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ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon

ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon

Item # 709917
!
This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

With an internal GPS and an external GPS optical interface, the ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 PLB gives the user unparalled versatility.

  • Can include GPS coordinates in the emergency satellite transmission via a handheld GPS, using the optical interface or using the onboard, internal GPS
  • FastACQ™ technology relays accurate GPS information to the satellites faster than all other internal GPS PLBs
  • Comes standard with a sturdy rubber holster to attach the PLB to backpack webbing, PFDs, belts and climbing harnesses
  • The 406 MHz transmission of the activated PLB sends a personalized, coded signal that uniquely identifies your beacon
  • Personalized signal tells Search and Rescue (SAR): who you are, where you are and that you are in a life-threatening situation
  • The COSPAS-SARSAT satellites that receive the PLB signal encircle the globe, allowing you to signal for help from anywhere on the planet
  • Signal is matched to the beacon-owner's data, providing rescuers with the user's name, address and contact phone number
  • Owner's data may also provide other important information such as any medical condition that rescuers may need to be aware of
  • Made to exceed the rigorous testing standards of COSPAS-SARSAT, FCC, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center
  • Once within the 1-mile search radius, the PLB also transmits a homing signal, allowing SAR to pinpoint the PLB's exact location
  • Comes complete with a 5-year lithium battery and a 5-year warranty
  • Waterproof, rugged construction is buoyant to avoid loss if dropped in water
  • Case and instruction label are oil-, water- and UV- resistant, with non-corroding metal components
  • Internal power source is designed to work when all else has failed

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.

Made in USA.

Item 709917

This item contains hazardous or flammable materials and is restricted to surface shipping only. Online orders for shipment to Alaska must be picked up at the Anchorage REI store (follow options for Free Shipping to REI Store when ordering); shipment to any other Alaska address is not offered. Sorry, this product cannot be shipped to Hawaii, APO, FPO or international addresses.

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ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon Specs

Specification

Description

Suggested useInland use
GPS/Satellite detectableOnboard GPS/Yes
ActivationManual
Location accuracy0.05 miles
Time until SAR notification5 minutes
Dimensions5.7 x 3.03 x 1.74 inches
Weight12 ounces
Material(s)Glass-reinforced polycarbonate blend
Water-resistance3.3 feet
Battery typeLithium (5 year replacement life)
Battery operational lifeOver 24 hrs. at -20C
CertificationApproved by FCC; COSPAS-SARSAT; R&TTE

ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon
 
4.8

(based on 6 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to set up (5)
  • Accurate (4)
  • Simple controls (4)
  • Strong construction (4)
  • Waterproof (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Survival (4)
    • Backcountry camping (3)
    • Day trip (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Outdoor enthusiast (4), Gearhead (3)

    Reviewed by 6 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-6

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    Jun

    23

    2008

    (24 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    A very inexpensive way to save a life!

    By Pete Peak-Bagger

    from Fullerton, CA

    About Me Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Accurate
    • Easy To Set Up

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon:

        I bought this unit in August 2005. It's been dead weight in my pack until yesterday on Mt. San Antonio, California, when I came across a hiker that had fallen down a steep rocky slope and was in terrible condition. I activated the ACR Terrafix and left it with the injured hiker's companions. We continued our hike to the summit. Two helicopters were involved in the rescue. They got the guy to the hospital, but I don't know his condition. A sheriff's deputy contacted me at home and said the ACR Terrafix probably saved the guy's life. He said they received perfect longitude and latitude coordinates from the PLB, which is why I checked "Accurate."

        My family was contacted within minutes of PLB activation, since the PLB is registered in my name. Needless to say, this caused some anxiety for my family until I could contact them later to say I was OK.

        I am utterly impressed with the PLB system and the efficiency of the people involved: Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, who received the satellite signal and relayed the message to an agency in Sacramento, California, who then contacted the sheriff's search and rescue team in San Dimas, who extracted the hiker from difficult terrain. This device is a very cheap insurance policy. If the hiker's friends mail it back to me, I will send it in for new batteries, and will never hit the trail without it.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (24 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        12

        2007

        (22 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        This techy gadget saved my life

        By Bluemotmot

        from Chico, CA

        About Me Casual/ Recreational, Solo hiker

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Compact
        • easy to use
        • Lightweight
        • Tough

        Cons

        • A bit expensive

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Day trip
        • Geocaching
        • Hiking
        • Mountaineering

        Comments about ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon:

        At 4 pm Aug 24 2007 my life changed. While hiking solo, and trying to get my dog down to water to cool off, I fell. I dislocated both ankles and fractured the right. Unable to walk, and two miles from our cabin, I activated my personal locating beacon. A rescue helicopter soon arrived, easily finding me by the coordinates communicated by the beacon. I highly recommend this unit for anyone who adventures in the outdoors. I will be spending three months in casts, but I am alive!

