Thread: EPIRB?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

But the commute is murder.

... But think of how many books he can read on the way to/from work !

Originally Posted by Jimmy93

Those spot devices look pretty good and they are $170 on their site, I wonder how much the sos button differs from an actual PLB though.

How come you carry both, Steven?

Cheers

Jimmy

I have both a SPOT and Epirb

Spot has annual subscription fee as a negative and can send "I am ok" and possition to family as a positive. It is not a PLB due to it using disposable batteries. I carry replacement AA batteries. A backpack deer hunter in the Vic High Country National Park used a Spot after he broke his leg. It worked well for him!

PLBS are fine over a Epirb I.M.O. My Epirb lives in my boat but can be taken on land when 4wd. You can refurbish Epirb batteries and certification. I bet if it got to a "use an Epirb" distress stage you might not be at all concerned if it reusable

Some of the PLB manufacturers have free replacement if yours is used in a genuine emergency and rescue. The guy and his son I came across back country skiing in NSW had one of these and it worked a treat. But we were in mobile reception and the mobile was of course much more valuable in ascertaining what type of help was to be sent, in this case an air ambo from Canberra.

Was amazing to see the massive air ambo home in on us directly out in the snow!

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

You are a long way from home Doc

Trying to get his Rocks off Pedro
Andrew

Originally Posted by Jimmy93

Those spot devices look pretty good and they are $170 on their site, I wonder how much the sos button differs from an actual PLB though.

How come you carry both, Steven?

Cheers

Jimmy

Hi Jimmy

The spot transponder is a commercial service, which offers the ability to send an "all ok" message to who ever you nominate. Though the units are cheaper than an PLB there is on ongoing annual subscription to the service which is around $170 a year.

An PLB Is more expensive but there are no ongoing costs. However it is a one use device and directly sends a signal the the relevant government rescue authority that it has been activated. I also believe that it will work better in marginal conditions. ALL PLSshave to go through a rigorous approval process before they can be sold to the public.

With Spot when you use the SOS button, the message goes to Spot in the USA and they then pass it on the the Govt rescue authority.

I use the Spot to send all ok messages, but if it all goes pear shaped and life threatening I trust the Plb more to get the alert through.

Cheers

Steve

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Trying to get his Rocks off Pedro
Andrew

Ouch

That will cost you the first round when we catch up again Andy

I get to escape tomorrow. Charter flight back to Entebbe, overnight there, then down to Capetown for 3 days, back to Joburg and then home on Friday week. Looking forward to that red wine and a decent feed.

Cheers

Steve