Topic
Lightest PLB recommendations
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Lightest PLB recommendations
- This topic has 23 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 2 months ago by Daryl and Daryl.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Feb 21, 2013 at 8:32 am #1299528
Folks,
I know this has been hashed about many times but I am looking for the lightest possible GPS enabled PLB that can be used all year (does not have a temperature restrictions) I do not need a messaging device.
Any recommendations?
Cheers,
Stephen
Edit: Bought a Acr 406 Q link
Feb 21, 2013 at 8:39 am #19568354.6 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.
Feb 21, 2013 at 9:47 am #1956864Thanks Randy
Feb 21, 2013 at 9:49 am #1956865I 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.
Feb 21, 2013 at 11:05 am #1956914Thanks Dena,
I see the McMurdo and Acr are about the same price.
Cheers,
Stephe
Feb 21, 2013 at 4:54 pm #1957109AnonymousInactive"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.
Feb 21, 2013 at 5:16 pm #1957123I'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,
Feb 21, 2013 at 5:21 pm #1957127I looked at both the McMurdo and the Acr units and cannot decide which to get.
Feb 21, 2013 at 6:05 pm #1957153Good to -20 Celsius
http://www.mcmurdomarine.com/en/products/plb/fastfind-max-g
And if you can wait perhaps this would work for you
Feb 21, 2013 at 6:48 pm #1957182Spot on Ken, its nice and small also it could fit in a pocket.
Feb 21, 2013 at 7:44 pm #1957210There 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.
Feb 21, 2013 at 7:57 pm #1957219Nice to see we may have something to choose from other than just McMurdo and ACR. Perhaps competition will drive cost (and weight) down!
Feb 21, 2013 at 9:56 pm #1957274ACR 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.
Feb 22, 2013 at 12:20 am #1957305I'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.
Feb 2, 2017 at 8:55 am #3448242My 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?
Feb 2, 2017 at 9:15 am #3448251I’ll probably get my battery replaced. Haven’t seen much new in this department.
Feb 2, 2017 at 11:45 am #3448286Ocean Signal’s RescueMe – http://oceansignal.com/products/plb1/
Small, 4.1 ounces, 7 year battery, $240 +/-
Feb 2, 2017 at 12:52 pm #3448299Which is shown in the link I posted 4 years ago.
Feb 3, 2017 at 8:32 am #3448494Ken 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.
Feb 3, 2017 at 8:54 am #3448500Hope you never need it Daryl.
Feb 3, 2017 at 2:10 pm #3448589I 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.
Feb 4, 2017 at 9:03 pm #3448813Bought 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.
Feb 6, 2017 at 8:57 am #3449056If you want my McMurdo Fast Find with an expired battery PM me and I’ll send it to you for free.
Feb 16, 2017 at 3:51 pm #3450827Landfall 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.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.