Looking forward to the price of the new 406's to come down to something affordable...
Looks like it won't be too long to wait...
http://beacons.amsa.gov.au/Buying_and_r ... eacons.aspThese look good
http://www.painswessex.com.au/Marine/Fa ... lusPLB.htmBut are very expensive and a bit weighty -
http://www.wetweathergear.com.au/prod192.htmThe Pains Wessex 406Mhz PLB weighs 400grams, size 54 x 78 x 153mm
The GME 410 406Mhz PLB weighs 235grams, size 38 x 71 x 135mm
The GME 410G 406Mhz PLB weighs 250grams, size 38 x 71 x 135mm
If I am to get one, I really like the sound of the GPS option - check this
http://www.gme.net.au/marine/PDFs/plb.pdfTypical accuracy -
MT410G: <45m
MT410: <5km.
I think someone can hear my whistle at 45 metres but not at 5km...
I know they'd find me if I had either, but to fly straight to me (if it came to that) using their GPS and my transmitted co-ordinates, rather than get within 5km and use the frequency finding / tracking or however it's done to narrow down from about 5km, well I figure if I needed to use an EPIRB, I would want the help ASAP...
http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/mt410.phpHey, the GME MT410G is cheaper than I thought -
I found them
here and
here and
here for $649
And on
ebay for $598
Whoop, getting cheaper -
Here for $589, free delivery!!
This post is taking me a long time to get together, I just got side tracked on their site big time...
But
to hire an EPIRB with GPS for 4 days costs $125 or 7 days $145, and a shelf life of 7 years, I think I'll buy one before too long.
Maybe the price will drop even further by the time 121.5 dies in 2009.
Here's hoping nobody needs one... Me included.