Emergency Locator Beacons

[TJ]

I have been thinking about getting one for personal use as sometimes we end up in areas with no cell phone coverage. I know our club (Auckland 4wd) has a few and they are part of the trip leader's kit. Other clubs also carry some. But this was an idea in my head for personal protection.

So, two questions:

1) Would many people be interested in something like the GME MT410G;

2) Does anyone here have good connections to get a good price.

We could probably do a group buy and take advantage. The old style EPIRBs will not be supported after 1 February 2009.

[Jerry]

there was a bulk buy on another forum a whilst back, I can find out who the person dealt with and if they are keen to do another deal again with ORE?

[TJ]

there was a bulk buy on another forum a whilst back, I can find out who the person dealt with and if they are keen to do another deal again with ORE?

Yeah I know, that was about 18 months ago. Price was rediculous as well. I was looking at the new MT410G and because of the gps functionality onboard it gives <45m accuracy rather than the other 406MHz unit accuracy of <5km. Now if I am upside down somewhere and need emergency help, I would rather have the helpers looking for me within 45m radius than 5 kms!!!

[Jerry]

Yep that makes sense, roughly what sort of price are we looking at without discount ie retail

[TJ]

Yep that makes sense, roughly what sort of price are we looking at without discount ie retail

Retail I have seen so far is $699 to $799, both of which are a bit on the high side for my budget. If we can get a decent price, this could work.

[madaz068]

Yep that makes sense, roughly what sort of price are we looking at without discount ie retail

Retail I have seen so far is $699 to $799, both of which are a bit on the high side for my budget. If we can get a decent price, this could work.

I looked at a deal a while back with a wholesaler. I could revisit that if we have some interest from a few people if you want. What are the codes of the units you are looking at

[TJ]

I looked at a deal a while back with a wholesaler. I could revisit that if we have some interest from a few people if you want. What are the codes of the units you are looking at

GME MT410G (which has the gps receiver for more accurate location identification)

or

GME MT410 (which is the same unit without gps)

I agree with you, we need to gauge people's interest first otherwise doing the hardwork is useless.

[Jerry]

don't get the water activated ones

[TJ]

don't get the water activated ones

I don't believe the two units I have listed are water activated. I know it could be a problem with water crossings

[Mark]

The last deal was for the GME MT400 (http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/mt400.php) which is a regular unit without GPS or water immersion activation. It was a brilliant deal and I take it with me whenever I use the boat or go on a 4WD trip.

I know the supplier of these units from the last deal and could enquire about a similar order if need be. I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes though and have no idea who put together the last order.

[TJ]

The last deal was for the GME MT400 (http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/mt400.php) which is a regular unit without GPS or water immersion activation. It was a brilliant deal and I take it with me whenever I use the boat or go on a 4WD trip.

I know the supplier of these units from the last deal and could enquire about a similar order if need be. I wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes though and have no idea who put together the last order.

This is the link I have found for the previous deal:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2104&p=16628&hilit=mt400#p16628

MT400 is slightly bigger in size. MT410 is more compact and suited towards easier carriage (may be even by trampers). Price difference is not significant.

[wjw]

A group of us purchased one of these a while ago, thankfully we haven't had to use it.

[TJ]

Okay, so we are upto six people who are interested after first 24 hours of this poll.

[TJ]

Okay now we have 8 people interested. Still a couple of days to run for the poll. Has someone got a good connection in the industry for a decent price.

[Sadam_Husain]

The thing to bear in mind with a locator beacon is it'll only ever be one of a number of emergency options available in a 4x4 situation. It'll probably be a matter of hours if not more before you get a response after activating a beacon, the signal will have to be picked up and relayed to the RCC (I think they are still called the RCC) and assessments made to check if there are any missing aircraft, possible hoax, bring in local LandSAR advisors, weather and flying conditions, daylight hours etc before they despatch a plane or chopper to go and have a looksie at where the signals coming from, beauracracy all takes time and the response may not nessecarilly be the same day.

Ideal for a life and death situation if your stranded and unable to seek assistance but you've always got to assess the fastest method relaying the correct information and getting the right resourses that you need as quick as you can


Keep the cellphone handy and be prepared for a long walk as well

[TJ]

Keep the cellphone handy and be prepared for a long walk as well

Sure, but what if I am driving and somehow end up in a ditch off a cliff (and there are many of those on NZ roads - I don't call them highways). I such a situation, I am probably going to be upside down and my wife wondering why am I so late coming home. A cellphone and walking would be kind of possibly difficult.

I know what you are saying, but my perspective is not necessarily just related to offroad activities as mostly we are in a convoy and look after each other.

[Sadam_Husain]

I wasnt trying to undermine the intent there TJ, a locator beacon would be a welcome piece of equipment in anybodys emergency kit.

It was just a generalised bit of information for everyones bennefit, I've had a 20+ year background in SAR in search team and in management roles and things typically take a lot longer than people think when they push the button or make the phone call

[TJ]

I wasnt trying to undermine the intent there TJ, a locator beacon would be a welcome piece of equipment in anybodys emergency kit.

