Flying to Catalina with the ZOLEO locator- texting at 10K feet, SOS functions, full REVIEW

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FREE ACTIVATION of your Zoleo when you buy at bit.ly/3NfCXg6 and then use code FLYINGMONKEY upon activation and plan selection with ZOLEO.
The Zoleo Personal Locator and Satellite Messenger is a great safety and convenience tool for pilots, hunters, backpackers, overlanders, or anyone who spends any time out of cell phone range.
In this video I review the device and demonstrate lot of amazing features on an adventure flight to Catalina Island for some great flying and mountain biking. Carrying a Personal Locator is an essential safety tool for a pilot and having SMS and email capability anywhere is the world is incredible.
ZOLEO Cradle Kit Accessory: bit.ly/3tTSb3E
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00:00 - Who Zoleo is for
00:42 - Loading up the Plane
00:58 - Full Disclosure
01:23 - Taking Off
01:39 - Zoleo and the Iridium Satellite Network
02:16 - Zoleo Connects with Phone
02:29 - The SOS Button and Emergency Rescue
03:51 - Waterproof Rating
04:04 - Satellite Messaging Intro
04:33 - Zoleo Messaging App
04:40 - Messaging Demo at 10,500 feet
05:35 - Messages sent the CHEAPEST Way
06:44 - Monthly Plans
07:12 - Landing at Catalina
07:40 - The Check In Button
08:24 - Mountain Biking with ZOLEO
09:12 - No Cell Coverage at Little Harbor
09:36 - Sending your Location in a Message
09:42 - Location Share + Description
10:14 - The Cradle Kit Accessory
10:38 - Weather through Dark Sky via Satellite Message
11:01 - Location Share + Demo
11:20 - Battery Life
12:03 - FREE ACTIVATION Deal from Zoleo
Portions of ATC communication and the flight have been edited. This video is not instructional in any way. I am not a CFI. I am sharing my experience and thoughts about this flight and this should be taken as entertainment only. By sharing mistakes and accomplishments alike, hopefully the aviation community will benefit. This video is sponsored by ZOLEO. They did not see this video or have creative input before I published it. All opinions are my own.

Опубликовано:

26 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 82

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

FREE ACTIVATION of your Zoleo when you buy at bit.ly/3NfCXg6 and then use code FLYINGMONKEY upon activation and plan selection with ZOLEO.

@cageordie 2 года назад

You need to pin this, it's floating down the list.

@westcoastpilot 2 года назад

I have taken a couple of survival courses and one recurring theme is that survival equipment is only effective if it is on your body during the crash (of course there are exceptions), otherwise your survival equipment in the back of the plane should just be considered crash debris - you'll never find it. So the main takeaway they teach is to keep a minimum list of survival equipment attached to your body while flying (a personal beacon may be one of those items). Anyway, didn't mean to hijack the comments.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

i agree. thats why i carry a personal loactor like this attached to my belt while flying. The ELT may be useless. And youll need to survive 24 hours most likely. Carry it on your person.

@jimiemick 2 года назад

So always fly with a go pro and some fire exstingushers attached to your legs? Ohhh and a parachute? lol

@westcoastpilot 2 года назад

@@jimiemick no, Trevor

@jimiemick Год назад

@@westcoastpilot hahahahaha

@ryanawilson8549 2 года назад

This looks useful for literally everyone

@StefBelgium 2 года назад

Nice little device! Thanks for sharing. Happy week end

@scottlkearns 2 года назад

Another great video and thank you for the product details! You were departing KAVX as I arrived today. It was beautiful out there!

@stevengomes8326 2 года назад

Love the channel thanks for the device review

@alexrcastillo1977 2 года назад

Nifty device. Them Catalina views are awesome.

@chrisc161 2 года назад

Great review thank you

@liquid5170 2 года назад

I know you weren't paid to advertise this product but I wish you'd talk about the pros AND cons of the product instead of painting a one sided picture. either way great channel and keep up the good work.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

That is a fair point. Will keep it in mind for the next time!

@temaskell08 Год назад

Totally agree, this just felt like an infomercial. Switched off half way through

@dannhennells2681 2 года назад

Looks like a great product

@williamjamescronan5265 2 года назад

GREAT IDEA!!

@chuck_in_socal 2 года назад

I rode round trip to Two Harbors one time. That hill coming back to the airport was challenging.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

Oh yeah catalina is hilly!

@javierriveraurruela1645 2 года назад

This should have an accelerometer so in case of a crash it sends text messages with coordinates. I think it could be more usefull than an ELT, they only trigger about half of the times.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

I just imagine falling off my bike and triggering it. haha.

@gveduccio 2 года назад

I used to have the Spot but this is definitely a level up...when driving to the family farm in south Georgia I had my wife take the Spot just in case of a car breakdown and I would strap it to me flying...also if you are in a cabin in the mountains this would be great even if it is a work problem to deal with

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

Yeah I agree - it's nice to be able to get messages out no matter where you are!

