Best Personal Locator Beacon

There are many beautiful reasons to spend a few days off the grid. Maybe you’re on an extended fishing trip. Maybe you’re going hunting in the wilds of Montana. Maybe you’re backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.

These are all wholesome, satisfying ways to spend time while away on your vacation. But they also come with risks. What if your boat engine fails, leaving you stranded? What if you break a leg while you’re hunting or backpacking? In these cases, an emergency beacon can make the difference between life and death.

That’s why we’ve searched far and wide for the best personal locator beacon available online. We ended up with 15 personal locator beacon reviews that we think represent the cream of the crop. We’ve chosen a wide selection of devices, whether you’re looking for a barebones GPS emergency beacon or a more advanced satellite messaging device.

And, of course, we’ve looked for both premium choices as well as the best bargains.

Best Personal Locator Beacons Available Online

1. Standard Horizon HX870 Floating 6W Handheld VHF

The Standard Horizon HX870 is a personal locator with a powerful 6-watt transmitter.

Key Features

• Operates on the Iridium network
• 6-watt transmitter
• GPS-capable
• Buoyant and waterproof
• Receives NOAA weather alerts
• Water-activated emergency strobe light
• Outputs on DSC, DSE, GLL, RMC, GSA, GSV and GGA channels
• Built-in USB data port
• Weighs 2 pounds
• 6-hour battery life
• Measures 7.75” x 1.5” x 3.5” (additional 7.75-inch antenna)

The Standard Horizon HX870 is a walkie talkie-style locator beacon that’s designed to be equally useful at land and on the sea. Not only does it send out an emergency locator signal when you tell it to, but it can also be used for radio communications on a variety of formats.

It also features a dual receiver, with a secondary receiver set aside for DSC maritime radio. This means you’ll always be able to receive signals from other boats, which is a great feature to have if you’re floating in a life raft frantically trying to contact the Coast Guard on another channel.

Pros

• Can be used as a maritime radio as well as an emergency beacon
• Water-activated strobe light for emergencies
• NOAA alerts help you avoid trouble before it begins

Cons

• Not night-vision-friendly

This floating transmitter is a good choice for boaters, since the strobe light illuminates immediately upon contact with water.

2. goTenna Mesh | Two Off-Grid SMS & GPS Devices

The goTenna Mesh is a small device that allows you to daisy-chain communications through other goTenna devices.

Key Features

• Operates on a ground-based crowdsourced network
• 1-watt transmitter
• Includes GPS tracking
• Offline map access
• Text and chat with nearby goTenna users
• Weighs 1.6 ounces
• 24-hour battery life
• Measures 4.2” x 1.9” x .9”

The goTenna Mesh is a small device about the size of a deck of playing cards. While it’s not a personal locator beacon in the traditional sense, it’s a useful communications device for hiking groups that are in close proximity.

Rather than operating on a satellite network, goTenna devices work on their own ground-based network. The downside? If you’re more than 4 miles from the nearest goTenna device, you’re not going to get a signal. The upside? You don’t need to pay for a subscription.

At the end of the day, this is a fantastic device for groups to keep in contact and share vital information. But if you’re a solo adventurer, you’re going to want something more robust.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Can be used for chat or text
• Affordable

Cons

• Does not alert emergency services
• Relies on other goTenna users for connectivity

This is an affordable option for communications between nearby groups of backpackers.

3. ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ 406 Buoyant Personal Locator Beacon

The ACR ResQLink PLB-375 is a buoyant GPS transmitter that’s a good choice for boaters.

Key Features

• Operates on the Cospas-Sarsat network
• 5-watt transmitter
• Buoyant and waterproof
• GPS-enabled
• Built-in strobe light
• 5-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Weighs 5.4 ounces
• 35-hour battery life
• Measures 1.9″ x 4.5″ x 1.6″

The ACR ResQLink PLB-375 is a subscription-free emergency beacon for hikers that has a lot more features than you’ll see on other subscription-free models. To begin with, it’s incredibly compact and weighs about the same as a McDonald’s cheeseburger. For another thing, it has a 35-hour battery life. While that’s not exactly marathon-length, it’s long-lasting as far as batteries go, especially on subscription-free GPS devices.

Another nice feature about this GPS is the 5-year warranty, which covers your device for the full rated lifetime of the battery pack. The only downside is the antenna. It has a weird, flexible design that’s supposed to be wrapped around the unit, and the retainer clip lets go if you so much as sneeze at it. The problem is easily solved with a rubber band, but it’s something you should be aware of.

Pros

• Great features for a subscription-free device
• Compact and lightweight
• Long battery life

Cons

• Flimsy antenna retainer clip

This unit requires no subscription, so you can use it all year round without needing to pay a bill.

4. Spot 3 Satellite GPS Messenger

The Spot 3 Satellite GPS Messenger is a tiny, compact personal locator beacon that also works as a two-way messaging device.

