https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QukHOYoNc0E
Has anyone tried this device? I have the spotX messenger, but their network seems so slow. I usually write my message, place the phone on the ground, and come back in 15 minutes with a sent message, another 15 minutes if I'm waiting on a response. SpotX appears to use Globastar and Zoleo appears to use Iridium. I'm not concerned about the plan cost as I use it a lot while flying. The SpotX has to be on my glare shield to send and receive. Any other suggestions?

InReach

These devices are a little like VI vs Emacs - nerd translation, there is a little bit of personal taste involved. But I prefer the Garmin inReach, it uses the same network (Iridium), but unlike the Zoleo it does not require an app on your phone to send messages.

I have a customer who just showed me his Zoleo a couple days ago. Seemed like a good deal, he really liked it.

Garmin In Reach, we’ll proven, and it works. As noted it uses the Iridium system.

MTV

My In Reach Mini works well, I’m very happy with it.

I will be buying an InReach upon completion of my build

I don't know much about the Zoleo unit but I am very happy with the Garmin Inreach. The signal output on the Garmin is 1.6W vs 0.4W on the spot which is the most important feature on the unit. I have a mount for mine on the pilot's side What an incredible safety device.


Josh

Iridium is a higher (more distant) constellation than Globestar so needs more output power. Zoleo doesn't have tracking, so that's a nonstarter for me. InReach has tracking but for unlimited 2 minute tracking year round it can get a little expensive. Can you put a price on safety? Yep, do it all the time. Individual risk assessment.

Duplicate

Yep, love my Inreach, gives my wife a lot of peace of mind when me and the kids are out and about in the plane.

+1 to Inreach, I think their subscription service is a bit easier now to turn on/off again when you aren't using it which is nice.

There are a few stories around with SPOT failing. I think Inreach is the right way to go.

How quickly do InReach messages go through? Can you send them while flying?

HuskyCountry wrote:How quickly do InReach messages go through? Can you send them while flying?

Highly variable as far as time is concerned, but I did notice a big improvement last summer - five minutes or less most of the time with an occasional longer time-frame. Luck of the draw. Satellites might be in a poor position when you want to send or receive.

Yes, I often send/receive while flying, but I always link to my 'phone. Have never used my Inreach stand-alone. Would be cumbersome and frustrating I imagine without the proper (albeit tiny) keyboard on my 'phone.

HuskyCountry wrote:How quickly do InReach messages go through? Can you send them while flying?

How quick is really a two part question. First is how quick does the message go from the inReach to the satellite. This seems the most variable. I typically see them go within 1 minute, almost never more than 2 minutes. Second part is how quick does the message get delivered? In the tests I've done it's within about 30 seconds to 1 minute from the time the message got accepted by the satellite.
Can you send while moving? Yes, movement has no affect on the unit. As long as it can see the sky it will go.

I had an inReach and SPOTX at the same time. No repeatable difference in send and receive times when I tried them head to head. Both annoyingly slow. Sold the inReach because it's not very useful without the iPhone, and I figured it was a good idea to minimize the number of devices and batteries that had to be recovered, charged, and working after a crash. That thinking eliminates Zoleo, too.

Everyone else seems to love inReach, though. When I owned both I liked it less.

If you ever plan to fly north of 55 north, then Inreach and/or Iridium 'phone is your only reliable option.

NunavutPA-12 wrote:If you ever plan to fly north of 55 north, then Inreach and/or Iridium 'phone is your only reliable option.

This exactly.
Up here there's a difference. Lower 48 it might not matter at all which you go with.

I live north of 55 and have never had a problem with my spot not sending my tracking pints in a timely manner. I don't spend a ton of time north of 60, but up to and below 60 I have had 0 issues, including in the mountains when snowmobiling. I've been quite happy with my Spot and my wife really likes that I have it.
Saying that, I know some people have had issues with their Spot, but I also know people who have had issues with inreach. So neither is a guarantee.

I said "north of 55" just as an approximation. I live at 68 north and nobody had any success whatsoever with Spot or Globalstar. The Iridium 'phones are a bit more expensive but well worth it.

That said, I gave up my Iridium 'phone simply because of the annual cost and infrequent usage. I rely exclusively on my Inreach now, at least for non-essential comms.

I do have HF radio in my airplane and carry a VHF handheld. Also a PLB and a 406 MHz ELT. So I'm pretty well-covered I think.

I really appreciate that I can "suspend" my Inreach service without charge during the dead of winter when I'm not flying.