You can purchase a Zoleo from our friend Mike Spurgin at Taco Moto
New satellite communicator out from Zoleo. I'll need a new tracker for my trip in September so I'm giving this some thought.
$199 plus three plans: $20, $35 and $50 per month. It says you can suspend your plan when not in use but you'll still pay $4/month which is not bad at all.
For comparison, inReach Mini is $349.99 with plans ranging from $12 to $65/month. SpotX is $249.99 (on sale now for $199.99) with plans $12 to $30 with flex plans too.
So it relies on use of an app with your phone so while you can use the SOS feature without your phone, you'll need your phone to message someone (or receive messages). Both the inReach and SpotX have the ability to type and read messages without a phone; inReach somewhat more difficult than the SpotX ("KTM Blackberry").
Some things that appeal to me are the price and that it will actually fit in the special pocket Klim designed into my jacket for that purpose (the SpotX stuck out).
If I go with the Zoleo I will certainly provide some more info!
What do you think?