Which personal locator beacon is the best

Two-way communication allows you to send messages and your real-time location to friends and hear back from them. The lithium ion battery lasts up to hours, and it connects to your iPhone and the Bivy Stick app. If your phone dies, no problem: You can still use the buttons for check in, location sharing, and SOS. Garmin is one of the oldest navigation companies around, so you can be confident the tech is legit. The brand has a number of satellite and tracking devices, but the inReach Explorer is the highest performer thanks to its compact size, two-way text messaging via the Iridium satellite network, long-lasting battery up to 30 days on power save mode , weather forecasts, and navigation tools.

Before leaving for your trip, download topographic maps or marine charts through the free Earthmate app to ensure you stay on course. As an adult, he built a beacon that could help others avoid that kind of tragedy: the Somewear Global Hotspot. These devices directly access an emergency network of rescue personnel to save lives in true emergencies. Even if you forget how to use them, there are simple instructions on the PLB that walk you through a couple quick steps.

Not in the US? Check here for info. They will then initiate the proper rescue for you. Remember that using this beacon will initiate a full scale rescue and you may be held liable to pay for some or all of the rescue costs in certain situations and locations.

The Aqualink is made to be completely waterproof and self floating. There are simple instructions on the devices and clearly marked indicators. There is an LED strobe light built into the device to help aid night rescues and visibility. It even includes a backup high frequency radio locator signal for maximum safety and location. Definitely a top choice for the best marine personal locator beacon.

As satellite messaging and emergency devices become more popular, Garmin has carved out a corner of the market. I like that you can pair it with your phone to unlock advanced features such as downloadable maps, charts, and aerial images.

Like the SPOT devices you can track and transmit your location with family and friends. It has a handy data usage tracking features. That brings me to my final point.

This device really only makes sense for those who are out in remote locations nearly every weekend. DeLorme was a major player in the satellite tech space but have since been bought out by Garmin. Garmin lets you communicate with two way messaging, location sharing, and other advanced features with the InReach SE.

You can send and receive messages up to characters — like old school cell phones. These can be send along with GPS coordinates to phone numbers or email address. Send her a text with your coordinates and she can fly you in some cookies with her new drone!

I love that you can set the device to continuously send out your location to a cloud based website where friends and family can check your progress. SPOT was one of the early players in advanced satellite based communication and rescue devices for personal use. Depending on your device subscription level you can do all sorts of fun and helpful location and communication. With the ability to send satellite based GPS tracking info at intervals or based on motion, you can keep an remotely updated map of your location viewable by family and friends.

Just like the DeLore SE! However, with the simpler demands of this device, you can transmit your location or use the SOS features for a lot longer on just one set of batteries.

Something to consider on long trips. You can use the device outside the US but it will first contact a US registered NOAA emergency center for transmission to the proper authorities, wherever you may be.

In milder temperature, it should be able to transmit for approximately 30 hours before the battery dies. While PLBs use satellites to help search and rescue agencies determine your location, some models are GPS compatible on their own.

The self-testing feature allows you to check that the PLB is properly determining your location through a GPS satellite acquisition self-test. Keep in mind that the testing feature uses a great deal of battery power, so you should only test your PLB two to three times over the life of your device. This feature helps rescue workers locate you more quickly.

It also helps to select a PLB that floats if it accidentally winds up in the water so you can retrieve it easily. A model with an IPX1 can withstand water dripping on it for approximately 10 minutes, while a PLB with an IPX7 can stand being submerged in 1 meter of water for approximately 30 minutes. Many PLBs are designed to wear on your body so you have easy access to the device when you need help. Personal locator beacons vary in price based on their battery life, GPS compatibility, and other features.

Expensive The most expensive PLBs usually have a battery shelf life of at least ten years, are able to send out their own GPS signal, and offer many special features, such as a self-testing mode, LED strobe light, and water resistance. Do I have to register my PLB? Satellite messengers, on the other hand, may not be functional worldwide, so if you travel both domestically and internationally, a PLB is your best bet. Immediately turn the PLB off by holding down the emergency or activation button for five seconds.

Be sure to notify the Rescue Coordination Center where the signal was accidentally transmitted so they know not to send a search and rescue team. Both the Coast Guard and people in distress did a great job. Dimensions are 1. The battery lasts for a minimum of 24 hours when in use and had a battery storage life of 6 years.

The device is waterproof to 30 feet for 5 minutes. This is another good option for a PLB and is widely used in Australia. The device does not float. However, it does come with a floating pouch that the PLB can be stored in. The cap has been reported to be difficult to remove in emergency situations. In my opinion, this is a well designed PLB but does not have any standout features compared to the other devices mentioned above.

This device is no longer manufactured but is included on this list for completeness. There are many of these still being used today.

The battery is certified for 6 years and has a typical shelf life of 11 years. The typical battery life is 30 hours when in use. This unit has been with me on many offshore adventures and gave me peace of mind knowing that help would be easy to reach if needed. I really like the built-in attachment loops on this unit and the new PLB view and PLB also have sold attachment loops integrated into the case.

Dimensions are 5. The battery is certified for 6 years from the date it was manufactured. The PLB is waterproof at 33 feet for ten minutes. Typical battery life is 30 hours when in use. It emits a 6. There is a unit that looks just like this that does not float. This unit is no longer being manufactured but is included on this list for completeness. The primary difference is that this device emits a 6. The 6. The device also comes with an attachment clip. I think this device is a bit large to wear all the time.

