Printable View
Good day,
I'm looking at buying an emergency beacon. Not sure whether to buy a garmin inreach thing (would be nice to be able to text an update to the fam at home), or just buy a proper emergency use beacon.
I haven't really looked into them much. What do people suggest? I don't usually do more than 1 nighters, and typically its only in blocks i'm quite familiar with.
Thanks for your input
Beacon first.inreach later if feel the need.given advances in last two years the inreach may just about end up redundant.i see Musk is suggesting starlink satalites will have free use for emergency calls... Interesting times ahead as cell network keeps getting better anyway to keep up.my EPIRB/PLB is in small yellow hard plastic case it goes everywhere I take a bang sticks for peace of mind for her at home .there is a whole thread on which is best and I'm pretty sure a member on here sells them too??
Sorry, shoulda used the search function. Thank you Micky
Mickys on to it.
Beacon is number 1 prority. It's only purpose is for oh shit moments. Battery won't go flat, will get you fastest rescue.
In reach is nice to have, I have one but will be obsolete soon.
I like smoked streaky beacon
IMO buy a dedicated Beacon, i know a guy who blasted all of his battery using the GPS and messaging function that when he legit needed to activate the SOS function it was dead.
If you're only doing one nighters I wouldn't bother with messaging. most folks I know who use that use it for weather updates or progress reports on longer trips.
A PLB is a must, if I'm going anywhere that cell reception is a bit iffy, even if I'm in the car then its on my belt. my grandfather died down the back of his farm when he had a heart attack and couldn't make it back to reception to ring for help.
Maybe not required in this situation, but Resue Me do one which can be tracked by boat GPS units if equipped with that feature.
If I get some time I'll search it and post a link.
Perhaps not useful in a bush situation but handy if used on the water as well.
Saves the delay waiting for rescue team in a man overboard situation.
Ive carried a Rescue Me one so long it's now on its second battry. definitly the smallest around.
only downside is they don't float without the neopreme case.
I have a Rescue Me one too, which needs a new battery. How much is the replacement?
Can't remember sorry.
Give Lusty and Blundle a call as they are the NZ agent.
Drop in to your local brach or courier to their auckland wearhouse.
https://www.lusty-blundell.co.nz/pag...ry-replacement
quotes $245 + courier
Z
Cooey Bay did a good deal on a beacon for me. On the forum.
Yup, +1 for Peter at CooeyBay/Skippers Mate. Couldn't be beaten when I was looking, and still seems to be best priced. Very helpful with info, and is a forum sponsor, so I was happy to support them.
PLB1 is pretty small, well worth a look!
I have the old KTI as at the time they were the only one to offer a 10 year battery deal instead of the usual 6 years
Same, nice and compact. Just watch this neoprene cover if you wear it on the belt the buckle tear easily if caught on the bushQuote:
Originally Posted by ZQLewis
If buying new, pick a PLB that suits your budget, size and weight preferences. They all do the same basic thing and all new ones are now GPS encoded. The ACR with the white and infrared strobe are certainly worth the extra cost, they give a brilliant visual flash to rescuers. Make sure you register it and then wear it somewhere on you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad S
Hold off on the inReach in lieu of of cellular Starlink if your phone is new enough. First impressions from the couple of cellular SOS I was involved in over summer was encouraging. Solid location and additional information regarding the emergency.
Just remember a satellite communicator isn’t as robust system as a dedicated beacon with its dedicated power reserve and active VHF/406 transmission.
15 years ago I went for a GME with the strobe light as I take it out on the boat as well.
Slightly bigger than most of the new ones but worth it for the night time visibility I reckon
Also to add, most beacon responses in my experience are for injury or medical emergency. Not many activations are for someone who is truely lost. I’m not sure if my interpretation is correct about your being familiar with your blocks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad S
Additionally a reasonable few activations are actually for someone the beacon owner happens upon in need of help.