEO devices are available from several online retailers, including Hema Maps, Snowys Outdoor, Anaconda, Amazon and Sat Phone Shop.

In-store retailers: ZOLEO devices may be available at outdoor and electronics stores in your area. You can use the store locator tool on the ZOLEO website to find a retailer near you.