Anytime you go camping or hiking in the wild, you have to prioritize safety. The great outdoors is an unpredictable landscape, so it’s always good to remember anyone can get lost or injured. Hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts have come to rely on the best personal locator beacons as their backup plans for situations that call for emergency rescue or aid.
What is a personal locator beacon?
You might be asking yourself this if you haven’t heard of the term before. PLBs act as your voice when no one is there to help you or hear you. Even if your smartphone network is not strong enough to receive a signal where you are going, having a PLB in your backpack makes it easy for someone to find you.
A personal locator beacon sends out an emergency distress signal that is received by satellite and only requires a meager 5 watts of power to operate. By placing your PLB so that it has clear access to the sky with no overhanging tree branches, it can send out a powerful 406 MegaHertZ signal that is internationally recognized as a distress call.
Choosing the best personal locator beacon
PLBs aren’t as common as a survival flashlight or can of bug repellent, but they should be if you hike in remote areas, or go on extended trips where you could get injured or stranded. Also, carrying an emergency tracking device is a great failsafe gadget to have whenever you leave home to travel by car or air.
What model you want will depend on your specific circumstances. Some PLBs have more features and track you more thoroughly, but require a seasonal or monthly subscription to use. Others are very straightforward and can only be used in emergencies. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether you want something that’s extremely basic or whether you want a more full featured satellite tracker / PLB.
Registering your Personal Locator Beacon
All PLBs are registered with the RSAT (Rescue Satellite Aid Tracking) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) databases. Only when your PLB is activated is your information shared with rescue personnel. The Search and Rescue organizations use the coordinates provided by the databases, along with other essential information in case the person being rescued is not able to talk.
Free registration can be done at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov
PLB Batteries
Because personal locator beacons are battery-powered devices, only consider buying ones with an extended battery life. Having a device with a long-life battery could be the difference between life and death. PLB developers have taken this into account and most models come with strong lithium batteries that remain dormant until activated.
The international, satellite-aided Cospas-Sarsat search and rescue initiative program has stipulated further regulations over the production of PLBs:
- They must contain a Class 1, heavy-duty battery capable of transmitting for a minimum of 24-hours in -40°F low temperatures
- Class 2 batteries must be capable of transmitting more than 24-hours in minus temperatures of -20°F
You can check for what purpose your PLB has been made by looking at the battery class. A Class 1 battery is for serious tracking use in challenging terrain or extremely cold temperatures. A Class 2 battery is for recreational hiking trips in warm conditions.
It’s important to remember that the colder it is, the shorter the battery life in your device will be. If you are heading out to difficult terrains and weather conditions, it might be a good idea to pack two personal linked locator beacons.
Keep your eyes open for some additional features that some PLBs have, such as text messaging capabilities and waterproofing. There are sometimes additional services available, but they are not free.
Technically, if a device has messaging features, it may not count as a PLB, but because their purposes are similar, we’re lumping in some items here that are technically ‘satellite messengers’. The main difference between the two is that satellite messengers allow you to communicate even if it’s not an emergency – on the other hand though, they often require subscriptions to the satellite network to use.
Now you have all the information you need to make your choice, here is our list of the best personal locator beacons you can buy in 2020.
The Best Personal Locator Beacons
Features:
- Pre-programmed with U.S. country code
- Sending a false alert or misuse of this device results in a penalty
- Antenna clip
- No subscription or fees
- Built-in strobe light
- Manual deploy
- Package includes owner’s manual and registration forms
The ACR-Resqlink claims to be the smallest PLB of its class in the world with a 4.5 length and 5.4oz weight. This is good news for hikers who have to count every ounce of weight that goes into their backpack.
Because the ACR-Resqlink has no annual subscription charges or additional fees, it works out as the most high-tech, cost-effective PLB device currently on the market. Not only is it completely waterproof, but it also floats. Three levels of signal technology are integrated into the ACR-Resq: GPS, 121.5 MegaHertZ homing, and the standard 406 MHz.
