Tramping Equipment: ACR ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon:

 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

I brought a newer ACR model the 425 which has a five year battery life (...good to July 2027 so really six years...) and while it is slightly larger than my previous unit it is 2/3rds of the weigh of the older model.  

Here are some specifications:

ACR ResQLink 425: Features and Benefits:

• 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

**Based on test report from an accredited laboratory

The 425 model of ResQLink has a digital screen on the front which will show you a variety of messages when it is in operation.

Front of the new ACR ResQLink 425 PLB

   When you push the test button a [TEST] message will appear on the screen to show the unit is functioning correctly. If you activate the SOS function [406 SENT!] will appearing showing that the National Rescue Center has been informed. You will also be able to see your global GPS location. This is a nice feature but not actually vital as there is a light which flashes if the unit is transmitting a rescue message to SAR. 

The digital screen on my new ACR ResQLink

The new beacon is now waterproof down to 20 meters and buoyant which were two of the faults on the older models. Previously I carried my PLB in a sil-nylon drybag to protect it from water but this will no longer be necessary. 

ACR ResQLink: instructions and tech specifications are on the back...

My new PLB came with a couple of accessories...a lanyard to carry the beacon around your neck (not the best way to carry it), a shoulder carry case and an attachment to put the beacon on your belt. I will not use any of these means of carry as all three are prone to losing the beacon when bashing through dense bush or during river crossings. 

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.