It would be a good option to store on the boat or in a backpack to have ready for an emergency situation. The mico PLB has a hour minimum operation time and a 5-year shelf life. This PLB weighs 8. The water-resistant specification is no leakage at a 1-meter depth of water for 1 hour.

The Micro PLB was the first available for sale in This PLB is frequently marked for its small size showing it has a very similar profile to a pack of cigarettes.

This PBL has a minimum operational time of 24 hours and 7-year battery life. Distress signals are sent at 5 Watt MHz and 50mW The waterproof specification is IP67 which is submersion at 1 meter for 30 minutes. This is an older model PLB and at 8. This device has the same technology as the PLBs above but can automatically deploy and activate if a boat sinks.

Also, the minimum operation time of the battery is 48 hours. The battery is user-replaceable and has a year self-life. This is registered to a vessel and not a person.

However, I included it in this list for completeness. A person can easily manually activate this device just like PLB in the event of an emergency.

The bracket has a hydrostatic release that deploys the device if it sinks to a depth of 4. Once in the water, it floats to the surface and automatically activates. A water detection sensor is what activates the device. The device will activate any time it enters the water unless it is still in the bracket. Taking the device out of the bracket and holding the red button for one second activates the EPIRB manually.

Having a device that automatically deploys is important in the event of a boat crashing or flipping in rough seas. Many people do not keep a PLB on them at all times and some accidents happen too fast to get to rescue equipment. A category once EPIRB is not a full-proof plan either because the device can get trapped or not properly deploy.

This Garmin Marine 86Sci is a buoyant two-way satellite messaging device. A subscription fee is required. Dimensions are 7 x 2. The rechargeable battery life varies based on the setting but is around 35 hours in a minute tracking mode and hours in expedition mode. This device has an IPX7 rating which means it is suitable for splashes, rain, snow, and showering but not being submerged in water.

Measured diagonally the size of the display is 3 inches. A powered mount and mounting hardware come included.

Specific features of the Garmin 86Sci make it well suited for a marine environment. The large profile allows the device to float. Preloaded G3 coastal charts provided detailed depth counters using both Garmin and Navionics data. Garmin One Chart and new chart guarantee have to be purchased separately if desired. Carts that come with the device should work for most people. Lastly, the device is compatible to work with other Garmin chart plotters and instruments.

Although this a good device to have in a marine environment it is not a good replacement for a MHz PLB. One of several reasons is that the battery on the Garmin could be zero and not work in an emergency. Having a dedicated battery with a five-year shelf life is an important feature for an emergency rescue beacon. There are three other versions in the Garmin 86 series.

The differences are that the 86i is compatible with but does not include the G3 charts. Garmin 86s and 86sc do not have two-way satellite messaging and do not have the SOS distress feature. There may be other small differences as well. Blue chart G3 is the latest marine chart for handheld devices. Depth shading can be user-defined for up to 10 depth ranges. Counter lines can be set as small a 1 foot.

These are map features we have come to love on fixed mount navigation displays on boats. The handheld unit works as a great back navigation source when traveling in shallow unmarked waterways. With the fixed mount and proper wiring, it can even work as a small primary navigation unit. The Garmin 86Sci can interface with Garmin chart plotters and instruments. It can even work as a remote control for the Garmin autopilot and Fusion Marine products. An additional app does need to be downloaded to the device for the autopilot feature.

Notifications can be sent from a compatible smartphone to the device. When synced with Garmin Explore management can be done of waypoints and tracks.

The autopilot feature can be a nice way to control the boat when on the front or back deck and not immediately near the controls. Custom text messages are a nice way to communicate with friends and family. In non-emergency situations, a friend can be contacted without involving emergency rescue crews.

Satellite text message services are a great alternative to expensive satellite phones. Garmin devices use the private Iridium satellite network that includes 66 low earth operating satellites and has 9 in-orbit spares.

This offers decent global coverage for these devices. Messages are not sent instantly and coverage can be blocked by heavy canopies, trees, steep terrain, and valleys.

The SOS button on this device is behind a plastic cover so the button is not accidentally pushed. In an emergency, once the button is pushed it sends a distress message with the device location to a ground station. When possible the nature of the emergency should also be sent after the initial distress signal. The emergency services can also respond back with updates and advice for your situation. This is an advantage over PLB where emergency control stations do not have a way to respond back to the user.

Garmin handheld devices do not send a This band frequency had historically been used by satellites to triangulate the position of a beacon. This signal is not used by satellites anymore but is used by avionics equipment in helicopters to quickly locate the beacon that emits the signal. This is one disadvantage of a Garmin device compared to style beacons during rescue situations. Garmin devices also have basic and premium weather report options. The basic report is a hour report broken down in 2-hour increments for day one and 6-hour increments for day 2.

Premium forecasts provide a 7-day report in hour intervals for the first day, hour intervals for day two, and then hour intervals.

Premium forecasts also have a Marine option. These include a 7-day forecast in 4-hour intervals. The wind direction, wind magnitude, wave height, ocean current, and visibility details are provided for the selected location. Standard weather reports cost 1 text message against your plan.

Weather reports are very nice when boating. However, most of them can be found free using VHF radio weather channels. Tracking intervals can be set at low 2 minutes with the expedition subscription and 10 minutes with the basic subscription. A 4-hour interval is the longest interval but tracking can also be turned off to save battery.

There is a power save mode that does not send the signal if the device has not traveled more than meters in 4 hours. Garmin has a computer interface the displays the tracking information on a detailed map.

When messages are sent the text can also be read with the map interface.