@derrickward8031 Год назад

Hi SoCal, I love your RU-vid channel. I have learned a lot. I'm going to become a patron here shortly. I have a quick question for you. Does the Zoleo locator enable phone calls from the air as well as text messages or is the connection for text messages only?

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

No phone calls only texts. I did use it once in the air to text my wife and ask her to call an airport and confirm they had fuel and text me back. Worked great! :)

@derrickward8031 Год назад

Thank you very much. That was very helpful.

@glennwatson 2 года назад

Australia where I live offer free portable locator beacon services due to distances involved here so the cost is every 7 year replacement for the 121.5/406 beacon.

@dustinkerr4241 Год назад

Just got my PPL at Vista Air and flying to Catalina Friday!!!

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

congrats! enjoy catalina its a great flight! I'm sure you got checked out there by an instcutor from Vista already so you probably know that. haha

@dustinkerr4241 Год назад

Thanks! It was a great flight and so cool to fly around the island. Yes, that flight was my checkout with my cfi.

@mbperfection Год назад

awesome videos ! did you have AC installed in this Cherokee?

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

No AC. Gets pretty hot in the summer!!

@wingsovermikey 2 года назад

Sounds like a great product an will check out pricing vs the “Spot” that I really like. Question if you don’t mind … why did you choose straight in arrival instead of the safer Two Harbors Isthmus arrival joining the downwind 45 for 22 right pattern? I fly out of WHP too.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

The video was just edited for time. I enter downwind from two harbors….or at least a right base but almost always 45 to the downwind.

@PaulWagner1 Год назад

I've been a ZOLEO user for ages. One of my fave features is that you can suspend the account but maintain your ZOLEO number for $4/month. When you have a trip planned, you just reactivate your account. The battery life is awesome as well. Highly recommend.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

I have really enjoyed it as well. Thanks for the comment- glad it works well for you too!

@jackbrainassociates8806 2 года назад

It looks like a great device, does it do anything the inReach doesn’t? I’m thinking of the Catalina experience soon. It looks like a gravel bike would work, what do you think? What the elevation gain on the 6 mile climb back to the airport?

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

One of the main differences is that the ZOLEO has a seamless messaging experience sinceit uses cell and wifi when available. ensures you never miss a message, the device doesnt have to be turned on when you are in cell or wifi, and it reduces the numbers of satellite messages that count against your plan because it always tries to send messages the cheapest way possible. A gravel bike would be fine. Its all just dirt roads. The elevation gain is probably around 1600 feet since the ocean is sea level and the airport is at 1600 feet.

@billfly2186 2 года назад

So, if I get lost in the woods looking for my golf ball, I could use a ZOLEO to alert my playing partners where I am? Kind of like an Amber Alert. Your reviews are very thorough. Good job as usual.

@AdventureColorado 2 года назад

I ended up getting a Garmin 66i in order to have similar Iridium satellite feature, but also more mapping capabilities on the screen. I didn’t want to have to use my phone for a lot of the features.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

yeah that looks good too. I really like the seamless messaging/texting of this one but there are deifnitely options in these products that are each suitable for different use cases.

@FallLineJP Год назад

Sounds like a great device. I have a garmin inreach mini, which is quite similar. I think the mini is a nicer form factor, but I like the seamless messenger transition on this one, I’m not sure garmin does that (wifi/cell/sat). It usually gets great signal even under tree cover, except for one time under the California redwoods - could only get a handful of tracking points out from two 50k runs 😅😅

@SoCalFlyingMonkey Год назад

The iNreach looks like a good one as well. I do like the wifi/cell handoff feature on this one- its been working very well for me! Thank you for watching!

@FallLineJP Год назад

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey Thanks for the response! Love your videos and they're helping to keep me motivate to continue the PPL study to fly with the whole family in the future!

@youngskyculler 2 года назад

If your iPhone (with Foreflight) is connected to the Dynon, does the Zoleo app detect the lack of real connection and use the cellular or satellite network, or does it just keep trying in vane on the WiFi?

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

that's a great question. i use my iPad on wifi with Foreflight and the Avidyne IFD so the wifi on my phone is usually not connected to anything. I'll have to check that out sometime.

@breyton490 2 года назад

Nice write-up/video review. IMO, I don't see why I would buy the Zoleo vs the Garmin In-Reach mini. The subscription prices are almost the same and the Garmin has better integration with smartphones. They both have their cool features, but the mini is smaller and has a longer track record. Good to have options though.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

I don’t think the Garmin product has seamless messaging. But I could be missing it or it may be something they don’t advertise in their literature. I like that the Zoleo app will send messages through SMS or email address via wifi or cell if it can. This really reduced the number of satellite messages I use and let’s me have the basic plan. It also ensures that if someone is messaging me using that SMS number I will receive the message when the device is off but I’m in wifi or cell. Does the in Reach mini do that? I could be missing it but indent think it does.

