Electronic or not, gear built for outdoor emergencies must be able to withstand the elements. That’s where IPX ratings come in. You may have been shopping for anything from a head lamp to a smart watch and encountered this term.

IPX ratings let you know how water resistant an item is or is not. They range from 1-9 and this is how they work:

IPX 1 is safe from dripping water when held vertically

IPX 2 is safe from dripping water at a 15 degree tilt

IPX 3 from spraying water at an up to 60 degree tilt.

IPX 4: is safe from splashing water (not immersion) from all directions. This is where it where it gets safe to carry the item in the rain.

IPX5: is safe from low pressure water jets, and IPx 6 from high pressure water jets and hard rain

IPX 7 is where it starts to get good, it is safe for immersion in up to 3’ of water for up to 30min

IPX 8 can be emerged in deeper waters for longer persons of time, as specified by the manufacturer. This is when you can use the item for water sports like swimming.

IPX 9: is an odd one, it’s good for high pressure high temperature jets, like those intended for industrial cleaning.

Now this is sometimes in coded with a dust rating which is great. If you see two numbers after the IP that’s what it means

A FIVE MEANS DUST RESISTANT, a 6 means dust proof. The dust rating will be the first number, and the second number is the water resistance rating we just covered.

This emergency GPS beacon is rated IP68, which makes it dust proof, waterproof, and submersible, all great features for a personal locator beacon.

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