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ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon

$499.00

(11)

Item # 804323

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The ACR Electronics SARLink View 406 personal locator quickly summons help in an emergency—and it displays crucial data so you'll have the reassurance that it's working.

Screen displays a continuous stream of data when activated: confirmation that the beacon is working, exact GPS coordinates, battery power and correct deployment prompts
Optional non-emergency messaging allows you to send an "I'm OK" message along with your GPS coordinates to preselected email addresses (subscription required)
SARLink View 406 broadcasts a unique registered distress signal that tells rescuers where and who you are
66-channel GPS fixes your location within 100m; a satellite signal alerts Search and Rescue and a 121.5 MHz local homing signal guides rescuers to your exact location
In addition to the local homing signal, a super bright LED strobe light helps rescuers find you quickly
Light and small, SARLink View 406 is carried easily in a pocket
Fully functional self-test of the circuitry, battery power and 406 MHz transmission gives you peace of mind knowing your beacon will work when you need it
GPS acquisition test mode allows you to test the GPS functionality more than 60 times over the life of the battery
Once activated, beacon will continue to transmit for up to 35 hrs. in typical conditions
Built to withstand years of backcountry use, SARLink View 406 is waterproof at 16 ft. for up to an hour and 33 ft. for up to 10 min.
Includes a removable attachment clip

This Personal Locator Beacon should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger, and only as a last resort when all means of self-rescue have been exhausted.

COSPAS-SARSAT is an international satellite system that provides distress alert and location data to assist Search and Rescue operations. It detects and locates the signals of beacons operating on 406 Megahertz (MHz). The position of the distress and other related information is forwarded to the appropriate Search and Rescue point of contact through the COSPAS-SARSAT mission control center network. The goal of the system is to support all organizations in the world with responsibility for SAR operations, whether at sea, in the air or on land. The COSPAS-SARSAT system provides distress alert and location data to rescue coordination centers for 406 MHz beacons activated anywhere in the world.

This personal locator beacon has been pre-programmed with the US country code. If your country of residence is outside the Unites States, you will need to have the beacon reprogrammed by a local dealer or service center, which may involve additional cost.

Please Note: This item contains a lithium battery and cannot be shipped to APO, FPO, U.S. Territories, international destinations or Hawaii, and are only available for in-store pickup in Alaska.

Made in USA.

Item 804323

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ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon

4.6

(based on 11 reviews)

91%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Effective (6)
Simple to use (6)
Good instructions / manual (4)
Compact (3)
Easy to use (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry camping (5)
Backcountry (3)
Winter conditions (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (7)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (5), Survivalist / minimalist (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)

Reviewed by 11 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Oct

2012

5.0

works perfectly

By hatchetman

from Topeka,Kansas

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

I usually pack into wilderness areas where there is no cell phone coverage, satellite phone coverage is spotty, and the ACR SARLink View works to provide my family with assurance I am ok. It works great, and I am sure will work if and when I need emergency assistance.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

ACR SARLink View works

By Side Road

from Pacific Northwest

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Effective
Reliable
Rugged
Simple To Use

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Winter Conditions

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

I was looking for a system that allowed me to alert Search and Rescue in the event of a life threatening situation, and to also summon help from friends if I simply broke down in the backwoods where there is no cell phone service.

I was attracted by the Spot Connect initially. With this system, I could use my cell phone to send custom messages via satellite. Then I read some user reviews. Many who had actually attempted to use the service experienced problems, some with things as simple as Bluetooth connectivity. I wanted a system that was more robust, so I kept looking.

The ACR SARLink when combined with the 406Link service appeared to offer what I needed. A satellite network is waiting to receive a distress signal that includes the GPS coordinates. The ACR device also emits a homing signal on a different frequency. If help is needed, but it's not a dire event, a pre-written test message with GPS coordinates can be sent to multiple recipients via text and email. This isn't as nice as being able to send a custom message, such as, "bring two spare tires," but I hoped it would work.

So I purchased the ACR SARLink View from REI, enrolled in the 406Link Plus service, and registered the device with NOAA. Since then, I've sent several test messages, and the system works.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

It just works...

By kaylorsan

from Los Gatos, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Effective
Simple To Use
Works

Cons

Bulky

Best Uses

Saving Your Life

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

First off, I'm a past SPOT user. I loved the product. The size, ability for real time tracking and the price were great. However, mine quit working in the middle of a trip. My friend had the same issue with his. In the big picture, I carried it for emergency situations, but used it only (thankfully) to keep my friends and family in the loop for my activities/whereabouts. If I had needed it in an emergency, it may have let me down.

The ACR is a bit bulkier and more costly, but I trust in the quality of it. To me, it is a professional product, where the SPOT was for amateurs like me. But in the big picture, if I push the button for help I want to be able to count on it.

