PLB's

frankh · #1 06-25-2007, 03:03 PM

Hi guys,

I came across a PLB that is primarily aimed at boaters, but works on the same frequencies and has an internal GPS.

Thing is it is about $100 cheaper than the standard ones and is made by the same company (ACR I think).

Question is....arn't they all the same??

Thanks

Frank

n5lp · #2 06-25-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankh

Hi guys,

I came across a PLB that is primarily aimed at boaters, but works on the same frequencies and has an internal GPS.

Thing is it is about $100 cheaper than the standard ones and is made by the same company (ACR I think).

Question is....arn't they all the same??

Thanks

Frank

Yep they are all the same.

I'm not sure what a "standard one" means though. Do you mean one that is marketed to pilots? I think mine was marketed to hikers or something but none of them are really aircraft specific.

By the way these things are great. One of the nice things is that you can use them for driving or hiking in remote areas as well as for flying. Also, they are loanable.

This weekend I was hiking with a group in a wilderness area. I brought the beacon although it seemed pointless because I was in a group. At one point everyone wanted to turn around but one person, who wanted to continue hiking in an area without trails. I almost loaned him my PLB and I should have. When I checked on him that night, he had made it back, but not before getting lost and running out of water. He would have been real hard to find.

frankh · #3 06-25-2007, 03:31 PM

This one does NOT have an internal GPS...so I guess they really are all the same.

Would you guys buy one with an internal GPS or go without?

They seem to be about $550 these days...A lot of money but they only have to save you once I guess.

Frank

randylervold · #4 06-25-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankh

Would you guys buy one with an internal GPS or go without?

They seem to be about $550 these days...A lot of money but they only have to save you once I guess.

Seemed kind of silly to me to NOT get the onboard GPS. I mean the point is to get found, and quickly, and having the GPS greatly enhances that. As you say, it only has to work once.

Having a single place aircraft I am not required to have a conventional ELT so I am going with a PLB only, story here.

Ron Lee · #5 06-25-2007, 04:39 PM

ELTs are for aircraft

EPIRBs are for boat people

PLB is for hikers, etc BUT I have a PLB for use in my aircraft. Or while traveling. Or hiking. Or on a boat.....

This is the one I have:

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/spwff1.html

"plus" means with GPS. Some folks offer free lifetime battery replacement at no extra cost.

frankh · #6 06-25-2007, 06:04 PM

Planning on doing the Colorado run from Western Oregon over July 4th...so now is a good time.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

Frank

rjtjrt · #7 06-25-2007, 10:09 PM

New 406 PLB, avaiable with or without GPS, has just been released in Australia. They seem much cheaper than other models (with price here equal to US$450-00 for the GPS equiped model) and have battery that is non hazmat so can be sent overseas easily. Also equiped with an integral srobe light. 7 year battery replacement life.
It is applicable to use in USA (as it has the unique FAA mandated morse code letter P in the signal).
http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/mt410.php
http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/mt410_specifications.php

I have no relationship to the company at all.

the_other_dougreeves · #8 06-26-2007, 06:29 AM

ACR is one of the larger makers of PLBs. They just announced the third generation of PLBs, each of which has an internal GPS. The new units are called Microfix and Resqfix and are just targeted at different markets. These 3rd gen units are very small and have small improvements that make them easier to use and improves GPS performance.

The second generation unit had a model with a serial interface for the ship's (aircraft or boat) GPS as well. The units with only the internal GPS can be had for cheap right now, around $400 to $450, or $550 for the ones with the serial interface.

Doug Ritter has some comments on the 3rd gen ACR unit and likes the changes.

Ron Lee · #9 06-26-2007, 10:12 AM

I have had my PLB for about three years so don't assume that it is the best. The ACR certainly appears to be a viable choice. Smaller is mo better.

frankh · #10 06-28-2007, 11:23 AM

Just got my 2nd gen ACR PLB and registered it this morning.

It occured to me that my phone contacts would not necessarily know whether I had taked a X country trip so in the "additional information" section of the Registration for I put the following remark.

"I normally post a note about my upcomming cross country trips at "www.vansairforce.net", user name "frankh"...Before any long Xcountries I'll simply post a note saying where and when I intend to go in the forums.

Its the electronic form of "posting a note on a tree"...

Frank..7a