PLB - What are the choices

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 14:02
ThreadID: 139699 Views:15599 Replies:6 FollowUps:8
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I'm in the market for a PLB but I do NOT want a device that requires subscription. Interested to hear the choices others have made in this regard. How do the various models go with the registration process here in Oz?

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 14:16

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 14:16
ROD, no PLB needs a subscription. It's free to use and own once purchased. I like the KTI one as it is small, cheap ( around $280) and has 10 year battery life.

You will need to register your details with AMSA but it's completly free and easy. You shold get it from and Australian source.

https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/mmsi/index.asp
AnswerID: 630145

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 15:36

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 15:36
Another vote for the KTI

I currently have the GME , but it only as a 7 year battery life.Here is what the KTI is like
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Follow Up By: Member - Geoff M (VIC) - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 15:58

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 15:58
Another vote for the KTI - good insurance. Just renewed the registration today for another 2 years - quick and easy to do (and no cost).
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Follow Up By: Gbc.. - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 17:28

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 17:28
I also have the KTI. Very small and packable.
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Reply By: Member - Vince M (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 15:43

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 15:43
Once you own one it’s free other than battery or upgrades, & you do have too & should registrar it, you can use the same one in your boat or 4x4 caravan etc. there's a section in the form for that
I had to use mine a few years ago out to sea (South Coast NSW) with my son & I can tell you it was great feeling to see that West Pac helicopter com over the horizon, as I had used mine I sent it back to be serviced & the manufacture fully serviced & up graded it FREE of charge (thank you Safety Alert)

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Reply By: Uncle Arthur - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 16:19

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 16:19
Another vote for KTI. I purchased a brand new, un-used ex rental unit from the link below. Can recommend the service. Good value as was exactly as described.
https://www.epirbhire.com.au/buy/buy-a-beacon/
AnswerID: 630150

Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 17:17

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 17:17
I'm with Uncle Arthur ...... used epirbhire to buy a KTI beacon which had been taken on a Sydney-Hobart run.
Still had more than 10 yrs battery to go.
Registration is straightforward ...... just re-registered mine a week ago.

Cheers
Jim
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

"No road is long with good company." Traditional

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Follow Up By: CitySlicker21 - Thursday, Mar 05, 2020 at 20:35

Thursday, Mar 05, 2020 at 20:35
It's KTI For me too! If you only need it for one trip best off renting. There are a few companies around that rent camping equipment like Epirbhire and in Sydney Overnight Adventures that will deliver.
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 17:55

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 17:55
A little off topic, but these devices work world wide.
You can not expect the response times that occur in Australia if you activate one overseas, but the alert will find its way to Australia just the same.
When we travel overseas, we take our PLB with us and update the registration information accordingly.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID: 630151

Follow Up By: Hoyks - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 19:28

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 19:28
Not quite, the signal goes to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite and then to the nearest ground station. The people responsible for that part of the world will then organize the rescue response. Canberra will probably be notified that a beacon registered here has been deployed and asked for rego details, but thats about where their input will end.

Other considerations are:

Using your beacon overseas

Beacons are detected world-wide by the global satellite system, Cospas-Sarsat, and are detected from anywhere on the Earth’s surface if they are deployed correctly.

It is recommended you contact your chosen airline for guidance on carrying distress beacons as every airline and airport have differing requirements.

Please also note that some countries consider Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) carriage and activation illegal on land. Refer to the Cospas-Sarsat website for the appropriate SPOC (search and rescue or SAR point of contact) for the country you are travelling to and contact them to confirm you are legally allowed to use your beacon.

It is worth noting that the search and rescue response in each country will vary due to different levels of SAR resources and capability. It is recommended that you check locally the sort of SAR response you can expect. This will also depend on the weather conditions at the time the search and rescue is being conducted e.g. day, night, visibility (low cloud, fog, snow), high winds etc.

The rescue coordination centre of the country where the beacon is detected will coordinate the search and rescue response, not Australia. AMSA Search and Rescue will only provide the registration details, if known, and any other information it gathers from emergency contacts. AMSA will request information on the progress of the search and rescue.
https://beacons.amsa.gov.au/activation/
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Reply By: Rocket Rod - Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 19:07

Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 19:07
Thanks everybody for your replies, it seems the KTI has the votes.

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Reply By: Bazooka - Sunday, Feb 23, 2020 at 19:41

Sunday, Feb 23, 2020 at 19:41
Also have the KTI. Cheapest atm appears to be ebay, $245 inc delivery

KTI ebay

Register the PLB here: AMSA PLB Registration
AnswerID: 630194

Follow Up By: Member - cruza25 - Tuesday, Mar 03, 2020 at 19:18

Tuesday, Mar 03, 2020 at 19:18
$235 on gummie. Same seller but discount for not having to pay eBay fees

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2020 at 08:14

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2020 at 08:14
Note: both those ones are sold as used, ex hire. Watch the battery life.

For $15 more you can get new ones, with a value pack of a strap or accessory.

Also buying a second hand PLB needs quite a bit of paperwork. Both the buyer and seller have to fill out forms and send them to AMSA.

Buying and selling PLB AMSA

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