Buy a Personal Locator Beacon in NZ: 15 Top Picks for 2025

A personal locator beacon (PLB) is a pocket-sized device that fires your GPS position to the Cospas–Sarsat satellites when things go pear-shaped. Every unit in the 15 picks below carries NZ 406 MHz coding and can be registered free with Maritime NZ.

All are on Auckland shelves or ship overnight nationwide. Quick buyers’ cheat-sheet: Cospas–Sarsat PLBs give subscription-free one-way SOS, while Iridium messengers add two-way texts; new RLS models blink back confirmation; AIS integration alerts nearby boats; size runs 70–150 g, batteries transmit 24–48 h, float pouches or built-in buoyancy, high-intensity strobes, and Kiwi pricing of $400–$1,200.

Is a beacon worth it? Absolutely—activation cuts search time from days to under an hour, lifting survival odds dramatically. Downsides are few: you can’t chat back (unless you buy a messenger) and use is reserved for genuine danger. Ready to compare? The fresh 2025 models lead, followed by trusted favourites, each with blunt pros, cons and NZ stock links.

ACR ResQLink 410 RLS – The New Benchmark for 2025

ACR’s new ResQLink 410 RLS adds “message received” peace of mind without adding bulk or complexity.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Cospas–Sarsat 406 MHz + 121.5 MHz homing, RLS LED
• 77 × 51 × 33 mm, 114 g including antenna
• ≥28 h transmit, 5-year battery shelf
• Buoyant in supplied pouch, high-intensity strobe
• GPS lock in <30 s cold start

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Return Link Service gives a blue flash confirming satellites heard you; the upgraded GNSS chipset means rescuers receive precise coords even quicker.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: RLS confirmation; fastest GPS lock; pocket friendly
• Cons: No texting; slightly dearer than ResQLink 400

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Perfect for solo trampers and hunters wanting the smallest unit that still talks back.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

$639–$699 NZD from Burnsco, Gearshop and specialists; register at beacons.org.nz within 48 h.

Ocean Signal RescueME PLB3 AIS – Dual Alert for Boats & Back-country

Ocean Signal’s new PLB3 marries satellite distress, AIS MOB and RLS confirmation in one palm-sized package, giving Kiwi users a single beacon that works as well in bush as it does on the Hauraki Gulf.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Cospas–Sarsat + AIS + 121.5 MHz homing
• Return Link Service LED, NFC phone diagnostics
• 134 × 52 × 28 mm, 160 g, floats without pouch
• ≥24 h transmit, 5-year replaceable battery
• Dual white/infra-red strobes for night vision helmets

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

It’s the first PLB sold here that pings nearby AIS plotters while simultaneously alerting RCCNZ, cutting response times on water and land alike. RLS blink removes “did it work?” doubt.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: AIS integration; RLS feedback; tool-free battery swap
• Cons: Needs MMSI programming; pricier and slightly heavier than PLB1

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Offshore sailors, jetskiers, kayak fishos and trampers who split their weekends between ocean and bush tracks.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

Expect $949–$1,099 NZD from Burnsco or Smart Marine. Load your vessel MMSI, then register the beacon at beacons.org.nz within 48 hours of purchase.

ACR ResQLink 400 NZ-Coded – Proven Workhorse

ACR’s mid-price ResQLink 400 keeps topping NZ sales charts for good reason.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 406 MHz + 121.5 homing, 24 h min transmit
• 113 g, 102 × 52 × 37 mm, floats in pouch
• 5-year user-replaceable battery, bright strobe

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Proven bush survivor—modern successor to PLB-375 with sharper GPS and tougher antenna.

Pros & Cons

• Rock-solid build
• Cheapest ACR model
• No RLS feedback
• Needs pouch to float

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Multi-day hunters and DOC contractors who bash gear hard.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

Usually $579–$629 NZD at Burnsco and Gearshop; register within 48 h.

Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1 – The Smallest & Lightest

RescueME PLB1 remains the feather-weight champion, squeezing full 406 MHz punch into just 116 g.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 406 MHz distress + 121.5 MHz homing
• 77 × 51 × 32 mm; 116 g
• 24 h+ transmit; 7-yr battery
• 66-channel GPS; <45 s fix
• Waterproof 15 m; floats in pouch

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

The 2025 refresh adds NZ-approved user battery swaps, cutting long-term ownership costs.

Pros & Cons

• Tiny & light
• Under $500
• No RLS/AIS
• Needs pouch to float

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Trail runners, alpine climbers and packrafters who count every gram.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

About $499 NZD; Macpac and Torpedo7 stock NZ-coded units. Register at beacons.org.nz within 48 h.

