Folks,

I know this has been hashed about many times but I am looking for the lightest possible GPS enabled PLB that can be used all year (does not have a temperature restrictions) I do not need a messaging device.

Any recommendations?

Cheers,

Stephen

Edit: Bought a Acr 406 Q link

Edited by stephenm on 03/07/2013 11:06:29 MST.

4.6 oz

http://www.rei.com/product/815753/acr-electronics-resqlink-406-gps-personal-locator-beacon

5.3 oz

http://www.rei.com/product/849914/mcmurdo-fastfind-220-personal-locator-beacon-with-gps

I don't own either so don't have a recommendation.

Thanks Randy

I own the McMurdo FastFind. At the time it was the smallest and lightest. ACR has a smaller one now. I've never had to deploy it so can't "recommend" but I do have confidence it would work if it needed to. It's got a self-test feature that I occasionally use. At 5 years I'm supposed to return it to McMurdo for a battery replacement. At that point, technology will probably have come far enough that it will be more likely I'll buy a new PLB.

Thanks Dena,

I see the McMurdo and Acr are about the same price.

Cheers,

Stephe

"I own the McMurdo FastFind. At the time it was the smallest and lightest. ACR has a smaller one now. I've never had to deploy it so can't "recommend" but I do have confidence it would work if it needed to. It's got a self-test feature"

+1 Except that I run thru it every spring, just to be sure.

"At 5 years I'm supposed to return it to McMurdo for a battery replacement. At that point, technology will probably have come far enough that it will be more likely I'll buy a new PLB."

+1 the new battery costs something like $70. :( Time to move on.

I've read about some "complaints" about the McMurdo that you have to break a seal to deploy the antenna. Don't know it that's a big deal.

I'm coming up on the "battery death" of my old ACR AquaFix. It weighs 12oz/343g (ouch!), so I'm not too sad to see it go even though these things are pricey.

Thanks for a timely post,

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

I looked at both the McMurdo and the Acr units and cannot decide which to get.

Good to -20 Celsius

http://www.mcmurdomarine.com/en/products/plb/fastfind-max-g


And if you can wait perhaps this would work for you

http://www.oceansignal.com/product.php?id=22

Edited by kthompson on 02/21/2013 19:14:24 MST.

Spot on Ken, its nice and small also it could fit in a pocket.

There is another small one that is waiting final approval also. Can't find that link just yet.

Edit: I was thinking of the Satro. But the Man put the kibosh on that one.

Edited by kthompson on 02/21/2013 21:22:48 MST.

Nice to see we may have something to choose from other than just McMurdo and ACR. Perhaps competition will drive cost (and weight) down!

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

ACR took DME (the maker of Satro) to court and DME lost. The Satro was a slightly modified ACRQlink that was made using design document two former ACR employees provided. The Satro will never be sold.

Fastfind-Max-g is designed for ocean use, is designed to float, and as a result it is twice the weight and significantly larger than the ACRQlink.

The ocean signal Rescue Me is a little smaller and and 1oz lighter. when it comes out it will probably be the lightest and smallest but not by a significant margin.


Most of the weight and size of the ACRQLink is determined by the size of the batteries. Until battery technology improves significantly it is doubtful that we will see a significant decrease in weight.

Edited by Surf on 02/21/2013 23:31:26 MST.

I've got the Fastfind (152g) like others and echo most of the comments made.

McMurdo have a new version out (same weight range) but with a six-year battery life.