Personal Locator Beacon Hiking: 15 Safe Picks for UK Trails

Your phone bars tend to melt away the moment you leave Pen-y-Pass, reach the corries of the Cairngorms, or duck behind a Lake District crag. A personal locator beacon steps in when that happens. In the pages below you’ll find 15 thoroughly vetted PLBs and satellite communicators, each chosen because it works reliably on UK trails and, crucially, because it can put you in touch with rescuers when nothing else will.

First, a thirty-second primer. A traditional PLB is a one-way SOS device: flip the aerial, press the button, and a 406 MHz distress signal—relayed by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellites—heads straight to HM Coastguard and your local Mountain Rescue team. Registration is free and mandatory for UK users. Satellite messengers, by contrast, add two-way text, live tracking, and weather reports, but they demand an on-going subscription. Both have their place; the key is matching features, weight and running costs to the trips you actually take.

With that sorted, let’s look at the safest, most trail-ready beacons you can buy right now in the UK.

1. Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1 — Compact UK-Coded Lifesaver

Smaller than a Mars bar yet strong enough to raise Mountain Rescue from the far edge of the Highlands, the RescueME PLB1 has become the default recommendation for UK hillwalkers who want a pure, subscription-free safety net. Ocean Signal programmes each unit with a UK country code, so once you’ve filled in the MCA registration form the beacon is fully tied to your emergency contacts and local authorities. All that reassurance comes in a package that slips unnoticed into a hip-belt pocket — until you really, really need it.

Key Safety Features & Technical Specs

• Dual-frequency distress: 406 MHz alert to the COSPAS-SARSAT system plus 121.5 MHz homing signal for helicopters on final approach
• Integrated GPS/Galileo receiver pinpoints your location typically within 100 m
• Return-Link System (RLS) LED blinks when the satellite network has received your SOS — a welcome morale boost
• Weight & size: 116 g; 77 × 51 × 32 mm
• Waterproof to 15 m (IP68) and rated for operating temperatures down to −20 °C
• Seven-year battery life and self-test mode that barely nibbles at capacity

Ideal Use Cases on British Trails

Picture a solo winter push up Helvellyn when the clag steals visibility, or a coastal hike around Pembrokeshire where a mis-timed tide leaves you cliff-bound. The PLB1 is tailor-made for:

• Munro baggers who pack light but still want a lifeline
• Pack-rafters and SUP riders — the supplied clip slots neatly onto a PFD shoulder strap
• Duke of Edinburgh supervisors who must carry mandatory emergency comms without blowing the weight budget

Any Trade-offs to Note

• One-way only: aside from the RLS blink you won’t know more until help arrives
• The telescopic antenna needs a firm pull and vertical orientation; practise before setting off
• Typical UK street price sits around £220–£240 — cheaper up-front than a messenger, but with no tracking or texts
• Keep it on your person, not buried in a rucksack lid, otherwise that compact size becomes a liability

2. ACR ResQLink View RLS — Visual Confirmation in an Emergency

If you like the idea of a traditional, no-subscription personal locator beacon hiking up Ben Nevis but want extra reassurance that your call has actually gone out, the ACR ResQLink View RLS is the one to clip to your shoulder strap. It couples the 406 MHz distress tech you’d expect with two confidence boosters: the COSPAS-SARSAT Return-Link System (a blue “message received” flash) and a small e-ink display that spells out your exact GPS position and battery status in plain English. The unit also floats straight out of the box, so it pulls double duty on pack-rafting weekends.

Stand-out Specs

• Dual-frequency 406 MHz emergency alert plus 121.5 MHz homing beacon
• Integrated multi-constellation GPS; location appears on the screen in d° m’ s” or decimal
• RLS confirmation icon and countdown timer while the transmission cycles
• Buoyant, waterproof to 10 m, and fitted with both high-intensity LED strobe and infrared locator light
• E-ink display remains readable in bright sun or minus temps and sips power
• 5-year battery (24 hr minimum transmit time) and self-test with coloured pass/fail icons
• Weight 148 g; 115 × 52 × 35 mm

Why UK Hikers Choose It

Seeing “SOS Sent” and live coordinates on the screen is a morale-saving boon when you’re pinned down in a white-out on the Cairngorm plateau. Registration is still free: fill in the online MCA form, list your emergency contacts, and the beacon is tied to UK search-and-rescue databases within 48 hours. Winter mountaineers also like the infrared light, which air crews can pick up through night-vision goggles during late-afternoon call-outs.

