EPIRB

Stephen,

I'm another one who has upgraded their old model to the GPS model.

They have a service life of 12 years and a battery life of seven years according to the doco with them.

The battery can be replaced. There are instructions on the AMSA site for disabling the unit by disconnecting the battery for disposal.

I don't see how that part of the case at least can be welded.

Hi Lex
I am only stating what I have been personally told by our State Manager at Standard Communications here in Adelaide. They are the company that make them, so surely they would know??

The proof will be in under 7 years when people start to have batteries replaced. I was told that the replacement cost is built into the original sale price of the unit, that is why they do not have a firm price on the battery change over at this stage, but will be in the $150 - $200 range.

I have had this similar debate about this here on the forum, so I suggest that someone else contact Standard Communications, and not take my word on it.

Like I have said before, I am only reporting back directly from what I have been told by the manufacturer, not a seller or salesperson of the product and if you are able to find anything different to this, I will gladly pass this information on to have it confirmed by the people that make the products.

Cheers

Stephen

I should have added, this is what it states on page 4 of the users manual, and I am not able to find where it claims a 12 year service life

Batteries & Maintenance

The MT410 and MT410G PLBs are fitted with the very latest in high capacity battery technology. These batteries are able to operate within a temperature range of -20°C to +55°C.

The full operational capability of your beacon may not be available if the batteries fitted have exceeded their replacement date, as shown on the body of the unit.
Prior to reaching this date, make arrangements to have your MT410/MT410G returned for service.

Note: PLB maintenance operations, including battery replacement, require that the beacon be returned to a manufacturer approved service facility. A list of authorised Service Centres can be found on: www.gme.net.au.
The replacement of batteries due to expiry or usage is not covered by the product‘s Warranty.

MT410/MT410G batteries are not user replaceable.
Although the MT410/410G are otherwise maintenance free, routinely following these few simple steps will help ensure that your beacon will be operationally ready if
called upon:


Stephen

From the GME web site.

Emergency Beacon Useful Life Policy
Safety electronics may be called upon to make an important contribution in an emergency. Appropriate handling and care, complimented with the recommended regular inspection and self-test play an important part in maximising the product's life. However like all electrical products reliability reduces with age.

GME Emergency Beacons employ some of the latest materials and technologies making a 12 year useful life* achievable in the case of a correctly maintained beacon.

In fulfilling a duty of care to its customers, products that are over 12 years old will not be serviced by GME or any of it's agents.

GME emergency beacons are required to be serviced at intervals not exceeding 6 years for EPIRBs and 7 years for PLBs, products that are not serviced within this period may not perform to specification when needed.

Effective immediately, this policy applies to all new products sold and those already purchased.


*From date of manufacture.

Is someone's life worth $130. Buy the GPS one.
Those few hours could make all the difference.

121.5 actually.

Depends on your priorities really, is it worth the $200 extra when the non-GPS unit is accutate to within about 5km anyway.

When your miles from anywhere the difference in time to get to you is marginal.

Cheers
Ross

'accurate' actually.

Yeah, it's a bugger being all thumbs on the keyboard.

Cheers
Ross

Hi
Just another point re the accuracy, like above the 410 has a typical accuracy of less than 5 kilometres, while the 410G with GPS transmission, that has an accuracy of less than 45 metres, which like I have stated above, gives the authorities your exact location. For this very feature alone, that is why I went for the 410G

Cheers

Stephen

Another plus with the GPS is that position data can be checked against your trip intentions as registered on the AMSA website or as notified to your primary and secondary emergency contact details. When they concur SAR can be more confident sending out the cavalry.

Have you been on a ground search for someone within a 5km radius ?

Yes Mike numerous times it multiple terrains and it's a pain.

Given that most situations we are talking about the first response is likely to be an aircraft the 5kms is more than adequate.

Cheers
Ross

. . . assuming it's daytime, assuming the weather conditions allow aerial searching, assuming the aircraft can see you . . . . .

Hi Mike,
The point here with the less than 5 kilometre accuracy is quite simple. With the older type EPIRB, that would give the authorities a starting point of a 200 square kilometres area to start the search in, while with the less than 5 kilometres, there is a huge difference in the starting point for a recovery and would lead to being found a lot quicker. The whole point of the new PLB is that they are far superior in accuracy, and being picked up by satellite, rather than an air craft passing overhead.

For me, they are a very cheap piece of survival equipment that no one wants to activate, but would give you piece of mind if you had to.

Cheers

Stephen

I'm paying $100 extra for the GPS version, so the search area will be one-tenth of a sq kilometre and they'll know where I am 2 hours earlier.

Hi Mike,
You will be very happy with your purchase, and it is a great sense of security and that is why we went for the 410G. We do a lot of bush walking as well as paddling in the kayak on the back waters of the Murray. All my mod cons back in the vehicle are no good if anything goes wrong 10 kilometres from our vehicle.

Cheers

Stephen

Same here ... do backcountry skiing, and bushwalking. I take a mobile, handheld UHF and will add the PLB to the kit this season. If you're cactus in the snow the odds are already stacked against you.

. . . and with no obstructions 20 degrees above the horizon to the North West.

Unless you're in extreme Eastern Australia, where there's a Sat to the East North East

Thats pretty disappointing that the dealer didnt tell you about the difference n PLB and EPIRBs. I know that not everyone knows about it as I have worked a few boat shows as part of the 406 promotion program (not selling them though).

The main differences are that that when the state regs require you to carry an epirb are:

- Epirb battery life must be minimum of 24 hours (PLB is normally 24)

- Epiirb is supposed to float upright, and have a lanyard available to be tied off to vessel. Most PLBs may float but not upright. In the water its recommended to activate beacon, put in water, and tie off to raft, body or the boat in distress

Something else that is sometimes not too well explained is the "water activated epirbs". Normally they wont just activate simply because they get wet or are attached to sinking boat. You physically have to remove them from the mounting and then when they get wet they will activate

just to add, If you look at the maritime beacons (EPIRBS), you will note they are a bit larger. Normally thats just because they have some ballast in the bottom (so they float upright) and a larger battery (longer actiavted use)

Apart form that it wont matter if you actually activate an Epirb on land, or PLB at sea - the response will the same

Pete