Best Locator Beacons are essential devices for outdoor activities and emergency situations. They can be used to locate people and objects in remote areas with minimal effort. The beacons emit a distinctive signal that can be picked up by receivers from a great distance. They can also be used in a variety of ways to provide location information for anything from ships to hikers on a trail. By using a locator beacon, it is possible to save a lot of time and energy that would otherwise be spent searching for someone or something. With the right beacon, you will be able to get the job done quickly and easily, no matter where you are.
Best Locator Beacons
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Garmin inReach Explorer+
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
ACR 375 ResQLink+
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
DeLorme InReach Explorer Satellite Communicator
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Garmin inReach Mini
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
McMurdo Fast Find 220
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
ACR Aqualink 2884
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
MicroPLB 406
|
8. 0
|
1. Garmin inReach Explorer+
I absolutely love my Garmin inReach Explorer+! I purchased it for my outdoor adventures and I have never been more pleased with any other device. It provides me with detailed maps and route planning capabilities, as well as a simple way to communicate with other inReach users. The battery life is quite impressive and I have had no issues with the signal strength. Additionally, the device is very easy to use and understand. I highly recommend the Garmin inReach Explorer+ to anyone looking for a reliable and convenient satellite communication device.
- Built-in GPS for navigation and tracking
- Two-way messaging and interactive SOS
- Pair with compatible devices with Bluetooth technology
- Trigger an interactive SOS to the 24/7 monitoring center
- Track and share your journey with family and friends
- Weather forecasts and satellite imagery
- Compact and rugged design
- Long-lasting internal rechargeable battery
- Preloaded TOPO maps
2. ACR 375 ResQLink+
I recently purchased the ACR 375 ResQLink+ and I’m so glad I did. It’s lightweight, compact and waterproof, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. The self-test feature is a great addition, so you can be sure it’s functioning properly before every trip. The integrated strobe light is a great feature to have in an emergency situation and the GPS feature can help guide rescuers to your location. Overall, it’s a great product that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use emergency beacon.
- Floats in water for easy retrieval
- Reaches up to 24 miles
- Manually operated
- 5-year battery life
- Can be programmed with unique identification
- Global coverage with GPS
- Integrated strobe light
- Self-test function and GPS status indicator
3. DeLorme InReach Explorer Satellite Communicator
I recently bought the DeLorme InReach Explorer Satellite Communicator and I’m absolutely thrilled with it. It’s been a game changer for my outdoor activities. The device has a feature that allows me to send and receive text messages when I’m outside the range of cell service, which is great for staying in touch with friends and family when I’m out camping or hiking. Additionally, the device offers tracking, so I can easily show people where I am in real-time. Finally, the SOS feature is a huge plus for my safety. All in all, the DeLorme InReach Explorer Satellite Communicator is a great tool for staying safe and connected when I’m outdoors. Highly recommended!
- Two-way Satellite Messaging
- Integrated GPS
- 100% Global Coverage
- Compact, Lightweight Design
- Built-In Battery Rechargeable with Solar Panel
- Bluetooth Compatible with iPhone and Android Devices
- Rugged, Waterproof Design
- Comprehensive Tracking and Navigation Features
- Interactive SOS Functionality
4. Garmin inReach Mini
I recently purchased the Garmin inReach Mini and I am so glad I did. This device is incredibly powerful and is a must-have for anyone who loves to explore the outdoors. The features of this device are incredible; it has two-way satellite messaging, 24/7 global emergency response, and navigation capabilities. It also has a tracking mode that allows you to monitor your activities and share them with friends and family. I love the lightweight and compact design of the Garmin inReach Mini, and I appreciate that it has a long battery life. This device is also very durable and waterproof, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. Overall, I highly recommend the Garmin inReach Mini to anyone who loves the outdoors. It is truly a must-have for outdoor adventurers.
- Compact, lightweight design at just 3.5 ounces
- InReach technology allows for two-way messaging, interactive SOS, and location tracking
- Integrated LED indicator for visual alerts
- Battery life of up to 50 hours in 10-minute tracking mode
- Highly sensitive receiver with fast time-to-first-fix
- Built-in digital compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer
- Compatible with compatible iOS and Android devices
5. McMurdo Fast Find 220
I recently purchased the McMurdo Fast Find 220 and I’m so glad I did! It is lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to carry around in a bag or pocket while outdoors. The Fast Find 220 is also a great life-saver as it is equipped with a powerful, 121 dB signal and can be detected up to 2.2 miles away by both search and rescue teams and other beacon users. It is also easy to use, with just two buttons and an intuitive design. The McMurdo Fast Find 220 is one of the best personal locator beacons on the market and I highly recommend it!
- Equipped with 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz emergency locating beacon
- Features a powerful integrated GPS receiver for extremely accurate location information
- Compact and lightweight design for ease of carrying and storage
- 6 year battery life and 24+ hour operational life
- Built-in self-test function to ensure beacon is functioning properly
6. ACR Aqualink 2884
I recently purchased the ACR Aqualink 2884 and I am so happy with it! It is a great device for emergency signaling and has a lot of great features. It is compact, durable, and waterproof. The device is easy to use and the controls are intuitive, making it a great option for any beginner or experienced user. It has an impressive operating range of 28 miles and includes a multi-frequency 8.4 kHz transmitter, a 406 MHz transmitter, and a 121.5 MHz homing signal. The transmission time is quick and it has a self-test feature and LED indicators for easy monitoring. This device is also great for alerting search and rescue teams quickly. Overall, I am very pleased with the Aqualink 2884 and would highly recommend it!
- GPS Enabled: The ACR Aqualink 2884 is equipped with a built-in GPS system, which allows for easy tracking of the device.
- Highly Reliable: With its built-in self-test feature that ensures the device is working properly, the ACR Aqualink 2884 is extremely reliable.
- Compact Design & Lightweight: Despite its powerful features, the ACR Aqualink 2884 is compact in size and lightweight.
- Long Battery Life: The ACR Aqualink 2884 can last up to 7 days on a single charge.
- Flexible Mounting: The ACR Aqualink 2884 comes with an adjustable mounting bracket which allows the device to be mounted on a variety of surfaces.
- Rugged & Waterproof: The ACR Aqualink 2884 is built to withstand harsh weather conditions and is waterproof.
7. MicroPLB 406
I recently purchased the MicroPLB 406 and so far I’m really pleased with it. It is a great emergency beacon for those who want to stay safe in the outdoors. It’s very small and lightweight, and it comes with a belt clip so you can keep it within reach at all times. It also has a long battery life and is waterproof, so it’s great for extended trips out in the wilderness. The emergency services can locate you quickly and accurately, so you can rest assured knowing that help is on the way if you need it. Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase of the MicroPLB 406 and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a reliable emergency beacon.
- Integrated GPS/406 MHz/121.5 MHz Locator Beacon
- 406 MHz transmission of user data including distress, registration and identity information
- Self-test of all functions on activation
- Low power consumption, typically 4 days of transmission with a single set of batteries
- Minimum battery replacement for up to 5 years
- Built-in strobe light for visual location in low light conditions
- Lightweight, compact design with an ergonomic grip
