Given the enormous size of our great brown land and the vast distances between population centres, there are times the outdoor enthusiast or weekend camper will head out into new areas to find solace or to simply just get away for a few days, often beyond mobile phone range.
An essential piece of equipment often overlooked are Personal Locator Beacons or PLBs. PLBs are devices that will allow you, via satellite, to transmit your location to the search and rescue authorities in the case of an emergency.
To ensure you and your family are safe while adventuring outdoors, we will show you the best PLBs on the market in Australia so you can make the best decision when purchasing this potentially lifesaving device.
| Spot Gen4 Satellite GPS Messenger | Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 | ACR ResQLink 400 PLB | ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
best value  |  |  |  | |
$15.35 per month | $0 | $0 | $32-80 per month | |
68 x 24 x 88 mm | 51 x 33 x 77 mm | 52 x 38 x 12 mm | 66 x 91 x 27 mm | |
Rugged Plastic | Rugged Plastic | High impact UV resistant Plastic | Rugged Plastic | |
Impact, dust and water-resistant @ 2m depth for 30 mins | Submersible to 15 Metres for 1 Hour | 5m for 1 hour, 10m for 10 min | Dust & Water Resistant - Up to a depth of 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes | |
4 x AAA Lithium included | Lithium Manganese Dioxide | Non-hazmat Lithium batteries | Rechargeable internal Lithium-Ion | |
0.142 kg with batteries | 0.116 kg | 0.148 kg | 0.150 kg | |
With 100% view of sky - SOS: 13 days | Tracking @ 60 minute intervals 24hrs/day: 52 Days | 24+ hours | 24+ hours | 200+ hours | |
1 year | 7 years | 5 years | 2 years |
Best PLBs Australia
Spot Gen4 Satellite GPS Messenger
Best Value
The SPOT Gen4 may not be the best Personal Locator Beacon on the market, but it has been proven to work effectively over the years and is the best value when it comes to price. The Gen4 is the latest version and is a small upgrade on SPOT’s Gen3.
The Gen4 is a great device for occasional use as it can be used for long periods with replaceable batteries. It is very rugged and the water and impact resistance will ensure you carry the Gen4 with you for years.
It has multiple modes so you can send an SOS easily or you can program it to send an update of your location periodically. It even has a help function so you can let your friends know you need help in a non-life-threatening situation without the need to alert search and rescue.
Some of these functions are limited however and only transmits one way. Another consideration is that the Gen4 uses the GlobalStar satellites that are, surprisingly, not exactly global. This means it is worth checking it covers the areas you are headed to before you go.
This product is best for those on a budget, those who like to adventure occasionally and only need to use their PLB for emergency use, not general communication.
Most customer reviews are very positive as when used correctly the Gen4 does exactly what it says it does – save lives. When compared to other products on this list, however, it does not have the functionality of other models, but given its price point – the Gen4 is the best valued PLB you can buy.
Louis' Opinion
This really is a PLB that is only good for emergency use, which is fine for the majority of people, but I find the extra functionalities the other models offer to be very useful. The big issue with the Spot Gen4 however is that the network it uses is not necessarily the best one for coverage in Australia and the last thing you need is to have no coverage in an emergency situation.
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1
Easiest to use
The Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 is a simple and one of the best Personal Locator Beacons you can buy. It has a singular purpose – to send an SOS and update your position anywhere in the world and for that purpose – it's the gold standard.
It was designed and built with this in mind, giving this PLB a rugged and solid exterior with simple and well-made communications inside. Its satellite coverage is one of the main selling points as you can be fishing off Hobart or camping out in the middle of the country and have the same extensive coverage.
The only downside is the lack of any other communication capability. It can’t connect to messaging networks, WIFI or phone reception making this PLB a one use only type of device. That being said, this PLB is suitable for almost anyone who regularly heads out into the unknown and only needs to communicate when disaster happens.
Customer reviews across the internet praise this as one of the best PLBs ever, however for a very similar price, you can also purchase other PLBs with similar coverage but the ability to message as well.
If you feel you don’t need these functions and want the ability to push a button and receive help anywhere in the country – then this is the PLB for you.
Louis' Opinion
I feel that this is the PLB you need if you like to go fishing or heading out into the sea fairly often as it has the best coverage. Like the Spot Gen4, it only has an emergency function so it’s not useful for anything but emergency communications, but if you are lost at sea and hit the button on this one – you will be found.
ACR ResQLink 400 PLB
Best for infrequent use
The ACR ResQLink 400 PLB is another PLB that uses worldwide satellite rescue systems allowing for maximum coverage just about anywhere you would want to adventure out into.
It is very similar to the Ocean Signal RescueMe and while neither would be considered the absolute best Personal Locator Beacons – they both are as solid as they come with simplicity in saving lives.
The ACR ResQlink is a little on the heavier side in comparison but does not require annual subscriptions to use, meaning that if this is used infrequently you won't have to scramble to check your status before heading out.
The main downside and this is by design – is the lack of a messaging service. While the best PLB may offer messaging, this PLB is simple, effective and with one button push, you can alert the world that you are in trouble and require assistance.
Customer reviews for this PLB are all very positive and are on par with other emergency only beacons, with the only negative based around its heavier weight than other devices.
It is easy to use, reliable PLB that you really can't go wrong in buying and using when you head outdoors and is best suited for hikers or campers who really like to get off the beaten track.
Louis' Opinion
This is another emergency only PLB or beacon for use when it’s all gone bad and you need help straight away. I have found that often this is all you really need to make sure you can be recused. Messaging is nice to have, but the ACR, like the other simple beacons, will save your life when you need it most.
ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator
Best For Staying In Touch