ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ Personal Locating Beacon

• Miniature design; small as a cell phone, floats
• 406 MHz satellite signal
• 121 MHz homing beacon
• Built-in GPS
• Built-in LED strobe

ACR ResQLink+ Floating PLB, with Built-In GPS

ACR PLB ResQLink+ vs ACR PLB ResQLink is that the PLUS model floats.

I would not rely on the other brands of "locator beacons" like the popular "SPOT" with does not use the standardized 406 MHz Signal.

Unlike "SPOT", ACR ResQLink+ does not have all the frills, it is to be used in an emergency only so you are not killing your battery sending "text messages".

"SPOT" requires a membership/annual fee so if you forget to pay your SOL!

ACR ResQLink+ can be used in any country, "SPOT" is USA only.

ACR ResQLink+ has 406MHz @ 5 watts, GPS, and 121 MHz Homing, 3 systems to help Search and Rescue (SAR) locate you faster then any other Personal Locator Beacon.

After doing my own research, ACR ResQLink+ is the ONLY type of personal locator beacon I would depend my life on for activities in the wilderness!

Update: I started diving with my PLB offshore and have been keeping it clipped to me inside an OTTER BOX 9000 with 4 ultra high 5 min Cyalume Chem Sticks and some other emergency items. In case the charter boat leaves me or I cant find them in an emergency. You can see my review about the Otter box 9000 also on Amazon.

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I've been carrying the ResQLink & my GPS with me every time I leave my home. They are both as much a part of me as putting on a pair of pants.

I registered my PLB the day I got it & then did a FULL test later that evening, which it passed.

I bought it in early Dec 2011, which means I've been carrying it with me for >7 months. I do bimonthly tests which only checks the integrity of the unit. I've done 2 FULL tests, 1 every 5 months; the 2nd FULL test passed in late June.

I hike alone (age 68) because I can't find others that hike at my slow pace. I'm an active geo cacher here in Arizona which means I do get off the trails from time to time, here in the desert.

I hope I never have to use it, however, I'm confident in an EMERGENCY, it WILL WORK by sending a strong 5 watt signal directly to SAR, which means they can devote time & resources only to RESCUE.

I ruled out the SPOT because of the weak 400 milla watt (less than 1 watt) signal that it sends. If you check reviews of the SPOT, you'll see an overall negative consensus.

Do your research BEFORE you buy.

Read Best Reviews of ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ Personal Locating Beacon Here

It must seem obvious, but it didn't to me, that to make an object float, it needs to be larger than the same object that doesn't float. The PLB-375 basic unit doesn't float, and it's the size of an old cell phone. The PLB-375 ResQLink+ (plus) is the floating model, and it is significantly larger than the basic unit, beyond what is apparent from the photos on Amazon and the company's website, and beyond what is apparent from the published measurements. The non-plus (+) unit is designed for use on land, and has only a wrist lanyard to attach it to your person, if it needs to be attached at all. It is very small and will fit anywhere in your backpack. If you were floating around the ocean in a lifevest however, it would be undesirable because there isn't any good, quick way to deploy it and attach it above water to a lifevest. The wrist lanyard is the only possible attachment point on the unit, and it doesn't readily lend itself to attachment while deployed. If you accidentally dropped it in the water, it would sink. (I have both units in my hands as I write this.) The (+) version floats and comes with a hoop on each end that holds two sided velcro tape, but has no wrist lanyard. The (+) version uses velcro tape that threads through the unit to attach to a lifevest, so the deployed antenna of the beacon remains OUT OF THE WATER while broadcasting. The velcro just loops around the shoulder strap of the vest. The unit's physical size is greater both because of the built-in flotation chamber on the back of the unit (de-emphasized in the photos) and the space occupied by three layers of velcro, not shown in the photos, also on the back. The flotation chamber adds about 3/8" to the thickness of the unit, and the three layers of velcro add another 1/4", so the flotation and attachment together add about 5/8" to the thickness of the (+) unit. I was tempted to keep the non-floating model because of its extremely small size, but ultimately I kept the floating model, not because it floats, but because of the ease of attachment to a lifevest. If you're going to use the beacon in an aquatic environment where you could be handling the unit in ocean swells and choppy waves, the plus (+) version is the only realistic choice, but it will be larger. If you're strictly a landlubber, get the non-plus (+) version. I think the ACR is the best of what is now available in small PLBs, however I think they could have designed a secure belt clip into the floating back (instead of the velcro) as a means of attaching the unit to the person needing rescue on the water.

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The unit may work great, but I can't tell. I want to do a test through the satellite the only way to know if it really works and the manual says it can be done but does not supply a way to do so. By the way, the unit does not come with the manual, that needs to be downloaded from the ACR Electronics web site. I talked to their tech support about doing a satellite test, and first they said that happens with the simple 1 second test. I pointed out the manual says the short test checks battery level and internal circuitry and does not get GPS data. The thorough satellite test sends my GPS data to me, so the short test can not do the satellite test. After that tech support said the 5 second test does the satellite test. The manual does not say the 5 second test uses the satellites, it refers me to the next section titled "7. Satellite Testing Your Beacon". This section has no information about testing, it just says to go to 406link.com and sign up for the extra cost service. So I have to give up on their tech support.

I tried their 2 day free trial system at 406link.com. It keeps self test records along with other records about activations and service. It is supposed to send an email when a self test is done. The 2 day trial does not include GPS data. The unit's LEDs said both 1 second and 5 second tests succeeded, but the 406link site under its beacon management page says no self tests detected for my unit, and I did not get an email. I waited a few hours to check, so maybe it takes them a day or more to update their records. Or maybe the unit doesn't really work and the company relies on the crippled tests to make their customers happy. After all, it the unit fails when you really need it, you will be dead soon and there won't be any record of the failure.

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I bought this for my husband who is a private pilot. The locating beacon is, in my opinion, a necessary piece of equipment for anyone who flies a plane. I feel better knowing he has this when flies long distances.