PLBs for hikers, travelers, and outdoor emergencies.

Product Category: Personal Locator Beacons

PLBs for hikers, travelers, and outdoor emergencies.

ACR ResQLink 400

Overview

The ACR ResQLink 400 represents the gold standard in personal locator beacons—a dedicated emergency signaling device with no subscription fees, 6+ year battery life, and global rescue coordination via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network. At $279.95, this is a one-time investment that provides lifetime emergency backup with no recurring costs. For adventurers operating in truly remote areas where satellite communicators are overkill or unaffordable, the ResQLink 400 delivers focused, reliable emergency signaling backed by 50+ years of proven search-and-rescue technology. This is the device that hangs on the walls of Coast Guard stations, parks on the dashboards of bush planes, and rides in the life rafts of ocean sailors—trusted by professionals who stake their lives on equipment performance.

Key Capabilities

The ResQLink 400 transmits on 406 MHz—the international distress frequency monitored 24/7 by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system operated by search-and-rescue agencies worldwide. When activated, your PLB transmits your unique ID and GPS coordinates to rescue coordination centers in your country, which then dispatch appropriate emergency resources. The 66-channel GPS provides rapid, accurate position acquisition. The 121.5 MHz homing beacon helps rescuers pinpoint your location once they’re within a few miles. The built-in strobe light provides visual location assistance after dark.

Battery life is extraordinary: 6+ years in standby, with 24+ hours of active transmission once activated. The PLB is completely self-contained—no smartphone pairing, no subscriptions, no apps. It works anywhere on Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole with no coverage gaps. The device is buoyant and waterproof to 5 meters (16 feet), making it suitable for marine use. Operating temperature range (-4F to 131F) covers extreme environments. The device attaches via lanyard or clips to life jackets, backpack straps, or belt loops.

Build Quality & Design

ACR has been building survival equipment since 1956, and that expertise shows in every detail. The ResQLink 400’s construction is absolutely bombproof—designed to survive aircraft crashes, shipwrecks, and multi-story falls. At 4.6 ounces, it’s compact and light enough to carry always. The bright yellow housing is visible in search conditions. The activation mechanism requires deliberate action (deploying the antenna and pressing the button), preventing accidental activation while being simple enough for injured or hypothermic users to operate. The antenna locks firmly in place when deployed. Every component is engineered for maximum reliability in the worst possible conditions—this device must work when everything else has failed.

Best Use Cases

The ResQLink 400 is ideal for adventurers in truly remote areas who need emergency backup without ongoing costs. Solo wilderness travelers in Alaska, Canada, or the Arctic, ocean sailors and offshore fishermen, bush pilots and aircraft passengers, mountaineers above treeline, desert motorcyclists and off-road adventurers far from assistance, and international expedition travelers all benefit from PLB technology. Unlike satellite communicators that require monthly subscriptions, the PLB’s zero ongoing cost makes it practical for users who adventure occasionally rather than constantly. It’s perfect as a backup emergency device even if you carry a satellite communicator—redundancy matters when your life depends on it. The PLB also makes sense for elderly users or those with medical conditions who want simple emergency backup without technology complexity.

Considerations

The ResQLink 400 is one-way only—you can signal for help but cannot receive confirmation that your distress call was received or communicate with rescuers. There’s no text messaging capability for non-emergency communication or updates to family. The device is emergency-only; activating it dispatches full search-and-rescue resources, so false activations are serious matters. You must manually activate the PLB—it won’t automatically signal if you’re unconscious or unable to reach the device. There’s no tracking capability for family to follow your location during non-emergency travel. The device must be registered with NOAA (free) before use, providing emergency contacts and personal information that assists rescuers. Battery replacement after 6 years requires factory service. Once activated, the PLB transmits until the battery dies or you manually deactivate it—you cannot update your situation or cancel the emergency if circumstances change.

