The Best Personal Locator Beacons and Satellite Messengers of 2023
by Admin
Posted on 02-10-2023 01:26 PM
If you spend significant
time
in the outdoors, then a personal locator beacon or satellite messenger should be in your pack.
While these devices vary from single-use distress signals to full-blown phones that can be used in virtually any corner of the world, they all have the power to alert authorities when you are in trouble and—most importantly—share your gps coordinates. While many individuals will find that they never need to use the sos button, if you do need it, a plb or sat device can save your life. Here are our picks for the best personal locator beacons and satellite messengers available today.
In short, choose a plb if you want to avoid subscription fees and/or you’re solely interested in being able to send an sos in an emergency . Choose a satellite messenger if you also want to be able to send messages to loved ones and/or are interested in additional features like navigation. Personal locator beacons (plbs): this satellite-synced device sends an sos signal to rescue agencies, along with your location. Key attributes include: works in remote areas worldwide* multiyear battery life (replacement requires sending it in) no subscription fees no ability to send messages home or cancel an sos call stronger signal than a satellite messenger (unobstructed view of sky works best).
Gme’s accusat mt410g pocket pro+ 406mhz emergency personal locator beacon (plb) with integrated gps - manual activation has been leading the world's plb market due to it's features and innovation. Please note that a 406 mhz emergency personal locator beacon (plb) is not a substitute for a 406 mhz epirb. The obsolete 121. 5 / 243 mhz analogue cospas sarsat service was terminated in february 2009 and now, only the 406 mhz digital beacon signals are being processed by the satellites. Consumers have for some time recognised the major benefits of a 406 mhz over a 121. 5 mhz device in faster, more accurate detection, personal identification of each beacon, reduced search area resulting in a faster more targeted response in a life threatening situation.
Personal locator beacons (plbs) transmit distress signals on 406 mhz which is an internationally recognized distress frequency to the cospas-sarsat satellite system. The cospas-sarsat satellite system is an international program that includes 36 nations. In the united states the 406 mhz signal is monitored by the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa) and the air force rescue coordination center (afrcc). Each plb is equipped with a unique identifying code which is a 15 digit alpha-numeric code. This code is transmitted in the electronic burst to the satellites and is linked to a computer database maintained by noaa to provide your name, address, phone number and any pertinent information such as medical problems, to search and rescue personnel.
What to Consider Before Buying a Personal Locator Beacon or Satellite Messenger
To compile this review, we started by carefully selecting the top models of satellite messenger and personal locator beacons. It's usually impossible for us to satisfactorily test every product on the market for a particular category. With plbs and satellite messengers, though, there aren't many options available, and we can test nearly every device. Especially in the two-way satellite messaging device sub-category, we've worked to get every single new option in our hands. The end result is a set of tested products that represent essentially all of the available satellite communication options currently on the market. From there, we purchased and activated these beacons and put them to the test for hundreds of hours, side-by-side, in several distinct situations and locations.
Whether you're backpacking, backcountry skiing or adventuring out of service range, a satellite messenger, gps device or personal locator beacon (plb) for your outdoor pursuits is important. After all, your safety is on the line. But choosing the right one for your needs can be difficult. We looked at 28 units, from garmin to spot and everything in between, compiling the top professional and user reviews, and comparing models side-by-side for weight, budget, battery life, communication capabilities and subscription costs. The result: our top winners for the best personal locator beacons and two-way satellite messengers for every kind of user.
If you purchase a product from one of our links below, we may earn a percentage from one of our affiliate partners. This does not impact how we review products. Read more about our review process and affiliate partners. Personal locator beacons and satellite messengers can signal for help in emergency situations. These devices range from ones that strictly send out an sos signal, to ones that also provide two-way messaging services and navigational features. In this post, we break down the the differences between personal locator beacons and satellite messengers and discuss what they are and how they work.