Epirb's

[purplerobbie]

Epirb\'s

Is there any bad makes or are they all the same?
Is a £250 one as good as a £750 one?
Any Recommendations?
Cheers Rob

 

[jonjo]

Re: Epirb\'s

You will find that onboard GPS divides up the price range, at £400 upwards you can expect GPS.

Also check the battery expiry date as this has a bearing on the effective cost over time.

 

[purplerobbie]

Re: Epirb\'s

[ QUOTE ]
You will find that onboard GPS divides up the price range, at £400 upwards you can expect GPS.

Also check the battery expiry date as this has a bearing on the effective cost over time.

[/ QUOTE ]
I was told there's not a great deal of point in the gps model?
They find you on df anyway?
It takes about 40mins to get a fix without gps but with it is more or less straight away but then the will come looking with df?

Dont know if this is true but i was told this in a local swindlery.

Rob

 

[William_H]

Re: Epirb\'s

Firstly don't eveen consider a 121.5 type they are for the scrap heap in 18 months. (just to make sure)

The advantage with GPS is that your position will be logged so that if the EPIRB becomes unserviceable. ie sinks or runs flat search people have a very good fix to start looking. Integrated GPS seems like a reliable foolproof system compared to feeding GPS in but then I may be wrong. olewill

 

[Jean]

Re: Epirb\'s

Don't forget to add the cost of hydrostatic release.

 

[[3889]]

Re: Epirb\'s

I 'think' pinpointing the casualty relies on the 121Mhz transmitter which all 406Mhz units have built in. The advantage of gps is that an accurate position can be broadcast to vessels in the vicinity which are not equipped with 121Mhz detection equipment.

 

[dickh]

Re: Epirb\'s

PBO have just done a special report on EPIRB's. Either the last one the one before.

 

[pteron]

Re: Epirbs

The delay due to relying on the doppler location can be over an hour depending on where the satellites are at the time.

An excellent resource if you are looking for an EPIRB is Doug Ritter's site. He also has a section on PLBs and other sea survival goodies. (Warning, do NOT visit, if like me, you are a bit of a kit junkie)

 

[boomerangben]

Re: Epirbs

If can afford it, go for the GPS. Whilst all beacons transmit on 121.5MHz (and will continue to do so because you cannot DF to the 406 transmission), DF takes time, even with a helicopter. With a GPS position, the aircraft will fly straight to that position and then set up a search pattern. So in theory with a GPS position not only will the alarm be raised sooner, the search should take less time as well. Don't forget to consider how easy you would be seen in the water (in case you don't make the liferaft). I would consider having a day night flare in your pocket - the lifeboat/helo crews will thank you for it.

 

[jonjo]

Re: Epirb\'s

[ QUOTE ]
I was told there's not a great deal of point in the gps model?

[/ QUOTE ]
Do some searching on this forum and you should find posts that indicate the Coastguard will initiate a search & rescue for a GPS enhanced EPIRB signal hours ahead of a basic alert. As an English Channel sailor the improved speed of rescue makes the decision a no brainer for me.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Re: Epirb\'s

The PBO article was excellent, explained all the pros and cons and issues about batteries etc. Worth getting a copy. They also reviewed about 10 units

 

[purplerobbie]

Re: Epirb\'s

[ QUOTE ]
The PBO article was excellent, explained all the pros and cons and issues about batteries etc. Worth getting a copy. They also reviewed about 10 units

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you know what issue it was?
Or what the recommended?
Rob

 

[Colvic Watson]

Re: Epirb\'s

July (487).

Recommended:
PLB is the GME MT410 £351.33 for the GPS version and McMurdo Fastfind £474 with GPS
EPIRB is the ACR for £495 for the GPS version and Jotron for £851.63 for GPS version