Our Take

The ACR ResQLink 400 delivers exceptional value for serious adventurers who understand its focused mission. Consider the economics: $279.95 one-time cost with zero subscription fees versus satellite communicators costing $200-$400 plus $15-$65/month subscriptions. Over a five-year period, a satellite communicator with the cheapest plan costs $1,100+ versus $280 for the PLB. If you adventure occasionally—a few big trips per year—the PLB makes enormous economic sense. You get professional-grade emergency signaling backed by the same satellite system that protects commercial aircraft and ships. The 6+ year battery life means you can truly set it and forget it; the PLB sits in your emergency kit ready to work when needed without the maintenance hassles of rechargeable devices. The lack of two-way communication is a limitation, but remember what a PLB does: it tells rescuers exactly where you are and who you are, triggering professional rescue response. For pure emergency signaling, that’s often sufficient. The waterproof, buoyant design makes this particularly valuable for anyone operating near water. The ACR brand carries the credibility of 60+ years supplying survival equipment to military, aviation, and maritime professionals—when your life depends on equipment, that heritage matters. We recommend the ResQLink 400 for solo adventurers in remote areas, as a backup to satellite communicators for expedition leaders, for occasional adventurers who don’t want subscription fees, and for anyone who wants the simplest possible emergency backup. The device works, it’s proven in thousands of real rescues, and it costs nothing after initial purchase. That’s hard to beat.

ACR ResQLink View

Overview

The ACR ResQLink View takes the proven ResQLink 400 platform and adds one critical feature: a digital display that confirms your distress signal is transmitting and being received by satellites. For many users, that $50 premium over the base model is money well spent for peace of mind during the worst moments of their lives. When you’re injured, lost, or facing life-threatening circumstances, seeing confirmation on a screen that help is coming provides psychological relief that can literally improve survival outcomes. The View is the PLB for users who want maximum confidence that their emergency signal is working.

Key Capabilities

The ResQLink View incorporates all the capabilities of the ResQLink 400—406 MHz emergency transmission via COSPAS-SARSAT satellites, 121.5 MHz homing beacon, 66-channel GPS, and integrated strobe light. The differentiator is the digital LCD display showing critical information: GPS lock status, number of satellites acquired, signal transmission status, and battery level. This display transforms the user experience from “I pressed the button and hope it’s working” to “I can see the PLB has GPS lock, is transmitting on 406 MHz, and satellites are receiving my signal.”

The View maintains the same excellent specifications: 6+ year battery life in standby, 24+ hours active transmission, waterproof to 5 meters, buoyant, and global coverage with no subscription fees. The device operates in temperature extremes from -4F to 131F. Like all ACR PLBs, it’s completely self-contained with no smartphone pairing or app requirements. Registration with NOAA (free) links the device to your emergency contact information.

Build Quality & Design

ACR applies the same bombproof construction standards to the View as the base ResQLink. The addition of the LCD display is integrated seamlessly without compromising durability. At 5.4 ounces, it’s 0.8 ounces heavier than the 400 due to display components—a negligible difference for most users. The bright yellow housing with black accents is highly visible. The display is protected behind tough plastic and remains readable in bright sunlight. The activation mechanism is identical to the 400: deploy the antenna and press the button. The device feels substantial and confidence-inspiring in hand—exactly what you want in life-safety equipment.

Best Use Cases

The ResQLink View serves the same core users as the base ResQLink 400 but particularly appeals to those who value confirmation of signal transmission. Solo adventurers who want psychological reassurance during emergencies, older users who may question whether they’ve properly activated the device, expedition leaders responsible for group safety who need to verify emergency signals are working, medical patients with cardiac or other conditions who want confirmation that help is coming, and professional users (pilots, sailors, guides) who appreciate technical feedback. The display is especially valuable during marginal situations—perhaps you’re injured but stable, and seeing GPS lock and signal transmission confirmed lets you focus on first aid and shelter rather than worrying whether the PLB is functioning. For users who’ve never activated an emergency beacon before, the display provides crucial confidence that you’ve done everything correctly.

