Personal Locator Beacons

[pmccarthy]

My beacon is now 15 years old and I suspect a new one will be better than replacing batteries. What is the best and latest?

[PureCaboose]

I have 2, one is a passive GME PLB and I have a Zoleo for 'active' so my family can see where I am, message me out of mobile range. This makes the wife happier.

 

[sfGnome]

I had a Kanad, which wouldn’t pass the GPS self test. I returned it for replacement under warranty, and the replacement wouldn’t pass the test either. Given that each test drains the non-replaceable batteries so it can only be done a few times in the device’s life, I couldn’t keep trying so eventually I gave up. Maybe I just had bad luck, but I’ll probably go with the GME next time (very soon). 

[onetrack]

A lot depends on your primary requirements in a PLB. You need to list the features most desirable to you, for your own personal needs, and go looking for the models that supply those needs.

 

The features I look at, are;

 

Subscription model or free version?

Is there a need for messaging? Messaging models cost more, and need a subscription.

Primary design of the unit? For land or water, or for all uses?

Battery life and manufacturers warranty life.

Weight? Some people seek out lightweight models, if there's a need/desire to carry it constantly on their person.

Perhaps durability as regards crash survivability in a light aircraft crash, is also something that needs to be considered. I don't know how you'd measure this.

Inbuilt GPS. GPS-equipped versions have much greater positioning accuracy than those models without GPS.

 

It's interesting that the article produced by CASA centred around ELT's and PLB's, determined that only about half the ELT's fitted to crashed aircraft, actually worked in/after the crash event.

Against that, PLB's need to be activated, and it requires a person to be conscious after an impact event, to be able do that.

 

[BurnieM]

GME have a pretty good reputation and I would go with a GME MT610G - https://www.gme.net.au/au/emergency-safety/mt610g/

 

Have a look at the marine places or ARB. About $350.

 

 

 

 

[BurnieM]

Zoleo, SPOT, Garmin Inreach etc are not ELT/PLBs. They are satellite messengers.

While very useful they do not satisfy the legal requirement of carrying a ELT/PLB if you are travelling more than 50NM from your base.

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:42 AM by BurnieM

[skippydiesel]

I am on my second  GME, GPS enabled, Personal Locator beacon (PLB) . First replaced (probably at well in excess of 10 years old & still working but getting close to end of service life). 

 

They come in a nice neat package, good price and meet the standards .

 

Not having used one in an accident, cant really comment on efficacy, however did accidently trigger the system when doing the routine test on the second unit - Canberra called me on my mobile phone to see if all was okay (both embasing & reassuring at the same time).

 

Might be just me but I found the first unit to be more "user friendly" than the second.

 

😈

Edited Tuesday at 05:32 AM by skippydiesel

[Blueadventures]

I get the ACR range as have added feature that promotes visibility (Strobe & Infrared Strobe Built-in bright strobe light (one flash per 20 seconds) for night rescues; IR strobe visible to night vision goggles.)

Worth the little bit extra.

 

PLB400 as an example.

Edited Tuesday at 08:06 AM by Blueadventures

[BurnieM]

8 minutes ago, Blueadventures said:

I get the ARC range as have added feature that promotes visibility (Strobe & Infrared Strobe Built-in bright strobe light (one flash per 20 seconds) for night rescues; IR strobe visible to night vision goggles.)

Worth the little bit extra.

 

This one ?

https://www.acrartex.com/products/resqlink-400/

 

Edited Tuesday at 08:14 AM by BurnieM

[Blueadventures]

7 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

 

This one ?

https://www.acrartex.com/products/resqlink-400/

 

Yes, and they have a few different models.  Also, Amsa beacons always publish the list of approved currently available brands and models so best buy one they endorse.

 

It's also wise to instruct your passenger how to activate the PLB in case circumstances are that you are unable when its needed to be used.  Same for marine (Boating/ EPIRB)ops.

[skippydiesel]

Then GME MT610G , seems to tick all the boxes, without a recurrent subscription - just saying.

 

AMSA is the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Their focus is marine safety devises. They do refer to PLB's but state;

 "Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

This list is provided as a courtesy, showing Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) distress beacon models that, if purchased in Australia, are known to meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 4280.2. These standards are maintained by Standards Australia. To find out more about any beacon model, see the manufacturer's website.

There may be additional beacons that meet standards that do not yet appear on this page.

AMSA does not endorse any particular brand or model of distress beacon.

Note: PLBs are not considered a substitute for EPIRBs when adhering to State and Territory marine carriage regulations."

 

😈

[Bernie]

My PLB.. registered to our motorhome 

[BurnieM]

Unfortunately it looks like KTI is no longer made.

Should still be good for its stated battery life.

 

[skippydiesel]

Very similar looking to my GME 😈

[pmccarthy]

I ordered this from Anaconda for $490.  Local 4WD shop has it for $700!

 

GME Australian Made GNSS Personal Locator Beacon MT620GR 

 

Thanks for the advice.

[onetrack]

The Return Link ability of the MT620GR makes it a winner. No wondering about whether anyone got your cry for assistance.

 

https://whatsupdownunder.com.au/research/reviews/gme-mt620gr-plb-review/

 

[Moneybox]

On 28/05/2026 at 6:38 AM, Bernie said:

My PLB.. registered to our motorhome 

One of ours is the same as this. It lives in my prospecting harness. Before going out last season i pulled it out for a look, the zip was seized so the PLB was inaccessible. The case is so solid that without tools you'd never get inside. It took me a few hours soaking with CRC to loosen the zip and remove the PLB. It's still in life and tests ok but now has a good coating of lanolin grease on the zip and I check it once in a while. 

Our Ocean Signal PLB1 is in Mrs M's harness and is right on the end of its 7-year life so I've ordered a new one to be delivered with the new metal detector. At about $300 I don't think it's worth replacing the battery.