KTI PLB
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021 at 18:08
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142544
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5982
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OzzieCruiser
Hi All,
My GME PLB expires next month so I need to do something about a replacement. I can get another GME but I would prefer a KTI.
I appreciate that KTI had issues a while ago and they were no longer available but I believe they had sorted those issues and were back in production. However researching the usual suppliers they are either not listed or it indicates out of stock or not available.
So has anyone any recent experience in acquiring a KTI and if so where were you able to get them.
I appreciate many on this
forum believe in Spot and similar equipment but I am not interested - if the KTI is not available I will just replace my GME with a new one - not as good as the KTI due to battery life but good enough.
Thanks
Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021 at 18:25
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021 at 18:25
GME is made in Oz. :)
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID:
637846
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021 at 19:22
Reply By: Member - Warren H - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2021 at 19:27
Reply By: OzzieCruiser - Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 10:38
Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 10:38
Thanks for the comments - it looks like KTI did not reopen as planned after their forced closure last year after not being able to source components for their products.
The KTI website is still up but it is dated 2019 and does not seem to have been updated.
I guess I will just buy a new GME as it is not cost effective to have have them serviced to have the battery replaced.
Thanks.
AnswerID:
637858
Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 11:05
Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 11:05
I had a new battery installed in our GME a couple of years back.
It was cheaper than a new one, and "made sense".
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
FollowupID:
915989
Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 13:19
Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 13:19
Hi - yes I also looked into a few years back - the price of a new GME was about $300 and the service price for a new battery was about $200 plus shipping there and back BUT the killer for me is they will only warrant a reburbished
beacon for 12 months but they have a 7-10 year battery life - a new GME is warranted for the full 7 years. The question is why they will not warrant their refurbished PLBs for the full 7 years.
So for the extra $75 to $80 or so I would rather have the piece of mind in having a fully warranted
beacon.
FollowupID:
915992
Reply By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 13:28
Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 13:28
The KTI website seems to be breathing some life again.
https://kti.com.au/safety-alert-plb/
Previously it had a message about being sold to some European company and coming soon.
Maybe it is about to relaunch
AnswerID:
637860
Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 14:08
Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 14:08
Yes I thought so too but if you look at that site there have been no updates since 2019. The contact page says to contact the seller you bought the item from for warranty issues - no contact details for KTI.
I don't think they survived which is a shame.
FollowupID:
915993
Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 14:18
Thursday, Sep 09, 2021 at 14:18
The link that Jim S1 and I posted has a 3rd Feb 2021 date notifying of the closure.
FollowupID:
915994
Reply By: RMD - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 14:29
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 14:29
OzzieCruiser.
Seeing the unit is near expired, is it because of the battery becomes SUS or is it because the electronics go off song for the correct frequencies as
well?
If it is ONLY the battery in question, is it possible to convert it so it can run on alternative battery pack/replaceable items with sufficient run capacity IF ever needed and it would run for days? Simply making sure before a trip you have the power source available in a rechargeable pack which you WOULD do before a trip and even have pack charging system with you if required. That way the Electronic life can be extended even thought the OE battery stops. If intending bush walking, etc, it would be an item on the
check list to ensure OK before heading out.
The OE system if failsafe for anyone but practical people may be able to still use the unit if function is correct. It may not be good for boating use once opened but sealed up and with newpower source it may save some money.
AnswerID:
637867
Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 14:49
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 14:49
A life saving device worth about $300 and you want to do a DIY hack on it over getting a new one ?
FollowupID:
916016
Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 14:54
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 14:54
The unit is a sealed unit and I believe it is illegal to tamper with "prescribed" equipment.
The battery has a specified life of 7 years, hence the unit has a specified life of 7 years and even though the battery will last longer, I believe it is illegal to use an expired unit.
The other aspect is that without proof of the unit being refurbished the unit cannot be registered with the safety authorities.
FollowupID:
916017
Follow Up By: RMD - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 18:40
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 18:40
Ozzie cruiser.
Thanks for the clarification. I have never looked into or know of the legal aspect, hence the question. Verified registration/accreditation does change things.
FollowupID:
916022
Reply By: Gramps - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 15:25
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 15:25
Fair dinkum guys. The GME unit retails for around $350 and has a battery lifespan of 7 years. That's around $1 per week or 14c per day. My life is definitely worth more than that.
How much have you spent on your travelling rigs/equipment and you're going to quibble over a lousy $350. Spare me days.
Regards
AnswerID:
637868
Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 16:37
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 16:37
I am certainly not quibbling over buying a new unit in fact I said I would prefer a new unit over a refurbished one (can only be done by the manufacturer).
My preference on brand was the KTI because of its longer expiry time and I believed they were back in production.
As they are not back in production and as I also indicated, I will just buy a new GME.
FollowupID:
916019
Follow Up By: Phil G - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 18:34
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 18:34
KTI were Australian made which is why I have one. Pity another Australian company appears to have gone down the gurgler.
FollowupID:
916021
Follow Up By: OzzieCruiser - Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 19:54
Friday, Sep 10, 2021 at 19:54
I understand that GME PLBs are also made in Australia.
FollowupID:
916023