EPIRB choice

[benlui]

Now its a new year, im starting to think about our trip from south ireland to the isles of scilly and france for the month of june however, i would feel more secure if i had EPIRB fitted. Can anyone recommend a good but cheap option to me? There are so many to choose from so any do's and dont's would be appreciated. Also, what vhf working range would one expect for this route. my antenna is 35ft from the water.

 

[Koeketiene]

Epirb: GME is not bad at all

VHF range -
TX: line of sight. If you get 25NM you're doing well.
RX: depends on atmospherics and TX power. Some days receive Ostend Radio in Harwich (80NM), some days can hardly get Thames Coastguard.

 

[damo]

You won't hear coastal vhf for much of your passage (PS the middle section is more than 60 miles from land - I was chuffed to realise I am officially an Offshore sailor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

EPIRB choice is very much a matter of trust.
Its unlikely that you will get the usual PBO reply "I've had one for years and they work really well".
I expaect all the reputable makes are good and it must be worthwhile to pay the extra to get one with GPS location.

 

[RestlessL]

I went for the GME MT410 because of the 6 year battery life.

 

[FWB]

[ QUOTE ]
I went for the GME MT410 because of the 6 year battery life.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just googled that and it says 7 year battery life ......


But when does the clock start??? 7 years from when they made it surely, so if its been on the shelf for a while the life is less than one might think ? GME MT410

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Time runs presumably from the date of manufacture of the battery??

Could already be a year or two old, but again assume the epirb people put the newest possible batteries in.

??

 

[LadyInBed]

I went for the Fastfind MaxG PLB from McMurdo. battery packs have a 5 year storage life but are user-replaceable .

 

[RestlessL]

[ QUOTE ]
But when does the clock start??? 7 years from when they made it surely, so if its been on the shelf for a while the life is less than one might think ?

[/ QUOTE ]

End date is marked on the battery. I bought mine in 2007, and the end date is 2013.

Also finger trouble - I meant to type MT401

 

[FWB]

Thanks for that, will buy from shop rather than online so I can check !

 

[jamesmcd]

I have an MT410G Accusat 406 Mhz EPIRB which I bought for just over £300. I use it for Yacht Deliveries and would definitely recommend it, especially if you are after a low cost and portable unit. The EPIRB can be registered to a user (as mine is) or to a vessel.

It also has a 7 year battery life and a 7 year warranty.
GPS Positioning with less than 1 minute acquisition time.
Unique digitally coded message enables Rescue authorities to confirm owners identity within minutes.
LED Strobe light.

See GME Website for full spec: http://www.gme.net.au/products/emergency-beacons/plbs/MT410G

It is available at Marine Super Store (Port Solent) either in store on on their website, priced £332.75 <span style="color:red"> </span>

http://www.marine-super-store.com/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=99177485

 

[charles_reed]

GM Accusat

available for £239 + £7.99 shipping from Safety-Marine

 

[jamesmcd]

Re: GM Accusat

[ QUOTE ]
available for £239 + £7.99 shipping from Safety-Marine

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that the GPS version? The non GPS version is a lot cheaper but not as beneficial! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif