At 4.6 oz, the ResQLink™ weighs less than a couple of energy bars. And topping just 3.9 inches, it's smaller than the cell phone in your pocket. Small and mighty, the ResQLink™ is a full-powered, GPS-enabled rescue beacon designed for anglers, pilots and back country sportsmen.
With three levels of integrated signal technology - GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal, and 121.5 MHz homing capability - the ResQLink™ quickly and accurately relays your position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites. A built-in strobe light provides visibility during night rescues.
PLBs have been proven tried and true in some of the world's most remote locations and treacherous conditions. Just ask the 400 or so pilots, boaters and back country explorers who were saved by a PLB during a rigorous test program in Alaska. Based in large part on the test results, the federal government approved use of PLBs in the United States in 2003.
Even in extreme conditions and situations, the ResQLink™ activates easily. Just deploy the antenna and press the ON button. With its powerful 66-channel GPS, the ResQLink™ guides rescuers to within 100 meters or less of your position. And, in the continental U.S., search and rescue personnel are typically alerted of your position in as little as five minutes with a GPS-enabled PLB such as the ResQLink™.
Two built-in tests allow you to routinely verify that the ResQLink™ is functioning and ready for use - with the push of a button, you can easily test internal electronics and GPS functionality.
- No Subscription Fees
- Super Bright LED Strobe
- Onboard 66-Channel GPS
- Self-Test and GPS Test Features
- Typical Performance 30 Hours
- Non-Hazmat Battery
- Made in the U.S.A.
Beware the hidden charge!
A Canadian purchaser will need to register the PLB with the Canadian government. A fact only slightly alluded to on the ACR website is that a PLB purchased from the States cannot be registered without the unit being reprogrammed to have a Canadian identification number (UIN). In my case, living in Toronto, I must take the PLB to the closest battery-replacement centre which is in Hamilton Ontario, for reprogramming. This is an $80 job. ACR is not making this fact as well known as it might.
Good Product
Liked: small size, ease of use, functionality. Disliked: no carry case or clip-on-belt feature. Rating: 4 of 5 stars Now that I'm starting to take my 6 year old son on hikes and scout events, I wanted to have a Personal Locator Beacon in addition to my 2-way mobile radio. Cell phones don't cut it ;-) The unit is easy to test and easy to operate in case of a real emergency. Having access to the proper test equipment as a FCC licensed as a GMDSS maintainer, I was able to verify that the unit sent out the proper signals and power on 406 Mhz as well as the audio beacon on 121.5 MHz. I have no doubt that it will operate, should the need arise. One would think that a $280 unit would come with a carry-case or with some means (other than a lanyard) to "clip/hold" the unit to it's owner. It does not. However, I picked up a $5.00 cell phone case from Wallgreens Pharmacy. Problem solved. It was easy to register the unit at the NOAA web site - www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ Best J. Dan Connell
finally got one
I am new at the review game. I have been looking at locator for awhile. Since turning 50 plus yrs old & falling this year at work, where no one knew my location. I thought, with alot of urging from my wife, to get a locator. I looked at the spot, but went with the ACR, I like it's size. It will fit into my pocket & weight is nothing.Also no yearly subscription. I spend much time hunting far from my vehicle & cell phones are not always usable. I only went with 4 stars, because I have not used it & really do not want to. But I have it if the need arises. If I ever use it then the stars for rating will change, hopefully up. Besides if the USCG ordered them, they have to be good. Happy Hunting
I wish all our Search & Rescue victims would've had one of these...
What a fantastic product! I'm a Commercial helicopter pilot and former Search & Rescue Member, and I my ResQLink goes in the chest pocket of my flight suit...every flight, including when I'm on a jetliner. It fits a couple of my personal preparedness rules: 1- If it's not on your PERSON, don't plan on having it; & 2- It has to be simple to operate with one hand, in case of injury, etc. This thing is so light & user-friendly. Take the 10 minutes to read the complete online manual so you understand monthly testing and the light signals when activated. I can think of many Search & Rescue missions looking for lost or injured hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers/ATV'ers, some of them lasting for days, where if they'd had one of these it would have been over in a couple of hours with a nice helicopter ride home for them. Instead, the results were sometimes tragic. Better to have it and never need it than the other way around!
ResQLink 406 GPS
The Quick Start Guide that comes with the unit does a poor job of explaining the test procedures. I wasted a lot of time and valuable battery life attempting to test the PLB. The downloadable instuction manual should be included with the unit.
