Just wanted to let everyone know that ACR currently has a $50 mail-in rebate on their PLB's (Personal Locator Beacons) purchased through July 5th. If you were thinking about getting one, now would be the time to do it. For those of you who don't know, a PLB is kind of like a SPOT, but with 3 main differences: it's an emergency-only device (can't send "I'm ok" messages, only "oh sh*t, send a helicopter and come save my ass"), it works 100% of the time (unlike SPOT, which can and does fail), and it does not require a $100/yr subscription fee. Just bought a ResQLink+ (the "+" means it floats) and it is both smaller and lighter than the SPOT I was carrying in my PFD. Also got it for about $200 after the rebate, which makes it significantly cheaper than the SPOT when you consider subscription fees. The best deal I could find was from The GPS Store ($249, free shipping, no tax):
http://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-2881-ResQLink-PLB-Floating-Personal-Locator-Beacon-P2954.aspx

I have no vested interest in ACR, SPOT, or The GPS Store... I just think it's a good idea for all boaters to have one of these, they are a great deal right now, and thought I would spread the love.

Be safe out there... and carry an "Oh sh*t" button.

-Eli