Which make of EPIRB?

[tudorsailor]

I have a seven year old GME EPIRB that does not include GPS. The battery needs replacing which can only be done back in the UK and costs nearly £300 once one includes sending back to Croatia as it is considered "hazardous".

So might as well get a new one that includes GPS data transmission.

The are quite a few companies selling automatic GPS EPIRBs. Sartech are offering me £50 off a new one if I send back the old one (minus the battery). SO £350.

Any thoughts one how to choose?

TS

 

[GrahamM376]

Are you saying they can supply a new auto release GPS EPIRB for £350? When I looked at them a couple of years ago they were about double that price so I replaced our Pains Wessex with a McMurdo GPS PLB.

 

[LadyInBed]

Look for a PLB with user replaceable battery

 

[Poignard]

Look for a PLB with user replaceable battery

Any particular make/model you could recommend?

 

[micha571]

I'd recommend this one:

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/item/99354312/ocean-signal-rescueme-plb1-with-gps-plb

Really small, exchangeable battery and not too expensive.

 

[LadyInBed]

I'd recommend this one:

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/item/99354312/ocean-signal-rescueme-plb1-with-gps-plb

Really small, exchangeable battery and not too expensive.

Looks good with 7year battery life but from user manual:
5 2 - Battery
The PLB1 contains Lithium batteries for long operating life. Your battery must be replaced after the expiry date or after the PLB has been activated, even if only for a short period of time. Battery replacement must be done at an Ocean Signal authorised battery replacement centre.

 

[Koeketiene]

I have a seven year old GME EPIRB that does not include GPS. The battery needs replacing which can only be done back in the UK and costs nearly £300 once one includes sending back to Croatia as it is considered "hazardous".

So might as well get a new one that includes GPS data transmission.

The are quite a few companies selling automatic GPS EPIRBs. Sartech are offering me £50 off a new one if I send back the old one (minus the battery). SO £350.

Any thoughts one how to choose?

TS

We were in a similar situation a few weeks ago.

Went for one of these: https://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalo...ctivated-406-121-5-mhz-8223.html#.UzsfXVdnBvk

 

[charles_reed]

I have a seven year old GME EPIRB that does not include GPS. The battery needs replacing which can only be done back in the UK and costs nearly £300 once one includes sending back to Croatia as it is considered "hazardous".

So might as well get a new one that includes GPS data transmission.

The are quite a few companies selling automatic GPS EPIRBs. Sartech are offering me £50 off a new one if I send back the old one (minus the battery). SO £350.

Any thoughts one how to choose?

TS

After looking @ EPIRBs, I chose a McMurdo PLB, with a flotation pouch, GPS, 48-hr transmission, self-change battery pack @ £74 and a 6 year life, from Marine Electronic Supplies for £185.
I could see no benefit in a fully fledged EPIRB at x2 the price, as I generally sail single-handed and, in performance terms, the EPIRB had no benefits.
The price was negotiated due to the last EPIRB battery only lasting 4 years, instead of the normal 5 for ACI units.
I've have dealt with MES for the last 20 years, from the time Nick Heyes was Technical Director and always found them utterly satisfactory, in cost and service terms. My choice was guided to a considerable extent by their salesman who was extremely helpful.

 

[charles_reed]

Are you saying they can supply a new auto release GPS EPIRB for £350? When I looked at them a couple of years ago they were about double that price so I replaced our Pains Wessex with a McMurdo GPS PLB.

I think you'll find the Pains Wessex was a re-badged McMurdo.

The last time I was in the market (11 years ago) the choice was limited and prices painful.

 

[GrahamM376]

I think you'll find the Pains Wessex was a re-badged McMurdo.

The last time I was in the market (11 years ago) the choice was limited and prices painful.

Yes. The large EPIRBs could be had badged either Pains Wessex or McMurdo. Service cost quoted by Pains Wessex was crazy so the first time the battery was time expired I got the battery service kit from Sartech for IIRC around £100 + VAT. Battery date expired again a couple of years ago so I keep it as a back up as it still self-tests OK. The new GPS PLB was roughly the same price as a new battery for the old (non GPS) unit.

 

[bikedaft]

After looking @ EPIRBs, I chose a McMurdo PLB, with a flotation pouch, GPS, 48-hr transmission, self-change battery pack @ £74 and a 6 year life, from Marine Electronic Supplies for £185.
I could see no benefit in a fully fledged EPIRB at x2 the price, as I generally sail single-handed and, in performance terms, the EPIRB had no benefits.
The price was negotiated due to the last EPIRB battery only lasting 4 years, instead of the normal 5 for ACI units.
I've have dealt with MES for the last 20 years, from the time Nick Heyes was Technical Director and always found them utterly satisfactory, in cost and service terms. My choice was guided to a considerable extent by their salesman who was extremely helpful.

is that a 220? can only find reference to minimum 24hr transmission battery life? even so, may be worth getting two of them rather than one of the more expensive EPIRBS (we all tend to wander up hills as well)

 

[charles_reed]

is that a 220? can only find reference to minimum 24hr transmission battery life? even so, may be worth getting two of them rather than one of the more expensive EPIRBS (we all tend to wander up hills as well)

FastFind MaxG

 

[bikedaft]

FastFind MaxG

thanks

you got a very good price

 

[richardbrennan]

I bought an Ocean Signal in the belief from the name and look it was from Ocean Safety which it is not. However, having said that, the service I have had from Ocean Signal and METS has been first class after the protective flap was snapped off. The one point I would make is that one of the test procedures (there are two) is very complicated and almost impossible to do, however this may be common to all EPIRBS.