8 best locator beacons

Locator beacons, also known as personal locator beacons (PLBs), are essential safety devices used in outdoor activities, especially in backcountry and winter sports scenarios. These devices are designed to transmit distress signals to search and rescue teams, allowing them to locate individuals in emergency situations. Here's what you need to know about locator beacons:

Functionality: Locator beacons are compact, portable devices that can transmit distress signals via satellite or radio frequencies. They are primarily used to request help in situations where an individual or group is lost, injured, or facing life-threatening conditions.
Activation: When a person activates a locator beacon, it sends out a distress signal with their GPS coordinates or a unique identification code to search and rescue authorities. The activation process typically involves deploying an antenna and pushing a button.
Satellite Communication: Some locator beacons use satellite technology to transmit distress signals, ensuring coverage even in remote and off-grid locations where there is no cell phone reception. This satellite communication provides a global reach for emergency services.
Radio Frequencies: In addition to satellite technology, some locator beacons may also transmit distress signals on radio frequencies, which can be received by local search and rescue teams.
GPS Integration: Many modern locator beacons are equipped with GPS receivers, allowing rescuers to pinpoint the exact location of the distress signal.This feature greatly speeds up the response time and increases the chances of a successful rescue.
Registration: It's crucial to register your locator beacon with the appropriate authorities and maintain up-to-date information. This registration ensures that rescue teams can quickly identify the owner and the nature of the emergency.
Battery Life: Locator beacons typically have long battery life, but it's essential to regularly check and replace the batteries to ensure the device is always functional when needed.
Legal Requirements: In some countries, using a locator beacon for recreational purposes may be subject to specific regulations. It's important to be aware of these regulations and comply with them.
Types: There are different types of locator beacons, including personal locator beacons (PLBs) for individual use and emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) for aircraft, as well as maritime locator beacons for use on boats and ships.
Cost: Locator beacons vary in price depending on their features and capabilities. It's important to choose one that meets your specific needs and budget.

In summary, locator beacons are vital safety devices for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those engaging in backcountry and winter sports. They provide a lifeline in emergency situations, allowing for quick and effective search and rescue operations. Proper training and understanding of how to use these devices are essential for anyone venturing into remote or challenging environments.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best locator beacons on the market

ACR ResQLink View - Buoyant SOS GPS Personal Locator Beacon (Model PLB-425) ACR 2922

acr

Based on 129 reviews Check latest price

No Subscription Required
406 MHz Emergency Distress Signal with Homing Signal
GPS and Galileo GNSS / Cospas-Sarsat / MEOSAR
Global Coverage
LED Strobe and Infrared Strobe

User questions & answers

Question:	What is the battery life? How much to replace it
Answer:	Battery is 5 years. For battery replacement please contact one of our battery replacement centers and they will give you a quote.
Question:	How do you charge it
Answer:	These units don't need charge. They will last for 5 years if never used. If you do use them we will replace it for free once you submit your survivor story.
Question:	Does this product work in the Bahamas? World wide
Answer:	Yes. It will work world wide.
Question:	Does it come with a case
Answer:	Hi there! No case. This unit comes with a clip system that you can use to attach the PLB and different locations.

Product features

Features and Benefits

What's in the box?

Due to innovative design elements, multi-function clips can be used in conjunction with the beacon, providing numerous wear-ability options that address a variety of usage applications. The increased ease of incorporating the ResQLink View on your person, or with your gear, just made all your adventures not just safer, but more convenient too.

Follow Your Own Path

Designed to work world-wide no matter what your adventure looks like!

McMurdo FAST FIND 220 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) (45016)

McMurdo

Based on 161 reviews Check latest price

Product description

A personal location beacon (PLB) is a personal safety device designed to alert search and rescue services and allow them to quickly locate you in the event of an emergency, on land or sea.

406/121.5MHz plb
Easy to operate
No subscription needed
High brightness LED SOS light
Minimum 24hr continuous operation