Potential Limitations

The extra plastics and display add bulk—about 30 g heavier and a finger-width longer than the Ocean Signal PLB1—and it costs more up front (around £290). Like all pure PLBs it can’t receive two-way messages, so logistical updates to friends will have to wait until you’re safe in the rescue hut.

3. Garmin inReach Mini 2 — Pocket-Sized Two-Way Messenger

Want a beacon that does more than scream for help? The inReach Mini 2 squeezes SOS, live tracking, and text messaging into a gadget that weighs less than a multipack cereal bar. Because it taps the Iridium satellite network, coverage spans the entire UK — from the depths of Cheddar Gorge to the wind-lashed summit of Ben Hope — so you can keep chatting long after phone signals vanish. For many walkers it replaces both a traditional personal locator beacon and a handheld GPS, making pack lists lighter and group comms easier.

Core Capabilities

• SOS: one-button distress routed through Garmin Response (formerly GEOS), with two-way chat to rescue coordinators
• Messaging: send and receive 160-character SMS or email; pre-programmed presets cost zero message credits
• Tracking: 2-, 10- or 30-minute intervals plotted on a shared MapShare page
• Navigation backup: TracBack breadcrumbs, digital compass, and waypoints visible on the tiny but sharp MIP screen
• Battery life: up to 14 days at 10-minute tracking (more in Expedition Mode); USB-C charging
• Rugged spec: IPX7 water-rating, –20 °C operating temperature, 100 g, 5 × 9 × 2.6 cm

Best For

• Mountain-leader groups on the Pennine Way who want real-time location links for family back home
• Parents checking in with teenagers on DofE Gold expeditions — preset “All OK” texts avoid keyboard faff
• Tech-savvy soloists pairing the beacon with a Fenix watch or the free Garmin Explore smartphone app to type messages quickly and pull down weather forecasts without touching the device

Costs & Caveats

• Subscription is mandatory: UK “Freedom” plans start at £14.99 per month (pause any month for £3.50), or annual contracts from £12 per month; activation fee roughly £30
• Typing on the unit’s four directional buttons is snail-slow — carry a phone or watch for anything longer than a tweet
• Iridium airtime is global but message delivery can lag a few minutes in deep, narrow valleys
• Up-front device price hovers around £349, so budget hikers may gravitate toward simpler personal locator beacon hiking options if they only need SOS

4. SPOT Gen4 Satellite GPS Messenger — Rugged Budget Option

If you fancy two-way texting but your wallet says otherwise, the SPOT Gen4 offers a half-way house: life-saving SOS plus outbound status updates for roughly half the price of most Iridium-based messengers. It’s a proven workhorse for personal locator beacon hiking on UK National Trails, letting friends follow your breadcrumb trail without forcing you into a long-term contract you’ll resent come November.

Unlike pure PLBs, the Gen4 needs a paid service plan, yet it keeps fees and running costs low by relying on four replaceable AAA lithium batteries. Swap in a fresh set at a bothy and you’re good for another week, no power bank required.

Safety & Tracking Features

• Dedicated SOS button routes distress calls via the Globalstar satellite network to international emergency co-ordinators.
• One-touch Check-In pings a pre-set “I’m OK” text or email with your GPS location.
• Custom Help sends a different message—handy for non-urgent kit failures.
• Adjustable tracking intervals: 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes; positions appear on a shareable live map.
• Runs on 4 × AAA lithium cells; up to 1,000 hours battery life on 30-minute tracking.

Why It’s a Safe Pick

The Gen4 shrugs off foul weather thanks to an IP68 rating—submersible for 30 minutes at 1 metre and drop-tested to the same height. At 142 g it’s lighter than most power-hungry smartphones, yet the rubberised shell feels tough enough for scree slopes and cairn-top snack stops. For week-long backpacking routes like the Cape Wrath Trail the combination of long battery life and live location sharing hits a sweet spot.

Downsides & Fees

Globalstar coverage is strong across England, Wales and most Scottish Munros but can stutter in the far-north Highlands and Shetland where satellites sit lower on the horizon. Expect to pay about £139 for the device, £11–£30 pm for a plan, plus a one-off £25 activation fee. Remember: messages are outbound only, so you won’t get replies—something to weigh up against pricier, fully interactive messengers.

