Anyone familar with one of these? The price sure seems right. It has an internal GPS or can take input from a handheld GPS. Too good to be true?

http://www.imarineusa.com/acraquafix406 ... rdgps.aspx

I think those Aquafix units are discontinued - I'm not sure why, but that would explain the low, low price.
(see http://www.landfallnavigation.com/aquafix.html)

These things are weird to evaluate. I figure that the whole point of buying one is peace of mind, so I got one of the AquaLinks with an LCD display to *show me* that it had a GPS position and was doing bursts to the satellite, etc... It just feels better...

Buy the little McMurdo PLB. MUCH smaller, and a pretty decent price on a current production unit.

MTV

Thanks for the headsup, I just ordered the McMurdo 210 Fast Find, $263.00 to my door. My first PLB of any kind, at the size and the price what the heck. I just hope it doesn't effect my decision making, knowing I have a way out compared to none. I plan to wear it when flying, and have my finger on the button everytime I land, just in case.

The only disadvantage of the McCurdo is that someone started up a company that let's you check in with your PLB using the self-test feature, but it doesn't work with McCurdo because apparently its a one time activation once you pop it open and unwrap the ant. I know, if you wanted check-in you can get a spot, but the PLB is more robust than spot for rescue. http://www.406link.com/

Perhaps, but if its small, you'll be more likely to carry it. This is an EMERGENCY device, not a tracking or convenience device. If you want that service, buy a SPOT.

The McMurdo is tiny compared to the other PLBs out there.

If it's small, you might carry it.

MTV

I had the larger ACR aerofix provided by my employer and never carried it due to the size. I now have the small mcmurdo fastfind and carry it everyday in my shirt pocket. I would go for the smaller unit since I actually carry that one.