Considerations

The ResQLink View costs $50 more than the ResQLink 400, which represents about 18% premium. For budget-conscious users, that $50 might be better spent elsewhere in your safety kit. The device is slightly heavier at 5.4 ounces versus 4.6 ounces—mostly irrelevant for typical users but potentially significant for gram-counting ultralight backpackers. The display adds a potential failure point—there’s one more component (the LCD) that could theoretically malfunction, though ACR’s quality standards make this unlikely. The screen is small due to device size constraints, so information is concise rather than detailed. Like all PLBs, the View is one-way only with no text messaging or tracking capability, and requires manual activation. The display consumes a small amount of additional battery power, though ACR maintains the same 6+ year standby specification.

Our Take

The ACR ResQLink View represents our top PLB recommendation for most users because the $50 premium delivers substantial psychological value during emergencies. Consider the scenario: you’re badly injured, possibly in shock, activating an emergency beacon for the first time in your life. The ability to look at a screen and see “GPS: 12 SATS, TRANSMITTING: 406 MHz, SIGNAL: OK” provides enormous reassurance that help is coming. That peace of mind matters—it can mean the difference between remaining calm and focused versus panic that worsens your situation. The display also serves as a user interface during activation, confirming you’ve properly deployed the antenna and the device is functioning. While the View maintains all the strengths of ACR’s PLB platform—no subscriptions, 6+ year battery, global coverage, bombproof construction—that display adds a human-centered design element that recognizes emergency activation is a high-stress moment. The $330 price point is reasonable for a device that provides lifetime emergency backup with zero ongoing costs. The weight penalty (0.8 oz) is negligible for anyone not doing ultralight backpacking. We appreciate that ACR offers both the View and the base 400, letting users choose whether the display is worth $50 to them, but for most users, we recommend spending the extra money. The confirmation that your distress signal is working is worth far more than $50 when you’re facing a life-threatening emergency. Highly recommended for anyone serious about backcountry safety.

Ocean Signal rescueME PLB3

Overview

The Ocean Signal rescueME PLB3 holds the distinction of being the smallest and lightest personal locator beacon available while also offering the longest battery life in the category. At just 4.2 ounces and barely larger than a deck of cards, this PLB essentially disappears into your gear yet provides the same global rescue coordination as bulkier alternatives. For weight-conscious adventurers—ultralight backpackers, marathon runners, bicycle tourists, and alpine climbers counting every gram—the PLB3 delivers critical safety capability without the weight penalty. The impressive 15-meter (49-foot) waterproof depth rating also makes it particularly attractive for water sports and marine applications where deeper submersion is possible.

Key Capabilities

The PLB3 transmits on 406 MHz via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network, providing global emergency signaling to search-and-rescue agencies. The 121.5 MHz homing beacon assists final location by rescue teams. Built-in GPS provides accurate position information. Like all PLBs, there are no subscription fees—just free NOAA registration linking the device to your emergency contacts. Battery life is industry-leading at 7 years in standby, with 24+ hours of active transmission once activated. The 15-meter (49-foot) waterproof rating substantially exceeds most competing PLBs rated for 5 meters, making the PLB3 suitable for diving, kayaking, and other water sports where deeper submersion is possible.

The device operates in temperature extremes appropriate for all environments. At just 3.0 x 1.85 x 1.22 inches, it’s genuinely pocketable. Despite the compact size, the PLB3 is buoyant and floats if dropped in water. Activation is straightforward: flip open the cover and press the button. An LED indicator confirms transmission status.

Build Quality & Design

Ocean Signal brings decades of marine safety equipment experience to the PLB3, and the construction reflects that heritage. The device feels remarkably robust despite its light weight—Ocean Signal has engineered this using advanced materials that provide strength without bulk. The bright yellow housing is highly visible for recovery after use. The activation mechanism is positive and deliberate, preventing accidental activation while remaining simple enough for use in extreme conditions. At 4.2 ounces, this is the lightest PLB available—the weight savings compared to 5-6 ounce competitors is noticeable when you’re counting grams for long-distance travel. The compact dimensions (3.0 x 1.85 x 1.22 inches) mean it fits in pockets, small pouches, or clips unobtrusively to gear.