5. McMurdo FastFind 220 — Float-Friendly Reliability

A stalwart of mountain-rescue kit lists, the McMurdo FastFind 220 appeals to hikers who want the belt-and-braces security of a full COSPAS-SARSAT personal locator beacon without fussing over subscriptions or smartphones. It’s a little bigger than the Ocean Signal PLB1, yet the supplied buoyancy pouch lets it bob on the surface if a river crossing or loch paddle goes wrong—an edge over many pocket-only beacons.

Specs & Safety Tech

• 406 MHz emergency signal plus 121.5 MHz homing beacon
• High-sensitivity GPS receiver; typical location accuracy ≤100 m
• 6-year battery life (24 h minimum transmit time once activated)
• Manual strobe light rated to 1 candela for night extractions
• Waterproof to 10 m; operates from –20 °C to +55 °C
• Dimensions 106 × 47 × 34 mm; weight 152 g including pouch
• Free UK registration through the Maritime & Coastguard Agency; unique HEX ID printed on the case

UK Trail Applications

The FastFind 220 shines on multi-sport itineraries where water is never far away:

• Canoe-and-camp journeys on Loch Shiel or the Caledonian Canal, where a capsize could separate you from your pack
• Exposed cliff paths on the Wales Coast Path, giving you a floating fallback if you’re swept off rocks by a rogue wave
• Shoulder-season treks through the Peak District’s peat groughs—clip the pouch to a harness loop and forget about rain ingress

Drawbacks

• Lacks the newer Return-Link confirmation light, so you must trust the system once the cap is pulled
• The fixed whip antenna feels flimsier than on rival models; store it in a padded hip-belt pocket rather than the rucksack lid
• Street price hovers around £240—good value, but for purely land-based personal locator beacon hiking some walkers may prefer a lighter, RLS-equipped unit

6. ACR ResQLink 400 — Floating, No-Screen Workhorse

Think of the ResQLink 400 as the “plain white tee” of beacons: unfussy, proven, and ready for abuse on soggy UK ridgelines. It carries the exact rescue electronics found in the View model, but ACR has binned the e-ink screen to shave grams and pounds. What remains is a hardy, palm-sized unit that floats face-up, flashes like a lighthouse, and gives you the soothing blue Return-Link blink once COSPAS-SARSAT has your SOS.

Key Features

• Twin-frequency distress: 406 MHz emergency burst plus 121.5 MHz homing for air crews
• Built-in multi-GNSS receiver; typical accuracy ≈100 m
• Return-Link System LED for message-received confirmation
• High-intensity strobe and infrared light improve night pick-ups
• Buoyant without accessories; waterproof to 10 m (IP68)
• 170 g, 113 × 52 × 37 mm; five-year battery rated for 24 h continuous transmission
• Generous attachment loops fit webbing, belt clips or a mini karabiner

Who Should Choose It

• Hillwalkers who want bullet-proof personal locator beacon hiking protection but couldn’t care less about an LCD read-out
• Pack-rafters and open-water swimmers who need a unit that will float clear even if pockets flood
• Instructors carrying multiple devices for groups: the price drop versus the View model adds up fast

Considerations

• Feedback is limited to flash patterns—no live coordinates—so practise the self-test until the meanings are second nature
• Antenna must be locked upright before activation; grease with silicone every season to avoid stiffness
• Typical UK street price hovers around £265; still subscription-free, but heavier than Ocean Signal’s PLB1 for those counting grams

7. Garmin GPSMAP 67i — Navigation + inReach in One Device

The GPSMAP 67i is what happens when Garmin bolts its proven inReach SOS communicator onto a full-fat handheld navigation unit. The result is a single gadget that can steer you through a white-out on Stob Coire nan Lochan, send your partner an ETA from the summit cairn, and still call in the cavalry if the worst happens. For personal locator beacon hiking it’s arguably the most feature-rich option on the market, albeit one that asks for both money and rucksack space in return.