User questions & answers

Question:	Is there any service fee or any monthly cost
Answer:	There are no monthly fees, you just need to register the device. It is strictly for rescue only--not like some beacons that allow you to send out an I'm OK ping. The battery is supposed to last 6 years.
Question:	How easy would it be to accidentally activate the beacon, thanks
Answer:	Not very easy. You have to deliberately remove the top first. I have never had a problem in two years. I carry it in my backpack.
Question:	how do you make sure the battery doesn’t die while you’re out on a hike
Answer:	Do the test function outlined in the owners manual.
Question:	It is a one time use? If yes, then after using what do you do with it? Send it back to manufacture or just throw it in the garbage
Answer:	I believe you would send it back to the manufacturer for a battery replacement. This service is recommended after about 5 years anyway to ensure you have good batteries. Then it can be used an additional 5 years before it is retired. Hopefully, if you ever need to use the device to summon a rescue, you won't be worried about the cost of a battery replacement.
Question:	What is the range
Answer:	It works wold wide in any location as it communicates with the satellite. However once it's activated it will be transmitting signal for 24 hours. If you are in a distant location that search and rescue needs more than 24 hours to find you then we recommend getting any of our EPIRBs, GlobalFix V4, Pro, or iPro. They last from 48 to 65 hours.
Question:	Once activated, is there any type of confirmation that your signal has been received
Answer:	The unit will keep blinking while the signal is been transmitted. There is no return confirmation only sending out. However, you are able to test the unit before going out on a trip by performing a self-test.
Question:	how difficult would it be to accidentally activate this device
Answer:	I'd say fairly difficult. That yellow flap on the front protects the activation mechanism and the spring is fairly robust.
Question:	will it work from inside a car or rv
Answer:	Yes. It is a radio frequency- sat freq. may not work inside a cave, deep and narrow canyon, or below a multi-level parking garage.

ACR PLB ResQLink 400 Survival Kit

acr

Based on 29 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The ResQLink 400 Promo Kit is an excellent option to make sure you have your essentials.

ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon
C-Strobe H2O Rescue Light
Res-Q Whistle
RapidDitch Drybag
Signal Mirror

User questions & answers

Question:	Does the dry bag float on its own? Just thinking that it might only if there is air inside. Would a floating ditch bag be a better choice
Answer:	The dry bag is not a floating ditch bag. Just to keep things dry. For floatation you would be better off with the ditch bag. Thank you, Jair
Question:	I am going to use this in the cayman islands. will i need to have it re coded for country or will i be able to register it as received
Answer:	In that case, NOAA would pick up that signal and report to the closest search and rescue agency based on your GPS location. There is no need to reprogram it.
Question:	What is the manufacture date
Answer:	It has to be a month max due to the battery life.
Question:	Does this device deploy automatically when submerged
Answer:	No. By regulation PLBs are manually activated.

SportDOG Brand Locator Beacons - Bright, Waterproof Dog Collar Light with Carabiner - Flashing or Solid Safety Light

SportDOG Brand

Based on 531 reviews Check latest price

Product description

By designing our products in the field, with heat, cold, rain, snow, dust, mud, and wind in mind, SportDOG has become the most recognized brand in the electronic tracking and training categories, making the promise to always create "Gear The Way You'd Design It"

Highly visible, long range dog collar light can be set to ON or BLINKING to make your dog visible at night or in low light senarios for silent tracking;
Included carabiner allows for easy attachment to a dog collar D-Ring, a backpack strap, a belt loop, and many other places, or easily slip it on a 3/4" or 1" collar strap
All-weather safety light features waterproof and submersible design ensuring reliable use during rain or when your dog goes swimming
Available in blue, green, red, white, and yellow; Pick your favorite color, select a different color for each dog, or select multiple colors for 1 dog, using 1 color for the dog's right side and another for the left side, allowing you to easily determine what direction your dog is headed
Replaceable CR2032 batteries provide up to 250 hours of on time; Setting the light to flashing provides longest battery life

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this light fit on a dogtra collar
Answer:	I'm afraid I don't know what a dogtra collar is. However, any collar 5/16" thick and 1 1/8" wide maximum would be ok as long as they have a buckle at one end only. Hope that helps.
Question:	Can you buy the different color lens
Answer:	SportDog offers these in different colors but they do not offer the lens separately.
Question:	I bought a much cheaper light and if the dog shakes hard the light goes out, does this stay on
Answer:	Thank you for your question, Sandy! The light should stay on regardless of your dog shaking his/her head.
Question:	Will this fit on regular dog collars? Are the batteries interchangeable
Answer:	This would fit in a collar if it is still thin like this sport dog collar. Batteries are regular 2032's and last forever. Good little light
Question:	Does it really use AAA batteries
Answer:	Hi there, By regulation this unit is only sold with built-in lithium battery. Once the battery expires you will need to send it in to a battery replacement center. Batteries are good for 5 years if never used. Thank you, ACR
Question:	Once activated how long will it transmit before the battery runs dead
Answer:	It will transmit for 24 hrs after activation.
Question:	How do you know when the batteries will expire; is the unit marked with an expiration date
Answer:	Yes, they are. There is a sticker on the back with the battery expiration date which is 5 years from the manufacture date which is also stated on the unit.
Question:	does this require a monthly or yearly subscription
Answer:	Hello, unlike most satellite enabled notification devices, the ACR ResQLink 400 PLB requires no monthly or annual subscription, making it one of the most cost effective GPS enabled emergency beacons available for long term use. Thank you

Product features

Features and Benefits

Three Levels of Integrated Signal Technology

With three levels of integrated signal technology – GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal, and 121.5 MHz homing capability – the ResQLink 400 quickly and accurately relays your position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites. Additionally, a built-in strobe and infrared strobe facilitate nighttime, or other low visibility rescues.

