REASONS TO BUY
Reliability and long track record of COSPAS/SARSAT
No annual fees
Simple operation
REASONS TO AVOID
Larger and heavier than closest competitor
ACR ResQLink View Review
An excellent emergency-only (with one debatable caveat) personal beacon for wilderness safety
Credit: Acrartex
RELATED: Best Satellite Messengers of 2023
Our Verdict
The ACR ResQLink View is a compact, full-function personal locator beacon from a long-standing company. Like all the devices that use the COSPAS/SARSAT communication network and protocol, the explicit function of the ResQLink View is limited to emergency SOS transmission. Its closest competitor offers access to the same service (our Buying Advice article has a breakdown of all the networks in use). Identifying the ACR's application is as simple as describing what it does. If you need a device for remote environment emergency search and rescue summons, and you are interested in researching the functionality of ACR's "406Link" subscription service as a sort of messaging option, this is your best bet.
Editor's Note: This review was checked over for accuracy on January 19, 2023, at which time we also added some info on other available devices that may be a better fit.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
ACR ResQLink View | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $400 List $399.95 at REI | $300 List $300.00 at REI | $250 List $299.95 at Amazon | $280 List | $330 List $349.95 at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Reliability and long track record of COSPAS/SARSAT, no annual fees, simple operation | Small, comprehensive, reliable | Compact, great network, on-device basic controls | Small, affordable subscription options, proven satellite and dispatch networks, simple | Reasonable initial purchase price, no paid subscription, uses proven global network, compact |
| Cons | Larger and heavier than closest competitor | Not the absolute lightest, tiny screen, button use | No on-device message viewing or composition, USB-C charging (could be a pro for some) | Only supports SOS and tracking on the device itself, no custom messaging, occasional hardware issues | No non-emergency messaging |
| Bottom Line | An excellent emergency-only (with one debatable caveat) personal beacon for wilderness safety | For how most people actually use their satellite communicators, this is the best product on the market | A small, light, and full-function two-way messenger that competes closely with the top of the heap | Compact, simple, two-way satellite communications using proven technology and relatively affordable subscription options | This device provides a compact and affordable “help me” button in your pocket |
| Rating Categories | ACR ResQLink View | Garmin inReach Mess... | ACR Bivy Stick | Somewear Global Hot... | Ocean Signal rescue... |
| SOS/Emergency Messaging (30%) | |||||
| Non-Emergency Messaging (25%) | |||||
| Signal Coverage (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Portability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | ACR ResQLink View | Garmin inReach Mess... | ACR Bivy Stick | Somewear Global Hot... | Ocean Signal rescue... |
| 2-way Messaging? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2-way Messaging Available via Cellular/Wifi? | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Custom Messaging Viewable and Composable on Device? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Passive Tracking (turn on and forget about it - viewers at home can watch your progress on the web) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Weight w/ Batteries | 5.3 oz | 4.0 oz | 3.6 oz | 4.1 oz | 4.0 oz |
| Battery Life (hours) | 28 | Up to 28 days with a message or location sent every 10 minutes with full sky view | Up to 120 | Up to 1000 messages | 24 |
| Waterproof Rating | No Formal Rating. Likely exceeds rating system. Claimed 16.4 ft (5m) @ 1 hr | IPX7 (No dust rating. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes) | IP67 (protection from harmful dust. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes) | IPX7 (No dust rating. Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion up to 30 minutes) | No Formal Rating. Likely exceeds rating system. Claimed "Up to 15 meters" |
| Pairs with Smartphone? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| On Device Functions (if you lose or disable your smartphone) | All. | All, but very slow to text | SOS, check-in, tracking. All texting requires smartphone. | SOS. All texting requires smartphone app | All. |
| Satellite Network | COSPAS/SARSAT | Iridium | Iridium | Iridium | COSPAS/SARSAT |
| Dispatch service | COSPAS/SARSAT | Garmin Response Team | Global Rescue | GEOS | COSPAS/SARSAT |
| Dimensions | 4.4" x 2.0" x 1.4" | 3.1" x 2.5" x 0.9" | 1.9" x .9" x 4.5" | 3" x 3.6" x .8" | 3.0" x 2.0" x 1.3" |
| Cubic Inches (L x W x H) | 12.3 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 6.8 |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The ACR ResQLink View uses proven technology, a comprehensive network, and bomber compact electronics to provide the user with reliable, primarily emergency, communication to the outside world. It's an excellent emergency SOS communicator and little to nothing more, but if all you need is emergency messaging directly to SAR resources, the ACR works.