All-in-One Specs

• Multi-band GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) for metre-level accuracy even in steep glens
• Iridium two-way satellite messaging and SOS via Garmin Response, plus location tracking at 10-, 30- or 120-minute intervals
• 3″ colour transflective display readable in bright sun and while wearing winter gloves
• Pre-loaded TopoActive Europe maps and 16 GB internal storage; accepts microSD for OS 1:25 k mapping (BirdsEye direct download)
• Monster battery: up to 35 days in Expedition Mode or 165 hours with 10-minute tracking (USB-C rechargeable)
• Rugged MIL-STD-810 build, IPX7 waterproof, –20 °C operating range, 230 g including lithium pack

Field Advantages

• One device instead of two: saves faff when you’re route-finding on the Cuillin Ridge then need to text a change of plan to base camp.
• Large screen makes on-the-fly reroutes painless; pinch-zoom OS mapping is streets ahead of breadcrumb-only messengers.
• Smart pairing: download Met Office forecasts over Iridium, sync completed tracks to the Explore app when you regain mobile signal, or share a live MapShare link with family for long crossings such as the Southern Upland Way.
• Built-in electronic compass, barometric altimeter and flashlight mean fewer separate widgets cluttering pockets.

Watch-outs

• Pricey: about £549 for the unit plus compulsory inReach airtime (plans from £14.99 pm, activation £30).
• Heavier and bulkier than a Mini 2 or standalone PLB; stash it on a shoulder strap for quick access.
• Messaging without a phone relies on the rocker keypad — fine for short texts, tedious for camp-fire chats.
• Firmware updates and BirdsEye downloads need Wi-Fi or USB, so sort those before you leave the house.

8. ZOLEO Satellite Communicator — Seamless Phone Messaging

ZOLEO sits in a sweet spot between a bare-bones PLB and Garmin’s all-singing messengers. The puck-shaped unit tucks into a jacket pocket yet, when paired with its free smartphone app, unlocks two-way SMS, email and weather anywhere in the UK. Under the bonnet it uses the Iridium network for global reach but cleverly auto-routes messages over mobile or Wi-Fi whenever those signals pop back up, saving you credits and battery. For personal locator beacon hiking where you mostly want to reassure friends rather than juggle on-device menus, ZOLEO is hard to beat.

What It Offers

• One-button SOS to the 24/7 Garmin Response centre (previously GEOS) with two-way chat to rescue coordinators
• Two-way SMS and email messaging up to 900 characters via the ZOLEO app
• App auto-switches between satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi, so messages still arrive at home even before you’re off the hill
• Location share and check-in feature sends a map pin with a single tap
• DarkSky-powered weather forecasts downloaded direct to the app
• Rugged IP68 housing (2 m waterproof, dust-proof, MIL-STD-810F shock), 150 g, USB-C charging; 200-hour battery on 10-minute check-ins

Best Scenarios

1. West Highland Way groups who want nightly updates without paying multiple inReach subscriptions
2. Couples on the South Downs Way—one message thread combines satellite and normal texts, so there’s no confusion about which number to use
3. Day-walkers in Snowdonia: clip the unit to a pack strap, stash the phone inside a dry-bag, and still have full keyboard access when you break for lunch

Limitations & Costs

• Needs a Bluetooth-linked phone for almost all functions; the device itself only has Check-In and SOS LEDs
• No onboard maps or navigation tools—carry a separate GPS or paper OS map
• Hardware costs about £199; monthly plans start at £18 (25 satellite messages) with unlimited cellular/Wi-Fi, stoppable for £4 during the off-season
• International number allocation means replies from UK contacts are charged at their network’s standard international SMS rate

9. Bivy Stick Blue — Pay-As-You-Go Flexibility

Not everyone needs a rolling subscription for the handful of weekends they leave the beaten track. The Bivy Stick Blue solves that budget headache with a simple credit model: buy the unit, top-up only when a trip looms, and any unused credits remain for three years. Under the plastic shell sits the same Iridium modem used by bigger Garmins, so coverage spans every corner of the British Isles — even the phone-black corries of Knoydart.

Safety & Communication Features

• One-touch SOS routed to Global Rescue with two-way text conversation
• Two-way SMS and email from the companion Bivy app (iOS & Android)
• Location share at 2, 10, 30 or 60-minute intervals; breadcrumb map visible to invited contacts
• Offline topo maps and GPX import in the app for emergency nav back-up
• Internal rechargeable battery: ≈ 120 h on 10-min tracking; USB-C port for field charging
• Pocket-friendly: 100 g; 108 × 47 × 12 mm; IPX7 water-rating

Why It’s UK-Hiker-Friendly

• Credits start at roughly £1 per text or tracking hour; a £40 top-up easily covers a long weekend on the Glyders without tying you to monthly fees.
• Perfect for occasional peak-baggers, Duke of Edinburgh supervisors or kit-hire businesses where usage is sporadic.
• The Bivy app doubles as an offline map viewer for OS-style tiles; download areas over Wi-Fi before you head for the hills and you’ve a belt-and-braces backup if the paper map blows away.

