PLB sought

[Lophophaps]

I am looking for a PLB. There have been a number of threads on this subject. My short list is as follows.
Ocean Signal Rescue me PLB1
116 grams, height 77 mm, width 51 mm , depth 32.5 mm, Adventure safety $343
http://www.adventuresafety.com.au/survi ... n-signals/

http://www.oceansignal.com/pdf/manual/1 ... .pdfheight
$339

Kannad safelink solo
https://www.ja-gps.com.au/Kannad/safeli ... -with-gps/
weight 165 g, height 112 mm, width 50 mm, depth 36 mm, Kannad $349

The size, weight and price of the above are all similar. Are there any other models and does one stand out? TIA.

[Strider]

ACR ResQLink
McMurdo Fastfind 220

[wayno]

is the battery replaceable on them? otherwise you'll have a brick in a few years. and does it need someone technical to replace the battery, if so is there somewhere you can get it replaced?> theres at least one brand that dont replace the battery, cant remember , the brand has three letters in it.
Q something from memory

[Strider]

It is probably wise to replace the unit when it expires anyway - you life may depend on it.

[wayno]

the fastfinds I know have certified agents who replace the batteries , you can test the unit to make sure it can connect to satellites , so replacing batteries shouldnt be an issue, its been standard procedure for a lot of brands.. havent heard of problems with units with replaced batteries, i think most have replaceable batteries.

[Lophophaps]

Thanks for the ones I missed. The Ocean Signal Rescue me PLB1 is still the smallest, lightest and least expensive. The best price I could find was at
http://www.skippersmate.com.au/cart.php
$328 including postage and 5% discount.

Are there any significant advantages of other brands?

[walkon]

http://www.epirbhire.com.au/buy%20an%20 ... %20PLB.htm
Try this company, they have really good service and prices the times I have used them. Ex hire stock and the ones I got off them were cheap.

I have a ocean signal rescue me plb1. Never used it so I can only hope it works when needed but it's a pretty yellow colour and small. I think by the time the plb batteries expired, it worked out that the plb cost me $0.60 per week. So I'm not too worried about battery replacement costs.

[wayno]

compare the battery life of different models and see if you can find out the transmit wattage, the higher wattage is likely to be more reliable and look at the potential for it to accidentally be set off.

[Zone-5]

ACR ResQLink
McMurdo Fastfind 220

^^ ah huh, FastFind is my choice...

[Lophophaps]

As far as I can see, all PLBs have power at or close to five watts. All must meet AMSA or other specifications. So that leaves weight and cost. Based on that I bought an Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1 from EPIRB hire for $300.

I'm not keen on the lanyard which cannot easily be replaced, or at all. Also, it's attached to a pouch and must be cut to be removed. Is it desirable to carry the pouch or should the PLB be wrapped in a plastic bag?

Registration with AMSA is required. There are seven numbers on the PLB. It appears that one of the two numbers on the back - a serial number and a UIN - is the one to use with AMSA. Can someone please advise which number is to be used when registering with AMSA?

[north-north-west]

The UIN is the number they put on the sticker.
Online registration & updating is pretty easy and the stickers usually arrive within a week.

[walkon]

Cut the flotation pouch off, unit normally doesn't come with a lanyard but I knotted the cord left to attach a carabiner (not hard to replace though)as a safety. Not that I ever needed it as the yellow holder and rubber strap never let go on the shoulder strap of the pack even in heavy off track work, probably need the safety strap more with the aarn as pockets have been undone in some off track scrub.

[Lophophaps]

The lanyard has been cut off. I have registered with AMSA, and am advised that this will take a few weeks. If I use the beacon before it is registered, will the signal still work? I'm thinking of stitching a patch inside the inside pack lid pocket, and securing the PLB to that with a baby krab. The inside lid pocket is more secure than the lid top pocket. comments?

