acr 2880 ResQ Link PLB-375 Personal Locator Beacon

I do a lot of solo bike touring in remote areas where cell phones don't work. Didn't want to be the guy who was found half-eaten by turkey buzzards just 50 feet from the road.Also, I found it comforting to take with me when I go sailing or kayaking offshore. A cell phone in a dry case might also save your life, but why not have both?Regarding functional testing, I did a test outside my home near San Francisco. The signal was picked up by a satellite right away. If you're further north, the test might not work unless a low orbiting satellite is passing by. That might be what happened to one of the previous reviewers, who could not be heard by any of the geo-stationary satellites over the equator. However, in a non-test situation, I believe the unit will keep transmitting a burst every few minutes or so until it's turned off, so eventually you will be noticed by a low orbit satellite (and rescued!).I gave it four stars only because I think it's bigger than it has be be, though probably the smallest one currently on the market. The other problem is that it takes some research to get the point where you truly understand what's going on with the battery, test functions, satellites, etc. Someone needs to write lucidly about this stuff and put the information in one place !One more thing, and this is about the system you paid for with your taxes, why didn't they provide for a "Help is on the way" indicator? It seems to me this would be both a motivator to keep yourself going and a deterrent against doing something risky, like trying to swim back to shore.

I bought this to carry on my outdoor adventures. I got a one year subscription to 406 link too which is a good idea and cheap but not a must. I feel so much safer having this ACR PLB with me. I broke my leg while mountain biking alone in the mountains, luckily this time I was able to ride down the mountain and wait on someone to come along due to no cell service. My friends were pissed that I did not have a PLB to get myself help. Shortly after this accident I bought this ACR PLB and feel so much better having it. It is really small, and packs in a small case I carry on my side along with a small strobe light, and lighter. I highly recommend getting a 406 link subscription. It allows you to send a present text and email to friends and family along with unlimited tests which are sent straight to your cell phone or email. I told my wife that if she get 3 of my preset messages something is wrong. You will want to test your PLB occasionally to make sure it is working properly. 406 link only costs about $60 a year. Ivwould highly recommend this unit to anyone going out of cell phone service for any reason. I have a friend who is a commercial pilot and he never leaves home without one of these.

Excellent quality, hopefully I never have to use it. This sort of device will greatly increase your odds of being found. ACR devices directly communicate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite network which is a government branch, so you will get a faster response than something like SPOT which uses a privately ran network ($$) and center that processes signals and forwards them to the government. When you use your device NOAA will get a ping with your location and individual id number, which will bring up your information (given you register it) that they will forward it to the closest search and rescue coordinator. My roommate is on a search and rescue team and this makes their jobs much easier. Personal beacons will help you get found sooner, which can mean life or death in some situations. Just recently my roommate went on a search for some dirt bikers that got in an accident deep in the Nevada desert, one of the guys had a beacon and his friend was badly injured, they were found and his friend got to the hospital within 2 hours (by helicopter, and he lived).

I registered the unit and keyed up the complete test signal which has to be done in the top 10 minutes of the hour. It found both the noaa and gps satellite and I got confirmation it was working. Have never had to activate. But it provides piece of mind when out alone. Also provides a little comfort to my relatives who worry when I’m sleeping in places with no cell coverage that if I get into trouble I’ll be able to call for help. Also has eliminated the need to do the “I’m going to be in this area out of cell range, if you don’t hear from my by X time please call 911 and give them my location” texts I used to send to a couple friends. This is to be activated in GRAVE OR imminent LIFE THREATENING DANGER when there is no cell service and no other way to communicate and death is coming if help cannot be gotten.

I gave it 4 stars because of the prompt service and yet, I really can't rate this kind of product since I won't ever know if it works until I have to use it which I hope is never. You just hope it works and the battery is good for 5 years so in 5 years you need to get a new battery for it which at the present time runs about 150 bucks. So take my 4 stars with a grain of salt as my rating means nothing. I now put this in my daypack just in case I ever need it. I did register it and got the sticker from the government agency which indicates I've registered as is necessary. If I ever have to use it and it saves my life, I'll move the rating up to 5 stars.

TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE information on this product page. I specifically purchased via amazon.ca, specifically purchased in Canadian dollars, specifically purchased and ARC device that said “Canada”, and specifically did not order from the LOWEST PRICE seller in order to ensure this.... now I have a beacon that I can’t register in Canada..... thanks.Yes I know it will work in Canada, but I need to register it in the US. I believe he Canadian system emails you 406 test info for FREE the same as the US 406.com service charges you for.Sort out your ad.I will not buy from this seller again, and if you are in Canada buy this product elsewhere!!

Great product, a worthy addition to your safety kit

I was disappointed that it did not have any mounting (strapping) connection points. Apparently there is a model that does but is outrageously more money. My fault I guess for not doing the detail research. I was also not expecting a 21 dollar FedEx shipping Invoice that was received at the shipping address (not my billing address) a month or so later. It ended up going into the system at my place of work

Good product and service. bought for UK base for climbing in Europe so ideal. Hope to never have to use it in anger.Sept 2019- The device was activated in Madagascar. In no time the satelite signal was picked up and the local Coastguard to its registered address in the UK called to check on the expedition details to facilitate search and rescue. After 2 hours we managed to call the owner on his mobile for him to advise it had actually been stolen and activated. He had been contacted by local police and Army to check all ok. So, it proved the device and follow up internation search service really works as described on the product posting. As it was a false alarm I rightly do not qualify for a free replacement, but will defintely buy again now.

Great product! Only 3 days delivery to sweden!