What's in the box?

Due to innovative design elements, multi-function clips can be used in conjunction with the beacon, providing numerous wear-ability options that address a variety of usage applications. The increased ease of incorporating the ResQLink 400 on your person, or with your gear, just made all your adventures not just safer, but more convenient too.

Perfect for Low Visibility Weather

It comes with a built-in strobe and infrared strobe to facilitate nighttime or other low visibility rescues.

Follow Your Own Path

Designed to work world-wide no matter what your adventure looks like!

Locator Beacon

The SportDOG Brand Locator Beacon is an easy, affordable way to keep track of dogs at night or in low light. This compact and versatile safety/locator light can be used for everything from finding hounds during night hunts to providing added visibility and peace of mind during evening strolls with canine companions. The Locator Beacon provides about 250 hours of on-time and can be set to either constant on or flashing. The light includes a handy carabiner clip for attaching to a collar D-Ring, backpack strap, belt loop, or any collar strap up to 1 inch wide.

The SportDOG Brand Conservation Fund

The SportDOG Brand team and our families enjoy many of the same hunting opportunities and outdoor activities that you do. That's why we recognize the importance of wise conservation and habitat-enhancement initiatives. We support conservation efforts by contributing time and funding to projects that ensure hunters will have wild places to hunt wild game for generations to come.

ACR GLOBALFIX V4 and ResQLink 400 Survival Kit with EPIRB, Personal Locator Beacon, Ditch Bag, and Safety Gear

Acr

Based on 17 reviews Check latest price

GlobalFIX V4 GPS EPIRB with Manual Bracket (Category 2)
ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon
Firefly PRO Waterbug and HemiLight3 Rescue Strobe Lights
Signal Mirror with Res-Q Whistle
RapidDitch Express buoyant ditch bag

User questions & answers

Question:	Is there one of these kits with the ResQLink 425 included instead
Answer:	Unfortunately no. The ResQLink 425 would have to be purchased a part. Thank you
Question:	Is there a version for registration outside usa? (more specifically, brazil
Answer:	Unfortunately only US units are allowed to be sold in the US. Thank you
Question:	What is the cost for battery replacement (after 7 years)? Do all distributors replace for free if used in actual emergency
Answer:	The price is usually around 1/3 of the full price, but it will depend on the conditions of your beacon once it's sent to the battery replacement center. If you are in an emergency you can just notify the manufacturer and they should replace it for free.
Question:	I plan to use it in taiwan (national code 416). is it possible to pre-set artex plb with 416 code
Answer:	Unfortunately no. Every unit sold in the US is built with a US code.
Question:	I noticed that it said that it was non chargeable is there a place i can go to replace the battery
Answer:	When the battery expires (after 7 years), you can send it in to ACR to have it replaced for $150. Or if you like taking risks with your life, you can replace it yourself for $5(it runs on 3 CR123A cells, welded and heat shrinked into a single battery pack).

Product features

World Wide Range

No matter where you go the ARTEX PLB will work. Units purchased in the US can be registered with NOAA and in case you are in an emergency overseas NOAA will notify your local SAR agency of the distress signal.

How It Works?

When activated, the ARTEX PLB transmits your position and your ID to a Rescue Coordination Center via satellite link. Rescue services nearest to you are promptly notified of your emergency and initiate the Search & Rescue process.

What else comes with it?

The ARTEX PLB features a unique mounting clip and a flotation pouch: The PLB can be firmly attached to the pouch with the provided lanyard to enable it to float. These materials are proved and tested to endure all types of environments.

Smaller than your hand!

The Artex PLB 8110 is small and convenient. 2.1 (L) x 1.3 (W) x 3.0 (H) inches (51 x 32.5 x 77 mm)

Weight: 4.09 oz (116 g)

Battery is good for 7 years and operating for 24 hours.

Operation: 2 steps: deploy antenna, press ON button, giving clear view of sky

Waterproof: 15 m at 20°C

GlobalFix V4 + ResQLink 400 Kit

ResQLink 400

Small but resilient, the ResQLink 400 has been professionally engineered to ensure it can withstand even the harshest elements. This buoyant Personal Locator Beacon requires no subscription for use and can be utilized to enhance your safety in a wide variety of environments. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, trust that the ResQLink’s satellite precision and military durability, puts rescue in the palm of your hands.