No serious hiker will venture outdoors without testing their equipment first, and the ACR is no exception. It comes equipped with 2 built-in tests for routinely functionality verification. The non-hazmat battery is certified for 6 years (with an 11 year lifespan).
The ACR-Resqlink is not only a lifesaver, it’s a game-changing addition to the personal locator beacon market. It’s simple to use, compact, and powerful. The only PLB you will ever need. That’s why it’s our top pick for best personal locator beacon.
Check price of the ACR 2880 Resqlink PLB-375
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Subscription-free
- 5-year warranty
- Non-rechargeable battery
- One-time use
Features:
- GEOS interaction allows you to trigger an SOS to a 24/7 monitoring center for search and rescue
- Texting capabilities
- GPS coordinates sent to emails, phone numbers, and messaging boards
- Adjustable tracking time increments
- Preloaded topographical maps
The Garmin Explorer+ use the Iridium network, and not Cospas-Sarsat, as its satellite tracker. Iridium is the largest satellite constellation in the world. Using the Explorer+, you can both send and receive text messages of up to 160 characters, along with your GPS coordinates.
There is a message confirmation feature that allows you to know if your text has been received. It’s possible to send/receive messages directly or pair them with your smartphone.
The Explorer+ allows you to have an accessible 2-way conversation with the designated search and rescue coordinator. With the flexible tracking intervals, you can track your trip details, share your current and past location, with elevation and speed included.
The Garmin Explorer+ also comes preloaded with topographical maps, and has a built in compass, altitude tracker and accelerometer. This means it can function as a basic navigational tool as well.
The Explorer+ requires a subscription, but if you want a personal locator beacon / satellite tracker that’s absolutely top of the line, loaded with features, and does everything excellently, this is the PLB you want. The Garmin Explorer+ is the kind of device that the most serious hikers and adventurers take on extended excursions into the outdoors.
Check price of the Garmin Explorer+ Satellite Tracker
- Iridium network
- Text messaging capabilities
- Twin device with your smartphone
- Share your current location w/ GPS coordinates
- Preloaded topographical maps
- Subscription fee is charged monthly
- More expensive than other choices
Features:
- Standard 406 PLB 121.5 MHz
- Very easy to operate
- No subscription required
The McMurdo ticks all the right boxes: it’s compact and waterproof. And while it doesn’t have floatation capabilities, it still offers exceptional performance at a good price.
The small, lightweight design of the McMurdo-FASTFIND ensure it’s capable of being held for a long time without discomfort, and also fit comfortably into any backpack or pocket. It’s lithium battery offers the stipulated 24-hours continuous operation minimum requirement. You can also test it before setting out to check functionality.
The McMurdo-FASTFIND is well designed and priced. If you have this in your backpack or pocket, you will have a device that is always ready to get the job done if you ever need it.
Check price of the McMurdo FASTFIND 220 PLB
- Lightweight and compact
- SOS LED-strobe flash and distress signal
- No service fee
- One-time use
Features:
- Fast ACR-GPS engine that acquires coordinates immediately with no warming-up time required
- GPS accuracy with 110 yards
- Floats upright w/ hi-vis built-in strobe light
As you can tell from the long name, the ACR Pro Rescue is a flagship product, one of the best you can buy as a member of the public. An ACR with GlobalFix model is actually an EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon – and can even withstand the harshest oceanic conditions.
This top of the line ACR model contains internal GPS and also activates when it senses it has been submerged in water. The device is activated so it can begin broadcasting a unique identification number so rescuers know where you are and who you are.
The distress call relayed by the ACR-Global-Fix us a powerful 406MHz and 121.5 MHz homing signal beacon. The LED strobe helps to determine your exact location with 110 yards. The built-in GPS test mode allows you to test the receiver before setting out.
Not only is this ACR model compact and lightweight, but it can withstand the roughest use in the worst weather conditions. The manufacturers state that over 53-years of innovative technology has gone into the development and fabrication of this product.