Best Use Cases

The PLB3 is ideal for weight-conscious adventurers and water sports enthusiasts. Ultralight backpackers doing long-distance trails where every ounce matters, trail runners and fastpackers moving light and fast, bicycle tourists doing multi-week tours, alpine climbers operating above treeline, sea kayakers and paddleboarders, scuba divers and freedivers, ocean swimmers and triathletes, and sailboat racers all benefit from the PLB3’s combination of minimal weight and maximum waterproof rating. The 7-year battery life makes it practical to stash in seasonal gear—your kayaking kit, alpine climbing pack, or cycling tour bags—knowing it’s ready when you need it. The compact size means it doesn’t dominate smaller packs or pouches. For travelers doing multi-sport expeditions involving both land and water activities, the PLB3’s versatility is valuable.

Considerations

The PLB3 omits the strobe light included on many competing PLBs, which could hinder visual location after dark. In maritime scenarios or night emergencies, rescuers rely more heavily on electronic homing and searchlights rather than strobe assist. The device has no display—you press the button and trust it’s working, without the confirmation provided by models like the ACR ResQLink View. Ocean Signal has less brand recognition among recreational users compared to ACR, though they’re well-established in professional marine safety. The compact activation button might be harder to operate with heavy gloves or extremely cold fingers compared to larger devices. Like all PLBs, this is one-way emergency signaling only—no text messaging, no tracking, no confirmation that rescuers received your signal. The device must be manually activated—it cannot automatically trigger if you’re unconscious.

Our Take

The Ocean Signal rescueME PLB3 earns our recommendation for weight-conscious users and water sports enthusiasts who want the lightest possible emergency signaling. At 4.2 ounces, it’s noticeably lighter than competing PLBs—that matters when you’re optimizing gear for long-distance hiking or multi-week bicycle tours. The 7-year battery life is the longest available, meaning extended periods between factory service. The 15-meter waterproof rating is superior to most competitors and particularly valuable for kayaking, diving, or sailing applications where deeper submersion is possible. The $279.99 price matches the ACR ResQLink 400, making this an equivalent investment with different optimization priorities—Ocean Signal prioritizes weight and waterproofing, while ACR emphasizes features like strobes and displays. The lack of a strobe light is a limitation for some scenarios but not a dealbreaker; rescuers primarily locate beacons via satellite coordinates and 121.5 MHz homing, not visual strobes. The compact size is genuinely impressive—this PLB fits in running shorts pockets or small kayaking PFD pouches where larger PLBs won’t. The Ocean Signal brand may be less familiar to casual users, but they’re a respected name in professional marine safety with decades of experience building life-saving equipment. For ultralight enthusiasts, the PLB3’s weight advantage (4.2 oz vs 4.6-5.9 oz for competitors) represents 10-30% savings—significant when you’re already optimizing gear. We recommend the PLB3 for weight-conscious backcountry users, water sports enthusiasts who need maximum waterproofing, and minimalist travelers who want emergency backup in the smallest possible package. The 7-year battery life and zero subscription fees deliver excellent long-term value.

McMurdo FastFind 220

Overview

The McMurdo FastFind 220 delivers essential personal locator beacon functionality at the most affordable price point in the category. At $249.99, this PLB is $30 less than competing models while providing the same core capability: global emergency signaling via COSPAS-SARSAT satellites with no subscription fees. For budget-conscious adventurers who need emergency backup without premium features, the FastFind 220 represents excellent value. McMurdo is a respected British manufacturer with decades of experience in marine safety equipment, bringing that professional heritage to this recreational PLB. When your priority is reliable emergency signaling at the lowest possible cost, the FastFind 220 delivers.

Key Capabilities

The FastFind 220 transmits on 406 MHz via the global COSPAS-SARSAT satellite rescue network, plus 121.5 MHz homing beacon for final location by rescue teams. Built-in GPS provides position information. The device delivers 6-year battery life in standby with 24 hours of active transmission once activated. The PLB is waterproof (specific depth rating not prominently advertised, but suitable for marine use) and operates in temperature extremes from -4F to 131F, covering most adventure environments. Like all PLBs, there are no subscription fees—just one-time purchase price plus free NOAA registration.