Trade-offs

• The device is practically mute without a phone — lose or drown your handset and you’re left with SOS only.
• Limited UK stock means you may need to order from a specialist satellite retailer; allow shipping time before an expedition.
• Credits are non-refundable, and high-volume users will find a standard messenger subscription cheaper in the long run.

10. ACR AquaLink View — Float & Display for Multi-Sport Adventurers

Take the guts of a ship-grade emergency beacon, add a readable screen, and seal the whole thing in a brick that floats face-up. That’s the ACR AquaLink View in a nutshell. It’s the PLB many sea-kayakers already trust and, because it shares the same 406 MHz satellite path as the lighter hiking beacons on this list, it doubles perfectly for long treks where river fords, pack-rafts or tidal crossings lurk on the itinerary. If your personal locator beacon hiking plans routinely overlap with paddling, sailing or wild swimming, paying the weight penalty may feel like cheap insurance.

Specs Snapshot

• Dual-frequency distress: 406 MHz alert plus 121.5 MHz homing tone
• High-sensitivity GPS with live coordinates shown on a two-line LCD
• Screen icons confirm SOS sent, battery status and remaining transmission time
• Floats without a pouch; activates automatically if submerged for 20 seconds
• Rugged to IPX7, operates –20 °C to +55 °C
• User-replaceable lithium battery with 10-year shelf life (full kit replacement rather than coin cell)
• Dimensions 146 × 67 × 38 mm; weight ≈ 300 g

Advantages on Mixed Terrain

Swapping Cornish surf for the Jurassic Coast ridge walk? Clip the AquaLink to a buoyancy aid during the morning paddle, then slide it into a hip-belt pocket for the afternoon hike—no extra cases or lanyards required. The LCD lets you read your exact grid reference in poor visibility, handy if you also need to relay your position to Mountain Rescue via a borrowed VHF or passing hillwalker’s phone. The automatic water activation adds a vital back-up should you become incapacitated after a capsize.

Cons

• At roughly 300 g it is the heaviest beacon in this roundup; gram counters will baulk.
• Street price of ~£350 buys two smaller PLB1s—or a lightweight messenger plus a year of basic airtime.
• Lacks the newer Return-Link confirmation light, so visual reassurance stops at the “SOS Sent” icon.

11. SPOT X with Bluetooth — 2-Way Messaging + Keyboard

Not keen on pecking out texts through a watch or juggling a phone in driving rain? The SPOT X gives you a built-in backlit QWERTY keyboard and its own UK mobile number, so you can bash out weather updates or last-minute campsite changes even when your handset is flat. Unlike SPOT’s simpler Gen4, this model receives replies as well, turning it into a proper conversation tool for personal locator beacon hiking on long, remote routes.

Killer Features

• Dedicated SOS button linked to Globalstar’s 24/7 emergency centre.
• Two-way SMS and email up to 140 characters; each unit is assigned a UK-style number.
• Bluetooth pairing with iOS/Android lets you type on your phone when conditions allow.
• Live tracking at 2.5, 5, 10, 30 or 60-minute intervals; routes visible on a shareable web page.
• Rechargeable 1,300 mAh battery: up to 240 hrs in 10-minute tracking mode; micro-USB re-top up from a power bank.
• Rugged IP67 shell, 198 g, 166 × 74 × 39 mm; operates down to –20 °C.

Trail Benefits

• Physical keyboard and thumbstick work perfectly in gloves—ideal for a soggy Hadrian’s Wall Path or winter ascent of Ben Macdui where touchscreens sulk.
• Standalone operation means you can leave the smartphone buried deep in a dry bag and still send ETA changes to your lift home.
• Check-in and Custom buttons let you blast pre-written messages without scrolling menus—handy when daylight is fading.

Cautions

• Globalstar’s lower-angle satellites can cause delivery lags in steep Highland corries; SOS gets priority, but non-emergency texts may queue.
• Heavier and bulkier than most messengers; stash on a hip-belt rather than headstrap.
• Device costs about £249 plus £12–£30 pm service plan and a £25 activation fee.
• Small keys suit brief messages; epic trip reports will cramp thumbs.

