single
New member
How easy is it to get a McMurdo fastfind PLB re-registered to a new user? Also are batteries easy/cheapish to replace?
McMurdo PLBs
- Thread starter single
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alan_d
Well-known member
I do not think there should be any difficulty about re-registering - no more difficult than registering in the first place, anyway.
Batteries are very easy to replace, but not cheap - typically £70 to 80. I have decided that when mine comes to need its second replacement battery I shall replace the whole thing.
Batteries are very easy to replace, but not cheap - typically £70 to 80. I have decided that when mine comes to need its second replacement battery I shall replace the whole thing.
prv
Well-known member
Just send the form (either paper or electronic) to Falmouth and they'll update the database. Probably worth putting a note in the comments box confirming that you mean to change the owner details - they do the updates manually and if they get what otherwise looks like a new registration for an existing beacon they may wonder if you've got the id wrong.
Assuming you're talking about the Fastfind 220 or similar models, the battery is not user-replaceable. I'm sure it's possible to DIY, but it doesn't look easy, and personally I'd give it a miss. The battery shelf life is six years, and by then I assume new beacons will be even smaller and cheaper, so I expect to buy new rather than replace batteries anyway.
Pete
Assuming you're talking about the Fastfind 220 or similar models, the battery is not user-replaceable. I'm sure it's possible to DIY, but it doesn't look easy, and personally I'd give it a miss. The battery shelf life is six years, and by then I assume new beacons will be even smaller and cheaper, so I expect to buy new rather than replace batteries anyway.
Pete
SteveSarabande
Active member
I took 3 months for my registration to be processed.
I think that after 6 years when the battery needs replacing the plb will be obsolete. There will be a much better model to buy so no need to worry about batteries.
I think that after 6 years when the battery needs replacing the plb will be obsolete. There will be a much better model to buy so no need to worry about batteries.
single
New member
Chhers. I think its still a current model but maybe new is safer. Here is what prompted the question-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MCMURDO-FASTFIND-PLUS-406MHz-PESONAL-LOCATION-BEACON-PLB-GPS-CASE-BOXED-/151279880514?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item2338fbc942
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MCMURDO-FASTFIND-PLUS-406MHz-PESONAL-LOCATION-BEACON-PLB-GPS-CASE-BOXED-/151279880514?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item2338fbc942
prv
Well-known member
Ah, right, that's not the 220 I was talking about. It's an older, much bulkier, design, but they are still on sale new because they have a user-replaceable battery which some people insist on.
So in answer to your original questions, (re)registration is easy, replacement batteries are available and just clip on.
That said, do check the prices, because the newer models are under £200 now. I have no idea how much the replacement battery for the eBay one would be, but you only have £80 or £90 headroom for it before the new Fastfind 220 works out cheaper.
Pete
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FishyInverness
New member
Had a quick look for you. None of the current McMurdo suppliers I have pricelists for are showing a spare battery pack - Last time we had these in (somewhere around 2012) the battery packs were around £89.99 retail.
Doesn't sound like the best value deal, especially as the seller doesn't have provenance on the PLB:
"*I don't know much about this item. It was part of a larger lot I bought in a general sale. Although I can't be 100% sure, I don't think it has been registered because there are two registration forms in the box (pre-printed with all relevant codes) which are not filled in and there is no completed registration label behind the battery. There were several of these boxed PLBs included in the lot I bought, so I think they are surplus shop stock. I have no use for them so will be selling them here on Ebay. Expiry date on battery is Oct 2009 (the battery is easily replaceable and can be purchased from several retailers including ebay)."
He's also a bit cheeky, saying that the PLB retails at £400+. that's like saying a Betamax video recorder retails at over £200!
Also, as I mentioned the other week...on the McMurdo "SAR Lifecycle" webinar I attended a few weeks ago, they mentioned that they are seeking to develop a combined AIS/PLB in the not too distant future....so as Pete says, give it a few years and this will be just another yellow brick!
Doesn't sound like the best value deal, especially as the seller doesn't have provenance on the PLB:
"*I don't know much about this item. It was part of a larger lot I bought in a general sale. Although I can't be 100% sure, I don't think it has been registered because there are two registration forms in the box (pre-printed with all relevant codes) which are not filled in and there is no completed registration label behind the battery. There were several of these boxed PLBs included in the lot I bought, so I think they are surplus shop stock. I have no use for them so will be selling them here on Ebay. Expiry date on battery is Oct 2009 (the battery is easily replaceable and can be purchased from several retailers including ebay)."
He's also a bit cheeky, saying that the PLB retails at £400+. that's like saying a Betamax video recorder retails at over £200!
Also, as I mentioned the other week...on the McMurdo "SAR Lifecycle" webinar I attended a few weeks ago, they mentioned that they are seeking to develop a combined AIS/PLB in the not too distant future....so as Pete says, give it a few years and this will be just another yellow brick!
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charles_reed
Active member
As I understand it both have user replaceable batteries, The FastFindMax is the older, bulkier, non-waterproof one, its only advantage is it's longer transmission endurance than the 220PLB @ 48hrs. The prices I've been quoted for replaceable battery packs are £124 and £70 respectively. The difference in price beween COSPAS/SARSAT only and those with GPS augmentation is small enough to make the former a no-brainer. The <£200 price probably refers to the non GPS augmentation.
The combined PLB unit has made the EPIRBs I've had for the last 14 years totally redundant, re-batterying a n ACR406 costs more than a new combined PLB.
Regarding the e-Bay offer - I wonder how long the unit has been on the shelf? If 3 years it probably only has 2 years to go.
People might find this Powerpoint presentation by COSPAS/SARSAT interesting
http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/BMW 2012_files/2012 BMW Beacon Survey_Secretariat.pdf
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FishyInverness
New member
You'd be surprised! The McMurdo 220 is currently on sale at most discount chandlers under £200, Full 406/121.5 and GPS functionality.....getting cheaper all the time!
single
New member
So, which one to go for? Coastal/offshore single handed (as good as!)
charles_reed
Active member
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/mcmurdo-fastfind-with-p-13900.html
and tell him it's available on e-Bay for £98.99 + delivery.
and tell him it's available on e-Bay for £98.99 + delivery.
FishyInverness
New member
Um..exactly where?!?! If you could find that, the Fastfind 220 for £98.99, i'd be amazed...any retailer is likely to say "Cheers then, off you go and buy it there" if you try that one!
Bilgediver
Well-known member
Just make sure you give a reliable contact person's details who can respond to phone calls in the dead of the night.... Might speed things up when you fall in th 'oggin and press the Tit !
http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/regformmca6025-5.pdf
GrahamM376
New member
Be careful where you buy one, it could be grey import and coded for another country.
prv
Well-known member
Wrong on both counts. I have a FastFind 220, it cost me just over £200 three years ago and is now slightly less, and it is a sealed unit that would have to be returned to the manufacturer for battery replacement.
Pete
Giblets
Well-known member
My FF220 has a six year battery life (expiry shown on the unit as 06/2020).
