A new Personal Locator Beacon for a new decade...
I recently purchased a new PLB or Personal Locator Beacon in a Covid lockdown sale from the online retailer Gearshop. The battery in my old PLB expired back in December 2020 and while it still works it would not be able to operate for the required 24 hour period mandated for safe use.
My old model 365 ResQLink PLB... |
I had a good look at a number of options for a replacement beacon including replacing the battery in my old unit, buying a combined GPS/PLB unit or just purchasing one of the many varieties of beacon currently on the market. Given a new PLB costs from $400-$1000 a bit of research and thought is necessary before parting with your cash. I don't know about you but I think $400 is a lot of cash for one item of equipment.
Garmin inReach units cost up to $1300 in New Zealand |
I really think a PLB is a necessary piece of equipment for any tramping party but especially for us solo tramper's. It is not a 'get out of jail free' card but it does give you some options if you injure yourself or find yourself in a life threatening situation.
Fast Find and Rescue Me are two of the other PLB brands available... |
My preference would have been to replace the battery in my old unit BUT it costs nearly $400 to do so and despite repeated emails, phone calls and texts I was not able to contact the people in New Zealand who service ACR equipment.
I had reached a bit of an impasse as I could not decide what my next step would be...in the end I just brought a new ACR beacon.
The new ACR ResQLink 425:
One of my favoured online retailers Gearshop had a two day sale with over $100 off the price of a new ACR beacon so I jumped at the chance to buy one for a decent price. The new unit cost me a total of $400 including post which is a real bargain as I have seen these units in stores for $500-$600 dollars. I am paying it off by instalment with the Zip App...
Some of the features of the 425 ACR ResQLink beacon |
- No Subscription Required
- GPS and Galileo GNSS
- Built-In Buoyancy
- Strobe and Infrared Strobe
- Global Coverage (Must be registered in its country of use)
- MEOSAR Compatible
- Small and lightweight (150 gm's)
- 5-year battery life
- 28 hours Operational Life**
- Multifunction Clip System Included
Front of the new ACR ResQLink 425 PLB |
The digital screen on my new ACR ResQLink |
ACR ResQLink: instructions and tech specifications are on the back... |
ACR ResQLink belt attachment clip... |
I have already registered the beacon with the the Rescue Coordination Centre at Beacons.org.nz. I will dispose of my old beacon in the correct fashion...they can be handed into your local Police Office or mailed to the RCCNZ at:
RCCNZ
Level 1 Avalon Studios
41 Percy Cameron Street
Avalon 5010
Wellington.
How to dispose of an old PLB.... |
If you are in the market for a new PLB here is a post I wrote about buyers tips for selecting a Personal Locator Beacon.
My buyers guide post from 2015...recently updated!!! |
I hope this beauty will never need to be used but if I do find myself in a situation of peril it is good to know that I have a way of alerting the authorities.
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