ACR AquaLink 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon

I bought this for my husband on his Feb/2011 birthday. I picked this one because it had the best features and the price was good too. I researched every product out there and chose this one instead of the digital Aqualink one because it also has a strobe light and a GPS that will bring the coast guard directly to you. The digital one did not have these important features. Watch the video on u-tube; there is a guy who demonstrates taking it from his belt clip and opening it with one hand; He made it look so easy and you get a good view of it's size. We look forward to putting this to use over the next several years. Now we don't have to worry so much. Fishing trips offshore are 40 minutes out; we end up watching the sunset on the way back quite often; once you clean the boat, clean the fish and get on the road back home it's late. How often does your husband remember to call home as soon as he and his buddies dock, especially with so much to do on their minds.

Well, I cannot give this a five star review because I haven't actually used it (and no, don't want to add the words 'YET' because I hope to never have to use it!).

It is well designed, easy to use, easy to deploy, the self check indicates it works and it is light weight.

The peace of mind it provides while out 20+ miles cannot be duplicated. If you go out further than you can swim, and most of us do, then you have to have one of these onboard AND ON THE DASHBOARD at all times. This does you zero good if you capsize and it is stowed in a compartment!

I have been boating / fishing for a long time since a teenager and thankfully have not needed this kind of device nor did one exist. Now, I am going further out on a larger boat with my children. While there are never guarantee's, this device gives me some comfort that help would be on it's way to our location. I know commercial fisherman and they don't go without an EPIRB. One minute in the water would seem to be an eternity and at that point I wouldn't be sweating about the money for sure. This one seems pretty affordable with the GPS.

This safety beacon if needed is easy to use, can be deployed quickly, and will give a unique ID that is registered to the owner by the internet. Its price is about one third of the cost of the beacon that I replaced and it added GPS technology to provide exact location for search and rescue. Indoor or outdoor mounting is easy and/or it can be carried on your person.

Great piece of mind at a reasonable price. Small enough to wear on you when fishing offshore or out solo and more reliable than other devices. Ability to test the transmission of the unit is very reassuring. Also received a first aid kit and strobe by mail in rebate. Great company.

You've heard the story before, only this time , I experienced it. Beautiful morning, out for a short cruise, and suddenly weather came up. That's no time for an engine to fail, so it did. Maybe things would have turned out ok, but it sure felt good pushing that button.

My AquaLink is always attached to my PFD when we head offshore. It makes me feel better and it provides that extra bit of insurance to my wife. She knows that if anything happens at sea, I'll be able to activate my AquaLink.

We reviewed several PLBs and decided the AquaLink 406 GPS was the best for functionality and longest battery life. We cruise in the Caribbean and will take it on road trips throughout the US.

So far this product has been great. Luckily we have not needed to use it yet. The test function works great to let you know your product is still functioning.

The ACR slogan says it all. This is my BEST last Chance. I fell absolutely safe having my epirb with me when i go off shore. Thanks West Marine.