PLB Group Purchase...

[Mr. Fisherman]

Hey C-Brats,
I was able to get a great group price on an ACR PLB. For those of you who fish offshore, hunt or hike remote areas, snowmobile or back country ski this device is the shizzle.

In order to get all the info in one place I put it here.

http://www.ifish.net/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=728767&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I wanted to make sure to include my extended family here.
This is a smokin deal from an authorized dealer and service center.
I will be ordering mine within a day or two.

[El and Bill]

Sounds like a great idea and at a good price. Read all the info on your link, and it seems like the right "epirb" for land and water use. Anybody know any "downsides" with the device? We know nothing about them. Do you anticipate a "signup" on the Brat site? or should we be signing up on the linked site? Thanks for sharing the info with us all.

[makushin]

A few years ago I bought a couple of the (now) older 406 gypsy models which appears to be a slightly larger model but basically the same.

At the time they were only approved for use in Alaska as they hadn't jumped through all the govt cert hoops and Alaska was an approved testing area.

The GPS interface was an IR port with provided plug with exposed wires. I had to provide the GPS adaptor and wire them together.

When activated the unit immediately sends out a 406 signal if you plug in the GPS it will start imbedding your coordinates into the signal every 20 minutes or so.

One of the two units was not able to communicate with the GPS so it had to be sent back to the factory ....service was good but slow.

They do work well though. One day out in the field I was demonstrating it's use (there is a test function) to our helicopter pilot at a remote lodge. Within 10 minutes we got a call from our supervisor. He had just gotten a call from the coast guard as they had just been notified that our epirb had gone off. Oops! Still glad to know the backup works.

Apparently the "test" function does send out a signal and like the 121.5 aircraft becons one should only test them at the top of the hour....this was not mentioned in the owners manual.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Good stuff.
Check the above link for updated information.
The price is $550
PM me if you are serious and intend to order within the next 2 weeks.

[Casey]

This is something folks might seriously consider, particularly if they boat in isolated waters or have any medical situations (like Age or infirmity...) that are factors.

We bought a regular EPIRB, (http://www.brokenlegdave.com/Manufacture/ACR/2744.htm ) rather than a PLB as peace-of-mind equipment prior to the Alaskan trip last year. Although we certainly didn't need to spend this much money on such a device, the rationale was that Sandy and I plan to be in some very remote areas over the coming years, often traveling alone, and one just never knows what you might run in to. Although Sandy loves the boat, we must admit that (atleast at the current time) she is pretty well along for the ride, and isn't up to speed on some of the handling and navigation stuff (yet). If I were to check-out (or even just hit the deck with a kidney stone...) she'd be in deep CaCa. Having this device onboard is like having an emergency helper present. Sandy might not know how to navigate us out of Rocky Pass, but she (for sure) knows how to activate the EPIRB and when to use/not use it. Peace of mind for both of us. Another factor is the situation where you come upon a Serious incident (life and death...) and need to summon assistance. If you're out of cellphone and radio range, and you REALLY need to summon the Good Guys; an EPIRB might be your best shot. (To be used Only in the most dire situation.)

Bill asked about any "downside." The only thing I can think of is that EPIRB's are expensive and the battery should be replaced at defined intervals. (Our 5-year battery is almost $300. Yowee! ) EPIRB registration is free and identifies your specific vessel, so if you use if irresponsibly - they'll get ya!

But "GETTING Ya" is the whole idea!

Casey
C-Dory Naknek

PS: As I recall, Powerboat Reports did an EPIRB evaluation within the past year or two. Sorry, I don't have the report - but it's good source of information if you're interested.

[El and Bill]

Casey --
What would be your recommendations between a PLB and an EPIRB?

[Casey]

Actually, I think either would work admirably. This is one of those items you hope to NEVER use!

If a person is going to spend this amount of money, my only specific recommendation would be to get a unit that relays your GPS position (significantly cuts down response time), rather than just broadcasting the ELT-like signal. (Modern VHF radios often have similar GPS-reporting capability but are limited by VHF range issues.)

Depending on where folks do their boating, MANY folks just can't justify an EPIRB with cellphones, radios and flares easily available, and MUCH cheaper. If you're going to be seriously out-of-range of those devices, for lengthy periods of time, you may want to think about a beacon.

