Question: What PLB to buy?

**FeatherWeightDriver** · 24th August 2014, 06:24 PM

Hi brains trust,

I'm hunting a PLB (personal locator beacon) now that they now seem reasonably priced enough to buy rather than rent. Primary function is for "oh ****" usage rather than letting people know where we are, so I reckon as PLB is what I am after rather than a SPOT messenger.

The GME MT410G seems to retail around $300 and seems reasonable enough, especially given that apparently battery replacement is (or at least was) free in the event of legitimate use.

Does anyone else know of any other PLB units that are worth looking at?

Thanks in advance...
FWD

**Robmacca** · 24th August 2014, 06:52 PM

Keen on reading the replies here as I'm in a similar boat.... but I'm leaning more towards a "Spot" unit due to my mid-week exploring adventures in the bush....

**101RRS** · 24th August 2014, 06:59 PM

That is what I have as it seemed to tick all the boxes for a PLB - mine was just over $300 at BCF.

Garry

**FeatherWeightDriver** · 24th August 2014, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Keen on reading the replies here as I'm in a similar boat.... but I'm leaning more towards a "Spot" unit due to my mid-week exploring adventures in the bush....

I do like the "follow me" function of the SPOTs, but not the annual subscription fees...

**Rok_Dr** · 25th August 2014, 01:17 AM

I recently bought a PLB for work. Initially I was going to go for the GME but after having a look at a couple of models at the local boat shop I bought an ACR ResQLink. The thing I liked about it was its a lot smaller than the GME so easier to carry on my person.

Whatever unit you go for, get one with a gps as this will significantly improve the accuracy of your location.

Cheers

Steve

**Jondavball** · 25th August 2014, 04:24 AM

My job has me travelling extensively overseas to the places seen more on the news than in a brochure, as well as my love of the bush with my family so I have a PLB and a Spot. My PLB after much research is the ResQLink. I will use the PLB if and when I am really in the **** and need help urgently whereas the Spot is used to update family on my whereabouts (outside of phone coverage) and to seek help for less serious problems including breakdowns etc

**FeatherWeightDriver** · 13th October 2014, 09:28 PM

A further note on the GME PLBs.

The battery can not be "replaced" even by GME, so you will be up for essentially purchase price every 7 years. Also the replacement unit only has 12 month warranty. It almost sounds like they want their units to be disposable once the battery runs out...

Sure it's not a huge price to pay for safety, but given other brands have similar features, purchase price and lower battery replacement cost I'm tempted to go with another brand just on principle.

**101RRS** · 13th October 2014, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by FeatherWeightDriver

A further note on the GME PLBs.

The battery can not be "replaced" even by GME, so you will be up for essentially purchase price every 7 years.

Where did you get that advice from? Certainly not from the GME PLB documentation which indicates they can be returned to have the batteries changed.

Cheers

Garry

**p38arover** · 13th October 2014, 10:33 PM

I should replace my old EPIRB. I was annoyed that not long after I put in new batteries, they changed to the new system.

Dunno if my old EPIRB will still be useful or not.

**boobook** · 14th October 2014, 05:45 AM

Ron,
The old 121Mhz EPIRBs are no longer monitored and are not even legal to use now.

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