Lightest PLB?

"Lightest" is my recollection as well.

Lightest by ~37 grams (versus ACR ResQLink), and, I think, smallest, as well.

But how well does it work?

I bought one of these earlier this week – 116g exactly. Pretty tiny.

I hope I don't have to find out how well it works, and also hope that if I do it works well.

"But how well does it work?"

Devices designed as PLBs (versus SEND devices like SPOT and inReach) are tested and certified for the COSPAS-SARSAT organization. So in terms of functionality, they work. The self-test feature addresses this as well, out of the box, and at least once a year thereafter. (Checks GPS acquisition and hopefully the other internals, just short of sending a 911.)

The unknown is long term durability and actual battery life. Those answers won't be known until a couple more years have elapsed.

.5 oz lighter than the Resqlink, but $120 more.

My going rate for an oz saved is more around $20.

^^^

Seven year battery life and warranty.

Battery storage (and usage?!?) limits are 10C 18F less cold than the ACR ResQlink, perhap due to the different battery types. That actually gives me pause. You Southerners, maybe less so.

…from Ocean Signal

I believe -20C is a Cospas-Sarsat PLB requirement for a Class 2 device.

ACR says you can store theirs (with lithium batteries) down to -40.

Yes, a difference on storage.

My house seldom gets that cold.

"Seven year battery life and warranty."

v. five years. Financially I'd rather pay +$150 five years from now than pay +$180 now.

I'm sincerely interested in this debate/calculation, as a PBL is at the top of my Should Get list for this year and my gear funds are limited. (Will probably do it at the REI member 20% off window, assuming I go w/the resqlink)

If you think $180 is bad Katherine don't buy one in the UK :-(

RescueMe at Banyon Pilot Shop is $268.95 with shipping.

And I recall a similar deal about a year ago from another dealer.

The best price I can find on an ACR ResQLink-375 (#2880, non-floating) is $249.95 including shipping, from The GPS Store .

So a $20 difference for two additional years.
$38/year for the RescueMe versus $50/year for the ResQLink.
(With a 20% deal from REI it would come to $44/year for the ResQLink.)
[Edit: Per the following posts, PLBs are Not included in the 20% off sale.]

[BTW – no vested interest here. Just paying close attention to the details, as I am also in replacement mode.]

My ResQlink came with a battery life date. That date was 6 years out for mine.
I'm thinking they ship them to the retailer with 6 years of life so it can sit on the shelf for a year before being sold and still have the advertised 5 year battery life.
So I'm guessing if you buy from a high volume retailer you might get 6 years instead of 5.
You might want to ask the retailer what date is marked on the unit they are proposing to sell you. Or just open it up and look if you are buying in a store.

billy

RescueME is $259 at Landfallnavigation.com and there is a free shipping code at the bottom of the page. Found quickly via web search; I have no connection to the seller.

As in Greg's situation my PLB battery is 14 months from expiration. It doesn't hurt to start the features and price comparison shopping now.

ResQLink Battery Date on a ACR ResQFix –

"My house seldom gets that cold"

But my car trunk does. You gotta store your gear (sleeping bag, CCF, gloves, PLB) somewhere. In Alaska, we store those things in the car during the Winter. Because car trouble. And avalanches on the highway. Etc.

And I seldom get lost in my house. (Joke)

Greg… you opened your ResQlink!!!! ????

I thought you were not supposed to do that… compromise waterproofness?
The battery exp date on mine is printed on the instructions on the outside of my unit.
No need to open the unit.

billy

Thanks Greg, John!

"The battery exp date on mine is printed on the instructions on the outside of my unit."

Thanks. That's good to know.

Katherine said: a PBL is at the top of my Should Get list for this year and my gear funds are limited. (Will probably do it at the REI member 20% off window, assuming I go w/the resqlink)

Katherine, REI typically excludes electronic devices like PLBs and GPS from their "percent off" sales =(

REI 20% coupons have always excluded GPS enabled devices so you won't be able to get 20% off a PLB.

Maybe, but not by much.

Listed weight is 116 grams
ResQLink 406 is 130 grams

My old McMurdo Fastfind weighs a whopping 150 grams.

All in all not a lot of weight difference really, but it does appear that it might be the lightest of the bunch.

Uh, not to burst anyone's bubble, but PLB's are one of the items historically excluded from the 20% off REI member discount coupons. Items containing GPS technology, including PLB's, cannot be purchased with the coupon. I might suggest reading the fine print when the coupon comes out later this month.

(Edit: oops, didn't read Pg 2 before responding. Looks like other folks caught this.)