12. Ocean Signal PLB3 AIS & RLS — Future-Proof Beacon

Ocean Signal’s newest release feels like a glimpse of where personal locator beacon hiking tech is headed. The PLB3 keeps the pocket-friendly form factor of the brand’s PLB1, but layers on two extra lifelines: an AIS broadcast that alerts any vessel within VHF range and the COSPAS-SARSAT Return-Link confirmation light. Add NFC logging that lets you run a full self-test via your phone, and you’re looking at a beacon built for the next decade of UK adventures on land and water alike.

Tech Highlights

• Dual emergency outputs: 406 MHz global distress signal plus AIS VHF burst picked up by nearby boats and SAR helicopters
• Multi-GNSS GPS/Galileo receiver; typical accuracy ≤100 m
• Blue Return-Link LED flashes when the satellite network has received your SOS
• NFC chip pairs with the free Ocean Signal app to display battery health, GPS fix times and self-test history
• Integrated high-intensity strobe and infrared light; waterproof to 15 m, floats with supplied buoyancy clip
• Weight 160 g; 94 × 51 × 38 mm; seven-year battery, 24 h minimum transmit time

Relevance for UK Hikers

Carry a PLB3 on pack-rafting loops around Knoydart or multi-day coastal treks such as the South West Coast Path and you gain a second rescue net: any fishing boat or Coastguard cutter within roughly four nautical miles will see your live AIS target on their chartplotter. For inland personal locator beacon hiking the AIS element does nothing, but the RLS reassurance blink and easy NFC diagnostics still outshine most traditional PLBs.

Downsides

• Premium price tag of about £399—nearly double a PLB1
• Slightly bulkier; jacket pockets that swallow a PLB1 may feel snug
• AIS adds complexity: remember to keep the antenna vertical and clear of rucksack straps so the VHF signal isn’t blocked
• As with all pure PLBs, no two-way texting or tracking—budget extra weight and cash if those features matter.

13. Garmin inReach Messenger — Battery Bank Plus SOS

Think of the inReach Messenger as the Swiss Army knife of satellite communicators: a palm-sized puck that sends SOS, keeps your WhatsApp-style chats ticking, and tops up your phone when its battery gasps on day four of sideways rain. Garmin stripped away mapping and fancy widgets, funnelling the saved space into a 3,000 mAh power cell and a longer-reach antenna. The result is a unit built for UK thru-hikes where sockets are rarer than breeze blocks.

Key Specs

• Global Iridium two-way messaging and one-button SOS to Garmin Response
• 28-day battery life with 10-minute tracking (USB-C recharge; doubles as a power bank)
• Smart-Routing: the Garmin Messenger app auto-switches between satellite, Wi-Fi and 4G to save credits
• IPX7 waterproof, MIL-STD-810 shock tested; 113 g, 97 × 63 × 23 mm
• Dot-matrix screen shows message snippets, signal strength and battery – enough to function without a phone in an emergency
• Check-In shortcut sends preset “All OK” plus a map pin to chosen contacts

Ideal Users

• Cape Wrath Trail thru-hikers who need to trickle-charge a smartphone for photos and OS mapping yet still raise Mountain Rescue if the river at Carnoch is raging
• Multi-day charity walkers posting daily updates to social media – Smart-Routing pushes texts over hostel Wi-Fi, leaving pricey Iridium bytes for the remote sections
• Outdoor instructors overseeing several student groups: the 360-hour battery means one less nightly recharge faff in damp barns

Limitations

• No onboard navigation: you’ll still need a GPS, map, or the phone it’s keeping alive
• Interaction is app-first; the device’s two buttons let you scroll messages, but composing beyond “Yes” or “No” is painful without the touchscreen keyboard
• Subscription compulsory – UK Freedom plans from £14.99 pm plus £30 activation; pausing costs £3.50 per month
• Slightly heavier than the inReach Mini 2; ultralighters may balk at carrying both a messenger and a separate GPS

14. ACR ResQLink AIS — PLB Meets Marine Tech

Hillwalkers who also spend time in a kayak, canoe or sailing dinghy often face a dilemma: carry a land PLB for the fells and a separate AIS MOB beacon for the water, or gamble on one or the other. The ACR ResQLink AIS lets you keep your load light by fusing both systems into a single, pocket-sized unit that still talks to the UK Coastguard via the 406 MHz COSPAS-SARSAT network.