[GPSGuided]

The beacon sure will work without registration. It only leaves the SAR people wondering who owns that beacon and not have anyone to contact. AFAIK, you won't be discriminated against if it is a true emergency.

[Lophophaps]

Thanks. Hope not to use it, but you never know. After I posted above AMSA advised that they have my details. Still need to receive a sticker, I think. I'm going to wrap the PLB in two plastic bags with rubber bands to stop it tripping accidentally.

[Strider]

I'm going to wrap the PLB in two plastic bags with rubber bands to stop it tripping accidentally.[/color]

Sounds like a nightmare to activate in an emergency too.

[Lophophaps]

I'm going to wrap the PLB in two plastic bags with rubber bands to stop it tripping accidentally.

Sounds like a nightmare to activate in an emergency too.

There are two clips for the lid, done this thousands of times. One big zip with a thick pull tag, used in sub-zero conditions with mitts on. I can make a quick release pull tag for the bags, one-handed operation. I want the PLB to be secure, not lost and not accidentally tripped, balanced against making it too hard to access. Any ideas about achieving this balance would be welcome.[/color]

[GPSGuided]

It's already 'balanced' and you are worrying too much. Just throw it in your pack or in a pocket.

[hobbitle]

It's already 'balanced' and you are worrying too much. Just throw it in your pack or in a pocket.

This.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[north-north-west]

Are they really that easy to activate accidentally? With mine (GME MT410G) it's impossible.

Put a clip on it, shove it in a shirt pocket so it's always with you when you're walking, and stop fretting.

[walkabout]

I have a RescueMe plb that I just drop in my pack or put in my pocket as is. I think it would be very difficult to set off accidently.

[GPSGuided]

Yep, one needs to flip open that spring loaded flap and then apply perpendicular point pressure on the flattish activation button for 1 full second. Never say never but highly unlikely to get triggered by accident.

Just looking at my unit's registration sticker, it's due to expire in 3 months time. I assume I'll need to review my emergency contact details etc and then order a replacement sticker closer to the expiration date.

[north-north-west]

AMSA will send you a reminder when the sticker's due for replacement.

[GPSGuided]

AMSA will send you a reminder when the sticker's due for replacement.

Very nice of them to do so but another cost of service. I wonder if our PLB purchase price included a cut that goes to AMSA for administration? Otherwise I've also got the expiration set in my to-do app, so will receive multiple reminder close to that date. I wouldn't mind if I can opt out of their reminder service if it's snail mail based.

[north-north-west]

Email.

I think you can set options for contact for things like that.

[GPSGuided]

No big deal if it's just email. Good service by AMSA.

[walkon]

To activate the plb you have to press two buttons which are covered, so if you manage to rip that little door off and press both buttons down for the required time I'd have to say you'd be extremely unlucky . I always work on the principle of reaching & operating safety devices with one hand and both have to be able to do this.
Re amsa contacting you, it would cost the gov far less to send out reminders than it would to have someone searching for your next of kin where ever they are.

[Lophophaps]

The advice in the PLB1 booklet is to press one button for one second. The PLB affects compasses. Will a compass be adversely affected by being in close proxinity to a PLB, say in a shirt pocket?

[GPSGuided]

I have a PLB1 and is only aware of the single button press for activation. Effect of a PLB on compass is no different to other small electronic gears ie. Nil to little when close. Don't see much steel in PLB1, so don't worry about it.

[Suz]

I'm not sure whether to get a RescueME PLB 1 or a ResQlink+ 406 and perhaps someone can sway me on this issue…but I what I haven't figured out yet is if these devices will work for me outside the country they are registered in.

e.g. if I get one, I'll be registering it with AMSA but then heading off to hike in Sweden later this year. Assuming I needed rescue - will it get me rescued by the Swedes? I ask as the device resellers are so intent on you buying and registering your PLB in your country of primary PLB use.

Can anyone tell me with confidence if it will work outside Oz? If I buy one, I'll be using it all over the world.