PLB Questions?

Islandtrader · #1 03-31-2014, 04:12 PM

If going off shore alone my better half wants me to get a PLB (personal locator beacon) I won't disagree with her on this one.

I have been looking at the ACR PLB-350 B
http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp...730&id=1280601

Anybody have 1? Pro's Cons?

Thanks,

Ed · #2 03-31-2014, 04:34 PM

I captained a motor yacht for 4 years and the owner did not want to spend money on an epirb so I bought an ACR PLB. It is not as accurate nor does it have the battery life of an EPIRB but it is better than nothing.....plus you are not just limited to your boat. Since it is portable you can use it hiking, walking through the Bronx!, etc.

Just make sure you get one that has GPS signal capability.

CaptLloyd · #3 03-31-2014, 04:59 PM

I have a ACR Aquafix PLB which is the older version of the one you're looking at. I've had it several years, long enough that the battery was replace and the unit completed tested. I've had good experience with ACR products.

I carry it in a work vest type PFD that has 4 pockets. It fits nicely in one of the bottom pockets. Another pocket has a waterproof handheld VHF, then there are waterproof flares, strobe light, signaling mirror, compass, whistle, blow up orange sausage in the other pockets. I don't leave the inlet without that vest. I keep it close to the helm, I tell everyone with me if we have to go in the water, get your PFD and make sure that vest comes with us, it's like a ditch bag. But for the few times I go solo offshore, it is comfortable to wear. I've been 25 miles offshore in my 20SF reeling in and gaffing dolphin alone while wearing that vest. I hope I never have to use anything in it.

Get yourself one, make sure it sends GPS coordinates. And make sure you register it, they don't search for unregistered units.

Lloyd

76Red18 · #4 03-31-2014, 06:18 PM

I have one of those. I keep in the front pocket of my fishing shorts. The only time really notice it is when I have to bury the butt of my rod in my thigh to keep one of those big gags from pinning me to the gunnel. It does give me piece of mind when I'm 25 miles out in an 18' boat.

I also have an auto tether but have had some issues with water intrusion.

gofastsandman · #5 03-31-2014, 07:01 PM

I`ve got the acr 406. Got it from Cape Marine supply for a steal of a deal. Vendor here.
Thanks Rich.

Islandtrader · #6 04-01-2014, 08:08 AM

OK good...I will check out CMS...and see what he's got!

Any recommendations Lloyd on the life vest?

CaptLloyd · #7 04-01-2014, 10:23 AM

I have this

http://www.capemarinesupply.com/must...-vest---lg.asp

kmoose · #8 04-01-2014, 01:13 PM

Considering the distance I go offshore I stick with the Cat 2 406 models. They are not pocket size but not far from it. I keep mine in a mesh ditch bag or on the dash. The personals require the person to deploy the antenna and activate. The Class 2 activates in water as well as manual.

The personal locator is great if you are going to keep it on you, but that's it. Emergencies happen quickly and I would rather have a unit that will go off on it's own then to count on someone in the heat of the moment to find and activate it.

The cat 2 also has more than double the active battery life and transmits at a higher wattage, has a brighter strobe...... for less than 200 extra bucks get this: http://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-2844-...IRB-P2464.aspx

gofastsandman · #9 04-01-2014, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmoose

Considering the distance I go offshore I stick with the Cat 2 406 models. They are not pocket size but not far from it. I keep mine in a mesh ditch bag or on the dash. The personals require the person to deploy the antenna and activate. The Class 2 activates in water as well as manual.

The personal locator is great if you are going to keep it on you, but that's it. Emergencies happen quickly and I would rather have a unit that will go off on it's own then to count on someone in the heat of the moment to find and activate it.

The cat 2 also has more than double the active battery life and transmits at a higher wattage, has a brighter strobe...... for less than 200 extra bucks get this: http://www.thegpsstore.com/ACR-2844-...IRB-P2464.aspx

You can hide them in your tackle box.

Fr. Frank · #10 04-01-2014, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptLloyd

And make sure you register it, they don't search for unregistered units.
Lloyd

Actually, yes we do. But it makes the search harder.

EPIRB, ELT, and PLB searches are all coordinated by the AFRCC, (Air Force Rescue Coordination Center), and ALL such signals in the CONUS and within 25 nautical miles of the coast are investigated, with more than 90% searched by the Civil Air Patrol. Beyond 25 nautical miles, primary search is the USCG, augmented by the USAF.

The reason for the Civil Air Patrol to be first responder to an emergency transmitter is cost and speed. The hourly flight operations cost for a CAP C172 is under $150, for a CAP 182 about $180 per hour. We can also fly at under 100 kts, making searches more thorough than from a C130 or jet.

Contrast that with an hourly operating cost for a HH-65 Dolphin of around $3250; for a HH-60 Skyhawk it's around $4,500, for a C130 it's about $7100, and for a HU-25 Falcon about $7200.

Be we are not permitted to operate more than 25 miles offshore except under extraordinary circumstances, such as tracking oil during the Deepwater Horizon mission.

But we WILL search for you. And every one of us is a volunteer.

Captain Frank D. Gough II, Chaplain & Pilot,
United States Air Force Auxilliary, Civil Air Patrol