Lightest PLB recommendations

4.6 oz

http://www.rei.com/product/815753/acr-electronics-resqlink-406-gps-personal-locator-beacon

5.3 oz

http://www.rei.com/product/849914/mcmurdo-fastfind-220-personal-locator-beacon-with-gps

I don't own either so don't have a recommendation.

Thanks Randy

I own the McMurdo FastFind. At the time it was the smallest and lightest. ACR has a smaller one now. I've never had to deploy it so can't "recommend" but I do have confidence it would work if it needed to. It's got a self-test feature that I occasionally use. At 5 years I'm supposed to return it to McMurdo for a battery replacement. At that point, technology will probably have come far enough that it will be more likely I'll buy a new PLB.

Thanks Dena,

I see the McMurdo and Acr are about the same price.

Cheers,

Stephe

"I own the McMurdo FastFind. At the time it was the smallest and lightest. ACR has a smaller one now. I've never had to deploy it so can't "recommend" but I do have confidence it would work if it needed to. It's got a self-test feature"

+1 Except that I run thru it every spring, just to be sure.

"At 5 years I'm supposed to return it to McMurdo for a battery replacement. At that point, technology will probably have come far enough that it will be more likely I'll buy a new PLB."

+1 the new battery costs something like $70. :( Time to move on.

I’ve read about some “complaints” about the McMurdo that you have to break a seal to deploy the antenna. Don’t know it that’s a big deal.

I’m coming up on the “battery death” of my old ACR AquaFix. It weighs 12oz/343g (ouch!), so I’m not too sad to see it go even though these things are pricey.

Thanks for a timely post,

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

I looked at both the McMurdo and the Acr units and cannot decide which to get.

Good to -20 Celsius

http://www.mcmurdomarine.com/en/products/plb/fastfind-max-g

And if you can wait perhaps this would work for you

http://www.oceansignal.com/product.php?id=22

Spot on Ken, its nice and small also it could fit in a pocket.

There is another small one that is waiting final approval also. Can't find that link just yet.

Edit: I was thinking of the Satro. But the Man put the kibosh on that one.

Nice to see we may have something to choose from other than just McMurdo and ACR. Perhaps competition will drive cost (and weight) down!

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

ACR took DME (the maker of Satro) to court and DME lost. The Satro was a slightly modified ACRQlink that was made using design document two former ACR employees provided. The Satro will never be sold.

Fastfind-Max-g is designed for ocean use, is designed to float, and as a result it is twice the weight and significantly larger than the ACRQlink.

The ocean signal Rescue Me is a little smaller and and 1oz lighter. when it comes out it will probably be the lightest and smallest but not by a significant margin.

Most of the weight and size of the ACRQLink is determined by the size of the batteries. Until battery technology improves significantly it is doubtful that we will see a significant decrease in weight.

I've got the Fastfind (152g) like others and echo most of the comments made.

McMurdo have a new version out (same weight range) but with a six-year battery life.

My McMurdo Fast Find 5 year battery is now 5 years old.

Looking for my next PLB.

Anyone on up to date on current options?

Possibility of better options looked good in these 4 year old posts.  What has actually materialized?

I’ll probably get my battery replaced. Haven’t seen much new in this department.

Ocean Signal’s RescueMe – http://oceansignal.com/products/plb1/

Small, 4.1 ounces, 7 year battery, $240 +/-

Which is shown in the link I posted 4 years ago.

Ken and Greg,

Thanks for the info.  Saved me a lot of Googling.

Went with the RescueMe.

Bought it from Landfall Navigation for $259 including shipping.  On-phone store rep was helpful, patient with my stupid questions and knowledgeable.

Buying one?  Make sure you ask when the battery expires.  One company was selling ones that expired in 5 years (instead of 7) for $249.  The ten dollar price reduction did not compensate for a 2 year reduction in battery life, in my opinion.

Hope you never need it Daryl.

I still have the Acr 406 Q link, it just sits in my pack along with my Sat phone in winter. In summer I carry one or the other. Have  not at all looked at newer devices.

I sometines think a satelitte messenger would do the job of both devices but being able to talk to a AAA dispatcher if broken down in a no cell phone service area is a big advantage over a satellite messenger.

Might just sell the Acr.

Bought a RESCUE ME from the same vendor. Tucks away in a corner of the lid pocket, using much less space and weight than the FASTFIND that preceded it and worked perfectly when I had to use it. Hope I never have to find out with the RESCUE ME. Am above the radar with two Colorado county sheriffs already.

If you want my McMurdo Fast Find with an expired battery PM me and I’ll send it to you for free.

Landfall Navigation gets my vote for good customer service.

When my PLB arrived it’s battery was 8 months old so my 7 year battery life was shortened by about 10%.  I called Landfall and they reduced the price of the PLB by 10%.  Seems like a fair response.  I’m satisfied.