@PaulWagner1 Год назад

It's the ability to easily pause your subscription that sold me. $4/month to keep your ZOLEO number. When you want to take a trip and use it, just login and reactivate.

@watashiandroid8314 2 года назад

WHP to AVX via Ventura, with a hold around Santa Paula? The message dates on your phone show it took a day to get there! You know there are faster routs, right? ;)

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

I challenge anyone to fly from whiteman to Catalina through the special flight rules area and record a video all about the features of a satellite messenger while flying the plane and handling comms. Of course I took a much longer way!

@randalbrauner2846 2 года назад

whats the chess piece on the side of your headset for?

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

it's an attachment for the Mountain High boom cannula for O2.

@tomdchi12 2 года назад

The rollout of Iridium was amazing back in the late 90s, but they had so many problems and every offering was so expensive, it was pointless for all but a tiny number of uses. But this seems to finally be a reasonably priced application of the service. (Though ever asking for an "activation charge" on top of the initial purchase price is preposterous.) Multi-day battery life is an excellent design decision. For long over-water flights, I wonder if any authorities might accept this versus HF radios (or even if you have to have the HF radio, wether this service might mean you don't have to mess with it as much?)

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

I agree. It is very useable now. The prices are all pretty good and they work well. You can get free activation with Code FLYINGMONKEY when activating with Zoleo. :)

@MikeKobb 2 года назад

Question: did I understand you correctly to say that it checks in for messages every 12 minutes? Does that effectively mean that any back-and-forth messaging has a guaranteed 12-minute delay between your sending a message, and any possibility of a reply (unless you happen to pick up cell coverage and get the reply delivered via that route instead)? I've been doing Pilots N Paws flights lately and there's often a lot of coordination back and forth with the rescue folks that are dropping off or picking up the animals, so I was starting to get quite excited about this device as you described it. I have an InReach Mini, but the integrated messaging you've described here would be a win compared to how that works. Still, that 12-minute delay could prove problematic. Thanks for the thoughtful presentation. I've heard about this device from someone in my type club, but you brought out a number of elements very effectively that I hadn't understood previously.

@MikeKobb 2 года назад

Ah, I think I've answered my question with a bit more research. I read elsewhere that the Zoleo will hold the connection open for two minutes after you send a message, in anticipation of receiving a reply. Also, you can ask it to manually check at any time, *and* you can even set it to an "always-on" mode that uses the battery much faster (but still gives ~7 hours runtime on a charge) and gives you effectively instant delivery. Think I may have to get one of these.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

yes you answered it. It works pretty well to have a slower conversation - it is defintiely not every 12 minutes, which kind of reminds me of the movie The Martian where they could only exchnage messages once every long while. haha. When you are in an active messaging session it seems to pull them down every minute or two. It is by no means instantaneous like regular texting but also it doesnt feel like an endless delay. It works well for coordinating plans and Pilots N Paws is a perfect use case for this. I have been in that situation a few times where it is difficult to coordinate with someone on the ground....we had to divert once and I was finally able to get a regular text out before I had the Zoleo. But its great to definitely be able to send and receive messages. And if youre getting cell connection up there it will use it and be as fast as you are used to with regular cell texting.

@MikeKobb 2 года назад

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey Thanks very much! That sounds like it should work just fine.

@MikeKobb 2 года назад

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey Ordered! Hey, one thing that confused me briefly -- I tried to apply your coupon code during the order, and it was rejected. Then I re-read the description and found that it's during the activation step after the device gets here. 👍🏻 Looking forward to trying it out!

@MikeKobb 2 года назад

Got mine today and got it all set up and tested. Thanks for the free-activation code! Seems to work great. I’m looking forward to flying with it.

@Clayly_1 2 года назад

!!!!!!!!

@Mistamannfour 2 года назад

Check the specs! I would buy Garmin's InReach Mini over this device.

@stevemyers2092 2 года назад

SPOT is another option - there are a few on the mkt now for 10+ years.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

The Iridium network is more comprehensive than the Globalstar network that SPOT uses. But yes, everyone should choose the device that is suitable for their specific needs and research their purchases. I decided I like the seamless messaging and phone integration of this one plus the 100% of the planet coverage.

@iesmail07 2 года назад

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey The SpotX also has phone integration but yeah completely agree! Garmin’s inReach is very popular as well but none of these are very needed in Europe as you’re never truly away from everything in most places

@hempelcx 2 года назад

If it was also a 406Mhz PLB, I'd be sold. I don't want to carry two devices and I don't want something rescue crews can't easily use to locate me.

