ACR / Ocean Signal rescueMe PLB1 Review

If you want peace of mind in the backcountry in an emergency, the ACR / Ocean rescueME PLB1 is what you need. It’s the smallest and most compact personal locator beacon (PLB) that you can get. If you get into trouble in an area where you can’t get a cellphone signal to dial 911, hit the red button on the PLB1, and help is on the way. The rescueME PLB1 doesn’t offer two-way satellite communications like a Garmin inReach or ZOLEO, but it doesn’t have any subscription costs. You pay for the unit, and that’s it. I’ll show you how it works, compare it to a satellite communicator, and give you my recommendations.

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[tartanrambo]

What an excellent video. This really helped me to make a buying decision. Thank you for sharing your experience. Greetings from Scotland.

[readyplayer]

Great overview. I wish I had known about SARSAT PLBs prior to buying a Garmin InReach Mini about 4 years ago. I don't go hiking year round, so the month to month basic subscription plan made sense for me. Having to pause the subscription for the months that it won't be in use is a real annoyance, as is remembering to re-activate the subscription so that you don't end up with a paperweight in your pack while you're dying in the wilderness. The subscription fees also add up for a device you hope to never have to use; they start at $15/month. You also need to remember to keep the InReach device charged. For the type of hiking I do (always with a buddy, and always researched ahead of time), I think I'd have been better off with the combination of my smartphone and a PLB for true emergencies. I'm going to keep an eye open for updates about Return Link Service, and I'll likely pick up a RLS capable PLB for my next beacon. I would have loved a more in depth demonstration of the Test mode (though I know you're probably reluctant to drain the battery in your device, maybe you can record the next time you go through this?).

[roybm]

Very chilling when you think about how many lives this kind of devices would save. I read some brands are also integrating similair function in cellphones. But that will be nowhere near these transmitting powers.

[ORflycaster]

I appreciate your detailed explanation. My decision is narrowed to either this model or the ARC ResQlink View (425). It’s larger and more expensive but allows monitoring of the battery level and floats without a pouch. Are you aware of any other differences I might be missing? Smaller, lighter, cheaper and a longer battery life all seem like this model you’ve reviewed is the best way to go.

[joeglennaz]

Thank you for the excellent video! This is one of only two videos I’ve ever seen that goes into this much detail on personal locator beacons almost all the other videos leave out in my opinion some of the most important points would you covered. The differences in the two devices there are huge differences that need to be understood. As you do the best Choice in my opinion is to carry both devices but the personal locator begins having the battery that last five or seven years really makes a difference if you carry an in region you forget to charge it it does you no good also the extra power you have with the personal locator beacons say you’re deep in a canyon are you under a tree canopy that snow covered? You might need the extra 5 W to get a signal out These things are all probably rare, but if something like this happens to you, rare or not, it could mean the difference in life and death. Also, one final note that you made is the personal locator beacons use three different satellite, constellations, and as you correctly, mention, each constellation has a number of satellites, so that system was specifically built for search and rescue around the world, and as you said, most governments of the world subscribe to it, it’s really a phenomenal system. All that being said to a communication note is very helpful so that’s what’s nice about the satellite communicators as you’ve got that option as well. Again, if you can carry both devices, I would there’s one tip. I like to give out that I don’t see mentioned here there have been cases where people put these devices in their backpack or clip them onto their backpack and then they trip and fall, and their backpack goes over a cliff or they break their leg in the pack, slides down a hill and they can’t get to the backpack what I do is I take the lanyard to the POB and loop it through my belt loop that way it is attached to my person and there’s no way it’s getting away from me. Because I fully functional beacon, does you know good if it’s fallen over a cliff or even if it’s 20 feet away but you can’t get to it because you can’t move you broken your back or broken your leg anyway great video I look forward to watching your other videos and I just subscribed to your channel. Have a great weekend.

[ATrailLessTrodden]

Great video and info mate! Thanks, much appreciated.

[joeglennaz]

Thanks for the video. I just wanted to say you might want to keep your PLB on your personal not in your backpack. I keep mine on a belt loop. If your backpack goes over a cliff or you can’t get to it it’s gonna do you know good.

[davidcotton]

Great review most helpful thank you David

[impermanenthuman]

This is the combo I am planning to go with, primarily want to become efficient with map and compass which should preserve battery life of phone for (Gaia gps app) and also carry the 66i for a good backup handheld gps navigator which works without subscription (in case phone breaks) but also has the option of inreach messaging subscription if I choose to activate it for certain outdoor activities, but also a rescueme plb1 mounted on my chest strap for dire emergencies…a lot of redundancy I know but I will almost always be outdoors alone so the weight of it all is worth it to me and won’t be too far away from a vehicle at any given time either so won’t be doing any thru-hiking expeditions any time soon (until I am more experienced) which demand cutting weight

[tmstulg]

Excellent review. I'm new to hiking and this technology and have a couple of questions. I would buy (using your link) and register in the US. Could I have the same service if I hike in Canada? Do I need to register in both the US and Canada? Thank you.

[anthonyskilton]

Any idea if it could be used more than once?

[Patrick_Ross]

Curious why the “ACR” in the title? That’s a different PLB.

[keving]

Is that only for land or can it be used for sea

[Viajando]

Do you have a link so I can buy it through you?

[PaddleDogC]

Good idea get both because you can't buy a life but you can buy two rescue units.

[markfreese]

On the PLB. once activated, can you use it more than once?