Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 Personal Locator Beacon

I purchased my Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1, on recommendations from my Hiking Club.My old unit had reached the batteries expiry date, and the cost of getting a battery replacement, was quite high. The other consideration, was the new RescueME unit was half the size & weight of my old PLB, and came with a 7 year battery life, so it was a no brainer to change.I looked at various websites to buy, and was attracted to the Outdoor Action site who offered an excellent & fast personal service with a very competitive price. After speaking to a staff member on the phone, I ordered my new RescueME unit online which arrived at my door the following day (Auckland to Rangiora). The new unit was impressively small which will easily fit into a pocket. John Carter, Rangiora

Battery weak when brand new (twice!)

I recently ordered one of these from REI, to replace an older 406 Mhz PLB. As soon as I received it, I read the manual and performed the unit test procedure. The test indicated a weak battery (< 2 hours of life). I ordered another one and picked it up at a local REI. I immediately went outside and tested it. Same weak battery indication. I had an REI staff member go outside with me to verify how I was performing the test and the results. I then called the manufacturer's technical support line. They verified that I was performing the test correctly. So I returned both PLBs to REI for a refund. I've owned a few 406 Mhz PLB's over the years, since the days when they were practically the size of a brick. But I've never before experienced a self test failure of any kind. ... MoreI recently ordered one of these from REI, to replace an older 406 Mhz PLB. As soon as I received it, I read the manual and performed the unit test procedure. The test indicated a weak battery (< 2 hours of life). I ordered another one and picked it up at a local REI. I immediately went outside and tested it. Same weak battery indication. I had an REI staff member go outside with me to verify how I was performing the test and the results. I then called the manufacturer's technical support line. They verified that I was performing the test correctly. So I returned both PLBs to REI for a refund. I've owned a few 406 Mhz PLB's over the years, since the days when they were practically the size of a brick. But I've never before experienced a self test failure of any kind. Two of these were bad straight out of the box. Hopefully it was just a batch of bad batteries. If you have one of these, please be sure to perform the unit test per the manual to verify the battery is okay.

Happy with the purchase

I haven't used this beacon yet, and I hope I never will have to, but I am impressed with it so far. I take it with me motorcycling. It lives in my motorcycle jacket. It's pretty small, and it seems robust. If I ever find myself in a ditch somewhere out of sight from the road, God forbid, I will have this device with me to call for help. By the way, it comes with a little flotation jacket which is attached to the device by a lanyard. It was puzzling to me that there was no way to unclip the flotation jacket, but according to the FAQ on the web site, they are required by regulations to sell it like that in Australia, and you can just cut the lanyard if you don't want the flotation jacket.

Incredibly expensive customer/product support

I had to send in my PLB for an antenna replacement. It was a very expensive ordeal, particularly for anyone based in the US, as you must send it to the UK for repairs. It almost cost me as much as buying a new unit once shipping, fees, etc are taken into account. Very disappointing all things considered. I’d buy a Garmin product next time, despite the subscription costs, because if anything happens to the unit that needs to be fixed, you’d almost be better off just buying a new one. So all in all, disappointing customer service from Ocean Signal.As far as the unit itself, it’s small and compact which is nice. Easy enough to use. Not much else to say unless you actually need to use it.

Provides peace of mind

Price is right for level of protection offered. Does not require a monthly subscription and has a 7 year battery life. If you need or want to carry a PLB to use in the event of an emergency this device makes sense. As a 70 year old solo back country hiker carrying this device in my pack sure makes sense to me. It’s a one trick pony - but it may be the only trick you’ll need. Haven’t had to use it yet and hope I never will!

