Compare Personal Locator Beacons and Satellite Messengers

What is a Personal Locator Beacon?

A Personal Locator Beacon, or PLB, is a personal electronic transmitting device that, when activated in a life-threatening emergency, sends a distress signal to the international Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. 

This signal, encoded with your unique identification code and precise GPS location, is routed to the appropriate search and rescue (SAR) authorities. 

It is a direct link to getting help, with no monthly subscription fees required.

PLB vs. Satellite Messenger: What’s the Difference?

This is the most common question we get, as the devices can look similar. The difference is simple:

• PLBs are for one-way emergency communication only. You press the SOS button, and a rescue is initiated. They operate on the 406 MHz frequency, which is monitored by the Cospas-Sarsat SAR network, and have a powerful signal. They do not require a subscription.
• Satellite Messengers (like Garmin inReach or Zoleo) allow for two-way communication. You can send and receive text messages, track your location, and send an SOS. These features require an active monthly or annual subscription plan.

While a satellite messenger offers more features, a PLB is often considered the most reliable and foolproof device for a worst-case scenario emergency.

Who Needs a PLB?

Anyone who ventures into areas without reliable cellular service should carry a PLB. This includes:

• Hikers and Backpackers exploring the backcountry.
• Boaters and Anglers heading offshore or into remote lakes.
• Hunters in remote wilderness areas.
• Pilots of small aircraft.
• Off-roaders and Snowmobilers exploring remote trails.

At GPS Central, we are committed to your safety. We stock the most reliable PLBs on the market, ready to ship from our Canadian warehouse.

ACR, Spot 4, Spot X, Garmin inReach Mini 2, Messenger, Messenger Plus, Montana 710i/760i, GPSMAP H1i Plus, fenix 8 Pro, Iridium GO!, Iridium GO! exec, ZOLEO & Motorola defy Comparison

When you're off the beaten path, there are more and more options available to get help in an emergency, or keep in touch with loved ones.

Which system will be the best for you? Have a look at our handy comparison chart to help you with your decision!

Product	ACR – 406 Link	SPOT 4	SPOT X	Garmin inReach Mini 2	Garmin Montana 710i & 760i	Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus	Garmin fenix 8 Pro	Garmin inReach Messenger	Garmin inReach Messenger Plus	ZOLEO	Motorola defy satellite link	Iridium GO!	Iridium GO! exec
Satellite Constellation	LEOSAR-GEOSAR maintained by NOAA	34 LEO satellites maintained by GlobalStar	34 LEO satellites maintained by GlobalStar	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	Skylo geostationary satellites + LTE + WiFi + Bluetooth	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium + Cellular network + WiFi	Inmarsat and Echostar geostationary satellite networks	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium	66 cross-linked LEO satellites maintained by Iridium
Coverage	Global	Virtually Global – mostly inland, some off shore	Virtually Global – 2-way messaging is Americas, Europe and most of Africa	Global	Global	Global	Continental U.S., parts of Canada and most of Europe + 50 miles offshore - View coverage map here	Global	Global	Global	Virtually Global – View coverage map here	Global	Global
Where does your distress signal go?	Cospas	FocusPoint International, Inc.	FocusPoint International, Inc.	Garmin Response Center	Garmin Response Center	Garmin Response Center	Garmin Response Center	Garmin Response Center	Garmin Response Center	Global Rescue	FocusPoint International, Inc.	GEOS EIRCC	GEOS EIRCC
Annual or Monthly Fee	Not mandatory – annual fee is only used for advanced self tests. Beacon testing can be done without the 406Link service.	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory	Mandatory
SOS	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Help – send for help to predetermined contacts	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	only if GEOS Service is declined in the initial setup
Check-in/OK	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Custom Message	✅ (pre-determined messages only)	✅ (pre-determined 120 character messages only)	✅	✅ (160 character messages when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅	✅(1,600 character messages, photos, voice messages, group messages, when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅	✅(160 character messages when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅ (1,600 character messages, photos, voice messages, group messages, when paired with iPhone or Android)	✅ (SMS/text up to 160, email up to 200, app-to-app 900+ characters via the Zoleo App when paired with iPhone or Android)	❌	✅	✅
Tracking	❌	✅ (additional fee)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅
2-way Communication via Text/SMS	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Send and receive group messages	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅
Make and Receive Phone Calls	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌ but can send and receive voice messages	✅(via LTE using the Messenger Calls and Garmin Messenger apps)	❌	❌ but can send and receive voice messages	❌	❌	✅	✅
Email Access	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌ but can send and receive text messages to email	❌	❌	❌ but can send text messages to email	❌	❌	✅ via Iridium Go! app	✅
Send and receive photos	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅ via Iridium Mail & Web app	✅
Weather forecasts	❌	❌	❌	✅ (via Garmin Expolore app)	✅ (via Garmin Expolore app)	✅ (via Garmin Expolore app)	✅ (via LTE)	✅(via Garmin Expolore app)	✅ (via Garmin Expolore app)	✅	❌	✅	✅
Mapping	❌	❌	❌	Sync with the Garmin Explore website or the mobile app on your compatible smartphone for navigation, waypoints, courses, activities and collections. Also get access to trip planning and topographical mapping.	Preloaded Garmin TopoActive maps of North America. Compatible with other Garmin mapping, BirdsEye, U.S. NOAA charts and more either via the Garmin Explore App or pre-loaded microSD cards or downloads (depends on map and usage).	Preloaded Garmin TopoActive maps of North America. Compatible with other Garmin mapping, BirdsEye, U.S. NOAA charts and more either via the Garmin Explore App or pre-loaded microSD cards or downloads (depends on map and usage).	Preloaded Garmin TopoActive maps of North America, 43,000 Golf Courses worldwide, Preloaded Ski resort maps, Preloaded cycle maps.	Sync with the Garmin Explore website or the mobile app on your compatible smartphone for navigation, waypoints, courses, activities and collections. Also get access to trip planning and topographical mapping.	Sync with the Garmin Explore website or the mobile app on your compatible smartphone for navigation, waypoints, courses, activities and collections. Also get access to trip planning and topographical mapping.	❌	❌	❌	❌
Pairs with IOS or Android devices via Bluetooth	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Keyboard for on-device message construction	❌	❌	✅	No. Use up and down toggle buttons or pair to smartphone for easy typing.	✅ Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard	✅ Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard	✅ Touchscreen QWERTY keyboard	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing.	No. Pair to smartphone for typing. Built-in speakerphone and microphone functionality.