Checklist

A personal locator beacon

Here's what to look for in a personal locator beacon (PLB):

Price and availability

The most commonly available PLBs in New Zealand are made by GME and TerraFix. A PLB without GPS normally costs $480 - $700 depending on the brand, size, and features. Models with GPS cost $650 - $900.

PLBs can be found in many marine stores as well as some outdoor and adventure shops. A comprehensive list of beacon retailers is available at www.beacons.org.nz. PLBs can also be rented from many tramping clubs and other organisations.

NZ supplier

Buy a beacon from a New Zealand supplier - don't buy one from an overseas internet retailer. Overseas beacons are coded for different search and rescue regions and have to be recoded for New Zealand. Some PLBs can't be recoded and are worthless, while others can but at a very high price. Avoid the hassle and buy a local one.

Size and weight

Most PLBs weigh around 230g - 350g and are around the size of a small paperback novel. Make sure the size and weight are comfortable for you. If not, you're less likely to carry it.

406MHz

Get a beacon that works on the 406MHz frequency. Don't buy one that only works on the older 121.5 / 243MHz frequencies (see Frequency changes for more information).

Fit for purpose

Get the right one for the job. If you're going anywhere near the water, will the beacon float? Is it fully waterproof rather than just splash-proof? Does it have a light, a wrist strap or another feature you may need?

GPS

While beacons with built-in GPS are more expensive (see Price and availability, above) they narrow down the search area from as much as 5 nautical miles down to 300 metres and also enable a much faster response. Think about it this way: if you fall into a mountain creek and break your leg, how long would you like to wait while you're located? An extra $150-$200 would probably look like a pretty good deal.