Which PLB?

jlandells · 22 April 2014, 06:16

As I often find myself ribbing alone, I'm looking to add a PLB to my kit. I'm currently looking at:

• Kannad Safelink Solo
• ACR ResQLink+
• McMurdo Fastfind 220

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, or are they all pretty similar? Is there maybe something else in a similar price bracket that I should consider?

Many thanks,
-John.

SteveHall · 22 April 2014, 07:33

I have the same thought.. I want to see the reply

Dan Gurney · 22 April 2014, 07:54

Me too. TrevorG made a very persuasive argument for having a plb on my shopping list ahead of a wing engine.

Trevor G · 22 April 2014, 08:32

We have the McMurdo Fastfind 210 - I guess the 220 is just the newer model - At £190 including a pouch and lanyard from CrewSafe ( McMurdo Fastfind 220 PLB with GPS ) for the peace of mind it gives you if all else fails it really is a good buy!

Pikey Dave · 22 April 2014, 09:15

I have the Fastfind 210, don't know if it works or not & hopefully will never have to find out. The only bloke I know on here who's used one in anger is Mustrib & it most likely saved his life.

SPR · 22 April 2014, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlandells

As I often find myself ribbing alone, I'm looking to add a PLB to my kit. I'm currently looking at:

• Kannad Safelink Solo
• ACR ResQLink+
• McMurdo Fastfind 220

Does anyone have any experience with any of these, or are they all pretty similar? Is there maybe something else in a similar price bracket that I should consider?

Many thanks,
-John.

the Kannard & Mcmurdo are "same" units - slight different cases.

S.

www.firstaidatsea.co.uk
www.SPRmarine.co.uk

jlandells · 22 April 2014, 11:45

I know that people speak highly about the FastFind. The ACR looked interesting due to an apparently better spec, but I've never come across the brand before so don't know how good they are.

Dan Gurney · 22 April 2014, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I have the Fastfind 210, don't know if it works or not & hopefully will never have to find out. The only bloke I know on here who's used one in anger is Mustrib & it most likely saved his life.

I guess it would be interesting to know what MustRib has?

gohelm · 22 April 2014, 14:36

Ever considered the oceansignal rescueME plb1? It sinks (think only 1 version of the ACR in fact floats by itself) but it is very small so easy to take with you. It also has a 7 year warranted battery life.

Ocean Signal

Bushrider · 22 April 2014, 15:02

+1 for the McMurdo FastFind
I have the 220 and it fits very well into the small upper pocket of my drysuit .

Maximus · 22 April 2014, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushrider

+1 for the McMurdo FastFind
I have the 220 and it fits very well into the small upper pocket of my drysuit .

Me too....better to ''Have it and not need it than to...ect ect

MustRib · 22 April 2014, 17:27

I had a GME 410G last year and the very nice peeps at Sartech replaced it for me FOH when I sent it in to them for a service
I have some opinions about PLB's and the feedback they should give you when activated, purely from a psychological point of view. Maybe it will be the next generation of PLB's before some manufacturer embraces the concept of letting the user know in a simple and constant visual way that their unit is operating as intended.
I am sure all the manufacturers listed in this thread produce capable units, get the best specification you can afford, fasten it extremely securely to yourself and above all make sure you register it with Falmouth.

whackywoody · 22 April 2014, 17:39

I was looking at one of these as an alternative as it has an SOS function and is waterproof so I assume it has the same functionality as a PLB?

SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger

Also the battery has a 30 day standby and can be put inside the engine hood and if engine vibrates or is moved the tracking will start and is therefore an anti-theft device as well

A1an · 22 April 2014, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by whackywoody

I was looking at one of these as an alternative as it has an SOS function and is waterproof so I assume it has the same functionality as a PLB?

SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger

Also the battery has a 30 day standby and can be put inside the engine hood and if engine vibrates or is moved the tracking will start and is therefore an anti-theft device as well

Does that model require a subscription? I'm lazy and didn't check the link.