Stand-out Features

• Dual distress signalling
  • 406 MHz alert + encoded GPS coordinates to international rescue centres
  • AIS VHF burst that paints your position as a yellow “MOB” target on any vessel’s chart-plotter within ≈ 5 NM
• Multi-constellation GPS/Galileo for sub-100 m accuracy
• Floats face-up; high-intensity LED and infrared strobes aid night searches
• Five-year battery (24 h minimum transmit time once triggered)
• Rugged IP68 build, operates –20 °C to +55 °C
• Weight ≈ 190 g; 116 × 53 × 38 mm; belt clip and lanyard supplied
• Free UK registration with the MCA; HEX ID and MMSI printed on the case

Why It’s on This List

For coastal sections of the South West Coast Path or pack-rafting on Loch Sunart the AIS burst provides an extra safety net: nearby fishing boats or RNLI lifeboats see you instantly on their screens—no waiting for satellite routing. On purely land-based days it reverts to a standard, subscription-free PLB, making it one of the most versatile options for personal locator beacon hiking enthusiasts who dabble in water sports.

Consider Before Buying

• AIS offers zero benefit on inland fells; you’re carrying extra grams for no gain away from the sea
• No Return-Link System feedback—once the cap is off you must trust the network
• Slightly bulkier than Ocean Signal’s PLB1 and costs more (around £330)
• Antenna must remain fully vertical for AIS range, so practise deployment with winter gloves on

15. KTI Safety Alert SA2G — Value-Focused UK-Programmed Beacon

Price tags on some beacons can make you gulp harder than a mid-winter wind-lip, which is why the Australian-made KTI Safety Alert SA2G has quietly built a following among cash-conscious British hikers. It delivers the core life-saving tech—a 406 MHz distress burst, 121.5 MHz homing tone and bright strobe—at noticeably less cash than many rivals, yet still comes pre-programmed with a UK country code for painless MCA registration. Think of it as the dependable Ford Fiesta of personal locator beacon hiking: not flashy, but it gets the job done when the wheels come off.

Features & Specs

• 406 MHz COSPAS-SARSAT alert plus 121.5 MHz homing beacon
• 72-channel GPS; typical fix within 100 m
• Whopping 10-year battery shelf life and ≥24 h transmit time once triggered
• High-intensity LED strobe visible to 3 km on a clear night
• Rugged polycarbonate shell; waterproof to 3 m; operating range –20 °C to +55 °C
• Weight 155 g; dimensions 106 × 54 × 36 mm
• Built-in carry pouch and lanyard; free UK registration via HM Coastguard online form

Good Fit For

• Duke of Edinburgh leaders or scout troops needing multiple units without torching the budget
• Weekend hillwalkers who want a “set-and-forget” safety net for Snowdonia or the Cheviots
• Gear renters and outdoor centres looking for a cost-effective fleet beacon

What to Watch Out For

• Slightly bulkier than newer micro-PLBs; jacket chest pockets may be tight
• Fewer self-test diagnostics: only battery and GPS checks—no Return-Link LED
• Limited UK distributor network; warranty claims may involve overseas shipping
• No two-way comms or tracking, so pair it with a phone if you crave check-ins

Stay Safe, Wherever Your Boots Take You

Whether you pick an ultra-compact PLB, a two-way satellite messenger, or one of the heavyweight nav-hybrids, each category covers a different slice of risk. The lipstick-sized PLBs give you a one-button lifeline with no ongoing fees; messengers add reassuring back-and-forth texts and live tracking; the GPS hybrids roll navigation, SOS and mapping into one brick. What unites them is their ability to reach help when those familiar “no service” bars appear on the Snowdon Horseshoe, in Glen Affric, or on a blustery stretch of the South West Coast Path.

A beacon is only as good as the hands using it, so tick off three quick jobs before you lace your boots:

1. Register the HEX ID with HM Coastguard (it’s free and compulsory).
2. Run a self-test at home and practise flipping the aerial with gloves on.
3. Carry the unit on your person—belt clip, chest pocket or PFD—not buried under a kilo of flapjacks in the lid.

Need other bits of trail-ready tech or replacement batteries before your next outing? Pop over to the Take a Hike UK shop and kit yourself out in one go. Safe hiking!