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This is really cool, I had no idea these exist and are somewhat affordable. For example: https://www.amazon.com/Resqlink-PLB-375-Personal-Locator-Buoyant/dp/B07

This is really cool, I had no idea these exist and are somewhat affordable. For example: https://www.amazon.com/Resqlink-PLB-375-Personal-Locator-Buoyant/dp/B07XG84FVP https://www.amazon.com/Resqlink-PLB-375-Personal-Locator-Buo... I'm going to pick something like this up before my next Wyoming adventure.

linsomniac 7y ago
I've had the ResQLink for 3.5 years, haven't had to use it for anything other than the test cycle, and have been happy with it. I wrote more details in a reply to the parent.
scarejunba 7y ago
Almost all the reviews for these are "haven't had to use". Look at this product https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/B07PPJ8RRM/ https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/... 13 5-star ratings - everyone should have one, I haven't had to use mine but it gives me peace of mind 1 1-star rating - gave it to my son because he jet skis. After a while it was rusted. Gave it a shot, didn't work. Reminds me of this xkcd https://xkcd.com/937/ https://xkcd.com/937/
- tialaramex 7y ago
  That's a fair point, and historically it was very hard to arrange to test a unit unless you were the manufacturer. So even a serious reviewer couldn't say "The FooCorp RescueMax failed after just six minutes in our ice water bath" or "Our testers weren't able to understand the orientation instructions for the FooCorp RescueMax and test transmissions were not received in the canyon test area" because they weren't supposed to try the actual function of the beacon at all. I believe COSPAS SARSAT and the relevant US authorities got it together so that it is now possible to arrange a test carve out, agree with everybody when and where the units will be tested and not cause helicopters of annoyed rescuers to arrive so long as you stay in the agreed area and only test in the agreed time frame. But it can't be made trivial, so chances are only really hardcore survivalist outfits will do that work.
- alfalfasprout 7y ago
  In the ResQLink manual it literally has you test it several times per year to verify correct operation. FWIW I've had mine 7 years and it's been through several battery replacements at the factory and been through several rough longer expeditions. No problems at all with the GPS test cycle.
  - scarejunba 7y ago
    Thanks for that. Is this the model you bought? https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/B07PPJ8RRM/ https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/...

linsomniac 7y ago

I've had the ResQLink for 3.5 years, haven't had to use it for anything other than the test cycle, and have been happy with it. I wrote more details in a reply to the parent.

scarejunba 7y ago

Almost all the reviews for these are "haven't had to use". Look at this product https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/B07PPJ8RRM/ https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/... 13 5-star ratings - everyone should have one, I haven't had to use mine but it gives me peace of mind 1 1-star rating - gave it to my son because he jet skis. After a while it was rusted. Gave it a shot, didn't work. Reminds me of this xkcd https://xkcd.com/937/ https://xkcd.com/937/

tialaramex 7y ago
That's a fair point, and historically it was very hard to arrange to test a unit unless you were the manufacturer. So even a serious reviewer couldn't say "The FooCorp RescueMax failed after just six minutes in our ice water bath" or "Our testers weren't able to understand the orientation instructions for the FooCorp RescueMax and test transmissions were not received in the canyon test area" because they weren't supposed to try the actual function of the beacon at all. I believe COSPAS SARSAT and the relevant US authorities got it together so that it is now possible to arrange a test carve out, agree with everybody when and where the units will be tested and not cause helicopters of annoyed rescuers to arrive so long as you stay in the agreed area and only test in the agreed time frame. But it can't be made trivial, so chances are only really hardcore survivalist outfits will do that work.
alfalfasprout 7y ago
In the ResQLink manual it literally has you test it several times per year to verify correct operation. FWIW I've had mine 7 years and it's been through several battery replacements at the factory and been through several rough longer expeditions. No problems at all with the GPS test cycle.
- scarejunba 7y ago
  Thanks for that. Is this the model you bought? https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/B07PPJ8RRM/ https://www.amazon.com/ACR-ResQLink-400-Buoyant-Personal/dp/...