KTi Safety Alert SA2GNZ – Longest Battery Shelf-Life

Aussie-made and NZ-coded, the SA2GNZ majors on longevity and no-frills reliability.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 10-year lithium battery, ≥24 h transmit
• 406 MHz + 121.5 MHz homing
• 138 g, 106 × 54 × 36 mm
• Built-in strobe, float pouch included

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Ten-year shelf life halves what you’ll spend on battery servicing.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Longest shelf life; under $500; simple one-button use
• Cons: Bulkier casing; no RLS feedback

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Ideal for DOC volunteers and remote farm staff needing decade-long cover.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

$449–$479 NZD from Gearshop or direct import; register free at beacons.org.nz within 48 h.

McMurdo FastFind 220 – Rugged & Waterproof to 10 m

FastFind 220 is the PLB you buy when a proper soaking is almost guaranteed.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 406 / 121.5 MHz distress + homing
• Waterproof 10 m (IPX8) without pouch
• 164 g, 106 × 47 × 34 mm, ≥24 h transmit
• 6-year battery, float pouch, LED strobe

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Proven by NZ Antarctic teams; the 2025 revision doubles seal thickness for even harsher punishment.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: toughest build, glove-friendly cap
• Cons: heavy, no RLS

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Kayaking, canyoning, spearfishing.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

$549 NZD; buy at Burnsco or hire via tramping clubs—then register it within 48 h.

ACR ResQLink View RLS – Screen Feedback Without the Bulk

ACR adds a crisp OLED to the ResQLink body, letting you read live GPS and battery status without extra grams.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 406 MHz + 121.5 MHz, RLS confirmation
• OLED screen shows GPS & timer
• 113 g, 74×52×33 mm, floats
• ≥28 h transmit, 5-yr battery

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Screen reassurance minus bulk is exactly what Kiwi trampers asked for.

Pros & Cons

• Live data on-screen
• RLS blink confirmation
• Dearer than 400
• Screen slightly higher draw

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Great for outdoor guides, SAR techs and data-driven soloists.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

$789–$849 NZD; register free at beacons.org.nz.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 – PLB Alternative with Two-Way Text

Need SOS plus quick texts? Garmin’s inReach Mini 2 is the go-to messenger for Kiwi adventurers who want more than a one-way beacon.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Iridium two-way SOS & texting
• 14-day battery at 10-min tracking
• 100 g, 51 × 100 mm
• USB-C charging, weather forecasts

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

It delivers near-PLB reliability while letting you chat, share maps and receive updates mid-trip.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Two-way comms; cloud-sync navigation
• Cons: Ongoing subscription; not Cospas–Sarsat certified

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Perfect for Te Araroa thru-hikers, cycle tourers and family check-ins.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

Unit costs about $629 NZD; plans start at $25 per month via Garmin NZ dealers. Activate online in Garmin Explore, not RCCNZ.

Spot X Bluetooth – Keyboard Messaging + PLB-Style SOS

Spot’s X Bluetooth adds a built-in keyboard and weeks-long battery life to the satellite-messenger mix.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Globalstar SOS + two-way texts
• QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth app, 240 hr battery
• 198 g; 100 × 72 × 38 mm

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Cheapest handheld with full typing—no phone required for replies.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: keyboard, solid value
• Cons: bulky, subscription needed

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Ideal for Te Araroa thru-hikers and month-long bike tours.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

$579 NZD direct from SPOT NZ; activate online and load emergency contacts before you leave.

ZOLEO Satellite Communicator – Seamless SMS Hand-Off

ZOLEO sits in your pocket and sends or receives ordinary SMS wherever the Iridium satellites see Aotearoa. It bridges Wi-Fi, mobile data and satellite automatically, so you stay reachable even when the bars disappear.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Iridium SOS + two-way SMS/Email
• SmartRouting auto Wi-Fi/cell/sat switch
• 200 g; 100 × 75 × 32 mm; IP68; 200 hr standby

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Cheapest communicator that auto-routes texts, letting whānau reply via their normal messaging app.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Low upfront; intuitive companion app
• Cons: Needs smartphone; ongoing subscription plan

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Ideal for roadies, van-lifers and rural contractors who flit through patchy coverage zones.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

Unit costs about $499 NZD; plans start at $32. Grab one from major outdoors retailers and activate the SOS function inside the ZOLEO app before heading off.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i – Navigation + Messenger in One