Key Features

• Operates on the Globalstar network
• 4-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Optional GPS tracking
• Supports SMS messaging
• Includes a free 1-year subscription
• Weighs 4 ounces
• 150-hour battery life
• Measures 3.4” x 2.6” x 1”

The Spot 3 Satellite GPS Messenger isn’t just a locator device. It’s also a messaging tool that allows you to send 160-character SMS messages to all your friends. The only downside? You need to purchase an annual satellite subscription to cover all of your services.

That said, there are plenty of services involved. For the basics, you get GPS tracking at 10-minute intervals, including the ability to update friends and family on your location automatically via email or SMS. This is a great feature to have, whether you go hiking once a week or once a year. Just make sure to keep your subscription up to date, or you may suddenly find yourself out of touch.

Pros

• Very long battery life
• Can automatically update your loved ones on your location
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Requires a subscription

The Spot 3 is the most affordable reliable satellite messaging device on the market.

5. Garmin inReach Explorer+, Handheld Satellite Communicator

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a full-featured GPS device that also includes a locator beacon.

Key Features

• Operates on the Iridium network
• 5-watt transmitter
• Works as a GPS and a 2-way messenger
• Locks onto both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• Built-in compass and altimeter
• 8 GB of internal memory
• Includes a free 1-year subscription
• Weighs 7.5 ounces
• 16-hour battery life
• Measures 1.4” x 4.2” x 6.3”

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is primarily designed as a GPS device. It has 8 GB of internal memory for storing aftermarket maps and comes with a 1-year free subscription to the Iridium satellite network. As long as you have a subscription, you can send a distress signal via 406 MHz band as you would with any other personal locator beacon.

Even without a subscription, the Explorer+ functions as a perfectly serviceable Garmin GPS. As a result, many people forego the free subscription while they’re hiking locally, and only activate it when they go on a long trip. While you can only pull this trick once, it’s a good way to save some money.

Pros

• Also works as a GPS
• Acquires a signal easily
• Can be loaded with additional maps
• Can be used for two-way messaging

Cons

• Requires a subscription
• Expensive

If you’re a fan of Garmin’s reliable GPS devices, you’ll enjoy the Explorer+.

6. ACR GlobalFix Pro 406 2844 EPIRB Category II Rescue Beacon

The ACR GlobalFix Pro comes with a mounting bracket that’s designed for boat cockpits.

Key Features

• Operates on the Cospas-Sarsat network
• 6.3-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Buoyant and waterproof
• Water-activated emergency strobe light
• Mechanical trigger
• Includes a mounting bracket
• 5-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Weighs 3 pounds
• 48-hour battery life
• Measures 7” x 4.2” x 3.6” (Plus a 10.7-inch antenna)

The ACR GlobalFix Pro is a personal locator beacon that’s designed primarily for boaters. It’s buoyant, it’s waterproof, and the emergency strobe light is water-activated, so it will turn on even if you get separated from your device or are otherwise unable to activate it.

That said, the unit itself is easy to activate on purpose, and hard to activate by accident. It features a mechanical pull tab with a destructible locking pin. As a result, you can activate it with a single hand, but you’ll need to give a sharp, sudden tug on a very particular ring. You’ll get help when you need it, and silence when everything’s fine.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Powerful transmitter
• Water-activated strobe light for emergencies
• Impossible to set off by accident

Cons

• Expensive

This emergency beacon is the best we’ve seen for boaters.

7. Garmin inReach Mini, Lightweight and Compact Handheld Satellite Communicator

The Garmin inReach Mini is a pocket-sized personal locator beacon that you can carry anywhere.

Key Features

• Operates on the Iridium network
• 5-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Locks onto both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• Allows two-way messaging
• Weighs 3.5 ounces
• 50-hour battery life
• Measures 3.9” x 2” x 1”

The Garmin inReach Mini has a lot in common with Bruce Lee: it may be small, but it’s fast and furious.

To begin with, let’s look at how it tracks your location. Like most Garmins, the inReach Mini tracks both American GPS and Russian GLONASS satellites, so you can keep an accurate fix on your location even if one system or the other is out for some reason.

Not only that, the Mini is lightweight. Really lightweight. It only weighs 3.5 ounces, and it still offers 50 hours of continuous distress broadcast. Press the button, and emergency services will have an accurate fix on your location for over 2 days.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Compact and lightweight
• Rapid, reliable signal acquisition

Cons

• Requires a subscription

This emergency beacon weighs only 3.5 ounces, less than the beef patty on a quarter-pound burger.

8. ACR Aqualink View PLB

The ACR Aqualink View is expensive to buy but free to use.