It was just a generalised bit of information for everyones bennefit, I've had a 20+ year background in SAR in search team and in management roles and things typically take a lot longer than people think when they push the button or make the phone call

Don't worry, I didn't take it that way either. As long as I know that I pressed the button for help before passing out (and the message has a more than a fair chance of getting to someone), I would be happy and die calmly.

How long it takes for rescuers to reach me depends on a lot of things (as you have pointed out). No worries. Beside some of these locator beacons have an accuracy range of upto 5 kms, now thats a big area to cover and look for someone.

[wjw]

Sure, but what if I am driving and somehow end up in a ditch off a cliff (and there are many of those on NZ roads - I don't call them highways). I such a situation, I am probably going to be upside down and my wife wondering why am I so late coming home. A cellphone and walking would be kind of possibly difficult.

Remeber the beacons probably wouldn't work in that scenario as like GPS they need a clear view of the sky.

[TJ]

Sure, but what if I am driving and somehow end up in a ditch off a cliff (and there are many of those on NZ roads - I don't call them highways). I such a situation, I am probably going to be upside down and my wife wondering why am I so late coming home. A cellphone and walking would be kind of possibly difficult.

Remeber the beacons probably wouldn't work in that scenario as like GPS they need a clear view of the sky.

Oh well, they why bother with anything. All of us have to die one day anyway (we are all mortals).

[Sadam_Husain]

Oh well, they why bother with anything. All of us have to die one day anyway (we are all mortals).

Because it may be the only thing that saves yours or somebody elses life

[DaveM]

Depending on price I may be interested.
For the bigger trips, I borrow one of works Defibs too, would hate to have to use it, but at least its there.

[wjw]

Oh well, they why bother with anything. All of us have to die one day anyway (we are all mortals).

Because it may be the only thing that saves yours or somebody elses life

The more stuff you have to save yourself/call help, the less likely you are to die....

[TJ]

I have done a bit of search on the net and here are retail prices available:

649 http://www.guncity.co.nz/personal-locator-beacon-accusat-pocket-mt410-xidp160724.html
699 http://www.downunderpilotshop.co.nz/GME_MT410G_406_MHz_PLB_With_GPS-p-178.html
699 http://www.smartmarine.co.nz/406mhz-epirb-selectionpersonal-locator-beacons-p-1075.html
699 http://www.baymarineelectronics.co.nz/product_details.asp?id=726
723.375 http://www.triginstruments.co.nz/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=874
745 http://www.mapworld.co.nz/mt410g.html
749 http://www.synergypositioning.co.nz/e107_plugins/content/images/file/392_spring_07_online_pdf-2.pdf
750 http://www.gme.net.nz/mt410plb.html

Guncity price seems to be the lowest, but their website is not clear whether its the MT410 or MT410g (with GPS). I was searching for MT410g (with GPS signal). It seems like $699 is about average and with a number of units being bought, it gives a bit of a muscle to negotiate further.

If someone else has an existing source, you are more than welcome to chip in here.

[PeterVahry]

Some great research TJ. The NZFWDA are just confirming that a representative from Search and Rescue headquarters will speak to our annual conference on 24 May. There might be some interest in orders from that meeting after the delegates have heard the options as the talk is to be about EPIRB and communication.

[Jungle]

I missed the talk on the epirb type system but we did mention the increasing popularity of the HF SSB radio's. That all stands for High Frequency single side band radio. Commonly used by the 4wheelers all over Aussie.

With this system you have 100% coverage all over NZ. You can talk to all other mobile and base units for free. You can also make phone calls to anywhere in the world including cell phones. There's also a fax option but I haven't worked that one out yet. It has shortcut radio calls to Police and St Johns and if your gonna be late home for tea, just ring mum up and get her to put the roast in the warming draw.

It also has Mountain Radio channels and can be used in conjunction with SAR and get those weather forecasts. You can also talk directly to aircraft, choppers and butter boxes. Great when your directing in that chopper for an emergency.

Check out the 4x4action mag for June. Lots more info in there.

Cheers
George
ZKG 5912

[kiwipete]

I missed the talk on the epirb type system but we did mention the increasing popularity of the HF SSB radio's. That all stands for High Frequency single side band radio.

With this system you have 100% coverage all over NZ.

And the cost of one of these is?

[BrentC]

I missed the talk on the epirb type system but we did mention the increasing popularity of the HF SSB radio's. That all stands for High Frequency single side band radio.

With this system you have 100% coverage all over NZ.

And the cost of one of these is?

$2,500 http://www.on-track4wd.co.nz/NZ-25204WD-2520Radio-2520Net.html

I wonder how that would compare to renting a sat phone?

Also - have a look at a question I put on GPS.ORG for a radio expert to comment on

http://forums.gps.org.nz/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4155

and then you also have SPOT

[Engineer]

We just got back from our trip. we hired an EPIRB for 7days $25! Cheap insurance. Also when ya hire them if you dont return it on time they will go out and start searching for ya in the area youve noted down.fairly good system i think. I know for the amount of times we go out in the middle of no where its not enough to jusity buying one!

Ryan