GlobalFix V4 offers the very latest in marine electronic lifesaving technology

Highly visible LED strobe - Energy efficient
Internal 66 channel GPS – Faster acquisition from a cold start
High-efficiency electronics – Performance you can count on
User-replaceable battery – 10-year battery life
Professional grade design - Built for years of use in harsh environments
Simple manual activation – Keypad with a protective cover to prevent false alarms
Made in the U.S.A.

Life Jacket Strobe Light for Man Overboard Survival Vest; Water Activated, High Intensity Beam Locator, Emergency Long Range Rescue LED Flashing Beacon

Wicked Design & Engineering

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

✅[High Intensity Strobe Light Beam]: Rated ≥ 8 hours with tested run time up to 20+ hours, this exceptionally intense survival beacon with a luminosity of .75CD meets USCG, MED and SOLAS requirements and is regarded as essential kit for both commercial and pleasure boaters alike.
✅[Water Activated]: This device works in either salt or fresh water and can easily be deactivated with a push of the red button. While it is designed to function automatically, in a man overboard situation, the switch allows for signal usage optimization for emergency locator, should a rescue opportunity arrises. More tips for boaters are contained in the description below.
✅[Positively Buoyant]: Compact and smaller in size than many other approved lights, the smooth sided housing features a vest clip and nylon rope lanyard, large enough to easy secure it around the neck while maintaining the water tight integrity of the inflatable life vest by not presenting a puncture hazard.
✅[Product Specifications]: This light can easily be retrofitted to existing life jackets and exponentially increases visibility of a standard international orange floatation devices. Deckhands are only limited by their imaginations for the myriad of uses and applications this water activated auto light can have onboard any vessel. Meets the following specifications: SOLAS 74/96, MSC 207(81) MSC 81(70), LSA, MSC 218(82), MSC226 (82), MSC323 (89).
✅[Absolutely, Indispensably for Night Signaling]: This is not something you need…until you need it. The days of signal flares are long gone. While the light is visible during the day as a strobe, at night this light is a huge asset and at this price, there is every reason to be prepared for the unexpected.

SportDOG Brand Locator Beacon

SportDOG Brand

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This compact and versatile safety and locator light can be used for everything from finding hounds during night hunts to providing added visibility - and peace of mind - during evening strolls with canine companions. The Locator Beacon provides up to 250 hours of on-time and can be set to either constant ON or FLASHING. The light includes a handy carabiner clip for attaching to a collar D-Ring, backpack strap, belt loop, or any collar strap up to 1 inch wide.

Features:

Range - Bright, long-range light

Waterproof and submersible

Batteries - Uses 2 replaceable CR2032 batteries

Battery Life - 250 hours

Changes from solid to blinking with the press of a button

Fits both 1 inch and 3/4 inch collar straps

Carabiner included for easy attachment anywhere

Available in blue, red, white, green, or yellow

Contents:

Locator Beacon

Collar Strap Adjuster

Carabiner

CR2032 Batteries

The Locator Beacon is the easy, affordable way to keep track of dogs at night or in low light.

Orion Electronic SOS Beacon Locator Kit

Orion

Based on 14 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Electronic SOS Beacon Locator KitBeacon complies with all US Coast Guard requirements for "Night Vision Distress Signals" as found in the Code of Federal Regulations: 46 CFR 161.013.Flag complies with US Coast Guard Requirements in 33 CFR 175.130 for Daytime Signaling.Features:Flashes bright SOS distress signal in Morse CodeDuration: Flashes 2x longer than USCG continuous run-time requirementBrightness: Maintains constant light intensity 2.5x longer than USCG requirementLight source extends 4" above waterline increasing visibilityWaterproof easy and intuitive On/Off switchSOLAS Grade reflective tape at waterlineDouble O-ring closureMultiple deployment options - floatable, handheld and hangingLow battery indicator function - when turned on unit will quick flash for 5 seconds if batteries need replacedRequires 2 D-cell batteries (not included)Encapsulated micro processor electronicsHigh impact, high visibility orange ABS plastic unibody constructionIndependently tested by US Coast Guard Approved LabPacked in a reusable storage containerUSCG Approved orange distress flag (included)

Activation Method NONE; Frequency NONE; Operational Life (Hours) NONE
Battery Replacement (Years) NONE
Built-In Strobe NONE
Category NONE
Floats NONE

User questions & answers

Question:	Read the bullets. they do not make sense. why does it say none after ea bullet? does it float or does it not float
Answer:	Well I can say it's made very poorly, from China, floating or not, I would not recommend! I bought the US made Sirius Signal SOS, better quality, very satisfied .