Zoleo in the Olympics

Are you using the inReach Mini 2 or another device?  In my experience the “2” has materially better reception than the original mini.

no experience with the Zolo.

I live in the greater Seattle area and have used the “2” in challenging terrain but not in the Olympics. Having backpacked in the Olympics I would guess that some of those locations could be more challenging than where I’ve used my device.

I’ve got the mini 2, and you’re right, it is better than the original mini. That said, the deep river valleys are challenging to get a signal out sometimes. I hike solo, and send a check in to my boyfriend every evening and every morning as I leave camp, and sometimes it takes a while.

The only reason I’m considering the Zoleo, since I already have the mini, is I like the idea of the medical consults. Has anyone else made the switch, and should I consider anything else? I’m on an Android device, if that makes a difference.

“and sometimes it takes a while”

I’ve used mini (1) a lot in river valleys in Olympics and elsewhere in PNW

Sometimes, it takes an hour or even two to send a message, especially acquiring GPS.  Sometimes it says it acquired, I send a message, it says something about not having a good GPS position and asks if I want to send anyway?  I just send and it seems okay afterwards.

Other times it does it in a few minutes.

I haven’t really correlated this with being in a valley, but maybe that’s worse, especially if there are steep walls.

Maybe it has to do with the position of GPS satellites or maybe some of them are down.

My phone always acquires GPS in a few minutes

According to https://www.gpsrchive.com/inReach/inReach%20mini%202/index.htm and https://www.gpsrchive.com/inReach/inReach%20mini/index.htm

The InReach Mini has a receiver capable of only receiving GPS signal, while the Mini 2 can receive signals from GPS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS satellites.  So in theory, the Mini 2 should be better at acquiring a GNSS position lock.

According to https://support.zoleo.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405314689047-ZOLEO-Features-and-Technical-Specs

The Zoleo supports GPS and GLONASS GNSS satellite systems.

I honestly don’t know which combination of GNSS satellite systems results in better ability to obtain a position lock, particularly under challenging conditions.  My guess, though, is that for global travel, maybe the Mini 2 is the better unit, but for PNW, anecdotal reports are probably gonna be your best guide as to whether the Zoleo or the Mini 2 is best.