EPIRB Question

Chromaflage · 07-06-2006, 02:59 PM

I'm considering purchasing an EPIRB unit for the Cobia. What's the best unit available for around $500? I've looked at several - some with GPS, some w/o. I'm sure that GPS units are better, but is it necessary? This topic has probably been discussed before, but looking for some fresh perspective.

Thanks,

CrF

O Tshawytcha · 07-06-2006, 03:05 PM

This one:

ACR Terrafix PLB W/integrated GPS
Talk to Mr. Fisherman. He hooked me up with a great deal!!
The vendor delivered it quickly and it is small enough for me to take elk hunting.

Thanks again Mr. Fisherman!!

GRIFF

flapbreaker · 07-06-2006, 03:12 PM

I would think the one with gps is mandatory. Worst case scenerio would be a sunken boat and no gps to tie the EPIRB to.

Tower Todd · 07-06-2006, 05:42 PM

I just bought a ACR Globalfix w/ GPS, manually activated. The best price I could find anywhere was in Seattle at Puget Sound Inflatables. Great people to work with. There are some profound differences in rescue times for gps vs. non gps models. If I can find them I will post it.

Puget Sound Inflatables Website:
http://www.life-raft.com/dept.asp?d_id=9734&l1=9734

Tower Todd

Mr. Fisherman · 07-06-2006, 06:11 PM

Let me dig up the thread again.
The deal still stands...

Orca · 07-06-2006, 09:12 PM

The sat's will triangulate your position if you do not have GPS info into the EPIRB. If GPS connected, then the lat/lon goes with the distress call. Otherwise, it may take something like 15 minutes to triangulate a position. In either case, the CG is already on the move and a search is begun.

I see the above link says 60 minutes to position locked without GPS, but I will have to look around. I don't think it takes anywhere near that long, but I may be wrong.

Chromaflage · 07-06-2006, 09:15 PM

I'm thinking I like the idea of the EPIRB with integrated GPS, rather than the PLB. But can the EPIRB be used on land as well? I know that PLB can.

flapbreaker · 07-06-2006, 09:46 PM

The Acer PLB comes either with or without the built in GPS. And yes they can be used on land too.

CHeck out this model

http://www.life-raft.com/product.asp...1=9858&l2=

O Tshawytcha · 07-07-2006, 09:10 AM

Chroma,
The one I recommended is a full blown EPIRB. It just comes in a smaller package. The only drawback is the batteries don't last as long as the big ones and you must make sure the antenna is out of the water for the signal to reach the sattelites. It has both the sattelite beacon on 406 khz and a PLB beacon on the other rescue freq. The good news is that it is small enough to use Hiking/hunting.

Good luck!

GRIFF