Bushwalk Australia

ACR ResQLink
McMurdo Fastfind 220

is the battery replaceable on them? otherwise you'll have a brick in a few years. and does it need someone technical to replace the battery, if so is there somewhere you can get it replaced?> theres at least one brand that dont replace the battery, cant remember , the brand has three letters in it.
Q something from memory

It is probably wise to replace the unit when it expires anyway - you life may depend on it.

the fastfinds I know have certified agents who replace the batteries , you can test the unit to make sure it can connect to satellites , so replacing batteries shouldnt be an issue, its been standard procedure for a lot of brands.. havent heard of problems with units with replaced batteries, i think most have replaceable batteries.

http://www.epirbhire.com.au/buy%20an%20 ... %20PLB.htm
Try this company, they have really good service and prices the times I have used them. Ex hire stock and the ones I got off them were cheap.

I have a ocean signal rescue me plb1. Never used it so I can only hope it works when needed but it's a pretty yellow colour and small. I think by the time the plb batteries expired, it worked out that the plb cost me $0.60 per week. So I'm not too worried about battery replacement costs.

compare the battery life of different models and see if you can find out the transmit wattage, the higher wattage is likely to be more reliable and look at the potential for it to accidentally be set off.

Strider wrote:ACR ResQLink
McMurdo Fastfind 220

^^ ah huh, FastFind is my choice...

The UIN is the number they put on the sticker.
Online registration & updating is pretty easy and the stickers usually arrive within a week.

Cut the flotation pouch off, unit normally doesn't come with a lanyard but I knotted the cord left to attach a carabiner (not hard to replace though)as a safety. Not that I ever needed it as the yellow holder and rubber strap never let go on the shoulder strap of the pack even in heavy off track work, probably need the safety strap more with the aarn as pockets have been undone in some off track scrub.

The beacon sure will work without registration. It only leaves the SAR people wondering who owns that beacon and not have anyone to contact. AFAIK, you won't be discriminated against if it is a true emergency.

Lophophaps wrote: I'm going to wrap the PLB in two plastic bags with rubber bands to stop it tripping accidentally.[/color]

Sounds like a nightmare to activate in an emergency too.

It's already 'balanced' and you are worrying too much. Just throw it in your pack or in a pocket.

GPSGuided wrote:It's already 'balanced' and you are worrying too much. Just throw it in your pack or in a pocket.

This.


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Are they really that easy to activate accidentally? With mine (GME MT410G) it's impossible.

Put a clip on it, shove it in a shirt pocket so it's always with you when you're walking, and stop fretting.

I have a RescueMe plb that I just drop in my pack or put in my pocket as is. I think it would be very difficult to set off accidently.

Yep, one needs to flip open that spring loaded flap and then apply perpendicular point pressure on the flattish activation button for 1 full second. Never say never but highly unlikely to get triggered by accident.

Just looking at my unit's registration sticker, it's due to expire in 3 months time. I assume I'll need to review my emergency contact details etc and then order a replacement sticker closer to the expiration date.

AMSA will send you a reminder when the sticker's due for replacement.

north-north-west wrote:AMSA will send you a reminder when the sticker's due for replacement.

Very nice of them to do so but another cost of service. I wonder if our PLB purchase price included a cut that goes to AMSA for administration? Otherwise I've also got the expiration set in my to-do app, so will receive multiple reminder close to that date. I wouldn't mind if I can opt out of their reminder service if it's snail mail based.

Email.

I think you can set options for contact for things like that.

No big deal if it's just email. Good service by AMSA.

To activate the plb you have to press two buttons which are covered, so if you manage to rip that little door off and press both buttons down for the required time I'd have to say you'd be extremely unlucky . I always work on the principle of reaching & operating safety devices with one hand and both have to be able to do this.
Re amsa contacting you, it would cost the gov far less to send out reminders than it would to have someone searching for your next of kin where ever they are.

I have a PLB1 and is only aware of the single button press for activation. Effect of a PLB on compass is no different to other small electronic gears ie. Nil to little when close. Don't see much steel in PLB1, so don't worry about it.

I'm not sure whether to get a RescueME PLB 1 or a ResQlink+ 406 and perhaps someone can sway me on this issue…but I what I haven't figured out yet is if these devices will work for me outside the country they are registered in.

e.g. if I get one, I'll be registering it with AMSA but then heading off to hike in Sweden later this year. Assuming I needed rescue - will it get me rescued by the Swedes? I ask as the device resellers are so intent on you buying and registering your PLB in your country of primary PLB use.

Can anyone tell me with confidence if it will work outside Oz? If I buy one, I'll be using it all over the world.