Which P.L.B to buy and why???

[Pterois Volitans]

Hi,
I have to purchase my own PLB soon, can anybody advise as to which one would be suitable for NVFR and VFR flying. Which company stocks the most brands.


Thanks
PV

[Sunfish]

Whatever you buy, get one with inbuilt GPS as it greatly reduces search time. Also get something that fits in a pocket and carry it that way. You may need it in a hurry and the flight bag is too far away.

[Squawk7700]

I got one that was a little thicker than your average one but it floats as I also use it in the boat.

The limited features that I can think of that you may like to consider include:

- Flashing LED lights so searchers might spot you more easily
- Floating ability
- Floating with aerial upright (they don't all do this !!)
- Carry case
- Auto or manual activation (usually water and not shock)
- Long lanyard (generally for boat use)

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

I have the GME unit with GPS - it hasn't failed me yet! :ok:

[kaz3g]

I have a GME with GPS also but I'm dashed if I'll buy another from them. Mine is 6 years old and never used but the battery life is nearly at an end.

They want the almost the cost of a new one to replace the battery. I can't see how they can possibly justify this and I think it is a rip-off.

Yes, it works out at not much each year but no, it's not a reasonable price to replace a battery.

Kaz

[LeadSled]

kaz3g,
What you get is not a new battery, but a new unit.
Have you checked the "battery replacement" prices for competing units??
The GME takes a bit of beating for value.
And, the advertised battery life is achieved.
Tootle pip!!

[kaz3g]

But why should I pay for a new unit when the one I've got has never been used and all it needs is a $30 battery?

Kaz

[Car RAMROD]

Get one with GPS, nothing but!

7700 said he uses his in the boat. Good idea but if you intend to use your plb for other uses make sure you get one to meet those standards.

PLBs do not meet the AS/NZS for a marine epirb. Unlikely to get fined, but I've not come across a state that allows a PLB (AS/NZS number something something .2 I think) instead of an EPIRB (something something .0 or .1 I think). I cannot remember the standard numbers, too tired to look them up right now.

[gerry111]

Two additional good things about the GME PLBs are that the replacements are invariably smaller with better battery technology. And preferably worn on a belt rather than in a pocket, so it doesn't go missing when you really need it.

[Goat Whisperer]

As many have said: Make sure it has GPS... that takes the "search" out of Search and Rescue. Many helis can upload the co-ordinates, fly straight there and look down, you'll be under the rotor disk.

When I shopped I thought the GME 410G was the best idea, and the same unit was significantly cheaper from marine stores than the airport shops on GA airports.

[27/09]

Another option while it is not a PLB it is in many circumstances a much better option and that is Spot Tracker. It sends out your position on a regular basis (every 5 minutes I think) and has a "911" function where you can send a distress signal.

http://www.findmespot.net.nz/

The beauty of Spot is it doesn't rely on an activation for your position to be broadcast. I would consider one of these before buying a PLB.

[Squawk7700]

The only problem with a Spot is in Australia you need a PLB for a flight over 50nm unless you have one affixed to the aircraft.

[YPJT]

I have the GME with inbuilt GPS. As Leadie says, cant beat it for value.

[Deaf]

But why should I pay for a new unit when the one I've got has never been used and all it needs is a $30 battery?

1 - Various components particularly electrolytic capacitors have "life issues" and at 7 years another 7 years is problimatical even without being used.

2 - A $30 battery might be a bit more "quantity one"

[LeadSled]

kaz3g,
What's you neck, or those of your passengers, worth??
Who says it's a $30 battery ---- and quite apart from you neck, is just a battery replacement giving you a unit that complies with the legislation, ie: the whole kit and caboodle is certified.
unless you have one affixed to the aircraft. Squark7700,
And if you have one of those pieces of ballast, with their 95%+ failure rate, you better have a PLB.
As one poster says, we have many examples of the search aircraft flying direct to the PLB GPS co-ordinates. Spot will not do that for a downed aircraft, except in exceptional (ie unreal) circumstances.

Tootle pip!!

[27/09]

The only problem with a Spot is in Australia you need a PLB for a flight over 50nm unless you have one affixed to the aircraft.

Yep, over here you need and ELBA full stop, so not much different.

Based on the high failure rate of ELBA's to actually do their job there's a few pilots I know of that place more faith in Spot, even though they have a serviceable ELBA.

