ZOLEO: Peace of Mind in a Package
One of the main reasons the wilderness has such a powerful pull on us is the disconnection from everything and everyone. Solitude. Quiet. Pure peace.
But for some—often those we leave at home—our off-grid adventures don’t offer peace of mind. In a recent Instagram trend, hikers in their 30’s and 40’s mimicked calling their parents to let them know they’d finished their hike safely.
In a world where connectivity is possible and saves lives, it seems irresponsible not to have some way to reach out should something go wrong. And go wrong it has. That is why, beyond giving peace of mind, location sharing, SOS capabilities and satellite messaging are highly recommended options under Navigation on the Ten Essentials list.
That’s one reason Shannon Head, who travels the backcountries of the world with her young twins, chose ZOLEO as her GPS and satellite messenger. It provides seamless global messaging in a rugged package that is shock, dust and water-resistant, making it a rugged companion built for adventures tougher than even she can dream up.
The touted seamlessness is possible because ZOLEO connects with your smartphone or tablet for messaging that follows you in and out of cell coverage. When in cell service, it uses cellular and Wi-Fi. When not, it uses the Iridium satellite network, keeping you constantly connected to those anxiously waiting for word from you. Plus, it has safety features you can count on worldwide… as in 100 per cent of our Planet Earth—including landmasses, oceans and polar regions. It’s the ultimate travel companion, from home mountain ranges to far flung adventure destinations.
The ZOLEO device is easy to figure out, too. Head says her six-year-olds could easily use it if, say, she was unconscious.
Triggering SOS alerts is as simple as a press of a button. Non-emergency medical advice is available around the clock. Plus, you can use it to send check-in messages, share your GPS location and even receive weather forecasts.
No more choppy, telegram-esq messages, either: ZOLEO lets you wax poetic in messages over 900 characters. With a battery life of over 200 hours, you can even linger over your prose.
Communicating with ZOLEO goes beyond a monologue. Your contacts can reach out to you and respond, allowing two-way conversations.
If you find yourself in an emergency, ZOLEO goes a step above simply acknowledging you pressed the SOS button and will keep you in the loop on your rescue status via the free app.
What tipped the GPS device scale in favour of ZOLEO for Head, though, was its affordable plans and the ability to put it on hold without reconnection fees.
Monthly plans start at $25 for 25 satellite messages and cap at $70 for limitless messages. Regardless of plan, you’ll always get unlimited check ins at the press of the “I’m OK” button, which send your contacts a thumbs up message complete with your exact location, plus unlimited SOS messaging, 24/7 emergency response monitoring and access to non-emergency medical.
With ZOLEO you also get a dedicated, recognizable, storable SMS number and email address, and the flexibility to change, suspend or cancel the plan after the first three months.
In case occasional check-ins aren’t enough, the Location Share+ add-on automatically leaves what ZOLEO calls a breadcrumb trail which is viewable on a map for the contacts sitting in their living rooms.
If, like Head, you are sold on ZOLEO, save $70 on a new device till September 13, 2024. Plus, you also get a free six-month Gaia GPS membership if you activate your ZOLEO device by September 27, 2024 ($25 value).
Even though the backcountry is one of the best places to disconnect from the constant notifications of daily life, being able to put your contacts at ease and get help or advice if you need it is priceless. Pure peace of mind.
This article was sponsored by ZOLEO
Connect without limits and explore beyond the grid! Enjoy seamless global messaging connectivity and SOS alerting from ZOLEO, and access to offline maps and navigation from Gaia GPS. Until September 13, 2024, you can save $70 off a new ZOLEO device and receive a free Gaia GPS Premium Membership for six months ($25 value).
