PLB advice

[GeoffW]

We are thinking of buying a couple

What are best buys and comments on models available on the market?

Any advice welcome

[Pikey Dave]

I've got the McMurdo fastfind 220 gps. small, fits in the plb pocket on my lifejacket, seems ok, never used it in anger so can't comment on performance etc.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I've got the McMurdo fastfind 220 gps. small, fits in the plb pocket on my lifejacket, seems ok, never used it in anger so can't comment on performance etc.

Me too...seems a decent bit of Kit,and like Pikey says a good size.
Mind you where you go out,with the Highland Jungle Drums...everyone knows when your out,and where going before you get there!

[GeoffW]

Thanks to both . Will look into that model.

Hope never to need, but as I operate the boat solo a fair bit and in areas with patchy vhf and mob reception , prob sensible to have .

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by GeoffW

Hope never to need, but as I operate the boat solo a fair bit and in areas with patchy vhf and mob reception , prob sensible to have .

With those parameters its a no brainer - I have an EPIRB and a PLB but then I am a whimp (and proud of it)

[GeoffW]

Ta

We are rarely if ever far from land and an Epirb whilst ideal may be more than we need . But a sensible but long term . We will start with the plb for now

[ShinyShoe]

worth looking at:

Does it float if dropped?
If it floats can is see satellites while floating?
Where will you put it while swimming? Do you have someplace to clip it on the inflated LJ. Can it see sats from there?

Replaceable battery or bin at 5 years?
Test modes? Some people comment on slow first lock if it needs to download the almanac from the sats to work out where it is. I've yet to see one with an external power source but that'd make sooooo much sense for test mode. Testing otherwise reduces battery life.
Robustness of aerial - will it survive a serious bashing
Ease of deployment given that you either are wearing gloves or have cold wet hands.

Remember to register it. Remember that the first thing they do is call the shore contact to see if its a false alarm. Make sure the shore contact will be aware if you are out, can confirm unlikely to be a false alarm if you aren't responding to a DSC call. No good making that your mobile number!

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by GeoffW

Thanks to both . Will look into that model.

Hope never to need, but as I operate the boat solo a fair bit and in areas with patchy vhf and mob reception , prob sensible to have .

Same reason I have one. The only rescue might be a yellow Sea King. Mine's a Fastfind too, best bang for the buck when I bought it. Glad to say it has not been tested in anger!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

worth looking at:

Does it float if dropped?
If it floats can is see satellites while floating?
Where will you put it while swimming? Do you have someplace to clip it on the inflated LJ. Can it see sats from there?

Replaceable battery or bin at 5 years?
Test modes? Some people comment on slow first lock if it needs to download the almanac from the sats to work out where it is. I've yet to see one with an external power source but that'd make sooooo much sense for test mode. Testing otherwise reduces battery life.
Robustness of aerial - will it survive a serious bashing
Ease of deployment given that you either are wearing gloves or have cold wet hands.

Remember to register it. Remember that the first thing they do is call the shore contact to see if its a false alarm. Make sure the shore contact will be aware if you are out, can confirm unlikely to be a false alarm if you aren't responding to a DSC call. No good making that your mobile number!

Good points

The Fast Find now comes with a neoprene flotation pouch iirc. Mine fits neatly in the PLB pocket on my lifejacket, I've fitted a lanyard to it that is attached to a ring inside the pocket, so the PLB is tethered to me.

[jumpinjack]

I have the new smartfind too, for the money, I think its a no brainer. As others have said fits neatly onto my LJ so have with me all the time.

Mustrib has done a lot of research into the topic/subject so would expect him to be along to discuss.

Anybody who doubts the worth of one, for coastal work, read his story in last months PB&R mag.

[MustRib]

I have been doing some research for an article about MEOSAR and how it will evolve PLB's. The MEO SAR Satellites will offer many advantages over the current LEOSAR and GEOSAR systems, perhaps the most interesting feature will be the ability to have a ground to beacon return link.
You trigger your MEOSAR PLB and will be able to receive return messaging from the Rescue Centre.
NOAA have a helpful diagram on their site to help explain.
Manufacturers are working on next generation PLB's, but they are a little way off at the moment, so if your in the market for a PLB, dont let that prevent you from buying a PLB now.

[gtb]

There are some webinars that explain the COSPAS-SARSAT system, including the new features in MEOSAR on the McMurdo website.

More detail than you need as a PLB user, but interesting for us nerds to learn about