Key Features

• Operates on the Cospas-Sarsat network
• 5-watt transmitter
• Buoyant and waterproof
• Built-in emergency strobe light
• 6-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Weighs 9.3 ounces
• 48-hour battery life
• Measures 5.8” x 2.3” x 1.4”

The ACR Aqualink View is the second ACR unit on our list, and it’s one of the same two ACR units we’ve seen on every other list we’ve looked at. There’s a reason for that. Not only is the ACR Aqualink View well-suited for both hikers and boaters, but it’s also user-friendly to use, with a simple one-touch interface. Flip up the antenna, press the button, and you’re good to go.

This buoyant PLB beacon is designed to signal emergency services with a strobe light from the moment it hits the water. And ACR offers a 6-year warranty that includes a battery change after 5 years of ownership. Not bad!

Pros

• User-friendly design
• Built-in strobe light for emergencies
• Long battery life

Cons

• Expensive

This device is a solid choice for anyone who values the peace of mind that comes with a long manufacturer’s warranty.

9. McMurdo Fast Find 220 PLB

The McMurdo Fast Find 220 is a compact, lightweight GPS transmitter that’s designed solely for emergencies.

Key Features

• Operates on the Cospas-Sarsat network
• 4.8-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Buoyant and waterproof
• Built-in strobe light
• Weighs 4.1 ounces
• 24-hour battery life
• Measures 3.1” x 2” x 1.25”

The McMurdo Fast Find 220 is designed primarily as an emergency transmitter. While it’s buoyant enough for use on a boat, it’s really made as a camping or hiking transmitter; the strobe light isn’t automatic, and the 4.8-watt transmitter is better suited to use on land than it is on the sea.

That said, if you’re using the Fast Find 220 for its intended purpose, you’ll find a lot to like. The compact size is its primary attraction since it will stay out of your way unless the worst actually happens.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Built-in strobe light for emergencies
• Equally useful for backpacking or boating

Cons

• Only works inside the US

This device weighs only 4.1 ounces, so you can slip it into your pocket and forget about it.

10. Spot X 2-Way Satellite Messenger

The Spot X is a two-way messaging and social media device that comes at a very reasonable price for the package.

Key Features

• Operates on the Globalstar network
• 5.1-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Includes a Google Maps interface
• Automated tracking available
• Allows for two-way messaging and social media posting
• Built-in QWERTY keyboard
• Weighs 6.8 ounces
• 240-hour battery life
• Measures 6.5” x 2.9” x 0.9”

The Spot X is a PLB unit with a few extra features. Not only will it alert authorities to your location, but it will also keep your loved ones updated as well. And if that’s not enough, it also includes two-way messaging and social media integration. Post your location, or even pictures from your hike, and set your friends and relatives at ease.

Conversely, if you’re really in trouble, the Spot X provides you for plenty of ways to get help. Not only does it include a powerful 5.1-watt transmitter, but the messaging function also allows you to contact friends and relatives directly. And if there’s one thing that beats being able to call the Coast Guard, it’s being able to call your uncle for help.

Pros

• Exceptional battery life
• Helps you keep your loved ones updated on your location
• QWERTY keyboard is familiar and easy to use
• Great value

Cons

• Requires a subscription

If you crave two-way messaging but you’re addicted to your QWERTY keyboard, this is the ideal device for you.

11. goTenna – Text & GPS on Your Phone

The goTenna is the basic version of the goTenna Mesh we already looked at.

Key Features

• Operates on a ground-based crowdsourced network
• 1-watt transmitter
• Includes GPS tracking
• Offline map access
• Text and chat with nearby goTenna users
• Weighs 1.6 ounces
• 24-hour battery life
• Measures 4.2” x 1.9” x .9”

The goTenna is a simple GPS tracker that allows you to share your location information with other users of the same system. We’ve already looked at the goTenna Mesh, which is the base version of this system, but the full version offers more features.

The most interesting thing about the goTenna is the ability to send location and photo info to other users via social media. While this isn’t necessarily a useful safety feature, it’s a great way to keep in touch between different members of the same group, particularly if you’re camping at separate campsites.

Pros

• Very compact and lightweight
• Can be used for chat or text
• Affordable

Cons

• Does not alert emergency services
• Relies on other goTenna users for connectivity

This device is a fantastic option for boy scout groups, outdoor clubs, and other groups of friends who want to keep in touch over a distance of a few miles.

12. Bivystick Satellite Communication Device

The Bivystick is a multi-purpose device that will be useful on every camping trip.

Key Features

• Operates on the Iridium network
• 4.9-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Downloadable maps (requires free phone app)
• Updates your location every 10 minutes
• Also functions as a phone battery recharge pack
• Weighs 7.3 ounces
• 500-hour battery life
• Measures 5.6” x 1.6” x 1.13”

The Bivystick isn’t just a GPS locator. It’s also a phone recharging pack. As a result, this device is hard to get a read on, since its usefulness will depend on how you use it.

