ACR ResQLink View - Buoyant Personal Locator Beacon with GPS for Hiking, Boating and All Outdoor Adventures (Model PLB 425) ACR 2922
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Meerkat
> 24 hourGot this for Christmas. Registered the unit and tried to conduct their recommended Basic Self Test. Unit failed the Self-Test. I have contacted ACR. I will update this based on how they respond.
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John Passarella
> 24 hourPurchased this to keep us safe when were out and about on our boat or someone elses.
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Kindle Customer2
> 24 hourThe customer support is non existent. The unit is not locking onto GPS. Also they are charging more than the value of the unit to switch countries
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Mohamed Fritsch
> 24 hourIf this saves our lives some day what price can you put on that!
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CPR LifeLine
> 24 hourGood
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Rick
> 24 hourExactly as advertised.
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Peter H
> 24 hourReceived a brand-new sealed unit. Ran the self-test - failed immediately. ACR was initially very responsive, but then told me that all their stock is allocated to filling new orders and they dont know when they will be able to provide a replacement. I.e. if you buy one of these and it fails, good luck getting a warranty replacement. This is unacceptable on safety equipment.
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Tugboat
> 24 hourNice and compact, good peace of mind for the price
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Calidad
> 24 hourI opted for the slightly more expensive version..PLB 425 ..it has a nice screen that gives you instant acknowledgement the unit is on and working. (I have only tested it - not actually activated it) Comes with a carrying case ..you can attach to your belt or Velcro loop to something. I ordered mine from Orbital Satcom corp..an outfit from the United Kingdom. My first unit had an issue with the labels - the date of manufacture was missing (thus I was unable to register it with ACR for the warranty. After contacting both Orbital Satcom and ACR..i was sent a new unit...problem solved. Check your label on the box and the unit itself.. make sure date of manufacture is on there.
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Michael Hamm
> 24 hourIn my opinion, every boater should have one. If you are a hunter or hiker get one. Everyone lost could have been found by coast guard. Avalanches happen so be prepared for what you cant control. I pray I never have to use mine, but I am not afraid to take on the adventure now that I have one.
How An EPIRB or PLB Rescue Works
The Anatomy of a Rescue - Stage 1
When activated, EPIRBs and PLBs send a unique distress signal on the 406 MHz frequency to the Search and Rescue Satellites.
Each beacon is programmed with and sends a unique digital code called a HEX ID or Unique ID. The HEX ID identifies the type of beacon and, Search and Rescue use the HEX ID to identify the beacon registration information provided by the beacon owner.
This information can include: who the beacon owner is, the type of vessel the beacon is associated with (for EPIRBs), emergency points of contact, float plans, trip plans, and much more.
The Anatomy of a Rescue - Stage 2
After the satellite receives a beacon signal, it relays the signal to ground stations referred to as local user terminals (LUTs).
The LUT processes the data, computes the location of the distress beacon, and transmits a decoded alert message to its associated national Mission Control Center (MCC). This happens almost instantaneously after the initial beacon signal is received.
The Anatomy of a Rescue - Stage 3
The Mission Control Center then geographically sorts the data, and transmits a distress message to the closest appropriate SAR authority and another MCC if the beacon is registered to another country.
The RCC (Rescue Coordination Center) investigates the beacon alert and launches rescue assets to find the parties in distress.
Rescue Overview
- 406 MHz Distress Call Is Activated
- Search and Rescue (SAR) satellites forward distress signal down to earth Ground Stations
- Ground stations forward the distress to the Mission Control Centers (MCC)
- The MCC alerts the closest Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC)
- The RCC call emergency contacts and dispatch the closest SAR teams
- SAR teams arrive on scene and rescue survivors
- Worldwide – Over 48,000+ people rescued since 1982
- United States – 9,753 people rescued since 1982