We have some of the SPOT units for lone working and the annual subs are ridiculously expensive. Iirc they are as much as the unit.

Barrowboy · 22 April 2014, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

I had a GME 410G last year and the very nice peeps at Sartech replaced it for me FOH when I sent it in to them for a service
I have some opinions about PLB's and the feedback they should give you when activated, purely from a psychological point of view. Maybe it will be the next generation of PLB's before some manufacturer embraces the concept of letting the user know in a simple and constant visual way that their unit is operating as intended.
I am sure all the manufacturers listed in this thread produce capable units, get the best specification you can afford, fasten it extremely securely to yourself and above all make sure you register it with Falmouth.

Andy, your article in Powerboat & Rib magazine was one of the most informative pieces I've read in any boating mag over the past 20 years.

The article left me with the impression that since the event you'd had an opportunity to feed back to a couple of the manufacturers, first-hand, your experiences and that the PLB manufacturer was actively considering a way of letting the (cold, wet, disoriented, frightened) user know that the PLB was working correctly and had transmitted/was continuing to transmit its position?

Are you receiving any positive feedback from the manufacturer about whether this feature is likely to be incorporated in the next generation of PLBs?

whackywoody · 22 April 2014, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1an

Does that model require a subscription? I'm lazy and didn't check the link.

We have some of the SPOT units for lone working and the annual subs are ridiculously expensive. Iirc they are as much as the unit.

Alan, you are right the basic annual fee is £110 a year and this is why I haven't yet committed to buying one yet

Pikey Dave · 22 April 2014, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by whackywoody

Alan, you are right the basic annual fee is £110 a year and this is why I haven't yet committed to buying one yet

I'd be interested to see how the battery stands up. E.G. if it's been sending pings all day/weekend & not charged up, & then the brown stuff hits the fan, I'd want to know that there'd be enough juice to keep going until the cavalry arrives. At least with a PLB you know that the battery is reserved for when you really need it.

andyxs · 22 April 2014, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1an

Does that model require a subscription? I'm lazy and didn't check the link.

We have some of the SPOT units for lone working and the annual subs are ridiculously expensive. Iirc they are as much as the unit.

DO NOT BUY THE SPOT and expect it to act like a PLB. see this link spot off | Sailing Anarchy
possibly some false advertising by all accounts

MustRib · 22 April 2014, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

Are you receiving any positive feedback from the manufacturer about whether this feature is likely to be incorporated in the next generation of PLBs?

I swopped a few emails with GME and they "were considering" my feedback for future models. The approval of PLB's for use on land, places still more emphasis on the issue of user "monitoring" of the unit.
Being stuck on a mountain, in a storm, with an injured collegue, your decision to stay or seek help may be dictated by your activated PLB feeding back information to you that its operating and broadcasting correctly.
Until the Sat system itself changes to allow reception as well as broadcast,
improvements should be made to units to visually show that they are successfully transmitting, that they have adequate battery life, transmission hours left etc. Positive re-inforcement is great in those situations, but equally if a unit isn't functioning properly, the sooner you find out the better.
Modifications to the design cost money, and bring up the unit cost in a competitive market place, but the first manufacturer that does so will get my money for sure.

A1an · 22 April 2014, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I'd be interested to see how the battery stands up. E.G. if it's been sending pings all day/weekend & not charged up, & then the brown stuff hits the fan, I'd want to know that there'd be enough juice to keep going until the cavalry arrives. At least with a PLB you know that the battery is reserved for when you really need it.

That's the thing I have against the SPOT range AND the price.

For a couple of hundreds squids you can get yourself a McMurdo that has a warranty backed battery life of 5 years. Basically peace of mind for 5 years and a couple hundred quid.

Over the same duration a SPOT will cost you in the region of £650 and requires the user to make sure the battery is tip top. Not a big issue I know but its an element that is open to being looked over.

McMurdo for me.