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  #1  
Old 09-30-2012, 06:34 AM
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gmcjetpilot gmcjetpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,285
Default 406 ELT Review Comparisons Opinions Prices

There is no dedicated category on ELT and consider this (type) specific and safety related.

Since I started looking again at buying an ELT again, I see the market has caught up; it went from no 406 elts to many, thankfully most with a single antenna. I was planning the EBC elt pre 406. I want to mount both the transmitter unit and antenna internally in the cabin, cargo floor with antenna looking up at the sky through the back plexi. There has been massive threads about elt antenna mounting locations. That is NOT the intent of this thread. I just want input of what make and model you think is the best value: GPS input able or GPS built in, single antenna... small form factor.... battery pack replacement price....TX on 406+121.5 Mhz and of course price (under $1200 or less).

I called spruce ac and they suggested the new AK 04 model. Comments?
Ameri-King? AK? Artex? Kannad? EBC? Pointer? (they all have 406 models).

-Artex does not take GPS in any of their lower price GA 406 ELT's.
-"Emerging Lifesaving Technologies" sells for $1200 and has internal GPS.
-AK seems to have best price WITH ability to take external GPS position.
-EBC as usual has the form fit factor to easily mount in the cabin with antenna.
-Skyhunter (never heard of) has a GPS version like "Emerg Life Tech" above.
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Raleigh, NC Area
RV-4, RV-7, ATP, CFII, MEI, 737/757/767

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Last edited by gmcjetpilot : 09-30-2012 at 06:37 AM.
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  #2  
Old 09-30-2012, 09:11 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
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Smile

For those of us that haven't heard of the Skyhunter ELT.

It's made by Pointer and has a built-in GPS.

Details and prices here...

http://www.discountavionics.com/elt%...%20pointer.htm
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EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
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  #3  
Old 09-30-2012, 10:33 AM
Dan B Dan B is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Edmond, OK
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Default

There is a thread started in March 2012 about service difficulties at AK. Sorry, I am having difficulty copying and pasting on this new tablet, so you will have to look for it. Bottom line, I will replace my 406 elt with one from another manufacturer before sending mine for service again. No more AK for me.
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Skyview, ADS-B, Garmin 420W, TT Gemini AP
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  #4  
Old 09-30-2012, 10:36 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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The ACK ones seem to have the best price numbers if you want coupling to an on-board GPS -

http://www.discountavionics.com/elt%...ales%20ACK.htm
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EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
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  #5  
Old 09-30-2012, 10:49 AM
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Leland Leland is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Livermore, California
Posts: 146
Default Cheaper ELTs

Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila View Post
For those of us that haven't heard of the Skyhunter ELT.

It's made by Pointer and has a built-in GPS.

Details and prices here...

http://www.discountavionics.com/elt%...%20pointer.htm
Tagpilotsupply has even cheaper ELT units, but I have never bought anything from them. Their price for the 406/121.5 Replacement Kit ACK is $550. They also sell Pointers.
Leland

http://www.tagpilotsupply.com/
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  #6  
Old 09-30-2012, 11:25 AM
Airzen Airzen is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 167
Default No to AK-451

I got an Ameriking AK-451 ELT. I was under the impression that I could hook up the GPS signal onto it, however, it turns out that I have to pay additional $$$ to get that feature (and send the unit in). I feel like an idiot for not reading carefully the fine print ... My advice stay away from Ameriking.

Last edited by Airzen : 09-30-2012 at 04:30 PM. Reason: Made clear that I was talking about Ameriking ELT
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  #7  
Old 09-30-2012, 01:16 PM
xblueh2o xblueh2o is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SF East Bay
Posts: 852
Default

Can't speak to specific models but I will toss in a great big thumbs up to a 406 ELT with GPS input by relating a story from work.

All the airplanes at work have them. Our normal procedure on departure is to call back with an off message after passing 10,000' which in a jet that will climb at better than 3000FPM doesn't take long. One day I am standing in our scheduling office when the phone rings. It's the Air Force (or whoever is charged with the task. It's been long ago enough that I don't remember, anyway) they are picking up the signal from one of our airplanes. Everybody in the room looks at the scheduling board which says that airplane should have just departed. About that time the airplane checks in over the radio with their normal off message. We advise them their ELT is transmitting, they recycle it and everyone is happy.

Big picture? The system picked up the signal and somebody was looking for the airplane within three minutes. Not bad.
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  #8  
Old 09-30-2012, 03:34 PM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
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Location: Livermore, CA
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Everyone:
To avoid confusion please note that there is a company called ACK which sells a model E-04. There is also a company called Ameri-King, sometimes abreviated AK, which makes models AK 450 or AK 451
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  #9  
Old 09-30-2012, 04:13 PM
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kevinh kevinh is offline
 
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Location: San Mateo, CA
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Default Requirements in Mexico, USA or Canada?

Hi ya'll,

I have an old 121.5 ELT and have forgotten what the various requirement dates. Can someone who has paid more attention than I tell me when 406MHz ELTs will be required in either the US, Mexico or Canada?

(I also have SPOT and APRS and I'm aware that sats aren't looking for 121.5 no more, so no need for that tangent).

Kevin
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  #10  
Old 09-30-2012, 04:50 PM
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rzbill rzbill is offline
 
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Location: Asheville, NC
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Default

George,
The "best value" for me was finding a 406 unit that did not require any wiring or panel modification for remote control.

I only found one that meets this. It is an EBC 406AP.

It is not the cheapest by far, has no GPS but it met my requirements.
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