Activation is straightforward via cover deployment and button press. LED indicators provide basic status feedback. The device is compact enough for pack or PFD attachment and suitable for aviation, marine, and backcountry use. McMurdo’s construction meets international PLB standards ensuring compatibility with global search-and-rescue systems.

Build Quality & Design

The FastFind 220 delivers functional construction at a price point. At 5.9 ounces, it’s the heaviest PLB in this comparison—the weight comes from more conventional construction rather than the advanced lightweight materials used by Ocean Signal or the refined engineering of ACR. The build quality feels adequate rather than exceptional; it will perform its emergency function reliably but doesn’t inspire the same confidence as premium alternatives. The yellow and black housing is visible for recovery. The activation mechanism is simple and positive. The device lacks refinements like advanced ergonomics or premium materials, but remember you’re saving $30-$80 compared to competitors.

Best Use Cases

The FastFind 220 is ideal for budget-conscious users who need basic emergency signaling without premium features. Beginning adventurers building safety kits on limited budgets, recreational sailors and powerboaters wanting affordable emergency backup, casual backcountry users who adventure occasionally, international travelers wanting emergency coverage without subscription costs, and families equipping multiple members with emergency beacons all benefit from the FastFind 220’s low price point. The device serves perfectly well as emergency backup for established trail hiking, weekend camping, lake and river kayaking, and other lower-risk activities where the probability of needing rescue is low but the capability is still prudent. It’s also suitable as a spare beacon—perhaps one person carries a premium PLB while partners carry FastFinds as backup.

Considerations

The FastFind 220’s GPS lock time is slower than competing models—it can take several minutes to acquire satellite position rather than the quicker locks achieved by premium PLBs. This delay could matter in dynamic situations like sinking vessels where every second counts. The build quality is noticeably less refined than ACR or Ocean Signal products—it works, but it doesn’t feel premium in hand. At 5.9 ounces, it’s the heaviest PLB reviewed here, which matters for weight-conscious users. The device lacks a strobe light for visual location assistance. McMurdo has less brand recognition among North American recreational users compared to ACR, though they’re well-established in professional marine markets internationally. The bulkier design is less convenient for pocket carry compared to more compact alternatives. Like all PLBs, this is one-way emergency signaling only with no display, no confirmation of signal receipt, and no text messaging capability.

Our Take

The McMurdo FastFind 220 succeeds at providing essential PLB capability at the lowest price point. The $249.99 cost is $30 less than the ACR ResQLink 400 and Ocean Signal PLB3—that’s meaningful savings if you’re on a tight budget or equipping multiple people. You get the same fundamental capability as expensive alternatives: global emergency signaling via proven satellite networks with no subscription fees. The McMurdo brand brings legitimate credentials from decades of marine safety equipment manufacturing. The device will work when you need it—it meets international standards and connects to the same rescue coordination systems as premium PLBs. The trade-offs are slower GPS lock time, heavier weight, less refined construction, and missing features like strobes. For many users, those compromises are acceptable in exchange for $30-$80 in savings. Consider your priorities: if you’re weight-conscious, the extra 1-2 ounces matter and you should spend more for a lighter option. If you’re operating in high-risk environments where every second counts, invest in premium PLBs with faster GPS locks. But if you’re a budget-conscious recreational user who needs emergency backup for occasional adventures—weekend camping, day sailing, established trail hiking—the FastFind 220 delivers adequate capability at an attractive price. The money saved can fund other safety equipment like better first aid kits, improved shelter, or redundant navigation tools. We recommend the FastFind 220 for price-sensitive users, for equipping less-experienced adventurers who don’t need premium features, and as spare beacons for groups where one person already carries a premium model. It’s the sensible choice for users who understand PLB fundamentals and consciously choose to prioritize affordability over refinements.