There is no doubt that the ACR-Global-Fix is one of the best radio beacons for marine activities and adapts well to land-use too. ACR is one of the top companies that produce personal locator beacons, and the ACR-Global-Fix is no exception.
Check price of the ACR Pro Rescue Beacon 406-2844
- Hi-vis LED strobe w/ internal 66-channel GPS
- Compact and durable
- Smallest emergency position indicating radio beacon on the market
- Energy efficient
- Reusable – tab just needs to be replaced after activation
- Have to send product away to have the tab replaced after it has been activated – but completely reusable afterwards
Features:
- SOS (rescue emergency) sending capabilities with geo-positioning
- Pre-programmed messaging for check-ins and contact
- Professional assistance organizations or friends/family request options for SOV
- GPS tracking
- Long battery life of 48 hours (depending on temp.)
The SPOT-3 is not your average personal locator beacon. It uses commercially available satellites, instead of the Cospas-Sarsat system, to send your position coordinates. Unlike PLBs, the SPOT-3 allows you to send text messages as well.
The SPOT-3 comes equipped with 3-level tracking features of basic; unlimited; extreme. A vibration sensor tells the device to update tracking details for when you are on the move or stationary. This extends the device battery life as you can change the track-rate to different time increments: from every 2 minutes to every hour, for example.
Good news for the environment, the SPOT-3 contains a rechargeable battery with USB power-input. These extra features are sure to sweeten the fact that you need to buy an annual subscription of $150 before you can use the device. This subscription renews automatically every year, so if you are not a keen hiker or outdoors adventurer, you’re better off choosing one of the PLBs on this list that doesn’t require a subscription (particularly the ACR models)
For those of you who want the option to stay in touch with people even when they’re out deep in the wilderness, the SPOT-3 is the personal locator beacon for you.
Check price of the SPOT-3 Satellite GPS Messenger
- Text messaging
- Long-life, rechargeable battery
- 3 x tracking levels
- Waterproof
- Yearly subscription paid off from linked account automatically
Features:
- 7 year battery life
- 7 year warranty
- No subscription fees
- 24+ hour operational life
- High brightness strobe light
- Flotation pouch included
There’s not much to say about the RescueMe PLB1 – it is exactly what is advertised and nothing more.
This is a PLB in the truest sense – there are no subscription fees, and you should only be using it in an emergency. It comes with a strobe light and floation device, but other than that, there are no other features
That being said, it does exactly what its supposed to – it will alert the authorities if you are stranded or in danger in an emergency situation.
The RescueMe PLB is a good choice if you’re looking for something basic and straightforward
Check price of the RescueMe PLB1 Personal Locator Beacon
- Works worldwide with no subscription needed
- Simple straightforward PLB for emergency use
- Flotation pouch and strobe light included
- No other features other than PLB
- Only for emergency use
Features:
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver
- Self-calibrating digi-compass
- Stores up to 3 backtrack locations
This ultra-cool G2-GPS PLB / Digital Compass comes in black with orange set buttons and logo capable of storing and locating up to three locations. So, if you lose your bearings, you will have a choice of 3 pre-programmed locations to make your way back to.
Technically not a PLB, this device is more of a navigational tool that can help you backtrack if you get lost. So it’s best that you don’t conufse the Bushnell Backtrack with the other products on this list.
This product is the best for compact and lightweight transportability, even if you only have a pocket in the front of your shirt to store it in. With LED backlighting for nighttime use and receiving the latest GPS technology, this all-in-one device is easy to use and easy to afford.
While it’s not technically a PLB, it serves a similar purpose in that it can help you get ‘un-lost’ if you end up lost in the wilderness. If you’re the type of person who would never call for help, even when stranded (we strongly recommend against this kind of stubbornness) then this product might be a good fit for you. It increases your chances of getting out of a jam without having to rely on rescuers.
Check price of the Bushnell’s BackTrack Bear Grylls Edition
- Easy to use
- Lightest weight
- Affordable and good value for money
- Not a personal locator beacon, only a satellite tracker
- Not exactly cutting-edge satellite technology, but does the job all the same
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