ZOLEO + Beamback
- Hardware$149 / €249 · pocket-size
- Monthlyfrom ~€20 airtime + €6 Beamback
- Offshore coverageGlobal Iridium · days of battery
- Weather at seaGRIB + AI by satellite text
The cheapest way to get real GRIB weather offshore is a ZOLEO + Beamback: a $149 / €249 pocket messenger you may already own, plus €6/month, and wind, pressure, rain and waves beam back by satellite text, no phone signal. The classic Iridium GO! + PredictWind rig runs into four figures before your first forecast, and Starlink Mini's offshore Ocean Mode is capped and pricey. Here's the real cost, side by side.
| ZOLEO + Beamback | inReach + Beamback | Iridium GO! + PredictWind | Starlink Mini (Roam) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware | $149 / €249 · pocket-size | from ~$250 · pocket-size | ~$1,000 (GO!) · ~$2,000 (exec) | $599 dish + 12V power draw |
| Monthly | from ~€20 airtime + €6 Beamback | from ~$15 airtime + €6 Beamback | $65–155 airtime | $55–175 + $2/GB Ocean Mode |
| Offshore coverage | Global Iridium · days of battery | Global Iridium · days of battery | Global Iridium | Ocean Mode capped: 5 days at a time, 60 days/yr |
| Weather at sea | GRIB + AI by satellite text | GRIB + AI by satellite text | GRIB via PredictWind app | Full internet, when in coverage |
Prices from ZOLEO, Garmin, PredictWind & Starlink, July 2026, rounded. EU prices VAT-inc, US pre-tax. Airtime billed by each provider; one-time activation fees may apply.
Try Beamback free, 3 forecasts and 3 AI queries a month. When you need more, go unlimited. Best value is the annual plan.
≈ €5/mo, billed yearly · save 17% vs monthly
Free to start · no card for the free tier