Choose a personal locator beacon for hiking, boating and backcountry trips
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Quick answer
A personal locator beacon (PLB) sends a 406 MHz distress alert with your GPS position to search and rescue through the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, with no subscription. ACR's ResQLink View RLS adds Return Link Service, which confirms your alert was received, and a digital display. The ResQLink 410 RLS has RLS without the display, and the ResQLink View has the display without RLS. Ocean Signal's rescueME PLB1 is the smallest here at 116 g, with a 7-year battery interval. In the U.S., you must register a 406 MHz beacon with NOAA.
- ACR ResQLink View RLS (PLB-435, 2932). Best for: Knowing your alert got through. See options on Amazon
- ACR ResQLink 410 RLS (PLB-410, 2931). Best for: Return link confirmation without the screen. See options on Amazon
- ACR ResQLink View (PLB-425, 2922). Best for: A display at a step down from the RLS model. See options on Amazon
- Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 (730S-01261). Best for: The smallest beacon to carry every trip. See options on Amazon
What a PLB does
A personal locator beacon is a small, rugged transmitter you activate by hand in a life-threatening emergency. ACR says its ResQLink beacons send a 406 MHz distress alert with your GPS position through the global Cospas-Sarsat search and rescue satellite system, plus a 121.5 MHz homing signal that rescuers use to find you once they are close. Ocean Signal says the PLB1 works without mobile coverage or subscription fees.
A PLB is one-way: it calls for help but does not let you message anyone.
Four PLBs compared
| Beacon | Return link | Display | Battery interval | Rated operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACR ResQLink View RLS | Yes | Yes | 5 years | 24+ hours |
| ACR ResQLink 410 RLS | Yes | No | 5 years | 24+ hours |
| ACR ResQLink View | No | Yes | 5 years | 28 hours |
| Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 | No | No | 7 years | 24+ hours |
Figures are from ACR's and Ocean Signal's product pages. None needs a subscription. ACR lists all three ResQLink models as buoyant; Ocean Signal sells a separate flotation pouch for the PLB1.
Return Link Service
ACR says Return Link Service (RLS) lets the beacon show you that your distress signal has been received by the satellite system. Without RLS, you activate the beacon and wait without knowing whether the alert went out.
The ResQLink View RLS and ResQLink 410 RLS both have it. If peace of mind during a long wait matters to you, choose one of those.
PLB or EPIRB
ACR explains that EPIRBs are registered to a specific vessel, while PLBs are compact and portable, made to be carried or worn by a person. PLBs must operate for at least 24 hours and need their antenna up and out of the water to transmit; EPIRBs must float upright and run at least 48 hours.
For a boat, see our EPIRB guide. For hiking, hunting and paddling, a PLB clipped to your pack strap or life jacket is the one you will have with you.
Register with NOAA
NOAA says that if you buy a new or used U.S.-coded 406 MHz beacon you must register it with NOAA as required by law, re-register every two years and update your registration whenever your contact details change. If you sell a beacon, tell NOAA and the buyer.
Battery, testing and carry
ACR lists a 5-year battery replacement interval for its ResQLink beacons. Ocean Signal lists a 7-year interval for the PLB1 and says to follow the battery date and replacement instructions in the manual. Mark the date somewhere you will see it.
Use only the maker's self-test procedure described in the manual. Ocean Signal says to carry the PLB1 secured and within reach; a shoulder strap, chest pocket or life jacket works better than the bottom of a pack.
Which one to buy
For most hikers, hunters and paddlers, the ResQLink View RLS covers the most: return link confirmation and a screen that shows what is happening. The ResQLink 410 RLS gives the same confirmation without the screen. The ResQLink View suits buyers who want the display and a 28-hour rating without RLS. Choose the rescueME PLB1 if size and weight matter most.
For two-way messaging, see our satellite walkie-talkie guide.
What to look for when you buy
ACR ResQLink View RLS (PLB-435, 2932)
Best for: Knowing your alert got through
ACR lists 406 MHz alerting through Cospas-Sarsat, GPS and Galileo positioning, 121.5 MHz homing, Return Link Service confirmation and an LCD screen that shows status through each stage of an activation. It is buoyant, has visible and infrared strobes, a 5-year battery replacement interval and a 5-year warranty.
Watch out: ACR lists 24+ hours of operation, like other PLBs, not the 48 hours an EPIRB must run.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)ACR ResQLink 410 RLS (PLB-410, 2931)
Best for: Return link confirmation without the screen
ACR lists the same 406 MHz alert, GPS and Galileo, 121.5 MHz homing and Return Link Service, with built-in flotation, visible and infrared strobes and a -20°C to +55°C operating range. Waterproof to 5 m for 1 hour and 10 m for 10 minutes.
Watch out: No digital display, so you read status from indicator lights.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)ACR ResQLink View (PLB-425, 2922)
Best for: A display at a step down from the RLS model
ACR lists GPS positioning, a 406 MHz signal and 121.5 MHz homing, a digital display, a strobe and infrared strobe, a buoyant design, a 5-year battery and 28 hours of operation, plus a multifunction clip system.
Watch out: No Return Link Service confirmation.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 (730S-01261)
Best for: The smallest beacon to carry every trip
Ocean Signal lists a compact PLB at 77 x 51 x 32.5 mm and 116 g, manual activation sending a 406 MHz alert and GPS position through Cospas-Sarsat, 121.5 MHz homing, a high-intensity visible strobe, 24+ hours of operation at -20°C, a 7-year battery interval and waterproofing to 15 m.
Watch out: No Return Link Service, AIS or NFC (Ocean Signal's PLB3 adds those), and its flotation pouch is sold separately.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Do personal locator beacons need a subscription?
- No. ACR and Ocean Signal say their PLBs use the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system with no subscription.
- Do I have to register a PLB?
- Yes. NOAA says U.S.-coded 406 MHz beacons must be registered by law and re-registered every two years.
- What is the difference between a PLB and an EPIRB?
- A PLB is carried by a person and runs at least 24 hours; an EPIRB is registered to a boat, floats upright and runs at least 48 hours.
- How long does a PLB battery last?
- ACR lists a 5-year battery replacement interval for ResQLink beacons; Ocean Signal lists 7 years for the PLB1.
Sources
- ResQLink View RLS Personal Locator Beacon (acrartex.com), ACR Electronics
- ResQLink 410 RLS Personal Locator Beacon (acrartex.com), ACR Electronics
- rescueME PLB1 Personal Locator Beacon (oceansignal.com), Ocean Signal
- Register your Beacon (sarsat.noaa.gov), NOAA SARSAT