epirb replacement

BlueChip

BlueChip

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My GPS/epirb is overdue for a battery replacement and I've just been quoted almost £230 by Sartech.
For little more than that that I can buy a new GPS/PLB with user replaceable battery
As most of my sailing now is local and cross channel and I'm not planning any major offshore passages I think a PLB should be adequate.
What do others think?
 
I don't rate user-replaceable PLB batteries. The extra hardware to keep both the beacon and the battery waterproof, and connect and disconnect them, means the whole thing is invariably much bulkier than a one-piece device. You can now buy a PLB with 6-year standby life for £190 - at a smidge over £30 per year, I wouldn't consider it owed me anything when the time came for replacement. The technology would have moved on anyway, so ditch (or sell, or keep as a backup) the old one and buy new.

For European coastal cruising the longer battery life of an EPIRB is irrelevant, so the main practical difference is that the EPIRB will operate unattended (and possibly launch unattended if you buy an auto mount) whereas the PLB needs to be held clear of the water with the aerial pointing up. It's up to you where you place the risk of a sudden catastrophic event requiring an automatic distress transmission without your intervention. Personally, I'm quite happy with a PLB as a "poor man's EPIRB".

Pete
 
Faced with the same dilemma I went for a McMurdo 220 + GPS. Cost £185, re-battery 10 year old ACR 406 £254 (and no GPS).

Signal for only 24 not 48 hours, though the older FastFind was supposed to give 48 it was not waterproof, estimated battery life 5 not 6 years, though user-replaceable were more expensive than service replacement of the 220, for which I was quoted £72.
As Pete says, by the time it's due for battery replacement design will have moved on to the point that EPIRBs are only for crewed commercial vessels under IMO regs.
 
BlueChip said:
My GPS/epirb is overdue for a battery replacement and I've just been quoted almost £230 by Sartech.
Click to expand...
I find it interesting that Sartech are charging that sort of money. Recently they recalled the GME EPIRBS which they had been servicing for some years and supposedly doing a full test each service without finding a problem.
 
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Glayva said:
I find it interesting that Sartech are charging that sort of money. Recently they recalled the GME EPIRBS which they had been servicing for some years and supposedly doing a full test each service without finding a problem.
Click to expand...

An interesting and, probably, libellous statement - if rebatteried to IMO specification it will be returned with a test-certificate duly signed.
Though I don't like Sartech's prices, I'd never doubt their probity.
Those early LiFe, LiMn batteries are expensive, outmoded and no longer used. Being in short supply they're expensive.
Sartech are trying to help and offering a large discount on replacement EPIRBs.

Not a customer or in any way associated with Sartech.
 
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Our EPIRB is subject to the recall.

The recall notice says it is a microprocessor problem that can shut the beacon down.

It is possible that normal test procedures would not be long enough to show this fault.

Whatever, Sartech's agent in Belfast is to prepare a new beacon for us and our boat minder-thank you David-is to drop it off next time he is in Belfast.
 
With the cheapness of PLB's with GPS I decided not to replace my battery on the EPIRB. Sailing around the UK I think 24hr battery adequate as hyperthermia would set in if not rescued in that time.

I think that if there is time to launch a liferaft there is time to send out a distress signal and grab a handheld VHF.

Other advantage is at PLB is always with me on lifejacket an EPIRB you have to grab often from below.

Ultimately we all want safety equipment to be not needed and a waste of money.
 
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