Thread: PLB recommendations

So I'm making the mature choice and spending some money on a plb as opposed to hunting gear and am wondering if there is any huge difference between the different available models in NZ.

Any advice?

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Originally Posted by Rn-85

is any huge difference between the different available models in NZ.

Not particularly, however:
If buying second hand, ensure it is GPS encoded (all new ones will be).
The KTIs used to have a higher than normal rate of inadvertent activations.
Beacons with an infrared strobe are worth the extra cost from the perspective of someone looking for you.

You've made a sound decision.

KTI used to have the longest lasting battery which is why I have one. Sadly they are no longer available

Have a look at the options and look at size, cost and battery service costs. Some are replacement fodder as they are 3/4 the price of new to service. That's bs as shopping on a sale basically means you get a new unit for the price of service! There is a guy on here who sells them, his ones look like a decent option. Someone can chime in with his name I'm having a blank!

Skippersmate.co.nz

Originally Posted by No.3

Skippersmate.co.nz

Is this the forum member. The PLB1 looks good. Fair bit cheaper than GC, too. Id like a sturdier pouch though. Any thoughts on the one which is setup for Aus?

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Originally Posted by Rn-85

Any thoughts on the one which is setup for Aus?

Assuming the beacon is to be primarily used in the New Zealand search region, an NZ coded beacon is a more streamlined process for RCC (Wellington). They'll receive your distress directly and already hold your registration details rather than another regional provider.
All 406 beacons work globally, an overseas beacon & registration is just an unnecessary step when they can so easily be correctly coded to, and registered here.

Originally Posted by Moutere

Assuming the beacon is to be primarily used in the New Zealand search region, an NZ coded beacon is a more streamlined process for RCC (Wellington). They'll receive your distress directly and already hold your registration details rather than another regional provider.
All 406 beacons work globally, an overseas beacon & registration is just an unnecessary step when they can so easily be correctly coded to, and registered here.

Edit to add, it’s more clunky to register an Australian coded PLB correctly with AMSAR but with NZ contact details. For example you can’t input a NZ phone numbers into their online form. About all you used to be able to do was note your details in the comments section at the bottom of the page. My situation was a beacon used in Australasia/Pacific for work and recreationally here in NZ.

@CooeeBay is the member from Skippersmate..I got my KTI from hm but I will probably have to replace it soon (10 years and all that..)

Originally Posted by timattalon

@CooeeBay is the member from Skippersmate..I got my KTI from hm but I will probably have to replace it soon (10 years and all that..)

I also bought my KTI from them, pretty sure its still got 4 years left on the battery, it was 10 or 11 year battery life.

Just seen they do the same beacon under the new branding (kti went broke and bought by some scandinavian company) now called "Jotron"
I will buy one of these when the time comes, i like the simplicity and size of them

It would pay to check your registered details mine disappeared off the system

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

It would pay to check your registered details mine disappeared off the system

They did a big audit on epirb and plb a few years back and anything where they got no reply for the contacts got canned...

Originally Posted by No.3

They did a big audit on epirb and plb a few years back and anything where they got no reply for the contacts got canned...

My details are still there, the code for my plb is still there too but when you click on it all details such as expiry date etc have gone. They reset my account with the same result. Luckily I have my expiry date on my Google calendar. All my emergency contacts are still showing thankfuly

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Southland Locator Beacon Trust had the best deal when I bought my second PLB earlier in the year: cheap postage, included pouch, cheap battery replacement.

Agree I got my current plb through them, cheaper than the big outfits and good easy service