Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)

[Jackee]

I am in the market to purchase a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for hiking trips.

I would appreciate any personal recommendations on which brand and type to purchase (or not to purchase).

Thanks in advance,
Jackee

[wayno]

please feel free to do a search of the posts. This topic has been discussed at length before on previous posts...

[GPSGuided]

Smallest on the market is rescueME PLB1. They are all certified safety equipments and there should be no worries on the reliability front. The choices are on size, weight, cost and potentially 2nd hand for more savings. Otherwise the price difference for new units really don't vary that much given their 7 years of life (battery spec). Plenty of threads on it on this forum. Do a search.

[Chris]

Smallest on the market is rescueME PLB1.

For what it's worth that's what I bought after posting a similar question.

please feel free to do a search of the posts. This topic has been discussed at length before on previous posts...

We have to admit that the search function on this forum can be a bit frustrating.
Some suggestions for more info:
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13793
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13327&hilit=PLB
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1709&hilit=Epirb

[Strider]

I have an ACR ResQLink+

[Gulliver3]

Jackee I previously bought an "ACR ResQLink PLB with GPS " from Chas Smith Marine online and although I thankfully haven't needed to use it am very pleased with its compact size , light weight and price. And yes see comments in previous posts.
Phil

[Gulliver3]

Snap Strider!
Phil

[Jackee]

Smallest on the market is rescueME PLB1.

For what it's worth that's what I bought after posting a similar question.

please feel free to do a search of the posts. This topic has been discussed at length before on previous posts...

We have to admit that the search function on this forum can be a bit frustrating.
Some suggestions for more info:
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13793
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13327&hilit=PLB
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1709&hilit=Epirb

Thanks for the links Chris, they are very helpful. I spent an hour yesterday searching the site for the information I wanted and gave up in the end and started a new Forum.

[Jackee]

Thanks for the forum links provided. I have narrowed it down to:
• ACR ResQLink GPS PLB
• GME MT410/MT410G
• rescue-ME PLB1

[Strider]

I wouldn't bother with the GME - its huge and not that much cheaper.

[GPSGuided]

Unless you have extensive on-water application, rescueMe PLB1 is the one that has significant size and weight advantage. Well worth getting. Whist government regulation requires all PLBs to have floatation functionality, PLB1 depends on a supplied and attached neoprene cover for its floatation. Not problem with it but thought to be not ideal by some. Otherwise, PLB1 really is very neat for land based users for its size and weight. It's very much pocket sized while the next competitor is significantly larger.

[Strider]

The supplied clip for the PLB1 worries me. I much prefer to have a solid attachment point like on my ResQlink+. Increased size/weight for buoyant model is very minimal.

[wayno]

the other thing about the plb 1, is how easy can the flap that covers the activation button be flipped open if it catches on something and the button accidentally activated

i've got a fastfind, the activation button is under a sealed cap. you have to lift a lever before you can force open the lid by pulling perpendicular to the opened lever, exposing the buton, the lever won't catch easily by accident... you need to apply two distinct forces in two distinct directions before the button is even exposed... making it hard to activate accidentally,
it also comes in both a neoprene open topped pouch for buoyancy and a plastic pouch that covers it completely

http://www.fastfindplb.com/us/fast-find-220-images

[GPSGuided]

I don't clip my PLB1 to anything. Just sits in my pack belt pocket or inside another pack pocket. Don't have any issue with their supplied clip, one that's more designed for life vests.

[Jackee]

Thanks Wayno, another brand to consider. I have completed some extra research into the PLBs as follows:

1. Rescue-ME PLB1 - Weight 115g. Dimensions 75 (h) x 50 (w) x 35 (d). Price $359.00
2. ACR ResQLink GPS PLB - Weight 130g. Dimensions 99 (h) x 48 (w) x 33 (d). Price $369.50
3. McMurdo Fast Find 220 PLB – Weight 152g. Dimensions 106 (h) x 47 (w) x (34) d. Price $335.00
4. GME MT410G - Weight 250g. Dimensions 135 (h) x 71 (w) x 38 (d). Price $295.00

Note: All prices are quoted from C.H. Smith Marine.

Aside from concerns about clips, accidental activation, size and weight I haven't come across any comments on faults or failures with any of the products. I guess it will just come down to how much we want to spend and availability.

The Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service as well as the NSW Police Force and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Blue Mountain hire out the GME PLB.
We have borrowed the GME PLB a few times before and didn’t find the extra space and weight an issue. I guess we were just happy to have a lifeline on hand if required.

[wayno]

hardly anyone gets to use them to comment about reliability... there is a test button on the fastfind and at least some other models to make sure the battery is ok and that the device isnt dead, can also test the satellite acquisition on the fastfind..

[Strider]

PM sent

[GPSGuided]

hardly anyone gets to use them to comment about reliability... there is a test button on the fastfind and at least some other models to make sure the battery is ok and that the device isnt dead, can also test the satellite acquisition on the fastfind..

I thought they all have test routines to check their basic functionalities like battery charge. I'd think that's part of the certification requirement for these safety equipments. PLB1 certainly has it and all others I've read up on have it too.

[Strider]

Two battery test is standard. Satellite test is not but I am offered on selected models.

[Strider]

*is offered. Tapatalk is really starting to *&^%$#! me off!

[wayno]

cant remember what doc in nz hire out, but they are veritable bricks compared to the gme plb's dont now how old they are,,, i cant rmember if i hired mine before or after they shut down the old satellites they may have been for the prior satelite service..

[GPSGuided]

*is offered. Tapatalk is really starting to *&^%$#! me off!

Be fair! Blame it on fat thumbs and lingering EtOH effect from last night.