The biggest difference in my opinion is that Zoleo offers a “permanent” contact number. If the Garmin number has been recycled and changed, it will be impossible for your contacts to contact you without a text from you to reply to. If you were offered a cell phone with no promise of the number being permanent, you would pass on the offer. This places Garmin out of the running completely.
I agree. The logistics of communicating to all those who might want to contact you becomes a pain if that number can change. Garmin needs to fix that problem. Offer one unchanging number. Making matters even more complicated are the less expensive plans being offered with the new Motorola Defy. If I understand what their support staff told me, their contact numbers aren't really cellular text numbers. Someone cannot contact you by texting from their cell phone. They must download and use the Defy app. If you have a small circle of colleagues that will agree to that, fine. But if you want to give a large circle of friends a contact number, they may balk at adding that app.
I found the garmin to be the better option for myself. Initial cost was more for garmin however subscription cost was more for zolio. Also i have owned other Garmin products in the past and they have been in the GPS game for a while. Whereas the Zolio messenger, thats it! no other devices.
Garmin costs more initially but is cheaper in the long run if you get the annual plan which only has a 1 time activation charge. After 13 months, the total cost of both is the same. After those 13 months, zoleo will cost $8 more per month (USA) until the end of time
Thanks for the helpful video! I've looked everywhere for an answer to this question, and still can't find anyone talking about it! Sometimes I trek with my wife, and sometimes one of us goes backpackin solo. Is there a way to unpair the inreach messenger from my phone and pair it with her phone instead so she can take it out when I'm not with her? Thanks in advance!
Garmin is not free, it requires a yearly freedom subscription first before you can get the monthly plans. $50 a year which comes down to 4 bucks a month even when you are not suspended.
Whether you selected annual or freedom plan, there is a annual fee no matter the usage plan selected at time. Although it may have changed since recording.
More details and breakdown on the website: avoidingchores.com/garmin-inreach-messenger-vs-zoleo-subscription-plan-value-cost-of-ownership/
The biggest difference in my opinion is that Zoleo offers a “permanent” contact number. If the Garmin number has been recycled and changed, it will be impossible for your contacts to contact you without a text from you to reply to. If you were offered a cell phone with no promise of the number being permanent, you would pass on the offer. This places Garmin out of the running completely.
I agree. The logistics of communicating to all those who might want to contact you becomes a pain if that number can change. Garmin needs to fix that problem. Offer one unchanging number.
Making matters even more complicated are the less expensive plans being offered with the new Motorola Defy. If I understand what their support staff told me, their contact numbers aren't really cellular text numbers. Someone cannot contact you by texting from their cell phone. They must download and use the Defy app. If you have a small circle of colleagues that will agree to that, fine. But if you want to give a large circle of friends a contact number, they may balk at adding that app.
I found the garmin to be the better option for myself. Initial cost was more for garmin however subscription cost was more for zolio. Also i have owned other Garmin products in the past and they have been in the GPS game for a while. Whereas the Zolio messenger, thats it! no other devices.
Thank you for doing a Canadian review
I was in a quandary over which messenger to purchase. After watching your video I’ll buy the Zoleo. Thank you. 👌🏾
glad it helped
Garmin costs more initially but is cheaper in the long run if you get the annual plan which only has a 1 time activation charge. After 13 months, the total cost of both is the same. After those 13 months, zoleo will cost $8 more per month (USA) until the end of time
Over 5 years, zoleo will cost $376 more in the US.
Furthermore, zoleo charges $4 per month to suspend service
Thanks for the helpful video! I've looked everywhere for an answer to this question, and still can't find anyone talking about it! Sometimes I trek with my wife, and sometimes one of us goes backpackin solo. Is there a way to unpair the inreach messenger from my phone and pair it with her phone instead so she can take it out when I'm not with her? Thanks in advance!
You have to pay 5$per month to suspend zoleo services, whereas garmin is free suspension
Zoleo is my choice works great good value
thank you for your video, i learn something.
Sooooo…. HOW MUCH are the subscriptions?
Was just about to ask the same
You need to remember that to suspend your zoleo device it still costs £4 per month where as the Garmin is free.
Garmin is not free, it requires a yearly freedom subscription first before you can get the monthly plans. $50 a year which comes down to 4 bucks a month even when you are not suspended.
But you do end up paying more, so it's definitely not free
Have an other question. Is there an annual charge for the safety plan on top of the subscription fee. For the garmin messenger. Thanks
Whether you selected annual or freedom plan, there is a annual fee no matter the usage plan selected at time. Although it may have changed since recording.
@@AvoidingChores Thanks for your help
@@AvoidingChoresThere is not an annual fee for the annual plan. Only a 1 time activation fee. You are giving bum info