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Difference Between Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and Satellite Messengers

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By Estrada Anton @ Shutterstock.com

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

PLBs work off of the COSPAC-SART international search and rescue satellite system and use a low-power homing signal. They are a one-way communication, have no monthly cost, and must be registered (required by law every two years) with NOAA. PLB’s downfall is there is no way to confirm your SOS has been received by a satellite or that a rescue mission is underway.

RESQLINK™ VIEW RLS – $364

  • Weight: 5.22 oz
  • Battery Life: 5-year battery life | 28 hours Operational Life**
    Unit must be sent in to replace battery.
  • No Subscription Required
  • Digital Display
  • Return Link Service (RLS) Functionality
  • Built-In Buoyancy
  • Strobe and Infrared Strobe
  • Exclusive ACR Skins included with purchase (customize your beacon and tailor it to your lifestyle and preferred activities)

Satellite Messengers

Garmin InReach: Explorer vs Mini

Both Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery

Freedom Plans: Safety $14.95, Recreation $34.95, Expedition $64.95. Details ($34.95 annual fee) * Suspend service when you don’t need it. Service can be suspended 1 month at a time at no charge.

Explorer – $449.00

    • Weight: 7.5 oz
    • Water-resistant to IEC Standard 60529 IPX7
    • Battery Life: Up to 100 hours at 10-minute tracking mode (default). Up to 75 hours at 10-minute tracking with 1-second logging. Up to 30 days at the 30-minute interval power save mode. Up to 3 years when powered off.

Mini – $349.99

    • Weight: 3.5 oz
    • Water-resistant to IEC Standard 60529 IPX7
    • Battery Life: Up to 90 hours at 10-minute tracking (default). Up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking with 1-second logging. Up to 24 days at 30-minute tracking power save mode. Up to 1 year when powered off

Zoleo – $199

  • Weight: 5.3 oz
  • Water-resistant
  • Battery Life: 200+ Hours
  • Plans: Basic $20 a month, In Touch $35, Unlimited $50 (Locations Share additional $6 a month) Details. When line is suspended its $4 a month. Suspensions are limited to once per monthly bill cycle. Plans can be changed online any time, and suspended or canceled any time after the initial 3-month term. *Weakness Cell phone reliant. See Video below.

SPOT X – $249.00

  • Weight: 7.0 oz
  • Water-resistant
  • Battery Life: 240+ Hours (10 Days)
  • Plans: Basic $16.95 a month, Advanced $24.95, Unlimited $34.95 (Locations Share additional $6 a month) Details. All plans are 12 month terms with the option of monthly payments or one annual upfront payment.

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E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy

E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zilldjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com