Smaller than cellphone
I spent quite a bit of time looking at what was on the market and chose the ResQlink after discarding any thought of purchasing the much cheaper SPOT. The ResQlink is tiny and light. I'm going to do some speculating here as I was trying to determine the difference between the ResQlink and the SARLink: my best guess is it is the exact same electronics, but the SARlink has a more substanial battery that allows for more and different kinds of testing. That being said, I'm very happy with the ResQlink. Hopefully, I will never activate it, but it will be regular part of my hiking, backpacking and skiing gear. If I have one tiny critique its that I'd love to have ACR print the 15-character UIN code with dashes between every 4 characters at it is easy to make a mistake when registering with NOAA. The on-line NOAA registration is very easy, by the way. And I received an e-mail confirmation instantly.
I am a happy owner and I hope I never have to use it.
This little PLB is really small and light. It is waterproof and rugged. The antenna is easy to deploy and turn on the PLB. Using the 406Link.com service allows you to send an OK message to friends and family. As a SPOT owner, I feel that this PLB is more reliable and faster to acquire and send a message. Best of all I no longer have to deal with SPOT's horrible customer service and high prices. I am a happy owner and I hope I never have to use it.
but I'm confident it will do the job if necessary.
I was extremely impressed that the manufacture date of the PLB (and initiation date for the five-year battery) was in September 2011 and I received it in October 2011. It's small, it's light, and you could deploy it with one hand if you had to. Very nice. A more complete printed manual would have been better, as the included instruction sheet is incomplete. A much more detailed manual is available at the ACR website though, so still 5 stars.
Help, Come get me
I think it's important to site the differences between this unit and a competitor "Spot" which lets you send nifty "I'm OK" messages. Spot is not a SAR 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon. It is a GPS communicator. The Spot Communicator has been fraught with problems where tracking and personal messages have not been successfully sent. Out of 91 users on REI's website 34 have complained that they have been unable to send messages. This works out to roughly 30% chance that your message didn't make it out. The statistics are even worse for the Spot Smartphone unit. Are these the kind of odds you want in a real emergency? What I really want is a "Help, come get me" message that will work in the event that I am in an emergency. If I'm in trouble I want my message heard, and for that I'm going to rely on a SAR 406 Mhz beacon! This thing is lightweight and small, and it lets you test it once or twice a year to confirm that it's working. That's what the 12 messages are for, not for idle chit-chat with loved ones. Yes, it's pricier than the competition at first glance, but there are no yearly subscription fees with this. You buy it once and it's good for years. With the spot you have to pay subscription fees at or over $100 a year. In the long run this ACR is much cheaper. If texting with loved ones is what you want, buy the Spot. Just make sure you bring this ACR unit in the event of an emergency!
Hope to never use it!
I have yet to use this PLB, and I hope never to have to use it. It is compact and appears east to engage. The only concern is that the instructions indicates that upon test the lights will following a certain pattern, it does not. The instructions could be clearer.
"I'm OK" works fine
I bought my ResQLink at Airventure 2011. I did the free "I'm OK" test, and then signed up for 406Link. Just 2 weeks ago, I was at Marble, CO for the annual Colorado Pilots fly-in/camp out and sent my first "real" "I'm OK" message home--actually twice, because I couldn't see the flashing light in the sun (my only complaint--could be brighter). I appreciate being able to send the message & my SO appreciated getting it, and as well as that worked, if I ever need to use the PLB for real, I know it'll work. Good product!
Perfectly meets hikers' requirements
ACR did a great job delivering a personal locator beacon that perfectly meets hikers' requirements. It is a full fledged PLB (unlike spot), with GPS functionality , extremely compact and light (lighter than my phone), waterproof and looks very ruggedly built. I just got it, so I can't attest to its performance or reliability, but the fact that it complies with government standards gives me a peace of mind. Also, it is not a well not known fact but you can actually use a 406MHz PLB to send test messages to cell phones. For a nominal fee 406link.com allows you to utilize the device's test function to send out ok messages with or without your GPS location. Only downside is that its battery, which is non rechargeable or field-serviceable allows for a limited number of tests. Exceeding this number cuts into the 24hours of continuous operation, the device is required to meet in case of emergency. Replacing the battery is $100-150 which makes extensive use of the feature rather expensive. Still, I intend to use it to notify my wife when I am fine but running late getting out of the wilderness an to an area with cell phone coverage.
