ACR -- On the Road To Safety and Survival Technology

Beginning in the 1950's when the company manufactured the first electronic flash unit for cameras that utilized photo flash batteries, ACR Electronics was well on its way to making a name for itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality strobe lights for the marine and aviation industries.

Through government projects, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based company involved itself with the research and development of marine and aviation rescue and survival items, including EPIRBs, personal utility lights, marker lights, radios, SARTs and safety accessories — eventually evolving into a leading manufacturer of 406 MHz beacons and other marine GMDSS products. In addition, the company's full in-house team of professionals provides the muscle behind advanced technology products within the marine industry, and more recently, the dive market.

ACR recently introduced GlobalFix 406, which is being touted as the next generation of EPIRB. The product, which provides an entirely new functionality to the satellite-aided search and rescue system, includes an integral GPS to add latitude/longitude coordinates to the emergency signal transmitted by the unit. Available in either Category I (automatically deployable) or Category II (manually deployable) models, GlobalFix also provides users with the latest in test features to ensure that all systems all performing up to par.With Lat/Long include GlobalFix provides an immediate, precise position that is given to one of the new GEOSAR satellites in high-earth orbit to the closest SAR response agency.

ACR has also carved a niche for itself in the area of strobe lights — by two.

The company's Firefly2 Doublefly combo light boasts an incandescent lamp as well as a Xenon strobe in a single compact body. The light, which was originally designed to comply with innovative electronic circuitry, recently gained notoriety for surviving a four-year, 40-million-flash endurance test. The tests, which were given by both military and civilian authorities, demonstrate that strobes have high visibility in a variety of conditions. Measuring a compact 4.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 in. (11 x 5.6 x 2.5 cm), and weighing 4 oz., the ACR Firefly2 Doublefy is waterproof at up to 200 ft. (60 m), and can withstand the sometimes, harsh rigors of the marine environment. Other roles include a diver distress light, locator light and personal flotation rescue light.