Conspirators - Epirb costs

[TheRealAndy]

1. So if there is this "marine/boating cost thing" then how do you explain then that a PLB which is NOT a marine version is more expensive than a marine EPIRB? Pocket size, convenience, light weight and yet more expensive and only work for half the time of an EPIRB. My guess there is probably similar (or more) PLB's sold than EPIRBS?

2. The USCG response after 10-15 seconds is a bit off the mark as all Epirbs have to have an activation 60 second transmission delay built-in for just such occurances.

I am going to have to disagree with you here SatNav. The cost has got nothing to do with the design or response times or if its marine or not. I have worked in the electronics manufacturing industry for many years now, and once you have sunk the cost of design its all about volume. The electronics is cheap, add a few features its not much more, but only if you manufacture in large volumes. If I was to build one epirb, wrapped up in fancy plastic with approvals it would probably cost me $10million. If every person in australia bought one, that $10mil would be sunk across all those people, with a tiny amount more for the cost of the parts. This is before we even consider insurance, shipping, repair, refund etc. Fact is, an epirb is not going to be sold to every person, and I wouldn't even want to guess at the people/epirb ratio. Given that, they are never going to be a cheap consumer item.

[SatNav]

1. Response times? Nothing was said about response times?

2. There are really no different "features" between an EPIRB and a PLB

3. So what makes a (land based) PLB more expensive than a (marine) EPIRB? Is the intention to claim volume of sales?

[SatNav]

1. Just in case the point has been missed with regards anything that might be "mandatory" jumping in price then I would be interested in hearing the reasoning behind why mandatory marine Epirbs are cheaper than effectively non mandatory land based models?

[BrewGuru]

I just don't get it!

Manufacturers,wholesalers,distributors,shiping companies and retailers are in business to make a profit, it takes $$$ to market and advertise the product.
We pay, $$ to go fishing 500% on bait, 200% hooks an line hardware, we pay for
VHF radio $300 - $800, Flares,lifejackets ,V sheets etc etc etc all designed so that in the face of danger you can get home to your wife and kids. The beauty of the new digital Epirbs They know who you are, your boat and contact details, pretty cheap insurance, Conspiracy SatNav? noway , a necessity and shame on you for suggesting to boaties that they should not comply with the new technology, and why oh why are people buying the old technology which finishes in Feb next year for $50-$100 bucks, there is the conspiracy, the retailer may have over stocked on the old technology or bought it cheap to make a quick buck, does he care about your safety, I think not.

[SatNav]

"The beauty of the new digital Epirbs They know who you are, your boat and contact details, pretty cheap insurance, Conspiracy SatNav? noway , a necessity and shame on you for suggesting to boaties that they should not comply with the new technology'

1. Are you saying I am suggesting to boaties that they should not comply ?? You are certainly lost my friend!