@iesmail07 2 года назад

Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any satellite communicators like these that also act as a PLB

@stevemyers2092 2 года назад

there are other options/items on the market - choose carefully - they ALL WORK THE SAME AND MOST HAVE THE SAME features......... SPOT comes to mind I had one. Never had to use it luckily ----

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

This is not true. The Iridium network is more comprehensive than the Globalstar network that SPOT uses. But yes, everyone should choose the device that is suitable for their specific needs and research their purchases. I decided I like the seamless messaging and phone integration of this one plus the 100% of the planet coverage.

@pedrofrigola5224 2 года назад

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey you are spot on (pun intended)! I used SPOT until it failed me after (allowed) submersion in water, a few weeks out of warranty, at a critical time. The real competitor is ACR's Bivy Stick. For me Zoleo's superior IP68 protection, longer warranty and coverage put it above Bivy Stick's better mapping features. All that said, I think ACR's ResQLink series provides a more robust PLB, and an excellent backup to the aircraft's 406 ELT.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

I also own a RESQLink but it doesnt have any messenging capabilities. When it comes time to replace it when the battery expires I may just keep the Zoleo which would probably cover us to get help on the way.

@stosh2112 2 года назад

Texting and flying?

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

definitely. when youre at 10,500 feet in the middle of nowhere on a clear day with the autopilot on and you have to fly straight and level for 3 hours...texting is fine. (ADSB OUT required up there) - not like youre going to suddenly run in to anything.... I would equate it to the attention you put in to programming a new GPS route or looking on a sectional for navigation...

@missedapproachmark 2 года назад

I am a subscriber and I haven’t watched the video and I won’t. It seems like it’s going to be a commercial. Don’t go that route.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

It’s not a commercial- I found this product and tested it and wanted to review it because I thought it was very good and useful for my viewers. The video is sponsored but the sponsor has no say in the content and doesn’t see the video before I publish. The creation is entirely mine due to how I genuinely feel about the product. Sponsorship is one way for creators to cover costs of production. If you are suggesting RU-vid creators should not be compensated for their work then we will have to agree to disagree on that. I’ve made a bunch of review videos (Dynon HDX, TruTrak autopilot, PS Engineering audio panel). Most of these weren’t sponsored since my channel was starting out but I made them anyway because they can be helpful for other pilots. I’ll continue to do both whenever I find products that I think are worthwhile.

@dade8881 2 года назад

Must say I agree with you Missed Approach Mark - and that’s after seeing the video… I was skeptical but decided to give SoCal Flying Monkey the benefit of the doubt because his production is excellent and his videos entertaining. What’s apparent however, is the lack of detail regarding pricing and comparisons to competitors as well as any negatives or drawbacks of the device, the network or features. Just not a balanced review.

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

That’s a good point. I have never discussed specific pricing in any of my reviews but maybe that would be beneficial? I kind of figure that pricing changes so after a short time it might be inaccurate.

@dade8881 2 года назад

@@SoCalFlyingMonkey among your objectives, as I understand them, is to educate your audience and provide access to information that you have that they may not. This includes your review of products. These are laudable objectives. I don’t think anybody would judge you negatively for using your platform to earn a living or the least, offset the costs of production. But unfortunately it is easy to give the appearance of impropriety or bias - and as is usually the case, others who have come before you have not been so thoughtful and have set the bar low in that regard. With all this said, pricing and comparisons of features to competitors etc. should be offered with reviews if a balanced opinion is to be shared. It’s not always true that the cheapest option is the best option and stating that pricing is correct at the time of publication is an easy work-around to your concerns about video relevance in the longer-term. Finally, if I came across unappreciative of your efforts I apologize. I do like your videos, you are clearly a talented videographer, and I think you have a lot to offer the aviation community. Thanks

@SoCalFlyingMonkey 2 года назад

I'm always looking to improve. It's beyond the scope of the time I have to test all the products and become initmately familiar with all the features. I looked at the topline features of the messengers and decided the Zoleo was the one I wanted. I also have a PLB but didnt want the video to become a comparison of PLB vs Satellite messenger. When I used it I really liked it and wanted to share what I discovered. When I reviewed the Trutrak autopilot I didnt compare to the G500 or Trio- it is just way beyond what I have time to do and my channel is not intended to be an avionics review/comparison or a buyer's guide type of thing. When I find cool stuff I'd like to share it. I think this product is awesome and super valuable for pilots or anyone who gets outside. I encourage people to research everything else but if you want information about this particular product I like, it's in this video and you probably won't find a more thorough video about its features- same with the Dynon HDX, Trutrak and PMA450B audio panel. I think a pros and cons section at the end might have been good like I did with those other ones. I suppose the app could be a little more user friendly in all the settings and some of the management of contacts that gets pushed off to a separate browser session could be integrated into the app.