As yet no-one has developed a PLB that also includes AIS, so if you want the best chance of rescue you need to carry both. There have been many threads on which is best, but in summary, since the AIS has a limited range of a few miles (it uses the VHF band), it is best used in areas that will have other vessels in range, whereas PLB's transmit via satellites and are thus better suited to remote areas. Given the pace of tech developments, I'm sure we will see combined units on the market pretty soon.
I recently bought a PLB after researching the available units. From what I could discover , they all do what they say so for me it came down to which one would fit in my PFD, battery life and price, but as they say ymmv
Cheers, Graeme
Hi Off,
I've got what Loose put up.
The ACR ResQlink + is the floating variant, the ResQlink (with no plus) doesn't float but has a floating pouch.
So of course I got the +.
I wouldn't get it again, its a lot more cubed in its shape than the normal one. It might sound trivial, but it really can hurt when you go for a tumble and land on it. And there is nowhere I can put it where I haven't landed on it! (shoulder/arm/chest)
The normal one doesn't seem to protrude enough to be such an issue.
The pouch gets attached to your jacket and the plb is attached to that on a lanyard, so in hindsight I would've gone the more comfortable one.
The AIS PLB is a recent addition. I am still trying to work out how to hang all this bloody stuff off the jacket without it getting in the way.
Anyone got a good jacket layout/setup they can share with a despairing soul?
Have a look at the KTI stuff. Australian made, Australian owned, 10yr battery life, 10yr warranty.
i think PLB/AIS are very close to mass market, if not already started.
seaangel.at/index.php?route=common/page&id=2906