The ACR has the ability to test itself, as well as send your location to a group of people to let them know all is well. It lacks the ability for real time tracking, but I can live without that.

The SPOT is a great product too, but it looks like my quality issues were shared by many others also.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

The Best

By Brandon the Hiker

from Granbury, Tx

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Clear Instructions
Easy To Pack
Effective
Simple To Use

Cons

No Tracking Capabilities

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Campgrounds
Day Trips
River Trips
Road Trips
Winter Conditions

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

This product is reliable. I take it with me on hikes and backpacking trips. I feel pretty safe knowing I have a plb with me. The only thing that would make it better is tracking capabilities like spot has but I decided I would rather have the safety of a plb.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Perfect for backpacking

By GRT

from Plainfield, VT

About Me Professional/Guide

See all my reviews

Pros

Clear Instructions
Easy To Pack
Effective
Simple To Use

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
Road Trips

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

I'm using this PLB with the 406Link service provided by ACR, and so far I'm very pleased with the product and service. The device is very solidly built, and it gives the impression it can survive a rough environment easily. The PLB is easy to use, and the addition of an LCD display is a huge plus. The self test function works as described with the 406 link service, although I've found I get 100% of self test messages through to the satellites by opening the antenna of the unit. Be careful if you do this as the emergency button is exposed! Bottom line, I highly recommend the SARLink View and the 406 Link service!

Service and delivery comments:

REI provided excellend customer service and extremely fast shipping times. As always, REI impresses me with their stellar service!

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

(3 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Do not buy

By Minkislander

from Boston, MA

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Does not reliably perform

Best Uses

Door stop

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

I bought this product specifically because of its test feature that with a subscription is supposed to allow the user to send an email with a GPS location at the push of a button. Simply stated, that function DOES NOT WORK. I was able TWICE in six or eight tries to get the regular test to work and send an SMS only. Never got an email to any of five email addresses linked to the device. Trust me when I say I had absolutely clear line of sight to the sky, standing completely in the open and the PLB returned successful messages throughout the test cycle. Customer service at 406Link is essentially useless and said that the feature doesn't always work and you shouldn't rely on it. (I'd say it's more accurate to say it rarely if ever works and if I'm paying for a subscription to have the service I expect it will work as advertised). If you are looking for a PLB with this type functionality shop elsewhere or you're wasting your money.

Comment on this review

Nov

2011

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 PLB

By Bolus Flu

from Ellicott City, MD

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Clear Instructions
Easy To Pack
Effective
Simple To Use

Cons

Somewhat heavy

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

A PLB is something you never want to have to actually use and so far I've been lucky. In my opinion (after a lot of research) the ACR is the best of the PLB's. I'm an avid backpacker. I go away at least once a month into mountainous remote wilderness areas beyond cell service and my wife has been concerned about me. I opted for the ACR subscription service that will allow me to send an "I'm OK" message via satellite each night so she knows all is well. It's a preset message, so I can't get chatty, but she gets the important info. If something really happens to me, then the PLB gives Search and Rescue personnel all the info they need to find me and since it must, by law, be registered with the Feds, they will know that it's me as soon as they receive a distress signal from me.

I really like this unit. I would be delighted if it was a bit lighter - I'm leaning toward ultra-light backpacking - but I believe the peace of mind for my wife and my improved chances of survival should major accident occur makes it worth the weight and the expense. It is a pricey unit, but how much is life worth ...

Comment on this review

Jul

2011

(23 of 23 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Extremely reliable emergency locator

By jamess

from Washinton State

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Clear Instructions
Effective
Simple To Use

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry Camping
River Trips
Winter Conditions

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

I spend a lot of time solo in the back country of Washington, Idaho, and Montana and would not venture out without my Sarlink in my pack! I dabbled with the Spot "messengers" for a year and found them to be utterly useless, unreliable, and expensive. The Sarlink Vue, on the other hand, is easy to use and it works each and every time I've tested its functions linking to the high and low satellites to send a position report. I chose the "vue" model because its firmware allows 60 GPS tests in the five year period compared to a lower number for the non vue model. I also subscribed to 406 link which for a very nominal fee allows me to attach personal messages to my test message and send it to a selected list of people who have my back when out venturing. While I checked Avid Adventurer I am a professional Swift Water Rescue Technician and these things have their place on the water although I would buy the floating model for that purpose. I'm eagerly awaiting ACR's new ResQ link which looks to be half the size and weight of the Sarlink with all of the same functions.

Comment on this review

Dec

2010

(13 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

life saving device does save lives

By zylerman

from Modesto, CA

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Durable
Easy Setup
Easy to Use
Good Design
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Climbing
Day Trips
River
Winter Camping

Comments about ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon:

in a life threatening situation the ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon by ACR did exactly what it was suposed to do, it called for help and potently saved two lives. the price is so worth it if it saves your life.