Really small and light; easy to justify in the pak

To the reviewer a few months ago, Candace: I think you were misunderstanding the test procedure. It is alarming if Ocean Signal couldn't guide you through it correctly, but perhaps you misunderstood them. I guess I'm not that surprised that the REI staff you found weren't that familiar with it; if you haven't done it before, it's a bit much to process the instructions and interpret the results. I think you have it backwards; if you got one green flash, that means it is good, and hasn't been used more than 2 hours or tested too much. There isn't actually a self-test result that would indicate less than 2 hours REMAINING. The short version: a green flash means it's good. An amber flash means you should replace the battery, but it will work, and probably for long ... MoreTo the reviewer a few months ago, Candace: I think you were misunderstanding the test procedure. It is alarming if Ocean Signal couldn't guide you through it correctly, but perhaps you misunderstood them. I guess I'm not that surprised that the REI staff you found weren't that familiar with it; if you haven't done it before, it's a bit much to process the instructions and interpret the results. I think you have it backwards; if you got one green flash, that means it is good, and hasn't been used more than 2 hours or tested too much. There isn't actually a self-test result that would indicate less than 2 hours REMAINING. The short version: a green flash means it's good. An amber flash means you should replace the battery, but it will work, and probably for long enough to get your rescued. A red flash means no good.

Saved My Son's Friend

My son was backpacking with two of his friends this last weekend when his friend fell and crushed two vertebrae in his lower back. Luckily I had purchased this device just before their trip. My son deployed the beacon and life flight was on the scene within 45 mins. His friend had emergency surgery and is expected to fully recover. Without this device the incident would have been a much worse if not fatal. I'll never go into the back country without a PLB again.

Simple and Does the Job

Purchased and took it on a trip out west, in case. Was lost on the descent of Slesse Mountain after repelling through steep waterfalls and forested areas. Took the wrong descent path going down the opposite side of the mountain. Activated the PLB and within 2 hours an RCMP helicopter located us. As it was past sunset they communicated to us via a loud speaker while we responded with blinking head lamps to verify that we were able to bivy another night and wait for a rescue in the morning. We were rescued via helicopter roughly 12 hours later by the Chilliwack Search and Rescue Team. My Ocean Signal Rescume PLB-1 Personal Locator Beacon was on for 15+ hours at that point. This thing works! Got the battery replaced at Fogh Boat Supplies for $135 and is good to go for ... MorePurchased and took it on a trip out west, in case. Was lost on the descent of Slesse Mountain after repelling through steep waterfalls and forested areas. Took the wrong descent path going down the opposite side of the mountain. Activated the PLB and within 2 hours an RCMP helicopter located us. As it was past sunset they communicated to us via a loud speaker while we responded with blinking head lamps to verify that we were able to bivy another night and wait for a rescue in the morning. We were rescued via helicopter roughly 12 hours later by the Chilliwack Search and Rescue Team. My Ocean Signal Rescume PLB-1 Personal Locator Beacon was on for 15+ hours at that point. This thing works! Got the battery replaced at Fogh Boat Supplies for $135 and is good to go for another 8 years.

Small and light

The PLB1 is a quantum step forward over the FastFind previously owned, in that it is smaller and lighter: as I use the PLB mostly for hiking, these things are highly important. As is the case for most PLB owners, I have never used one of these things, so longevity and size/weight are the major criteria, and this unit rates quite highly. Obviously I'd rather it be cheaper and have a longer-lived battery, but compared to competing units, the PLB1 rates well. Johnny Appleseed, on the other hand, was outstanding in all regards. How did I not discover this place earlier?

Small and lightweight

Hopefully will never have to use this device but I am impressed by how small it is. I plan to use it while kayaking and hiking. It fits easily into my lifejacket pocket. It is much lighter than my previous PLB so will help keep the weight down in my pack for overnight hikes too. Instructions for testing are slightly confusing and after reading a couple of reviews where customers had received ones with poor batteries i wanted to be sure i was interpreting the results correctly. I found a few YouTube demos to be sure of what i was doing. Not sure this is a multi-use device as Snowys video states. The manual states that the battery must be replaced immediately if it has been activated.