Garmin’s 67i fuses the inReach SOS/messaging chipset with a full-blooded handheld GPS, so you carry just one device instead of two.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Multiband GNSS + barometric altimeter
• Pre-loaded TopoActive NZ/AU maps; micro-SD slot
• Iridium two-way SOS & texts
• 165 hr battery in 10-min tracking, USB-C recharge
• 230 g, 62 × 159 × 35 mm, IPX7 waterproof

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

The upgraded multiband receiver locks on in deep bush and steep river gorges where earlier units struggled, while new power management more than doubles runtime.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: all-in-one nav + comms; class-leading battery
• Cons: heaviest unit here; premium price; subscription required

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Search & Rescue teams, alpine guides, and expedition leaders who need robust mapping, tracking and two-way updates.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

Around $1,299 NZD from Garmin dealers. Activate an inReach plan (from $25 NZD/month) in Garmin Explore; no RCCNZ registration because it’s not a 406 MHz PLB.

ACR Bivy Stick – Pocket-Sized Messenger for Budget Travellers

Bivy Stick shrinks Iridium texting and SOS into a 103 g tube.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Iridium SOS + two-way texts
• 120 h battery, USB-C
• 2 700 mAh powerbank

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Pay-as-you-go credits suit occasional adventurers who hate monthly fees.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: cheapest messenger; doubles as charger
• Cons: needs phone; not Cospas–Sarsat

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Ideal for Great Walks and weekend bikepacking safety.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

About $419 NZD; import through Kiwi distributors and activate in the Bivy app before departure.

Jotron TRON 406 GP – Commercial-Grade PLB

Need SOLAS-level grunt? Jotron’s TRON 406 GP delivers five-watt muscle and automatic float-free activation that’s purpose-built for commercial vessels.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 5 W 406 MHz distress + 121.5 MHz homing
• Auto-float case, 174 × 71 × 51 mm, 350 g
• ≥48 h transmit, 7-year battery, IPX8 10 m

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Only pocketable PLB meeting full SOLAS rules for NZ boats.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: 5 W punch; auto-deploy; SOLAS tick
• Cons: Heavy; pricey for trampers

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Charter skippers and commercial fishers.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

About $1,099 NZD; stock at marine chandlers, register within 48 h.

ACR AquaLink View – Float-n-Flash Marine Favourite

AquaLink View floats, flashes, and shows live coordinates—built for rough Kiwi seas.

Key Specs at a Glance

• 406/121.5 MHz, 72-channel GPS
• Floats unsleeved, ≥30 h transmit, 5-year battery
• Water-activated strobe visible 3 km

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Only PLB here with a display plus auto-flash on immersion—giving boaters instant reassurance.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: floats; on-screen feedback
• Cons: largest unit; upper-mid price

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Offshore yachts, jet-boats, river guides.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

≈$899 NZD at Burnsco or Smart Marine; register free with RCCNZ within 48 h.

Ocean Signal EPIRB1 Pro – Cat II EPIRB for Serious Offshore

Ocean Signal EPIRB1 Pro – Cat II EPIRB for Serious Offshore

Key Specs at a Glance

• 406 MHz/121.5 MHz + GPS; 48 h transmit
• Cat II auto bracket, also fires manually
• 178 × 89 × 100 mm, 340 g, floats

Why It’s a Top Pick for NZ in 2025

Barely bigger than a PLB, but meets SOLAS and transmits for 48 hours—perfect for serious offshore Kiwi crews.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: 48 h battery; auto-release; bright strobe
• Cons: Fixed mount; not pocketable

Best Use Cases & Who It Suits

Offshore cruisers, racers, commercial fishers.

Price & Where to Buy in NZ (+ Registration Tips)

$799–$849 NZD at marine chandlers; register at beacons.org.nz within 48 h.

Ready to Be Found When It Counts

Choosing the right distress device is straightforward: pick the technology that suits your mission, make sure it’s coded for New Zealand, and look after it. A true PLB is unbeatable for one-button, subscription-free rescue on land or sea, while two-way messengers earn their keep when you need weather updates or a reassuring text home.

Quick checklist before you head out:

• Confirm “NZ-coded” on the sales slip or packaging
• Register the 406 MHz ID with RCCNZ within 48 hours (it’s free)
• Store the beacon somewhere you can actually reach if injured or in the water
• Press the self-test once a month and the full GPS test each year
• Keep batteries within their service window and replace water seals if you dunk it often

Tick those boxes and any of the 15 picks above will give rescuers the coordinates they need, when you need them most. Need mounts, float cases, or dry bags to round out your kit? Browse the range at Action Outdoors and prep for the next adventure with confidence.