Questions on ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon

Don’t know if there is already a discussion about this, couldn’t find one.  But I have a question about the ReQlink 400 Personal locator beacon. Do any of you guys have this product and would you guys recommend it. I know a few people who’ve gotten this but it’s 315$ so just debating it. Is it a must have for the ocean? I have a radio, a pfd, and the normal safety equipment.

I bring a SPOT--its on sale at REI right now. 100 bucks minus the plan.

Edit: I don't think it's ever a bad idea to have backup options. Pretty cheap price to pay for peace of mind. It's IPX8 waterproof, and you can read testimonials online of boaters getting their asses saved with it.

https://www.rei.com/product/185349/spot-gen4?sku=1853490001&store=77&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1853490001%7C92700058208451648%7CBA%7C71700000074422505&gclid=CjwKCAjw1JeJBhB9EiwAV612y4d8I5qtRVLHg-fEqbk71Mp2ed5sBge7DRV6ZBQoqXZ3gVoP_jsupRoCZEAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Here are the plan tiers:

https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/products-services/service-plans#spot-gen4-plans

I didn't realize the ACR doesnt require a subscription so that's a fair advantage. The spot is cool if you want to pre-program messages. mine is a relic from my climbing days of venturing into the backcountry to do high risk stuff. Was cool to be able to send messages out from the top of a climb without cell service.

I have a resq link 400. i love it. i take it bikepacking, backpacking and camping, kayaking, on my boat, etc.  my friend in Arizona works SAR and has found many people using these nifty little things. also none of them have subscriptions. they cannot legally charge for that.  the messengers though, do use a subscription service- i have no experience with them personally.

another thing i should add is the battery in it is like 3 or 4 years i think. so you have to mail it in, and they put a new battery in and send it back for like $80, so its just something to consider..  I spend a lot more in gas on one trip than that over 3 or 4 years so its not actually much when you put it into perspective (plus how much is your life worth?). My friend working in Arizona once extracted one out of a landfill after a trust emptied the "trash" out of an estate and left this beacon in the lot. apparently, it was nearly 10 years old and still managed to send out a signal long enough for the team to find it buried in the landfill. 

Absolutely recommend the ACR PLB. Make sure you get the buoyant version and have it on a lanyard on your PFD. You don't want to have to worry about losing hold of it during an emergency. Mine fits well in the side pouch of my Kokatat Bahia.

It can be used globally. Make sure you register it with NOAA. It's better than any subscription service as it not only connected with the SARSAT system for global SAR but it has a 121.5Mhz beacon which can be used by SAR assets to direction find your location.

Here is some extra info on why the 121.5Mhz beacon is important.

https://www.polarisrdf.com/2018/12/20/why-121-5-mhz-will-always-be-needed/

Here is some extra info on the 406Mhz SARSAT system.

https://cospas-sarsat.int/en/

I chose the one with the digital screen for one reason only. If I was really in a rescue situation, seeing that little digital display light up with a GPS lock and and a 406 sent would be very reassuring and would give me some assurance that the device was actually operating.

When planning one model for ensuring your prepared is to have a PACE plan. Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency.

For example. Primary: VHF radio, Alternate: Whistle, Contingency: Air Horn, Emergency: PLB.

I carry a PLB. Seems like a good idea, especially if you like to go solo. If you do get one, be sure to perform the self-test regularly.

+1 to what christianbrat and Batmann said.  I recommend a PLB of any type, but especially the 406/121.5 mHz ones like the ResqLink400.  I personally use the 400 and we wore the same PLB when I was doing SAR in the USCG.  If it's good enough for the USCG to wear, it's good enough for me.

To add on to what christianbrat said about the battery... if the cost really bothers you, you can always do the battery swap yourself.  It would obviously void any warranty and it'd be cool if we had the right to repair, but alas.  So, it's an option if you so chose.

I have a ACR ResQlink+ and carry it for all solo stuff (kayaking, bikepacking, 4WD trips, etc.). It's cheap insurance in case you really need help. Keep it mind it's not a SPOT or Inreach type item, for check-ins and breadcrumb tracks, or for use with issues you can deal with yourself. It's when you need real help to come your way (e.g. CG helicopter, SAR). Looks like the 400 is a newer version.

Thanks for the thread on this topic, been debating getting one as well. 

Does anyone have the ACR with the optional ACR OLAS TAG KIT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084JBZ8NQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B084JBZ8NQ&pd_rd_w=MNuz1&pf_rd_p=887084a2-5c34-4113-a4f8-b7947847c308&pd_rd_wg=DU1wC&pf_rd_r=NXK2VS16FBQ012Q05Z21&pd_rd_r=63faa26e-eab3-453c-a020-a0e2ea224c7f&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSFZEODUxTkk5SlA1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjY4MjAwM0tZUFNKSEtHNzhKWCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzg4OTEwQlRWM1laQVVCVk9SJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Curious if it works inside say a dry bag, and can just keep the TAG thing in your PFD pocket. 

Thanks for the thread on this topic, been debating getting one as well. 

Does anyone have the ACR with the optional ACR OLAS TAG KIT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084JBZ8NQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B084JBZ8NQ&pd_rd_w=MNuz1&pf_rd_p=887084a2-5c34-4113-a4f8-b7947847c308&pd_rd_wg=DU1wC&pf_rd_r=NXK2VS16FBQ012Q05Z21&pd_rd_r=63faa26e-eab3-453c-a020-a0e2ea224c7f&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSFZEODUxTkk5SlA1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjY4MjAwM0tZUFNKSEtHNzhKWCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzg4OTEwQlRWM1laQVVCVk9SJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Curious if it works inside say a dry bag, and can just keep the TAG thing in your PFD pocket.

The tag is just so another crew mate can use their phone app to track you if you fall off the boat for example (instead of the conventional MOB flag). not sure if it will help at all in this scenario..

Ah I should have looked at the description on their website, instead of seeing a BT button and just thinking that was what it is for.  It also says to activate the device you raise the antenna and power it on, so you wouldn't use it like I was thinking either way.  The SPOT price point looks good, but the ResQlink (love the innovative name btw) seems cheaper in the long run without service cost. 

I have an inReach and an ACR device. They're for different things to me. In a serious emergency, I would hit the ACR first for sure. I've used the Garmin/Iridium SOS system and it works, but realize you will be going through a private company and some layers of coordination to get someone to you. The PLB uses basically the same technology as the EPIRBs on boats - I just figure there is a more tried and true playbook for responding to these emergencies.

I use my inReach for letting people know where I am and to give them a map/recording of where I've been, and for basically texting when I have no cell service. The way I use it (for texting and tracking and such) I find it less reliable for emergency situations, just because of the battery life.

I often carry both. Less so in a kayak (usually don't bring the inReach in a kayak), but I always have both on me when I'm boating. PLB is strapped to my PFD, garmin is on the dash.

Basically before I go on a trip, whether on the water or otherwise, I ask myself 'if you disappeared would anyone know where to look for you'. If the answer is 'no' I bring the inReach and put tracking on and send the link to my girlfriend and family. It also gives them some peace of mind as well.

Also, the ACR OLAS Tag linked above I believe is for the ACR OLAS Guardian system, which is the piece of the wireless killswitch system (for boaters) you put on your person - the other part goes in the dash. I don't think this would be useful for a kayak.

Thank you guys! I'll be getting one today