I need to buy an epirb this week for my trips outside and would like some advise please. Does any particular brand have any better signal capability or quality rating? Also I am confused as to which brand has exactly what with battery replacement. Some similar model seem to show 5 year and others 6 year etc. What would you recommend. Thank again.
I bought a GME with a 5 yr battery 5 yrs ago and they (GME) just replaced the unit with a new one with a 6 yr battery that I can get changed in 2015.
Mine is the basic you turn it on type and unless somone corrects me they all should work much the same apart from the way they turn on.
No complaints about GME as I've found them approachable and willing to talk on the phone and via email. Whitworths sent my old one down to Syd for upgrading as the old batteries were not able to be posted and they were good with it too.
Ho hum, lifes boring and I plan to never have to use the Epirb either as I like my offshore boating to be boring too.
Cheers
Chimo
What could go wrong.......................
Thanks for your imput Chimo. I get a bit cynical when I see the same thing advertised with different warranty times LOL. The GME seems to be ok. I was a bit cautious about GME from the experience I had with my GME GX290 boat radio it got hosed one night when I came home late and when I removed it next day it would no longer work. We pulled it apart and the circut board was destroyed in one patch. Just forgot to remove it once and it was under the dash out of sight and the weather and was not directly hosed. Thanks again.
Hi Sag/
I'm confused ..... "different warranty times" que?
The old initial 406 batteries in the GMEs were 5 yrs, the newer unit that they upgraded me to instead of just replacing the battery contains a 6 yr battery. They probably made other changes too but as long as its waterproof and works I dont need to know.
Talking of waterproof, when did they say your GME GX 290 was waterproof?
Probably hosings not good for a lot of electronic stuff thats at best water resistant or probably best treated as if thats all it is.
A cynic like yourself should be right up with this stuff as I, a GOM; am also.
Cheers
Chimo
What could go wrong.......................
GME =6 years, Pain Wesex=10 years. I am not aware of the difference in the batteries so I asked.
I did not claim the GMEGX290 was waterproof nor did I expect it to be but shower proof yes, to put water directly on it you would need to kneel down or lay down and direct the hose up under the front past the dash board to put water directly on to it. I would have thought a slight spray would not be a consequence,less chance of getting wet that way than a tropical downpour or a greenie over the bow. If it is that fragile it has no place in the boat a far as I am concerned. Anyway I have an Icom coming waterprood to 1 meter for 30 minutes.Thanks again
Can anyone suggest where to get the best deal, Thanks
Whens your local boat show?
Usually have good deals at them there, otherwise check out your local outlets once you have decided what you want. Best advice is the check around if boat show won't work for you. eg Whitworths new catalog arrived a few days ago and the MT 400 (basic unit that I chose 5 yrs ago) is $469 ($579 rec retail)
Sorry but thats all I can advise.
Cheers
Chimo
What could go wrong.......................
Suggest you think ahgead to battery replacement....the cost of replacing the battery in 5 years is expected to be approaching $200...the old 126 ones were and these will probably be as dear or dearer.
You can get a GME for around $465 at Whitless...and pay for a new battery in 5-6 years or you can get a Pains Wessex from anywhere for $499 ( I got mine at Discount Sea Mart in Melb) and that includes a free battery replacement by Pains Wessex after 5 years which they say is half the battery life.
Now you dont need to do a discounted cash flow to see that 499 + 0 easily beats 465 + 200........?
Look if you are going to need one buy one with GPS that will actually get you saved a lot faster and more accurately. Extra few hundred spent will feel like a bargain if you need it. Yeah I know they are expensive but so is your life and your crews life.
Cheap ones exist as they comply and work but the extra you get with GPS is worth it in my opinion especially as they are a newer design, watter activated and a better bracket.
I am with Cormorant on this one.
Check on the AMSA website about the details for time to be located and accuracy of location. How long would you like to be in the water with your kids before someone knew where you were? I reckon you should answer this question first and then check the pricetag. Definitely in that order.
Thats my two Bob's worth
Brendan
Think carefully before going water activated.... balance the probability of being unconscious against the probability of the device getting wet at sea and activating itself when not required. I am not suggesting an answer...there are arguments for both types
The water activation is not instant and copes with spray and a quick dunking. In some brands it can't be activated in the holder ( magnet switch) so it can get drenched and until it is released or floats off it will not activate.
I am not 100% but I thought with the GME if you haven't activated the hand switch and it gets dunked it will not start for a short period and when removed from the water it will cease. Will try and check if I get time? Anyone know.?
PS I'd rather get a radio call or phone call ( if it was in the front yard in rain) for a false alarm than have a chopped up hand and not be able to set it off or have a capsize and no one find anything but a epirb floating unactivated??
The water activated model has two metal contacts on the side and when the water makes contact across both it activates the EPIRB.
No good having an auto activating EPIRB if the boat has sunk with it still attached.
You can get a float free model that is secured in a housing which has relaease unit called a hydrostatic release that will release the EPIRB at 1 - 2 mtrs depth.
Quite a bit more expensive, my due what sort of cheque would you write if your floating 20 k's of the coast with the EPIRB still attached to your boat floating away from you.
The pains Wessex EPIRB does not have a longer life on it's battery but will be replaced at 5 years for no charge, hence the 10 years. I think there has been a recent change in importer of the Pains Wessex EPIRBS and they may now be based in W.A. Guess they took over on the understanding they still have to replace these batteries in 5 years. Not sure of all the details.
RB6 EPIRB 406 MHz With Strobe
The Pains Wessex RES-Q-SAT RB6 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon will raise the alarm and give your location in an emergency situation. Following manual activation it will transmit a distinctive radio signal on 406 MHz international distress frequencies, accessing the COSPAS/SARSAT Satellite Aided Search and Rescue System.
FEATURES:
Pilot light will show green as an assurance to those awaiting rescue that the Unit is transmitting.
.................................................. ....
This c&p is from the Pains Wessex home site. It does not seem to mention the free replacement. Some sellers mention it and some do not. Bit confusing.
"RB6 EPIRB 406 MHz With Strobe
The Pains Wessex RES-Q-SAT RB6 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon will raise the alarm and give your location in an emergency situation. Following manual activation it will transmit a distinctive radio signal on 406 MHz international distress frequencies, accessing the COSPAS/SARSAT Satellite Aided Search and Rescue System."
1. As will ALL other EPIRB's
2. Is there a point with this?
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