Performance Comparison
The ACR ResQLink View is an emergency only, reliable, messenger for all kinds of human-powered adventures. On a trip where weight doesn't matter a ton, you might bring this in a big group as a back up to your two-way primary messenger.
Credit: Jediah Porter
SOS/Emergency Messaging
Using the international and government maintained COSPAS/SARSAT satellite network and communication protocol, the ResQLink View taps into a system that is as effective as anything available. All satellite communications have limitations. For example, every single transmission involving satellites requires a clear view of the sky. The View and its relationship with the COSPAS/SARSAT network is no exception. The limitations on emergency communication are mainly terrain and satellite-related and have less to do with the device itself.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, and push the power button on the ResQLink View, a "Y'all come" message will make its way to the best possible local resources. The response takes some time (hours, at minimum), and the length depends significantly on weather, terrain, and local SAR resources. With this device, though, you should have few concerns about the first variable in securing help. The service that monitors COSPAS/SARSAT for emergencies and communicates to local SAR resources depends on the country you register your device in, but that monitoring and communication is free. You need to register your ResQLink, and you may need to pay for the on-the-ground response, but you will never pay a fee for emergency messaging.
The ResQLink View screen indicates some things about the function. In this case, the screen notes that the device passes its internal self test.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Non-Emergency Messaging
Explicitly, the ResQLink View has no option for non-emergency messaging. The design and intention of the COSPAS/SARSAT network is for emergency use only.
That being said, you can test these devices for functionality using the COSPAS/SARSAT, which involves sending a non-emergency message from the device to the network. For a subscription fee each year, via ACR's 406Link service, they will send notification of a successful device test to one email address and one cell phone of your choosing. They call these "self-test notifications." For a higher subscription fee and a slightly different test procedure, you can include up to five emails and cell numbers. You can also customize the message, which would contain a link to a map showing your location. Further understanding of the "off label" use of 406Link for non emergency communications requires fully versing yourself in ACR's materials.
The ResQLink View, set up to send its signal through the included, folding antenna.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Signal Coverage
The COSPAS/SARSAT network used by the ResQLink View is world-wide. As with all satellite communications, there are localized terrain limitations and interference issues that stem from device orientation, other electronics, forests, and buildings.
The ResQLink View, stowed and ready for carry as an emergency back-up communication plan.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Ease of Use
In its designated function, the ACR View couldn't be easier to use. Initial registration requires some online form-filling. Then you're good to go. In an emergency, you deploy the antenna and push the on button. For 406Link service you'll need to do some further research from the company itself and familiarize yourself with the most current information.
You register your ACR beacon with the US national weather service. They provide a sticker to record your information.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Portability
The ResQLink View is the latest in ACR's multi-decade evolution. Our lead test editor used one of the original ACR beacons in the early 2000s. Fifteen years ago, a device performing this function (in an even more rudimentary fashion) was four times the size of the View. In this historical perspective, the ACR is tiny and light.
However, as compared to the other options available nowadays, the ACR is twice the size and about 140% of the weight. In many contexts, this is not a big deal. However, for ultralight backpacking and trail running, the weight and bulk will be noticeable.
Should You Buy the ACR ResQLink View?
This is a limited function, bulky device. Human powered users that spend a ton of time on the water will like the floating attribute, but terrestrial users should look elsewhere.
A subset of the tested satellite messengers. The ACR ResQLink View is second from the left on the top row.
Credit: Jediah Porter
What Other Personal Locator Beacons Should You Consider?
The Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 is less expensive, smaller, lighter and does all the same things as the ResQLink View. The Emergency Satellite SOS function of the Apple iPhone Emergency SOS does the same things (within lower latitude USA and Canada, for now) and doesn't require carrying a separate device. Many other products add two-way messaging to the emergency messaging of this ACR product. The ACR Bivy Stick is one such product.
—
Jediah Porter
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