To begin with, let’s look at the battery life. 500 hours sounds impressive, but that drops to 0 if you use your Bivystick to recharge your iPhone twice. So how do you want to use it? Do you want to keep your phone going, or maintain your GPS beacon longer?

Thankfully, you won’t have to make this decision often. Out of wireless range? Leave the iPhone alone and use your Bivystick. Inside of range? Recharge your phone and get ahold of emergency services twice as you could with a locator. Either way, it’s a win-win.

Pros

• Durable, rugged design
• Can be used to recharge your phone
• Exceptional battery life (if not already used to recharge your phone)
• Pay-per-use contracts available

Cons

• Requires a subscription
• A bit pricey

Not only is this device good for reporting your location in an emergency, but it can also be used to recharge your cell phone.

13. RESCUEME PLB1 PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON

The Ocean Signal rescueME is primarily designed for sea rescue, although it’s perfectly serviceable on land.

Key Features

• Operates on the Cospas-Sarsat network
• 4.5-watt transmitter
• Buoyant and waterproof
• Weighs 4 ounces
• 24-hour battery life
• Measures 2” x 3” x 1.3”

The Ocean Signal rescueME is a barebones personal locator beacon. It only sends a distress signal with a homing beacon; it doesn’t provide a GPS location. This means it can take hours longer for emergency services to hone in on your signal.

That said, the rescueME is very easy to use. You can set off the alert in 2 or 3 seconds even if one hand is completely incapacitated. Considering that the entire purpose of an emergency beacon is, well, emergencies, that’s a helpful feature. Combine that with a pocket-sized design and a buoyant, waterproof case, and you’ve got a tool that’s well worth the purchase price.

Pros

• Very compact and lightweight
• Easy to operate with one hand

Cons

• No GPS

This personal locator beacon can be operated in just a few seconds with a single hand.

14. DeLorme inReach SE Satellite Tracker

The Garmin DeLorme inReach can be adjusted to suit your preferences; monitor your location every 10 minutes for maximum accuracy, or every 4 hours to maintain battery life.

Key Features

• Operates on the Iridium network
• 5.5-watt transmitter
• GPS-enabled
• Locks onto both GPS and GLONASS satellites
• Allows for two-way messaging
• Allows for social media updates
• Built-in tracking and location
• Weighs 7 ounces
• 72-hour battery life
• Measures 5.9” x 2.4” x 1”

The Garmin DeLorme inReach is a GPS personal locator that also provides two-way messaging, as well as pinpoint accuracy on both GPS and GLONASS satellite networks. These locators offer live location tracking, as well as barometric pressure and elevation updates.

The only thing we don’t like about these devices is that they require a subscription to fulfill their main purpose. While you can use the GPS itself without a subscription, you need satellite service to signal your own location. Pay the monthly fee, or accept that the free version of this tool is only useful for helping others.

Pros

• Long battery life
• Adjustable tracking intervals (from 10 minutes to 4 hours)
• No-contract plans available

Cons

• Requires a subscription

This GPS unit offers 3 full days of battery life, more than you’ll typically see from a transmitter this powerful.

15. GPS Tracking and Chat Off-grid – Radacat Messenger

The Radacat Messenger C1 is a Bluetooth-connected communications fob that lasts for up to 36 hours on a charge.

Key Features

• Operates on a ground-based crowdsourced network
• 1-watt transmitter
• Shake to talk
• Location tracking and sharing available
• Stores offline maps
• Weighs 3.5 ounces
• 36-hour battery life
• Measures 4.3” x 1.6” x 0.6”

The Radacat Messenger C1 isn’t technically a personal locator beacon. It’s a simple wireless fob, which can be used to link two cell phones that are outside of wireless coverage. The advantage of this method is that by avoiding satellite and wireless networks, you’re avoiding any chance of third-party device failure. On the other hand, you’re also relying on the 5-mile range of your own connected network. Which option is better is a matter of opinion.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Can be used for text, chat, or voice
• Affordable

Cons

• Does not alert emergency services
• Relies on other Radacat users for connectivity

This device isn’t ideal if you’re hiking solo and looking for rescue, but it’s a great choice for groups that split into multiple hiking parties.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of emergency beacons available. The most important distinction to remember is between emergency beacons and messaging devices. Most of the devices on our list are simple emergency beacons, which simply broadcast your location to emergency services when activated. However, some are advanced satellite messaging devices, which allow you to send specific messages to specific people. Make sure you know what you’re buying before you click that button.

And remember, your personal locator beacon is required by law to be registered. You can do that here in just a few minutes. Not only does this provide emergency services with important information (your age, sex, and known medical conditions), it’s also necessary to activate your device. Without a registration, your PLB beacon is as useful as a hole in the head.

We hope our personal emergency beacon reviews have helped you find just the device you need. We’ve done all the legwork. All you have to do is decide?