Satellite Messengers

[Scalf77]

Per request I moved this to its own thread. It was originally part of Staying Connected

Of course that brings us to our next problem, connectivity. The above things work if we are in cell range. But what if we are not in cell range, and we still feel the need to be connected, or our loved ones would like us to be connected.

Satellite messengers could be a viable option. The original purpose of the messenger was to allow you SOS messaging when you are out of normal connectivity range. They have slowly developed more features, so now you can perform two-way messaging with loved ones, share location and even share voice messages and pictures. These devices will need a network subscription plan. Garmin seems to be at the top of the heat with strong lineup. ACR Bivy Stick is a lower cost option. Zoleo and Spot also have some comparable features.

As of September 2024, all iPhones with satellite hardware (iPhone 14 and newer) and updated software allow for basic texting through satellite connection. This is basically free for two years after you activate. To date most reviews, I have seen would not recommend replacing your existing messenger, but it would be better than not having one. T-Mobile is starting to Beta test Starlink Direct to Cell technology. While it may be to early now, that could be promising.

As for mobile communicators we have had great luck with a Spot device with full keyboard that we've had for 8 or so years I guess. It's the orange one second from left bottom row. It works great from anywhere for basic communcation and text but the interface is awful. Lousy keyboard with hard to push buttons, low light/low rent LCD screen. I think a device with bluetooth to a smartphone that one is used to typing on is a better idea. I'm not sure which of the above do this but I'm sure most do these days.

This is an excellent reference, well done. Staying connected is probably very important to most folks. Personally, if I am out of touch for a day or two in my travels I’m OK with that. My wife, not so much. So I have two options. The first is a spot GEN four that allows me to send pre-defined text messages to her phone, telling her everything is fine, or worst case send a distress message to a rescue center. The cost involved with that device as I remember is about $150 per year. Prior to getting the spot, I had and still carry a personal locator beacon. The PLB sends a distress message to a rescue center when activated. There is no two-way messaging, and no way to communicate the nature of your distress. The device is registered to the user, and must be updated once a year, with your personal information, contacts, phone numbers etc. Once the message is received, the rescue center will dispatch whatever resources they feel is appropriate, based in part on a conversation with your listed contacts at home that hopefully have an idea of your capabilities. What makes the device attractive, is there is no subscription price. Once you purchase a device it is free for as long as you have it. It’s a very robust system with many different types of devices. Our boat carried a float free version that automatically transmits a distress signal if the device ends up in the water. I found out it worked well, when after we had sold our boat, it later sank. I received a call from the Coast Guard asking me a number of questions, and really all I could tell them was I had sold the boat a year before. The only thing they had to go on was the GPS location so they launched a search and rescue operation. I later heard that it had sunk somewhere in the Sitka Alaska area but never found out anymore. Anyway, lots of options ranging from free to fairly expensive, just depending on what your needs are

This was a gear review that I looked into for messenger data. The 5 Best Satellite Messengers of 2025


It list which units have subscriptions and which ones have none but only cover SOS messages.

 

[VanMiller]

We went with Starlink Mini. The antenna has a built in modem. Purchased through Home Depot online and saved 10% with military discount.

Came with everything needed to set up and get connected. Allows us to pause the monthly payment when we will not be using it. Makes an excellent backup system for home and works awesome away from home!

Paid $539 and it arrived the same week! So for we are very happy with it. Love the fact that we are supporting a great company too! :b5::c3:

 

[basssears]

I've used a Zoleo for the last few years (work and pleasure) and have been pretty pleased with it. Biggest pluses of the Zoleo in my mind (some of the other devices may have these features too FWIW):

1) anyone can initiate a conversation with you just by texting your Zoleo phone number... this is NOT always that easy with other devices (InReach in particular it's hard to start a conversation with someone else's InReach, they have to have started it)... someone on the other end of the conversation doesn't necessarily need to even be aware they're texting a satellite device, so from their end it's just another text conversation

2) You can send and receive from the app anytime anywhere, whether you have the device with you (or on) or not, messages will go through on WiFi or cell network anytime those are available, so you only need to have the device near you and powered up if you're completely out of touch. So if someone randomly reaches out to you while you're in town and the device is at home you'll still get the message

3) It's shareable... whoever has the app installed and Bluetooth connects to the device is live with it

4) Found the minimum monthly plan reasonable cost wise, and it's easy to buy blocks of messages if you get active for a particular trip (using it on the fire department I might not use it for a month or two then might run a big incident where I go way over the monthly plan, it's easy to re-up more messages via the device on satellite with no other cell/WiFi connection)

I admit on long remote wildland fires the neighboring department that has Starlink in their command vehicle is a nice tool, but this is a different level of portability and expense than Starlink.

-- Bass