jimi
Well-known member
On the shopping list, but what is best? Seems to be a big range in price and I don't understand the differences, can someone elucidate?
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406 Epirb
- Thread starter jimi
- Start date
tome
New member
Jim
There are basically 2 types - with and without GPS. The ones with GPS transmit an accurate position with the distress alert. The vanilla ones just transmit the alert with vessel ID etc, and it can take several satellite passes to resolve this to a reasonably accurate position. Both types also have 121.5 MHz to allow homing of rescue craft during the final phases.
The GPS ones cost more and should get your position resolved more quickly, BUT a recent test in the US found major problems with this - particularly on McMurdo kit where the GPS antenna was effectively useless if wet! I believe they have all been recalled now?
All EPIRBS have batteries which will expire, and I based my choice on how easy it was to get to this to change it every 3/5 years. I went for a Jotron unit and am pleased to report that so far I haven't a clue whether it actually works or not.
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There are basically 2 types - with and without GPS. The ones with GPS transmit an accurate position with the distress alert. The vanilla ones just transmit the alert with vessel ID etc, and it can take several satellite passes to resolve this to a reasonably accurate position. Both types also have 121.5 MHz to allow homing of rescue craft during the final phases.
The GPS ones cost more and should get your position resolved more quickly, BUT a recent test in the US found major problems with this - particularly on McMurdo kit where the GPS antenna was effectively useless if wet! I believe they have all been recalled now?
All EPIRBS have batteries which will expire, and I based my choice on how easy it was to get to this to change it every 3/5 years. I went for a Jotron unit and am pleased to report that so far I haven't a clue whether it actually works or not.
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bedouin
Well-known member
I've got the standard McMurdo Fastfind (not the GPS one that does not work). This was the smallest on the market at the time and as cheap as any.
A unit with GPS in may give the authorities an accurate position earlier but I am not convinced that will equate to being fished out sooner.
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A unit with GPS in may give the authorities an accurate position earlier but I am not convinced that will equate to being fished out sooner.
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G
Guest
Guest
Post deleted by danfoley
Newbieknownowt
New member
So what's the difference between an EPIRB and a PLB (both 406's), apart from £400+ ? I had a look at McMurdo's website but they don't seem to feel a mission to explain why you should shell out the extra wedge.
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Sunnyseeker
New member
Talk to Sartech.co.uk we bought a re-furbished with new batteries and good for 5 years, for a fraction of the cost of a new one. They offered good advice. They deal with all models I believe for re programming etc, so know what they're talking about.
01737 832237
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01737 832237
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Sunnyseeker
New member
Talk to Sartech.co.uk we bought a re-furbished with new batteries and good for 5 years, for a fraction of the cost of a new one. They offered good advice. They deal with all models I believe for re programming etc, so know what they're talking about.
01737 832237
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01737 832237
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malcp
Member
An EPIRB attaches to the boat and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) attaches to person. If you end up in the drink without being spotted by anyone else on board an EPIRB ain't a lot of use!
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malcp
Member
I do have the McMurdo FastFindPlus (with GPS). Apparently McMurdo have "upgraded" these products and have tested them (independently adjudicated) and report they are ok.
see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/?Menu=79&Page=/Contents/UrgentMessages.asp&Cat=133>http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/?Menu=79&Page=/Contents/UrgentMessages.asp&Cat=133</A>
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see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/?Menu=79&Page=/Contents/UrgentMessages.asp&Cat=133>http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/?Menu=79&Page=/Contents/UrgentMessages.asp&Cat=133</A>
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bedouin
Well-known member
I must admit I have never been too bothered about the affect of dense forrest canopy on the performance of my EPIRB /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
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StugeronSteve
New member
And I thought 406 EPIRB was a commercial radio station. I've been trying to tune in for years.
<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo
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Newbieknownowt
New member
Thank you for that - apologies for daft question number 2 (only another couple of hundred to follow I expect) but there's presumably a big difference in performance, otherwise you'd "attach" your PLB to the boat and save £400. I know there are MOB transmitters to alert peeps on the boat if another crewmember falls overboard so a PLB presumably does a lot more than just that. Does it have a shorter range or summat? Thanking you in advance for your patience and if its easier to point me to a link, please do!
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malcp
Member
Hi Newbieknownowt,
I think that functionally EPIRBs and PLBs do the same thing. I think some EPIRBs may also have a strobe light. But PLBs, being generally smaller, have lower battery capacity and are maybe mechanically less robust. So the EPIRB could well operate for longer once activeated. Better for offshore? The 406MHz ones (both EPIRB & PLB) alert the SAR authorities by COPASS/SARSAT satellites.
Just by way of example compare the products on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk>http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk</A>. (I have no connection with McMurdo, just have one of their products)
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by malcp on 08/07/2004 16:45 (server time).</FONT></P>
I think that functionally EPIRBs and PLBs do the same thing. I think some EPIRBs may also have a strobe light. But PLBs, being generally smaller, have lower battery capacity and are maybe mechanically less robust. So the EPIRB could well operate for longer once activeated. Better for offshore? The 406MHz ones (both EPIRB & PLB) alert the SAR authorities by COPASS/SARSAT satellites.
Just by way of example compare the products on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk>http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk</A>. (I have no connection with McMurdo, just have one of their products)
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by malcp on 08/07/2004 16:45 (server time).</FONT></P>
Newbieknownowt
New member
Re: Dense forest canopy
Aahh, but do you have a wooden boat? or an unfeasibly large barnet? Those "equipped to survive" guys do look a bit scary, don't they? all good ol'boys in camo gear - I'd set an EPIRB off if I met one of those under a dense forest canopy.
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Aahh, but do you have a wooden boat? or an unfeasibly large barnet? Those "equipped to survive" guys do look a bit scary, don't they? all good ol'boys in camo gear - I'd set an EPIRB off if I met one of those under a dense forest canopy.
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jimi
Well-known member
Re: Dense forest canopy
Or maybe if you keep your Epirb in an underarm holster ..
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Or maybe if you keep your Epirb in an underarm holster ..
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StugeronSteve
New member
Re: Dense forest canopy
As the Lifeboat woman said to the ship wrecked sailor...
"Is that an Epirb in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me"
<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo
As the Lifeboat woman said to the ship wrecked sailor...
"Is that an Epirb in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me"
<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo
Talbot
Active member
Good prices for EPIRBs (and recon ones from ), and a good EPIRB FAQs page available <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sartech.co.uk/epirbs_FAQ.asp>here
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bedouin
Well-known member
I would call anything with 406 operation an EPIRB. PLB tends to relate to 121.5 devices.
Roughly they come in two sizes "Big" and "Small" - Big are designed for boat mounting, can come with hydrostatic releases, automatic activation and so on. The battery life is usually at least 48 hrs
Small are designed for an individual to carry, tend to be manual activation and have shorter battery life (typically 24 hrs).
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Roughly they come in two sizes "Big" and "Small" - Big are designed for boat mounting, can come with hydrostatic releases, automatic activation and so on. The battery life is usually at least 48 hrs
Small are designed for an individual to carry, tend to be manual activation and have shorter battery life (typically 24 hrs).
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Newbieknownowt
New member
I've said it before, but my post fell off - thank you for that malcp and everyone else - very informative
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Newbieknownowt
New member
I've said it before, but my post fell off - thank you for that malcp and everyone else - very informative
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