An ELBA or PLB is only activated after the event. The ELBA should be automatic but so often the aerial or aerial connection is damaged to the extent it doesn't transmit effectively. With the PLB you need to be conscious to activate it.

Spot is broadcasting right up till the event thus giving an accurate position without any reliance on there needing to be a method of activation.

[Squawk7700]

And if you have one of those pieces of ballast, with their 95%+ failure rate, you better have a PLB.


http://members.iinet.net.au/~bc75/horse.gif

[LeadSled]

An ELBA or PLB is only activated after the event. The ELBA should be automatic but so often the aerial or aerial connection is damaged to the extent it doesn't transmit effectively. With the PLB you need to be conscious to activate it.27/09,
As I have quoted (CASA numbers) time and again, 95%+ failure rate for a fixed ELT --- on what other piece of equipment on an aeroplane would you accept such a failure rate.
They are a complete waste of money.
No Squawk7700, I am not flogging a dead horse, facts are facts.
Tootle pip!!

[Lead Balloon]

An ELBA or PLB is only activated after the event.Not entirely accurate.

They can be activated during the event. And it's smart to practise doing so.

[chute packer]

FWIW we have around 200 of the ACR ResQLink+ in use in our fleet and have yet to have a failure. Haven't had to do a battery replacement yet so cant advise on the cost sorry.
ACR ResQLink Plus PLB With GPS Worlds smallest personal locator beacon (http://www.chsmith.com.au/Products/ACR-ResQLink-Plus-PLB.html)

We have also listed the GME 410 as an alternative recently.

[Sunfish]

(Bolded for emphasis) Be sure to only buy a PLB programmed for Australia!

The EPIRB Hex code has a preprogrammed prefix that identifies the country of registration.

So if you have bought an American EPIRB via Aircraft Spruce, etc. and you set it off, the ground station will route the alert to the American safety authorities who will look in their database and find ?????? Buy this one locally. But of course we all know this, don't we?

[aldee]

From the CHSmith.com.au website

"Note: New Zealand registration requires a new HEX ID number at users cost"

Would have to be the same for oz users buying from US ?

Like the idea of no ongoing subscription with the ACR unit

[Sunfish]

I don't think you quite understand. These units cannot be reprogrammed except by the manufacturer, if at all. There go your savings from buying overseas.

AMSA doesn't charge for registering your beacon, you must update your details every Two years and they send you a new sticker for your PLB.

The Hex ID is unique to your PLB.

Country code list:

Table of Maritime Identification Digits (http://www.itu.int/online/mms/glad/cga_mids.sh)

[LeadSled]

Folks,
There is sod all difference in the costs of various PLB, amortized over the certified life, so why not support the Australian manufacturer, GME. There is one other Australian manufacturer, don't remember the name.

After all, GME developed the first 406 PLB (with and without GPS) that satisfied the then "new" standards that allowed a portable that would talk to the new generation COSPAS/SARSAT constellation. At very considerable capital investment, they proved it could be done.

Indeed, it was Australian action at international level that had the minimum specifications changed (principally certified battery life at -70c) to enable certified 406 PLB at all.

Not all Australian Federal Government agencies are like CASA.

And, from time to time, you do get a courageous (in the Yes! Minister sense) Minister, who is prepared to take on the likes of CASA and put legislation through against the concerted opposition of CASA, a piece of facts based performance regulation --- not only saving lives as a result, but saved the aviation sector from having to fit many tens of millions of $$$$ of fixed ELT that were not going to work, in the real world -- that was John Sharp.

All the rest followed on. It is only in the last very few years that other countries have started to do what we have done for years, used PLB far more widely than just aviation.

This is one of the few areas of aviation that NZ has got completely wrong.

Tootle pip!!

[aldee]

"This is one of the few areas of aviation that NZ has got completely wrong.
Tootle pip!!"

How's NZ got this wrong?

I agree buy local if it's as good as imported, here in the "land of the good footballers " :E all our gears an import

[fixa24]

I recently bought one of these jobbies for bushwalking;
PLBs | KTI (http://kti.com.au/safety-alert-plb/)
Very light and compact, Australian company too.

[LeadSled]

How's NZ got this wrong?

NZ required fixed ELT, despite the 95%+ failure rate in the real world.

Tootle pip!!