Personal Locating Beacon?

Anyone have experience or recommendations about using a PLB?

They are pricy, but would be a good backup for a radio.

The following one is highly rated on Amazon:
ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+
http://www.amazon.com/ACR-PLB-375-ResQLink-Personal-Locating/dp/B006JXY0CQ

-John

I use a Spot around 100.00 then 100.00 for a yrs service. They work off satellites very few places in the world it doesn't cover. I was told that it may not cover a few places in Africa. 

I have a spot also. It not only allows you to get emergency help, but you can send email or text messages to friends and family. If you are out late but ok you can send an ok message to anyone that might worry. If you can't get back to your launching point because of wind or tide etc you can ask friends or family for non emergency help. Anyone that receives a message will be able to view your location on google maps. For an extra fee you could turn on auto tracking that wold allow you or others to see you track on google maps. I have an older model that only allows pre-composed messages to be sent. I believe the newer models allow you to compose and send messages in the field. It can come in handy if you dont have cell reception.

Oh and when you log into your account. And open where you marked. You see the topographic map of the area. Thanks for mentioning the note that sends to the wife. I have the older one myself.

I use SPOT.  I do a lot of solo back country fly fishing trips.  Too many close calls with no way to get help, but with my SPOT I have some reassurance.

Based on my on-line reading, the appeal of the SPOT device is tracking and some limited messaging. The disadvantages with the SPOT device is that you have to pay an annual fee, it's not good for international use and it's signally is not as reliable since they use older Magellan satellite network with weaker signal.

The state of the art now is a PLB w/GPS that use the 406 MHz signal digital satellite signal and a 121.5 MHz homing signal. From what I read, these are very reliable and can be used world-wide without any annual subscription fee.

From my research, the best deal appears to the ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ for $266 on amazon. The device is water proof to 33ft has a strobe, 5Watt signal that lasts 30 hours, and a 66 channel GPS that sends your location to the satellite within 100 meters. The unit is small 5oz and  1.9"W x 4.5"H x 1.6"D so could strap on your PFD.

Another choice could be the ACR PLB-375 ResQLink (without +), which is slightly smaller 4.6oz, 1.9" x  3.9" x 1.3" but does not float.

Or third choice could be ACR Aqualink View, PLB-350C, which costs considerably more at $465 and gets you a stronger 6.3W signal and ability to send an I'm OK message with GPS location. But the unit is bigger at 9.2oz, 2.3" x 5.8" x 1.45".

I'm thinking of going with the smaller non-floating version and keep it strapped to my PFD.

I like beng able to send an ok message. You can let loved ones know you arrived safely or if you are late but ok. Almost as important as a distress call.

looks good I will be getting the ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ as the ACR PLB-375 ResQLink does not have attachments for pfd's. as per amazon reviews they recommend the + version for ease of attachment to pfd straps while the non+ has only a wrist lanyard. thanks for this info. oh and one other cost associated with this is you have to send it back for battery replacement every 5 years but cmon 5 year replacement is worth my life I says. thanks op for posting this.

vin