Trailspace
As a pilot and sailor I've used EPIRBs for many, many years. Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) were introduced into the United States not too long ago and I immediately purchased an ACR Sarlink. Now ACR has introduced the ResQLink PLB and this is a backpacker's dream. It's about the size of a flip model cell phone at 1.3" x 1.9" x 3.9" and it weighs a scant 4.6 ounces. Due to space limitations let me just say that the beacon transmits to high and low satellites whose sole purpose is search and rescue. It also transmits continually on 121.5 to act as a homing beacon for rescuers. It transmits at 5 watts of power and blasts through trees, storms, etc. The rescuers then know who you are, where your are, and that you are in trouble. When you open the box the first thing your are required to do is register your beacon with NOAA. Its a simple, easy process than can be completed online in about ten minutes or less and it is at no cost to you. This registration must be renewed every two years. ACR has recently added its 406link.com service which allows you to test and confirm your beacon via cell phone and email up to 420 times over the five year life of the battery. This costs $39.95 per year. For $59.95 per year you can have your tests transmitted to as many as five recipients and add a precanned message such as "I'm OK, on course." Great for that person back home monitoring your "hiking plan." Both plans are completely optional - if you push the button, rescue is still coming whether or not you are a subscriber. So, bottom line. A PLB is your last best chance. Do you want to trust your life to a "messenger" that transmits at 400 miliwatts or a PLB that transmits at 5 watts? My experience with this PLB is a bit limited but I did just send and receive a signal from inside my garage! I've never, not once, had a transmitted signal not go through using ACR PLB's. I never go on any hike without my PLB (it's my 11th essential!) and that just got easier with this new lightweight, compact model! http://www.trailspace.com/gear/acr/resqlink/review/23390/
375 user friendly
Just received my PLB-375 and while of course I hope I never have to use it, it is easily engaged with just one hand. (I make this a requirement for all my survival whenever possible)! Despite reading the specs, I was still somehow surprised by how compact and light it is! MY iPhone takes up more weight and space. Great purchase!
| Product Number | 2880 |
| Model Number | PLB-375 |
| Size | 1.3 x 1.9 x 3.9” (3.3 x 4.8 x 9.9 cm) |
| Weight | 4.6 oz (130 g) |
| Battery, Class | Class 2 (non-hazmat) lithium batteries |
| Battery, Replacement Interval | Replacement due six (6) years from date of manufacture or five (5) years after beacon is placed into service, whichever is first, or after emergency use |
| Battery, Operational Life | Exceeds required 24 Hours @ -4°F (-20°C) |
| Battery, Storage | -40°F to + 158°F (-40°C to +70°C) |
| Material | Engineered polycarbonate blend |
| Color | ACR-treuse™ (high visibility yellow) |
| Activation | Manual |
| Operation | 2 steps: deploy antenna, press ON button, giving clear view of sky |
| Waterproof | 16.40 ft (5 m) @ 1 hr., 33 ft (10 m) @ 10 min. Factory tested @ 70°F, exceeds RTCM waterproof requirements |
| Accessories | Optional Flotation Pouch P/N 9521 |
| Approvals | Cospas-Sarsat, FCC, Canada, R&TTE, Australia, New Zealand. |
| Limited Warranty | 5 years |
| Lead Free | Yes |
| 406Link.com | 60 self tests/12 GPS tests |
| Battery, Typical Performance | 30 Hours @-4°F (-20°C) |
| Radiated Power | 5W (406 MHz), 50 mW +/-3dB (121.5 MHz) |
Warranty Length: 5 years
This product is warranted against factory defect in material and
workmanship for a period of 5 (five)* years from date of purchase
or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics,
Inc. will repair or at its option, replace at no cost to you for
labor, materials or return transportation.
For further assistance, please contact our Technical Service
Department at :
ACR Electronics, Inc.
5757 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-6645.
Email: service@acrelectronics.com,
Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087, Telephone: +1 (954) 981- 3333.
This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by
accident or misuse, or as a result of service or modification by
other than the manufacturer. The COMPANY MAKES NO
REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER
MATTER WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT, except as otherwise expressly
stated in the previous paragraph. The Company shall not be liable
for consequential or special damages. In order to place the
warranty in effect, choose a form above and complete it entirely.
Or you may fill out the registration card accompanying your product
(if applicable) which must be returned to ACR Electronics, Inc.
within ten days of purchase.
*Five Years for the following products: EPIRB, PLB ,
S-VDR, SSAS.
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Q: What do PLBs do?
Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are distress radio beacons which transmit location information about individuals directly to Search and Rescue forces letting them know that the owner is in grave and imminent danger.
Q: When do you use a Beacon?
Most Search-and-Rescue (SAR) organizations instruct that beacons are satellite signaling devices of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted, where the situation is grave with imminent danger and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance.
Q: What is a UIN and where do I find it on the beacon so I can register my beacon?
