ELT PURCHASE

[RV-4]

Hello All

With the now effective 406 ELT Mandate (Nov 2025 ) in Canada I will have to replace my current ELT with a 406 Model.

I know that they are available from AC Spruce or Amazon but was wondering if you guys know or did business with of a good place to buy one at a good price and after sale service.??

This ELT will be installed only next spring at the beginning of the new flying season up North..

Thanks

Bruno

 

[Canadian_JOY]

Recently Ottawa Avionics has been reasonable in pricing for Artex 345 ELT's. They don't have the capacity to program them. As a result of this I discovered they are actually buying them through Saskatoon Avionics. I've dealt with both Ottawa and Saskatoon and wouldn't hesitate to do business again with either company.

 

[BobTurner]

Recently Ottawa Avionics has been reasonable in pricing for Artex 345 ELT's. They don't have the capacity to program them. As a result of this I discovered they are actually buying them through Saskatoon Avionics. I've dealt with both Ottawa and Saskatoon and wouldn't hesitate to do business again with either company.

Off topic question. Since I (in the US) am still flying with a 121.5 MHz ELT, does this mean I am now persona non grata in Canada? Just an academic question, as I’m also using Basic Med so I know I’m not welcome there.

 

[RV7 To Go]

According to Transport Canada TP15048

"Foreign general aviation aircraft will need either;

• an ELT that can transmit on frequencies 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz, or
• a 406 capable emergency beacon (PLB)

Foreign registered aeroplanes and helicopters can operate in Canada without an ELT, as long as they’re equipped with an emergency beacon like a PLB (Ref: CAR 605.38)."

 

[RWoodard]

According to Transport Canada TP15048

"Foreign general aviation aircraft will need either;

• an ELT that can transmit on frequencies 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz, or
• a 406 capable emergency beacon (PLB)

Foreign registered aeroplanes and helicopters can operate in Canada without an ELT, as long as they’re equipped with an emergency beacon like a PLB (Ref: CAR 605.38)."

That seems like a reasonable solution. I wish we had the option of substituting a PLB for an ELT here in the states full-time! I feel like my PLB is way more useful than the ELT. I pay for the tracking / breadcrumb feature and have it set up to transmit to my family and friends whenever it’s powered on. Shoot, I even use it in my car and on my motorcycle when I’m up in the mountains and outside cell phone coverage.

But back on topic… I’m following this thread with interest because I will need to purchase an ELT in the near future for my Glasair. I’m aware that several ELTs in the market give false alerts and are unreliable. I’m always interested in hearing what the current “best” is!

 

[RV7 To Go]

That seems like a reasonable solution. I wish we had the option of substituting a PLB for an ELT here in the states full-time! I feel like my PLB is way more useful than the ELT. I pay for the tracking / breadcrumb feature and have it set up to transmit to my family and friends whenever it’s powered on. Shoot, I even use it in my car and on my motorcycle when I’m up in the mountains and outside cell phone coverage.

But back on topic… I’m following this thread with interest because I will need to purchase an ELT in the near future for my Glasair. I’m aware that several ELTs in the market give false alerts and are unreliable. I’m always interested in hearing what the current “best” is!

We aren't allowed PLB's as a replacement for ELT's for Canadian registered aircraft either. Must have an ELT.

If you want the "best" I think that is the Kannad. After speaking with 3 different ELT servicing companies they all agreed they have the fewest issues with Kannad. It also has a 10 yr warranty, Built in GPS so you can take it with you and be tracked, 6 yr battery etc. If money were no object Kannad is what I would buy.

Back on topic...I went with Spruce. Discount Electronics, which I have heard good reports about but never used, was more expensive at the time. In 2018 I put a Kannad in my 7 when the Ameri-king failed after only a year. It was only a bit more expensive than the Artex at the time. No issues in 6 years since install. In my 8 I put the Artex connected to the GPS for position. No issues so far in the first year (100 flight hrs) since install and less than half the cost of the Kannad.

 

[RV-4]

Mark & Al

Thank you for the reference, I'm aware of Saskatoon Avionics as a friend bought his Artex 345 from them and like them.

The Kannad seem to be a good product but is now almost twice as expensive as the Artex 345...

I'm in the States until next spring so I will look at what is available on this side of the border price wise and see what I do just before going back home..

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Bruno

 

[Andy612]

Just this week, I bought a Kannad Integra ELT from Discount Avionics in Cochrane, ON. They specialize in ELT sales and recertifications. Website isn't that great but I got good service on the phone.
The Kannad Integra wasn't inexpensive, but their price was significantly lower than Spruce. They also sell other brands including Artex and ACK.
I have no relationship with them other than as a customer.

 

[mikelupo]

@Andy612, question about your experience.
When you bought your ELT did you have to program the dongle to match the aircraft yourself?
I just bought the KANNAD Integra Amerifit from Aircraft Spruce ($$) and nobody asked me for my aircraft information for the sake of programming the ELT. It's not arrived in the mail yet, so I have not yet installed it and checked.

 

[Andy612]

@Andy612, question about your experience.
When you bought your ELT did you have to program the dongle to match the aircraft yourself?
I just bought the KANNAD Integra Amerifit from Aircraft Spruce ($$) and nobody asked me for my aircraft information for the sake of programming the ELT. It's not arrived in the mail yet, so I have not yet installed it and checked.

I didn’t get any dongle. The avionics shop I purchased it from did the programming. I just had to register it with the SAR people and do the physical installation.