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (22 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

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        Mar

        7

        2008

        (16 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        ACR PLB activation helped save my life

        By nfreund

        from La Verne, CA

        About Me Avid Adventurer, Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast

        Pros

        • Easy To Set Up
        • Reliable Performance
        • Simple Controls
        • Strong Construction
        • Waterproof

        Cons

        • Short Battery Life

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry Camping
        • Day Trips
        • River Trips
        • Survival

        Comments about ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon:

        In Late January 2008 my ideal overnight backpacking trip turned into a foul weather disorientation. Multiple failed attempts to get off Big Horn Peak of the San Bernardino Mountains left me no choice but to activate my ACR 406 GPS PLB as night was closing in and weather went from bad to worse. During the night helicopters were hovering right above my location but dense fog and clouds disallowed an extraction. Less then 24 hours later I was rescued by multiple Search and Rescue ground forces that were lead to my exact coordinates via the ACR PLB. Thank you ACR for your commitment to reliable technology. - Nate

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (16 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

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        Mar

        30

        2008

        (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Nice Peace of Mind

        By solotrips

        from Crested Butte, CO

        About Me Bad With Directions, Outdoor Enthusiast, Professional

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Accurate
        • Easy To Set Up
        • Long Battery Life
        • Reliable Performance
        • Simple Controls
        • Strong Construction
        • Waterproof

        Cons

        • Weight

        Best Uses

        • Backcountry Camping
        • Survival

        Comments about ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon:

        Thankfully I've never had to use my system.

        As a 44 year old woman who likes to solo hike, I finally purchased a PLB to keep my family from committing me for being insane.

        It gives my family and me a peace of mind, but is certainly not a substitute for good backcountry technique and practices.

        Initial setup and registration was simple and the unit is pretty idiot-proof.

        They came out with the lighter terrafix right after I bought this unit but didn’t feel it was worth buying a new one just to save 2 ounces. Also, this unit is proven in the field and the terrafix is new and I’m sure will have issues.

        Biggest Downside:
        It is roughly the size and weight of a brick and I bury in some clothes to protect it.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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        Nov

        22

        2008

        (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        My PLB saved two lives!

        By Bill in Soldotna

        from Soldotna, Alaska

        About Me Technically Challenged

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Accurate
        • Compact
        • Easy To Set Up
        • Long Battery Life
        • Reliable Performance
        • Simple Controls
        • Strong Construction
        • Waterproof

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Survival

          Comments about ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon:

          I loaned my TerraFix to my neighbor who took it on a hunting trip to Kodiak Island, AK. Caught in hurricane force winds on October 25, 2008 he and his son anchored their boat in pounding seas and went ashore to huddle under a life raft at about 4 PM. Because of high winds and snow they could not build a fire and were at extreme risk of hypothermia. They deployed the beacon at 8 PM and were picked up by the Coast Guard at 10 PM. The CG was able to fly to within 200 yards of them. I've sent the PLB back to the factory and they are replacing the batteries for free and paying for shipping as well. Doesn't get better than that!I think every hiker and climber or hunter should invest in a TerraFix as the best insurance when in a life threatening situation which can happen quickly in Alaska and elsewhere. We owe it to the people searching for us to give them every chance of finding us because often, like the Coast Guard crew that found my friends, they too were in extreme danger while searching.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

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          Feb

          17

          2009

          (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          The best addition to my pack

          By Mojavegreen

          from Apple Valley CA

          About Me Gearhead, Outdoor Enthusiast, Professional

          Pros

          • Accurate
          • Compact
          • Easy To Set Up
          • Long Battery Life
          • Simple Controls
          • Strong Construction
          • Waterproof

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Backcountry Camping
            • Campgrounds
            • Day Trips
            • River Trips
            • Road Trips
            • Survival

            Comments about ACR Electronics Terrafix 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon:

            I was contemplating buying this product for about six months as where I usually hike is within 4 miles of my house. I have access to cell phone reception as well as strobe light distress beacon. The deciding factor for me was that my dad suffered a myocardial infarction while at home and has since then fully recovered. Since we also go hiking as well as gold prospecting with GPAA.ORG (gold prospecting site) in other areas. A lot of which does not have cell phone reception. It wasn't until after my dads heart attack that I had ultimately added it to my pack and don't go nowhere without it when I / we go hiking. Being satellite dependent means I don't need a cell tower to put a shout out for help if I need it. In the pros I checked all but reliable performance. Only because I have not yet used it. And hope I never have too. But it does put a sense of ease on you as well as your family by having it in your kit. If you phone has a dead battery or loss of signal you still can get the help you need when you need it. If my skills as an EMT are needed when I'm hiking it is the single most important piece of gear I have next to my trauma / medical kit. I hope I never have to use it. If I do then I will be glad I bought it. I also made sure its the one piece of equipment everyone in my group, including kids, know how to use.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            Images shared by Mojavegreen

            Me hiking in the mojave desert , taking a break.

            Image Thumbnail

            Tags: ME

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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