A UIN is a Unique Identifier Number that is programmed into each beacon at the factory. The UIN number consists of 15 digit series of letters and numbers that make up the unique identity of the beacon. The UIN is on a white label on the exterior of the beacon. The UIN is also referred to as the Hex ID.
Q: Do I need a radio license?
For the latest information, in the United States you may contact the Federal Communication Commission at toll-free 1-888-CALLFCC or visit the website of the FCC. Outside of the United States, contact your local authority for the requirements.
Q: How do I register my beacon?
406 MHz Beacons must be registered with the National Authority of the country you live in.
Step 1. Visit our Registration database to find the appropriate National Authority
Step 2. Register with your countries National Authority via Mail, Fax or for the fastest service register online.
Registration in the United States
The national authority that accepts beacon registrations in the
United States is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). Here are three easy ways to register:
1.) The fastest and easiest way to register is online at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov
. Recommended method. Verify and validate
information before submitting.
2.) Mail the registration form with the pre-addressed, postage paid
envelope to: NOAA SARSAT Beacon Registration NSOF, E/SP3 4231
Suitland Road Please print legibly. Please print
legibly.
3.) Faxing a registration is also acceptable. Fax the registration
form to the Fax number on the bottom of the registration form. To
reduce the possibility of erroneous entry please verify legibility
of information and validate information on form to UIN on beacon
before faxing. Please print legibly and in BLACK
ink.
All registration forms will be entered in the 406 MHz beacon
registration database within 48 hours of receipt. The information
you provide on the registration form is used for rescue purposes
only.
A confirmation letter, a copy of the actual registration and a
proof-of-registration decal will be mailed to you within two weeks.
When you receive these documents, please check the information
carefully to ensure that the information provided on the label
agrees with the information on the beacon and then affix the decal
to your beacon in the area marked "BEACON DECAL HERE." If you do
not receive confirmation from NOAA in the expected timeframe, or if
the information on the label is incorrect call toll free
1-888-212-7283 for assistance.
Registration outside of the United States
In countries other than the United States, 406 MHz beacons are
registered with that country's national authority at the time of
purchase. The sales agent should have assisted you in filling out
the forms and sending them to the country's national authority.
Alternatively, visit our Registration database or many
countries allow online registration in the International 406MHz
Beacon Registration Database (IBRD) at www.406registration.com.
To verify that the unit is properly programmed for your country,
view the UIN label on the back of the unit. In the event that the
beacon is not programmed for your country, the sales agent (if
properly equipped) can reprogram the unit for the correct
country.
Q: What are my obligations with regard to registering and re-registering my beacon?
A beacon should be registered at the time of purchase or installation. The registration of a beacon is valid for 2 (two) years. The owner should re-register the beacon every two years. If change of ownership occurs, the original owner must notify the authorities and de-register the beacon before the new owner can register.
Q: Why is it so important for me to register my beacon?
Registering the EPIRB, ELT or Personal Locator Beacon is required by law in the United States and in most countries. Registering is very important because should your beacon ever be activated, it is how Search and Rescue Teams will know who you are, and contacts provided may be able to supply information about your specific travel plans. In the absence of this information, it may take longer for a search-and-rescue operation to begin.
Q: I tried to register my beacon but the authorities tell me that it needs a different ID number programmed in. Do I need to send this back to you?
This can be done by any Certified Battery/Service Center. Please have your registration form and beacon available when contacting a Certified Battery Replacement Center for assistance.
Q: Where can I purchase a beacon?
Visit our Where To Buy dealer locator
Q: Can 406 MHz beacons be used anywhere in the world?
Yes, 406 MHz beacons can be used anywhere in the world, including the Poles.
Q: Is there a subscription fee for beacon registration or rescue service?
Beacon registration is free, should you ever have to activate your beacon, rescue is free in most parts of the world.
Q: Is it true that certain emergency beacons no longer work?
The 121.5MHz and 243 MHz beacons are no longer satellite detectable. The beacons may still function but the emergency satellite system will no longer detect the emergency signals from these frequencies. Please read the explanation of the phase out of the 121.5/243 MHz frequency from Cospas-Sarsat at http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/phaseout.html.
If you have a 121.5 MHz or 243 MHz beacon, you should upgrade to a new 406 MHz beacon.
Q: Can I take my beacon with me on an aircraft?
You may wish to check with the airline about any restrictions or documentation that you may need to carry with the unit. We suggest that you print a copy of the MSDS and bring it with you. We also recommend that you carry the Product Support Manual to explain what the unit is (MSDS sheets and Manuals can be found on the product web page).