A Personal Locator Beacon (w/GPS feature) will do the same thing as the fullsize EPIRB, and is portable as well, so it could be used in other outdoor activities. The fullsize unit will broadcast longer (ie 72 hours) than the PLB (ie 24 hours), but that may not be a major issue. (With a properly functioning GPS beacon, your vessel lat/lon is going to be at the rescue coordination center in a matter of minutes; simply amazing. Then additional time is needed for signal verification, determine unit registry, fire-up the chopper, etc.) It's really a very interesting, and well honed process.

I suspect the smaller PLB battery may have to be replaced somewhat more frequently (I'm not sure) than the fullsize unit, but would likely cost less. I chose the fullsize EPIRB because I simply leave it on the boat (and I won't forget where I put the dang thing).

Casey
C-Dory Naknek

[El and Bill]

Thanks, Casey -- we're debating ...

[Chris]

So looking at the costs of acquisition...and maintenance over time(batteries)...I'm wondering if an Iridium phone might not be an alternative to an EPIRB. It looks like the costs are very similar. Of course the Iridium does not transmit your position, but most have our position several times over from other devices. It does not self deploy as some EPIRBs do. It does take more effort to make the distress call. The Iridium has world coverage...and is useful for many other functions. It occurs to me that being able to convey the nature of your emergency...instead of a blind distress broadcast...would have advantages...not to mention the effect of confirmation of receipt of your broadcast. Thoughts?

[Casey]

Chris

Interesting.

I hadn't considered a sat phone but you bring up some valid points. I won't rush out an buy one, but many of the justifications behind an EPIRB would be pretty well answered with a sat phone, and it would certainly have other applications.

As in so many things, there are usually a number of valid alternatives depending on individual needs. We certainly can't buy Everything (although sometimes it looks like we're trying!), but it's fun to analyze needs-versus-wants then divide that by money available!

Interestingly enough, many of the downside issues can be mitigated. Things like waiting-out bad weather, traveling with another boat, keeping up with maintenance, and having some emergency supplies (basic survival, fire fighting, and first-aid) can go a long way toward being safe.

And last, but not least: Judgement. (Remember the old saying: "There old pilots, and bold pilots; but there are no Old Bold Pilots.")

Casey
C-Dory Naknek

[416rigby]

Ok, Gents...finally something I know about and can contribute.

Since 1991, I have been a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crewman. GPS integrated beacons are great. When the "whoopie" goes off and we have to launch a helicopter, we can fly directly to a distressed vessel's location with a minimum of searching. When a boat sinks, it can sink very quickly. There's no time for dialing a cell phone. Cell phones are great to have on board if you have a more minor problem, or a medical issue that needs attention...you can call the Coast Guard for assistance. But, when things go south quickly, you have the panic factor to consider as well. Last summer, a guy we know had his boat sink in less than 30 seconds. He had just enough time to run forward and get out a mayday before the radio went under. He barely got out his location, and even then it was hard to understand. My wife and I were several miles away and heard it on the radio...still sends a chill up my spine. They were picked up after only about 15 minutes in the water...all ok.

A unit with no GPS is better than nothing, but the search area can be quite a bit larger...and sometimes the system gets weird bounces off the atmosphere and the search area is not close to the actual distress area...it's weird. It also takes longer to get a good fix on the search area because it takes multiple sat passes over the area to get a better position. GPS is better if you can afford it!

There may be no time for a distress call. EPIRBS and PLB's work. They aren't perfect...nothing is, but they're worth the money, in my opinion. Many times, I have launched out and flown directly to the GPS position and right over the target vessel and we have called the skipper on the radio and asked him to check his unit to see if it is turned on...sure enough, it was inadvertantly activated. Nice to know the thing works!

Rick

[makushin]

I've used sat phones extensively in Alaska both Iridium and Globalstar.

Globalstar is generally a cheaper and better choice as far as sound quality goes. The only problem is the coverage doesn't extend into mainland Alaska although SE Alaska is covered well.

I've seen Globalstar combination (Qualcom cell/sat) phones for as little as $400 with rates as low as $0.35 a minute. Not bad.

For some reason when you make a call with Iridium you generally have to pay international calling rates...this is not generally the case with Globalstar.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Rick, Thank you for your input.
Can you confirm that PLBs and EPIRBs are responded to in the same manner? The question is , Is the EPIRB going to get a faster response from the Coast Guard in the event of an activated signal?

Thanks again...

[416rigby]

We respond as quickly as we can to every case. With GPS, we simply have a more accurate position to start searching.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Good stuff.

For clarification the PLB I have arranged the group purchase on has an internal GPS.

Mine ships Monday, they are going fast.
They expect 10 more this week and 20 more next week.
PM me if you are ready to take advantage of this group purchase price.
Thanks...