PLB reliability

Submitted: Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 12:43
ThreadID: 102858 Views:3230 Replies:3 FollowUps:6
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Hi All
I recently received a PLB for my birthday which I have registered and applied said registration to the back of the unit.
However I have heard comments like "there not reliable" or "they don't work". I have searched the web and the only comments I've found even remotly like that is from a US site which seems to be flogging SPOT
While I understand nothing is 100% reliable I would have thought if they was a significant problem with PLB's it would be all over the news.
The main problem that crops up is false activation.

Thoughts/comments?

Rgds
Ian
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Reply By: garrycol - Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 12:58

Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 12:58
If PLBs/ERIBs were unreliable they would be not be mandatory fitment to most aircraft and commercial marine vessels.

I do not think you have any worries with a PLB that is correctly registered with AMSA.

Garry
AnswerID: 513446

Follow Up By: Member - Noldi (WA) - Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 13:04

Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 13:04
Thanks Garry, that's my gut feel as well just annoying sometimes with the naysayers. Thought I might be missing something
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Reply By: member - mazcan - Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 13:03

Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 13:03
hi noldi
I have been told and also observed for myself that opposing sales people get on these review sites and write very negative reviews about the other brands
to promote their own
Ive read thousands of product reviews on many items and sites
and have discovered that there are simular phases and terminology that is repeatedly used by the same knockers under a different guise/name
in order to boost sales on their own products
so as they say-- you have to read between the lines
what you have quoted about the plb sounds very much like it
cheers
AnswerID: 513447

Follow Up By: Member - Noldi (WA) - Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 13:19

Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 13:19
Thanks Mazcan, I'm sure some like the functionality of one system over another and that's great but its annoying when the negative romours start to be come fact
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Reply By: gbc - Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 14:50

Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 14:50
A PLB has half the guaranteed run time of an epirb (24 hr vs 48 hr), and has a lower current signal which is not attenuated by water unlike an epirb's. Having said that, you can't stuff an epirb in your pocket and go for a jog.....
Horses for courses mate.
If your particular PLB is also GPS enabled it would make it a much better proposition than one that is not, but a standard one is also about a million times better than nothing.
Whichever one you have, carry it with confidence for you terrestrial activities. Epirbs are the go for offshore though, no question, but I'd have a plb in my pocket there as well if I owned one.
As a side note, if you are planning some super remote/borderline activity, call AMSA before you go and tell them where you are going to be before you go. They like that.
AnswerID: 513460

Follow Up By: Member - Noldi (WA) - Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 17:28

Thursday, Jun 20, 2013 at 17:28
Thanks GBC I noticed when I registered it it had a spot for upcoming trips, It has GPS capabilities
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FollowupID: 792174

Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Jun 21, 2013 at 00:09

Friday, Jun 21, 2013 at 00:09
Not only a valuable tool in Australia, but useful overseas as well.
Just keep AMSA informed as to its whereabouts.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
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Follow Up By: Sigmund - Friday, Jun 21, 2013 at 21:55

Friday, Jun 21, 2013 at 21:55
"False activation" is what you need to figure out.

What kind of PLB is it?
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FollowupID: 792277

Follow Up By: Member - Noldi (WA) - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 11:49

Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 11:49
Hi Sig, its a McMurdo Fastfind 220 PLB (with GPS)
Yes must admit not read the instruction yet but very soon
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FollowupID: 792461

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